At the invitation of Korea-China Friendship Association and Kumho Asiana Group, 20 winners of the 8th “Kumho Asiana Cup” Korean Speech Contest of Chinese College Students visited South Korea from March 24 to 29. Delegation visited the headquarter of Kumho Asiana Group in Seoul, knowing about the structures and working fields of Kumho Asiana Group as well as Korea-China Friendship Association. The delegation also visited Kumho Tire factory, and experienced test drive. During the communication with Kyung Hee University, The main information about the university, including supplied lessons, number of students and faculty, university history and so on, is introduced to the Chinese students, who also tripped around the campus, library, dinning hall, and auditorium. The “Kumho Asiana Cup” Korean Speech Contest of Chinese College Students is jointly held by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Korea-China Friendship Association and Kumho Asiana Group. Since its beginning in 2006, the activity has been carried out once in a year for consecutively 8 years, which plays a positive role in promoting youth exchange between China and South Korea, and deepening two peoples’ friendship.    Mr. Lee Won Tae, Vice-President of Korea-China Friendship Association meeting with delegation Visiting Kumho Asiana Group Knowing about the main information of Kumho Tire Company Visiting Kumho Tire factory Mr. Jung Sup Kim, Dean of Development and External Affairs, delivering welcome speech Photo with Mr. Jung Sup Kim Communicating with Korean Students

During President Xi Jinping’s visit to Germany, Mme. Li Xiaolin, President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (a.k.a. CPAFFC) led Rainbow Bridge-Volkswagen Youth Football Team to Germany for exchange during March 26 to 30, 2014. The opening ceremony of “Pursue Chinese Youth’s Football Dream” China-Germany Junior Football Training Camp and a friendly match was held in Wolfsburg. President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, Cai Zhenhua, deputy director of the State General Administration of Sport of China and Chairman of Chinese Football Association, who made a special trip for this event, Mme. Li Xiaolin, President of the CPAFFC, Martin Winterkorn, Chairman and CEO of Volkswagen AG, Grindal, Representative of German Football Association (DFB) attended the event. Rainbow Bridge Project is an innovative project of people-to-people diplomacy initiated by the CPAFFC in October, 2012. The project servers as a bridge that connects multinational corporations, and it is aiming to leverage multinational corporations’ CSR resources to help Old Liberated Areas, eventually to achieve a win-win. So far, there are over 40 multinational corporations own and participate in specific subprojects. Hong’an Youth Football Team (boy’s team) and Zhidan Youth Football Team (co-ed team) sponsored by Volkswagen is one of the subprojects.  The Chinese delegation includes 20 male and female football players aged from 11 to 14 and 3 coaches from Zhidan County, Shaanxi Province and Hong’an County, Hubei Province. The delegation received professional training in Bundesliga Club-Wolfsburg and had exchange with Wolfsburg U12 Youth Football Team during March 24 to 28. On March 29, the opening ceremony of “Pursue Chinese Youth’s Football Dream” China-Germany Junior Football Training Camp and a friendly match was held in Berlin Olympic Stadium, Germany. President Xi Jinping and his wife watched the game and had cordial talks with young football players from China and Germany. On the football field, Chinese players’ indomitable spirit and putting friendship before competition were highly appreciated by President Xi and the audience. After the game, President Xi and his wife shook hands with every player from the two countries and took group photos. He encouraged Chinese junior players to be the pioneer of China’s junior football. Representatives of Zhidan and Hong’an football team presented President Xi their team pennant signed by all the players, and Grindal gave President Xi a football with autographs of all the members of German national football team. This event demonstrated the flexibility  of people-to-people diplomacy. People’s friendship was successfully promoted through football, meanwhile, the event became a highlight of President Xi’s visit to Europe.  This event has formally started Rainbow Bridge-Wolfsburg China-Germany Junior Football Training Camp. Wolfsburg Club will successively send experienced coaches to Zhidan and Hong’an for coaching, and invite promising players to Germany. When reporting to President Xi, Mme. Li Xiaolin said, through Rainbow Bridge Project, the CPAFFC brought these young players from Old Liberated Areas abroad and realized their Chinese Football dream, the project will continue to serve as a bridge for development of Chinese football. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman and CEO of Volkswagen AG said, Volkswagen AG will work with CPAFFC to fully support China’s football development. Volkswagen will bring football team to China for tournaments and establish junior football clubs in 11 Chinese cities where Volkswagen factories are located.    President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, Li Xiaolin, President of the CPAFFC and Martin Winterkorn, Chairman and CEO of Volkswagen AG etc. takes a group photo with junior football players of China and Germany President Xi thumbs up cheering for players in the field  German players wear commemorative scarfs printed with name of this event for Chinese players  Chinese players show their indomitable spirit in the field Chinese players receive professional training in Bundesliga Club-Wolfsburg Chinese players receive professional training in Bundesliga Club-Wolfsburg Chinese players receive professional training in Bundesliga Club-Wolfsburg Chinese players ask for autographs and take group photo with active stars of Bundesliga Wolfsburg Football Club

