On October 28, Minister Xu Xueyuan held a video conference with Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill, and had an exchange of views on China-U.S. relations and subnational exchanges and cooperation. Minister Xu briefed him on the recent situation of China-U.S. relations. She hopes that the two sides would strengthen communication, properly manage differences, deepen cooperation and bring China-U.S. relations back on the right track of development. China is ready to expand exchanges with Alabama, further promote the cooperation in agriculture, new-energy vehicles, education and health, and expand mutual benefit. Merrill said that Alabama looks forward to enhancing the exchanges with China and the sister state/province relationship with Hubei Province of China, and further deepen practical cooperation between the two sides in the above areas.