Deputy Secretary of Transportation Promotes U.S.-China Cooperation at Transportation Forum in Shenzhen

At the 3rd U.S.-China Transportation Forum (TF) held December 9-11 in Shenzhen, China, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation John Porcari emphasized the importance of transportation infrastructure as a foundation for economic development and underscored the United States’ commitment to engage China and the private sector to improve efficiencies in transportation for the benefit of citizens in both countries.  The forum advanced bilateral cooperation on a range of transportation issues of concern to both countries through collaborative dialogue between officials and industry representatives from both countries. 

As the head of the American delegation, Deputy Secretary Porcari and his counterpart, Vice Minister Weng Mengyong of China’s Ministry of Transport, reviewed the significant progress achieved by the six working groups —Disaster Assistance, Urban Congestion, Hazardous Materials, New Technologies in Transport (Rail), Innovative Financing, and Multi-modal Freight— over the past year, and their work plans for the coming year.  Mr. Porcari also introduced the Ports and Inland Waterways Initiative, an effort to share ideas and experiences on promoting and expanding inland waterway networks to benefit economic development, which was enthusiastically welcomed by China and will be added under the TF framework.

At the forum, three “paired cities” (San Francisco-Shenzhen, Los Angles-Beijing and New York-Beijing) as well as U.S. and Chinese research institutions signed Memorandums of Cooperation to deepen collaboration and the exchange of data, research and best practices on the challenges of urban congestion. 

In his opening remarks at the forum, Deputy Secretary Porcari stressed that by working together and learning from one another, both countries build mutual trust, which is key to further strengthening U.S.-China relations. 

This year’s forum highlighted the role industry plays in the bilateral dialogue.  At a breakfast co-hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in South China and the U.S.-China Business Council, Deputy Secretary Porcari promoted President Obama’s National Export Initiative and listened to U.S. industry views on how to better coordinate public and private efforts to create more opportunities for U.S. businesses in China’s transportation sector.  In a separate meeting with U.S. and Chinese urban transportation industry representatives, he discussed the TF’s role as a platform for government and industry from both countries to exchange technology and know-how to confront urban congestion challenges together and for businesses to develop partnerships in support of such efforts.  Deputy Secretary Porcari also toured the UPS Intra-Asia Hub in Shenzhen as part of his trip.

In addition, Deputy Secretary Porcari visited two major Shenzhen transportation hubs—Futian Transit Hub and Luohu Land Port.  Members of his delegation visited Yantian Port, a major port for transpacific ocean shipping.

At the conclusion of the TF, Deputy Secretary Porcari congratulated his Chinese counterparts for hosting a successful forum, and welcomed Chinese delegates to the United States next year for the 4th U.S.-China Transportation Forum.  Mr. Porcari was accompanied by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Transportation Susan McDermott, U.S. Consulate Guangzhou Acting Consul General James Levy and other Washington, Embassy Beijing, and Consulate Guangzhou staff.