The China-Malaysia Friendship Evening banquet, marking the 40th anniversary of the bilateral relations co-hosted by CPAFFC, Malaysia-China Friendship Association and Malaysia Embassy in China, was held in Beijing on May 31st, 2014. Madame Gu Xiulian, President of China-ASEAN Association(CAA), the visiting Prime Minister Najib Razak of Malaysia together with more than 800 people from the two countries in various circles attended the banquet. President Gu Xiulian expressed that China and Malaysia are close and friendly neighbors and enjoy time-honored people-to-people friendly exchanges. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 40 years ago, the bilateral relations have made smooth development and witnessed broad cooperation in various areas. As people-to-people friendship serves a solid foundation of inter-government relations, the CPAFFC and CAA will continue to play an active role in this regard for the further development of China-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership relations. Prime Minister Najib said that the communication of the past 40 years has proved China as an important friend of Malaysia and a partner to realize prosperity and peace. Malaysia and China have common dreams and social development goals. The Chinese dream will bring opportunities to the world and connects with the Vision 2020 of Malaysia. Najib thanked the Chinese government for sending two giant pandas and believed the next 40 years’ development of Malaysia-China relations would have a better future. President Gu Xiulian met Prime Minister Najib before the dinner and congratulated him on the success of the visit. Najib thanked CAA and CPAFFC’s support to the development of the bilateral relations. Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin, Vice Governor Zhang Xiaoqin of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Huang Hui Kang, CPAFFC Vice President Feng Zuoku and Party Secretary Han Zhen of Beijing Foreign Studies University attended the meeting and the banquet.

The Red Thread (Le Fil Rouge), a China-France musical and choreographic work planned by the CPAFFC, Beijing International Culture & Art Corp., Ltd and Pavillon Rouge Rouge des Arts, was created and performed from April 16 to May 23 in China. The project was lauched as part of 2014 Croisements Festival in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic establishemnt between China and France. President Li Xiaolin and French ambassador Sylvie Bermann wrote inscriptions for the performances. Vice President Xie Yuan attended the press conference and watched its debut. The Red Thread held 4 performances in China that were highly credited by the audience, and will tour France in September. The project has support from French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, French Ministry of Culture, French Embassy in China, French Cultural Center, and French Consulate General in Guangzhou. CCTV-10 recorded the rehearsal in a 40-minute documentary. China National Radio, China Radio International and other mainstream media gave special coverage of the project.  The idea of the dance comes from French choreographer Kilina Cremona who is inspired by and shares personal tragedy with Chinese dancer Liu Yan. As a leading dancer, Liu Yan got injured in an accident during the last rehearsal before the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. She had to bid farewell to the stage and adjust to life on wheelchair. Kilina Cremona, an accomplished contemporary dancer, was disabled by a hearing impairment overnight. She left the stage since then and embarked on choreography. At the news of Liu Yan’s injury, Kilina decided to bring her back to stage. The idea of their cooperation was materialized by the 50th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations. In addition to the tour, French special educationists held 3 art workshops respectively for deaf, blind and normal children in Beijing and Guangzhou, where children are exposed to music and drama, and told that every child, disabled or not, has the right and opportunity to enjoy arts and to mount the stage. The tour of The Red Thread enables true cultural interactions and exchanges between China and France，in a sense that it is ont only a fantastic performance, but a spiritual feast showing people strength and human concern.  

On May 22nd, Vice President Li Jianping of CPAFFC met with the delegation headed by Mr. José Manuel, President of Chamber of Commerce and Investment between China and Dominica, and Mr. Enrique Antonio, President of Reservation Bank of Dominica Republic.  Vice President Li Jianping extended his welcome to the delegation for their visit to CPAFFC, and briefed the guest about the work of CPAFFC on Dominican affairs and the commemorative events marking 60th anniversary of CPAFFC. He sorted out in details of the Dominican financiers and businessmen’s current situation and demands when they have economic contact with China, and expressed the willingness of CPAFFC to offer more support to strengthen the people-to-people friendship and economic relation between China and Dominica. Mr. José Manuel thanked President Li Jianping for take time for the meeting in his tight schedule. He emphasized that, the flourish of China’s economy is important to Dominica’s foreign trade. He hoped the civil business contact between the two countries could be deepened. Mr. Enrique Antonio introduced the cooperation plan with the related Chinese financial institutions. Mme. Rosa del Carmen Ng Báez, Representative of Trade Development Office in China of Republic of Dominica attended the meeting. 

