On April 9, 2012, Consul General Xu Erwen attended the signing ceremony of MOU on Strengthening Cooperation between Guangzhou and Houston at the city hall of Houston. Mayor Chen Jianhua of Guangzhou and Mayor Annise Parker of Houston signed the MOU. Mr. Andrew Icken, Chief Development Officer of the City of Houston, and Mayor Chen’s delegation witnessed the signing of the MOU.

According to the MOU, the two cities will promote cooperation on economy, trade, bio-medicine and healthcare, science and technology, urban construction and city administration; strengthen exchanges in culture, education, public health and sports; and increase governmental contacts through exchanges of official delegations.

The two mayors also held friendly talks prior to the signing ceremony, stressing that Guangzhou and Houston will have closer cooperation in many areas, particularly in healthcare.