The first ever China-U.S. Governors Forum opened in Salt Lake City on Friday. Chinese President Hu Jintao and his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama sent congratulatory messages to the forum.

In his message, Hu said the successful launch of the forum and its future development will build a new bridge between Chinese provinces and U.S. states, create a new platform for deepening the understanding between the two peoples, and make positive contribution to constructing a cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit.

U.S. President Barack Obama also sent his congratulatory letter to the forum.

China-U.S. Governors Forum is jointly organized by Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the National Governors Association (NGA) of the United States. A ground breaking measure to enhance cooperation at the local level between the two countries, it is one of the important achievements during Hu's visit to the United States in January.

A number of Chinese provincial leaders and over 30 U.S. governors attended the forum. The two sides engaged in productive conversations over topics of trade, investment, energy, environment, education and youth cooperation.

During the forum, CPAFFC and NGA signed a Memorandum of Understanding, pledging to make the forum a long-term mechanism.