The mayor of Washington DC, Anthony Williams, said on Tuesday that his city wants to improve economic and trade cooperation with Beijing. He was in Beijing at the invitation of the municipal government meeting with He Luli, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of ties between the Chinese and US capitals and Williams was returning a visit by his counterpart Wang Qishan last May, when a five-year memorandum of understanding was signed, promising to build on exchanges between them.

He Luli said that cooperation between Beijing and Washington DC has produced fruitful results over the past years. She hoped to consolidate their friendship and promote China-US relations.

In an interview at his hotel Williams said Washington has much to learn from the way Beijing markets itself as a tourist destination. "It's almost the brashness. You're overwhelmed by the vitality of the place," reported the Washington Post.

On Sunday, Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng also welcomed a delegation led by his Chicago equivalent Richard Daley at Jinjiang Small Hall.

The two sides agreed to increase cooperation in several areas including air quality, water, garbage and emergency response.

"Since Chicago became a sister city of Shanghai in 1985, the two sides have maintained a good relationship, and I expect your visit can increase cooperation and exchanges," said Han.

He spoke about his city's economic construction and social development over the past years, indicating that Chicago's experience in urban planning and environmental protection is something from which Shanghai could learn.

"Shanghai and Chicago have established a close relationship with each other in various aspects of our social lives, and more cooperation is expected in the near future," Daley said.

He wants to see increased Chinese investment and inaugurated the first "Chicago-Shanghai Dialogue" a conference attended by businessmen and government leaders of the two cities in China's financial center Monday.

Daley also signed an agreement with Vice Education Minister Wu Qidi to establish a "Confucius Institute" in Chicago to promote Chinese language instruction.

(China.org.cn, eastday.com, Xinhua News Agency October 20, 2004)