Fan Hengshan put forward that China and Europe should deepen cooperation in the following three aspects: 1. Working together to improve quality, and strengthening cooperation in planning and governance; 2. Promoting green development jointly, and strengthening cooperation in energy conservation and environmental protection; 3. Sharing development achievements and strengthening cooperation in project construction.
The Executive Vice Governor of Fujian Province Zhang Zhinan said that Putian City, as one of the first batch of national comprehensive pilot cities for new-type urbanization, is vigorously implementing the integration of multiple plans, advancing urbanization in local and nearby areas, working toward regional integration and making efforts to build a happy home. In the opinions of Zhang Zhinan, urbanization is the only way to achieve modernization. Since European urbanization boasts a long history and distinct features, Chinese cities can learn a lot from Europe in aspects of successful experience and good practices.
The Deputy Director General of China Center for Urban Development, National Development and Reform Commission Chen Hongwan pointed out that China and Europe share broad common interests. In the past five years, China and Europe have continuously deepened urbanization partnership, constantly expanded new cooperation fields and achieved a number of new cooperation results. EU-China urbanization partnership has become the most fruitful bilateral cooperation mechanism in urbanization, and the benchmark of China’s international cooperation in urbanization.
Deputy Director General Chen Hongwan said that China Center for Urban Development, under the guidance of National Development and Reform Commission, has participated in the organization of previous forums and events attended by main leaders of China and Europe. China Center for Urban Development has also set up the Secretariat of EU-China Urbanization Partnership in China with the approval of National Development and Reform Commission this year which is responsible for affairs related to EU-China urbanization partnership. Meanwhile, it has facilitated the pairing of 18 pairs of cities, implementation of 30 pairs of cooperation projects and construction of 4 demonstration areas, establishing an important platform for EU-China city-to-city cooperation.
The Secretary of the CPC Putian Municipal Committee, Fujian Province Lin Baojin said that Putian is the hometown of Mazu. Mazu culture represents openness and inclusiveness and influences dozens of countries and more than three hundred million people in the world. Putian City is sparing no effort to build Demonstration Areas of Beautiful China, accelerating 9 special actions including urban and rural construction, and striving to explore some experience for the province and even the country through its own development.
The Minister Counselor of EU Delegation to China for Scientific Research and Innovation Laurent Bochereau said that EU and China should constantly strengthen cooperation in low-carbon city construction, be committed to jointly promoting the great cause of new-type urbanization, and strive to make common contributions to mitigating the impact of climate change on both parties’ development.
The Chief Coordination Officer of EUROCITIES Nicholas pointed out that China and Europe should share a common goal to make more people willing to live and work in cities, and both parties should be committed to working toward this end. Today, the EU-China Forum on Sustainable Urban Development has provided a good opportunity for both parties to work hard together and find out solutions for future development.
China Center for Urban Development, National Development and Reform Commission formally announced the establishment of China International Cities Development Alliance at the opening ceremony. It was set up under the guidance of National Development and Reform Commission. This alliance aims at introducing international resources and providing international platforms for cities, strengthening communication and cooperation between Chinese and foreign cities, enterprises, think tanks and institutions, making both parties complement each other with advantages and achieve win-win cooperation, promoting more international cities (parks, enterprises, think tanks and institutions) to form pairs, enriching and expanding results of international cooperation in urbanization and enhancing international influence of cities through international platforms.
With paired cities of EU-China urbanization partnership as the basis, the alliance actively takes in cities at all levels all over the country. The first batch of alliance members include 90 units, covering 67 cities (including prefecture-level and county-level cities), 2 national-level new areas and 21 districts, counties and towns.
Witnessed by guest speakers at the opening ceremony, agreements were signed between China Center for Urban Development, National Development and Reform Commission and EUROCITIES, and between Chinese Cities New Urbanization Fund Management Co., Ltd., China Center for Urban Development and Putian Municipal People's Government.
The leaders of China and EU signed the Joint Declaration on the EU-China Partnership on Urbanization in 2012, opening a new chapter for EU-China cooperation in urbanization. In the past five years, both parties have constantly expanded their cooperation fields, continuously deepened cooperation content and pragmatically advanced cooperation projects.