At the invitation of the CPAFFC, Hon. Ekwee Ethuro, Speaker of the Senate of Kenya, led a 19-people delegation to pay a visit to Beijing, Yangzhou, Nanjing and Xuzhou from May 14 to 22, 2014. During their stay in Beijing, the delegation attended China International Friendship Conference in Commemoration of 60th Anniversary of CPAFFC, and TV production program “Gathering of 60 Years “ in Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of CPAFFC. CPPCC Vice Chairman H.E. Mr. Ma Peihua and President of the Chinese-African People’s Friendship Association H.E. Mr. Abdul’ahat Abdurixit met with or hosted dinner for the delegation respectively. In Jiangsu Province, Vice Chairman of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Congress Mr. Zhao Peng, President of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Friendship Association Mme. Wu Xijun, Honorary President of Nanjing Municipal People’s Friendship Association Mr. Wang Zhengsheng, Vice Chairman of Yangzhou People’s Congress Mr. Chen Weiqing and Vice Chairperson of Xuzhou People’s Congress Mme. Yuan Jianfen met with the delegation respectively. The group also held talks with the senior officials of China Communications Construction Company, China Road and Bridge Corporation and Sinohydro Corporation, and paid visit to Muyang Group and XCMG Group.

On May 20th , Vice President Li Jianping met with Mme. Carolina Tengrootenhuysen, Vice Chairwoman of Belgium-China Association, who was visiting China at CPAFFC’s  invitation. Vice President Li welcomed Mme. Carolina Tengrootenhuysen and her sister Mme. Anna Tengrootenhuysen to visit China on behalf of Belgium-China Association and to attend commemorative events marking 60th anniversary of establishment of CPAFFC. He congratulated Mme. Carolina Tengrootenhuysen on her conferring the Cultural Exchange Contribution Award, which was issued by the Chinese government and presented by Vice Premier Liu Yandong. He also spoke highly of their continuous efforts in last more than 30 years on promoting the mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and Belgian people. He said, the CPAFFC would like to work with Belgium-China Association, to constantly promote the friendly cooperation in fields of local governments, humanities and youth exchanges of the two countries. Mme. Carolina Tengrootenhuysen thanked CPAFFC for its invitation, and formally invites the CPAFFC to dispatch a delegation to visit Belgium in the near future. H.E. Mr. Michel Malherbe, Belgian Ambassador to China was present at the meeting.

On May 19, 2014, CPAFFC held the opening ceremony and the reception of photo exhibition "Salute to Friendship-Images Narrate China-U.S. Collaboration During World War II" in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washing DC, U.S.A. Around 100 people attended the reception, including Mme. Li Xiaolin, CPAFFC President, Mr. Lu Kang, Minister of Chinese Embassay to the United States, Mr. Charles Boustany, U.S. Representative from Louisiana and Co-chair of the House U.S.-China Working Group, Mr. Jim Moran, U.S. Representative from Virginia, Mr. Christopher Cox, grandson of former U.S. Presdient Nixon, officials of U.S. State Department, congressional aides, representatives of U.S. friendly organizations towards China and representatives of U.S. international enterprises. In her speech, CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin said the historical photos exhibited this time reflected the sincere friendship of mutual support and of fighting shoulder to shoulder between the Chinese and American people during World War II. Through the mirror of history, the audience could see that the love of peace, the opposition to war and the pursuit of happiness are the shared conviction of people around the world. On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of China-U.S. diplomatic relations, and when the 70th anniversary of World Anti-Facist War is approaching, she hoped that the people of the two countries would remember the history of China-U.S. friendly relations and pass on the spirit of China-U.S. friendship to future generations, so as to make joint contribution to the building of the new type of major country relations between China and the United States. The grandson of former U.S. President Nixon, Mr. Christopher Cox reviewed the historical significance of President Nixon’s visit to China in his speech. He emphasized that President Nixon once said, the stability and prosperity of China would benefit the U.S. and the world at large. The shared love of peace of the Chinese and American people would help us overcome any difficulty. He hoped that China-U.S. friendship would thrive like the redwood planted in Hangzhou by President Nixon. Representative from Kunming Museum of Yunnan Provinve introduced the history of aid-China operations by the American Flying Tigers during World War II as well as their profound friendship with the Chinese people. Most guests present at the reception saw these historical photos for the first time and they agreed that the photos faithfully and vividly reflected the sincere cooperation and friendship between the Chinese and American people during World War II.

