In Boston, speaking up for better bilateral ties

Hundreds of Chinese and US politicians, diplomats and business leaders gathered at the Massachusetts State House on Thursday to celebrate the state's relationship with China and vowed to deepen ties during an uncertain time for the bilateral relationship.

"We enjoy very much the opportunity to interact with the Chinese community but more importantly [to] continue to foster the opportunity for economic development between Massachusetts and China," said Paul Donato, second assistant majority leader in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Donato spoke during the state's China Day, which was co-sponsored by the Chinese Consulate General in New York and the Asian-American Caucus of the state's legislature.

Held for the third time at the State House, this year's event is in "the same venue, but [in a] very different political atmosphere, as all of you know that the China-US relationship is now at a crossroads," Deputy Chinese Consul General Qian Jin in New York said in the keynote speech at the event.

China and the US are embroiled in a protracted trade dispute, resulting in reciprocal tariffs being imposed on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods traded between the two countries.

Highlighting the importance of subnational level exchanges between the two countries, Qian said the "future of the relationship between Massachusetts and China will keep developing".

"Massachusetts is pleased to continue strengthening the economic, scientific and cultural relationship between China and Massachusetts" and to develop its innovation systems "through strategic partnership, cooperation and friendship" with China, wrote Charlie Baker, the state's governor, in a welcome letter to the China Day.

The state, or commonwealth, of Massachusetts has developed a long-lasting relationship with China.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra was the first American orchestra to visit China after the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1979.

In 1982, Boston started its sister-city relationship with southern Chinese city Hangzhou. In the following year, Massachusetts and Guangzhou became sister states.

What is more important, said Donato, is the economic relationship between Massachusetts and China.

China was the second-largest import and export market for Massachusetts in 2018, according to data from the US Census Bureau, and the New England state hosts a number of Chinese businesses, including Chinese railway giant China Railroad Rolling Stock Corp (CRRC), which employs nearly 300 people at its Springfield, Massachusetts factory.

On Wednesday, six subway cars built by CRRC started their first run in Boston's subway system, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), part of CRRC's billion-dollar project to update MBTA's orange and red lines.

"It shows that there's an opportunity for both China and Massachusetts to continue to work together economically, because it will benefit both Massachusetts and China as well," Donato said.

Jia Bo, president of CRRC MA, said that the company is looking to attract more American clients and create more job opportunities in the US despite the challenging political environment.

The company is feeling the impact of the tariffs, as a quarter of its material is imported from China. It also faces scrutiny on security and privacy issues, said Jia.

But with its Massachusetts plant, the company, which is dedicated to innovation and quality control, is positive about building a strong foundation in the US and establishing its brand while winning the trust of its US clients.

"For every wave that goes down, there must be a wave that comes up," said Gene Hartigan, a board director of the Shanghai Zhangjiang Boston Enterprise Park.