From October 27 to 30, the Yangtze-Mississippi Regional Dialogue was convened in Wuhan, Hubei Province. Under the theme “Bridging Rivers for a Better Future”, the event brought together a high-profile delegation including mayors, legislators, and scholars from U.S. states such as Minnesota and Alabama, alongside their Chinese counterparts from provinces along the Yangtze River like Hubei, Shanghai, and Sichuan.

A group photo of the conference participants

Vice Governor Zhang Wentong, CPAFFC Vice President Shen Xin, and USCPFA Vice Chair Susan Thornton delivered opening remarks, emphasizing sub-national synergy. The forum facilitated in-depth discussions across shipping logistics, cultural tourism, and youth exchange.

A series of roundtable sessions showcased practical cooperation, ranging from Wisconsin’s climate action plans to the "smiling angel" finless porpoise conservation stories. Beyond the conference hall, guests experienced Wuhan’s dynamic blend of heritage and high-tech, visiting the Yellow Crane Tower and test-driving autonomous vehicles. Since Hubei first proposed this initiative in 2017, the Dialogue has evolved into a premier institutional brand for China-U.S. sub-national cooperation. As participants noted, much like the relentless flow of these two great rivers, the partnership between the Yangtze and the Mississippi continues to surge forward, transcending vast distances to foster mutual prosperity.