LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION welcoming Mr. Xi Jinping, President of the
People's Republic of China, to the United States, and reaffirming New
York's sister city relationships with China

WHEREAS, Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the United
States of America (hereafter referred to as the US) and the People's
Republic of China (hereafter referred to as China) in 1979, bilateral
trade has increased by 200 times and China is the fastest expanding
export market for the US; and
WHEREAS, There are 41 pairs of sister states/provinces and 203 pairs
of sister cities between the US and China and the two countries also
established the US-China Governors Forum in January 2011 to support
subnational cooperation, which provide channels and opportunities for
exchange and cooperation between the two countries and peoples; and
WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in acknowledging its
sister city relationships; and
WHEREAS, They believe that establishing such partnerships will deepen
their mutual understanding, strengthen their mutual trust, expand
consensus, and enhance cooperation; and
WHEREAS, Over 10,000 Americans and Chinese fly across the Pacific
every day and people in both countries are seeking broader and deeper
exchanges and cooperation; and
WHEREAS, The new model of major-country relationship between the US
and China is built on mutual respect and win-win cooperation while
avoiding conflicts and confrontations; and
WHEREAS, China is the largest source of import and third largest
export market of the State of New York, with exports exceeding $5
billion in 2014, an increase of 170% over the previous 10 years; and
WHEREAS, The strong cultural, educational and tourism ties shared by
the State of New York and China have grown substantially over the recent
years and have helped foster strong friendship between our two peoples;
and
WHEREAS, The people of the State of New York have enjoyed a sister
state relationship with the people of China's Jiangsu Province since
1989, and there are 10 pairs of sister cities between the State of New
York and China; and
WHEREAS, The Chinese community has become increasingly significant and
one of the fastest growing communities in the State of New York and
Governor Cuomo signed the law in December 2014 to make Chinese New Year
a public school holiday; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize the ongoing all-around relationship between New York and China
as serving mutual interests in a reciprocal manner; to warmly welcome
the President of China, Mr. Xi Jinping, on his visit to the United
States in September of 2015, which will provide a great opportunity to
reinforce the US-China relationship; to reaffirm its commitment to
promoting relationships with China in such areas as business, education,
culture, tourism and friendship between the two peoples; to highlight
the significance of the long-term relations with China that will bring
concrete benefits to peoples of both countries; and to stand ready to
advance parliamentary ties with the provincial legislature of Jiangsu
Province of the People's Republic of China; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Mr. Xi Jinping, President of China.