Nicholas Burns, U.S. Ambassador to China, and Lisa Heller, U.S. Consul General in Guangzhou, visited Fuzhou and Xiamen from March 18 to 21.

On March 19, Secretary Zhou Zuyi met with Ambassador Burns in Fuzhou. Noting Fujian’s historical connections with the U.S., Zhou highlighted the story of Kuliang as an example of friendly interactions between the two countries and an epitome of Fujian-U.S. friendship. He reflected on President Xi Jinping’s congratulatory message to the “Bond with Kuliang: 2023 China-U.S. People-to-People Friendship Forum” in July 2023, which provided an important direction for advancing people-to-people exchanges and subnational cooperation.

When briefing on Fujian’s economic and social development, Zhou said that Fujian is an important birthplace and practitioner of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, an important player in China’s reform and opening-up, and a major ancestral home of overseas Chinese. The province is known for its booming private sector, sound ecological environment, and strong momentum for high-quality development.

Zhou welcomed the substantial progress achieved in economic and trade partnership, educational exchanges and sister-state/city relationships between Fujian and the U.S. over the years. As China and the U.S. celebrate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties, he called for joint efforts to implement the consensus reached by the two Presidents in San Francisco, and expressed Fujian’s readiness to deepen friendship and practical cooperation with the United States in such areas as business, two-way investment, and people-to-people exchanges. He also encouraged more American youth to study and work in Fujian to further consolidate the foundation for China-U.S. friendship.

Ambassador Burns hoped that this trip will deepen his understanding of the longstanding U.S.-Fujian friendship, and underscored his commitment to bolstering economic and trade cooperation with Fujian and facilitating student exchanges to promote mutual benefits and people-to-people connectivity.

During his stay in Fujian, Ambassador Burns also held talks with Secretary Lin Baojin of Fuzhou and Mayor Huang Wenhui of Xiamen, and visited Fuyao Group, Kuliang, Yantai Mountain, Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, Kulangsu, and Xiamen University.