The news conference of the TV-series The Blood Chit was held in Beijing on the afternoon of May 13, 2014. About 120 people attended the conference, including CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin, Mr. Chen Liansheng, Deputy Director General at the Publicity Department of CPC Hubei Provincial Committee, representatives from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Education, former US Flying Tigers Pilot Glen Beneda’s son Edward Beneda and grandson Brian Beneda, Mr. James Whitehead, Chairman of the American Flying Tigers Historical Organization, and representatives from US state offices in China and US companies in China. The 38-episodes TV Series The Blood Chit was based on a true story of an American Flying Tigers pilot saved by Chinese people during the World WarⅡ. This TV series is co-produced by the CPAFFC, Publicity Department of CPC Hubei Provincial Committee, China International Television Corporation, China Film & Television Production Co. Ltd, and Bangqi Culture Investment Company. The crew includes famous director Guan Hu and screen-writer Zhao Dongling, and the leading characters include well known actors and actresses such as Tao Zeru, Yintao, Chen Jin and Guo Xiaodong. The hero of the TV series is an American Flying Tigers Pilot named Glen Beneda, who is also the hero in the documentary Touching the Tigers, produced by CPAFFC. In 1944, Glen Beneda’s fighter plane was shot down by the Japanese army. After he parachuted, he was saved by the Chinese people and returned safely to the American army base. The premiere of Touching he Tigers was held in Washington DC during the Second China-US High-level Consultation on People-to people Exchange. Vice Premier Liu Yandong, then Chinese State Councilor attended the ceremony and issued the Friendship Ambassador Award to Glen Beneda’s wife Elinor Beneda.   Madam Li Xiaolin said in her speech that the TV series the Blood Chit is aimed at showing the history of cooperation between China and the U.S during World WarⅡ and the deep friendship between the two peoples by fighting shoulder to shoulder. This year marks the 35th anniversary of China-US diplomatic relations, and next year will be the 70th anniversary of the world anti-fascist war and the Chinese people’s war against Japanese aggression. This part of history of cooperation is significant to the current China-US relationship. We should be encouraged by the story of the past generations, and pass on the friendship to the future generations. Mr. Chen Liansheng said that Glen Beneda and the story of the Blood Chit is a symbol of long-term friendship between the Chinese and American people, and stands for the deep feeling that Chinese and American people held for each other by fighting together during the anti-fascist war. We will always remember the selflessness of the old-generation revolutionary leaders, including Mr. Li Xiannian, and Mr. Liu Ruilong, which goes beyond a single people and nation. We are also touched by Chinese people’s determination to be true to their promise, to sacrifice even life to rescue the flying tigers. We should look back to this part of history, go against any kind of aggression, and cherish peace. Edward Beneda said in his remarks “For 4-generations my family has had very kind and loving hearts toward the Chinese people. My father often said over and over throughout his life, that the Chinese people on the ground, the farmers, civilians and soldiers, were the heroes because they saved his life. This is why our family loves the Chinese people so very much. And why we cannot say thank you enough for saving him. Our family is very excited to see the "The Blood Chit," TV series, and to meet the cast and crew and the people who filmed it.  This will be a great TV program, because it is a true story.” James Whitehead said that the dream and mission of the American Flying Tigers Historical Organization is to be realized by building the Flying Tigers Historical Park in Guilin, a joint project by both people. It was this special friendship that made immediate contribution to the victory against Japanese aggressors during the World WarⅡ. We need to know more about culture, history and the present in each other’s country. We should not let obstacles decide our future. This year marks the 35th anniversary of China-US diplomatic relations. In addition to this TV series, CPAFFC will hold many other commemorative activities. On the morning of May 13, Vice Premier Liu Yandong met with Edward Beneda and Brian Beneda, and the Chairman of American Flying Tigers Historical Organization, at the Great Hall of the People.