On the evening of Mar. 27, an award gala was held during China-U.S. Sister Cities Conference. 34 pairs of sister provinces/states and cities, and 4 individuals were honored with 9 categories of awards for their prominent contribution in promoting exchanges between China-U.S. sister cities in respect to long-term cooperation, personal contribution, youth exchange, cultural exchange, trade and economic cooperation and best innovation etc.. As an important carrier of friendship between the two countries, sister cities relationship has been established between 41 pairs of provinces/states and 202 pairs of cities between China and the U.S.. CPAFFC is entrusted to oversee and coordinate the sister cities relationship between China and foreign countries.

At noon of Mar. 27, a lunch meeting was held in Washington D.C. during 2014 China-U.S. Sister Cities Conference. Mayor Vincent Gray of Washington D.C., Mr. Mack McLarty, Former White House Chief of Staff and Mayor Yang Luyu of Jinan City of China delivered speeches to support exchanges between cities of the two countries. Mayor Vincent Gray of Washington D.C. delivering speech Mayor Vincent Gray announced that the direct flight between Washington D.C. and Beijing by Air China will be launched in June. Mr. Mack McLarty expressed his congratulations and joy toward the launch of the direct flight and emphasized the significance of the bilateral relations between our two countries for the future as well as our future generations. Mayor Yang Luyu of Jinan City delivering speech

Supplementary Reading: Congratulatory Letter to China-U.S. Sister Cities Conference from U.S. President Obama In commemorating the 35th anniversary of China-U.S. sister cities relationship and deepening practical cooperation between sister cities of China and the U.S., the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and Sister Cities International (SCI) jointly held China-U.S. Sister Cities Conference in Washington D.C., capital of the U.S. on March 26-27, 2014. CPAFFC Vice President Xie Yuan delivering opening speech  U.S. President Barack Obama sent a letter of congratulations to the conference, indicating that “The United States and China are deeply interested in each other’s success. And the United States firmly believes that the emergence of a stable, peaceful and prosperous China is not only good for the Chinese People, but also for America and the world. I wish you all the best for a dynamic, rewarding conference.” Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mary Kane, President of Sister Cities International and Mary Eisenhower, President of People to People International, attended the conference and delivered speeches. They reviewed the history of exchanges of sister cities between China and the U.S. and expressed their expectations on the continuous and concrete cooperation and friendly exchanges between China-U.S. Sister cities in furthering China-U.S. relationship in the future. Over 300 local government officials and representatives from commercial and educational sectors of the two countries attended the conference and shared their experiences in exchanges and cooperation between sister cities. They also discussed various topics including future planning, energy and sustainable development, community participation and trade and commercial cooperation, as well as the focus and direction of future cooperation among sister cities. This conference is the first commemorative and summary event co-hosted and participated by both sides in the history of China-U.S. Sister cities exchanges. It has been included in the outcomes of the 5th China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue.

On the morning of 28th, March, Mr Li Jianping, Vice President of CPAFFC met with delegation of New Zealand Parliament’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee. Ms. Lv Wanru, former staff of the Department of American and Oceanian Affairs, CPAFFC  and Mr. Nie Guangpei, adopted son of Rewi Alley also attended the meeting.   Vice President Li Jianping reviewed Alley’s remarkable contribution to Chinese revolution and socialism construction and his traditional friendship with CPAFFC. In addition, he also briefed the delegation on the 60th anniversary of CPAFFC and invited friends of New Zealand to join the event. John Hayes, head of the delegation and Chair of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee and Parliamentary Private Secretary for Foreign Affairs, spoke highly of CPAFFC’s efforts in promoting people-to-people friendship and furthering practical cooperations between local governments of both sides. He said that New Zealand Parliment would like to strengthen cooperation with China in all fields and deepen Sino-New Zealand traditional friendship in the new era. Vice President Li Jianping showed the delegation around Rewi Alley’s residence after the meeting.