In memorization of 120 anniversary of Mr. Mei Lanfang’s birth, at the invitation of Min-on (Japan), the China National Peking Opera Company delegation, dispatched by the CPAFFC, performed Farewell to My Concubine and Return of the Phoenix, the masterpieces of Mr. Mei Lanfang in Tokyo Nakano Sun Plaza Hall on May 14. Chinese Ambassador to Japan, H.E. Mr. Cheng Yonghua, Vice President of the CPAFFC, Mr. Xie Yuan, 13 foreign diplomatic envoys in Japan, President of Min-on (Japan), Mr. Yasuhiro Kobayashi and local representatives from political, economic and cultural areas, amounting to 2000 members attended and watched the performance. The famous Peking Opera artists, Mr. Yu Kuizhi and Mrs. Li Shengsu played the leading roles. Their performances were well received and highly credited by the audience. H.E. Mr. Cheng Yonghua greeted the artists and the staffs in the backstage after the show, encouraging them to work harder for the cultural exchanges between China and Japan. In the celebration wine party that evening afterwards, Vice President Mr. Xie Yuan expressed his wish to the delegation, in the spirit of Mr. Mei Lanfang, to better contribute to the solidarity of the “Friendship Gold Bridge” between the two countries through the artistic communication during the visit. The China National Peking Opera Company delegation, made up of 65 members, arrived in Japan on May 5, starting the tour around Japan for two months. There will be 53 performances held in 30 cities, with an expectation of 100,000 audience in total.

On May 14th, Mr. Chen Yuan, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and President of China-Russia Friendship Association (CRFA) met with and held a banquet for Mr. Titarenko, President of Russia-China Friendship Association (RCFA), Mr. Muradov, President of Rossotrudnichestvo (Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation ) and other Russian friendly personages. President Chen welcomed Titaenko and his delegation, who were visiting China to attend the commemorative events marking 60th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC). He said, as the president of CRFA, he would like to take his personal resource as an advantage, to make more efforts on further strengthening the people-to-people economic contact, cultural and youth exchanges between the two countries. Mr. Titarenko congratulated Mr. Chen Yuan on being selected as the president of CRFA, and thanked President Chen for his outstanding contribution to the strategic cooperation between China and Russia. He expressed that RCFA would like to work with CRFA, to continuously promote the development of the cause of China-Russian friendship. He also invited President Chen to visit Russia at the proper time. President Chen accepted the invitation pleasantly. Mr. Chen Haosu, Former President of CPAFFC and CRFA, Mr. Song Jingwu, Secretary-General of CRFA, and Mr. Denisov, the Russian Ambassador to China were present at the meeting.

On May 13，CPAFFC Vice President Feng Zuoku met with Bahrain new ambassador to China, H.E. Dr. Anwar Yusuf Abdulla Alabdulla. Abdulla said that the bilateral relations between Bahrain and China have been developing smoothly since the establishment of diplomatic relations. Last year, the visit of HRH the King to China further promoted the relations, which proposed new requirements to the ambassador''s work. I wish to strengthen the cooperation with CPAFFC for the further promotion of economic, cultural and tourism exchanges between the two countries. Feng said that CPAFFC is ready to strengthen the cooperation with the embassy for the further economic exchanges between China and Bahrain through economic seminars and the the mutual visits of the entrepreneurs.