At the invitation of Monnaie de Paris (Institution of State Production of Official French Currency), on March 27th, a 8-person delegation headed by CPAFFC Secretary-General Li Xikui visited France to attend the Issuing Ceremony of Commemorating Coins Marking 50th Anniversary of Establishment of China-France Diplomatic Ties. Mr. Song Jingwu, Director-General of Department of European and Asian Affairs of CPAFFC, Mr. Zhou Ruiming, Secretary-General of Commission for Economic Cooperation of CPAFFC were included in the delegation. Mr. Christophe Beaux, CEO of Monnaie de Paris extended his welcome to the delegation. He said, this year was the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. Monnaie de Paris and China Gold Coin Incorporation subordinated to The People’s Bank of China jointly issued a set of commemorating coins to celebrate this great event. This set of commemorating coins was a symbol of people-to-people cultural exchanges between China and France. CPAFFC had made great contribution to promoting the nongovernmental exchanges and cooperation between China and France. He hoped that CPAFFC could publicize the significance of this set of commemorating coins and make more Chinese friends understand and collect. Secretary-General Li Xikui expressed that the promotion of the cultural exchanges and nongovernmental cooperation was one of the aims of CPAFFC. The issue of the commemorating coins was a significant event of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. The Chinese and French people could learn more about each other’s art, craft and history through collecting the commemorating coins. The CPAFFC would introduce the background history and culture of the coins to as many friends as possible through her resources, to further strengthen the two people’s understand and friendship.

With the invitation of the Friends of China Association, Mr. Yuan Mindao, Director General of the Department of Asian & African Affairs of the CPAFFC, led a working group, composed of 3 delegates, to visit India from 23rd to 27th March, 2014. Meeting with Dr. Shilpak Ambule, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs of India During its stay in India, the working group promoted its work from perspectives of both official and people-to-people level. On one hand, the group had contact with Indian officials and met Dr. Shilpak Ambule, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs of India as well as Mr. Mehta, Director General of Indian Council for Cultural Relations perspectively. On the other hand, the working group tried its best to get in touch with Indian friendship organizations as many as it can, and had meetings with representatives from Friends of China Society, Indian Association of Friendships with Foreign Countries and India China Society perspectively. Through exchanges of ideas, the cooperative relations between the CPAFFC and friendship organizations in India have been strengthened.     Meeting with Indian Association of Friendships Besides, the working group had a meeting with Mr. Yao Jin, Minister-Counselor of Chinese Embassy in India and paid a visit to Sinosteel India Private LTD, chief representative of India China Friendship Association in India.

On March 27th, Deputy Director General Ji Yongjun met with H.E. Mr. Chandradath Singh, Ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago to China. Mr. Ji expressed his warm welcome to Ambassador Singh and made an introduction on the work of Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC). Mr. Ji especially introduced the plan of the event celebrating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Trinidad and Tobago. Ambassador Singh spoke highly of the friendly people-to-people exchange program and local governmental communication organized by CPAFFC. He remarked that this year marked the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Trinidad and Tobago, and at the same time, it was the first year that Trinidad and Tobago established its own embassy in China. The Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago wished to keep close contacts with CPAFFC and promote friendly people-to-people exchange between China and Trinidad and Tobago on this occasion.

On the evening of March 26, 2014, Chinese Embassy to the U.S. held a welcome reception in the embassy for the guests from both China and the U.S. in honor of their presence at the 2014 China-U.S. Sister Cities Conference. Honorable Mr. Lu Kang, Minister of Chinese Embassy, Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Daniel Russel, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Mary Kane, President and CEO of Sister Cities International, Mike Honda, Federal Congressman of California delivered speeches during the reception. Around 400 leaders and representatives of local governments from states, provinces and cities of both sides attended the reception. Lu Kang, Minister of Chinese Embassy in U.S. delivering speech  Xie Yuan, Vice President of CPAFFC delivering speech Daniel Russel, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs delivering speech Mary Kane, President and CEO of Sister Cities International delivering speech Mike Honda, Federal Congressman of California delivering speech During the reception, 4 pairs of sister cities signed Memorandum of Understanding. They are Jinan City of Shandong Province with Sacramento City of California, Liuzhou City of Guangxi Autonomous Region with Cincinnati of Ohio, Wanzhou District of Chongqing Municipality with Waynesboro of Virginia and Zhengding County of Hebei Province with Muscatine of Iowa. Kunming City of Yunnan Province and Schnectady of New York State formally signed agreement on establishing sister cities relationship. Signing Ceremony of establishment of sister cities The atmosphere of the reception has been pulled to a climax by singing the China-U.S friendship song Peony and Rose in both English and Chinese by American students from the University of Iowa and the Chinese students studying in the University of Maryland. During the reception, it was proposed by the American side that every participant prayed for the passengers of the missing Malaysian Airline flight together. Chinese students studying in the University of Maryland singing Peony and Rose Student of University of Iowa Performing English version