On December 3, 2024, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) hosted a Seminar on Exchanges and Mutual Learning between Chinese and French Civilizations and the Launching of "A Century of Exchanges and Mutual Learning Between Chinese and French Civilizations" Publication Project in Beijing. The event was attended by Jiang Jiang, Vice President of the CPAFFC; Florent Aydalot, Counselor for Cultural and Educational Cooperation at the French Embassy in China; and Hao Zhensheng, President of the Chinese Society of Editors, all of whom delivered speeches. Professor Hu Sishe, a member of the Standing Committee and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), presented a keynote report.During a roundtable discussion, Chinese and French guests shared their insights on "Civilization Dialogue and Long-Lasting Friendship: Century-Old History and Future Prospects of Exchanges and Mutual Learning between Chinese and French Civilizations". Approximately 50 university educators, students, and journalists from China and France attended the event.Focusing on the rich outcomes of exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in the fields of culture, literature, and education over the past century, the publication project "A Century of Exchanges and Mutual Learning Between Chinese and French Civilizations" aims to further deepen exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and French civilizations.

At the invitation of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), a delegation of 99 Japanese university students, organized by the Japan-China Friendship Center and led by Professor Akegi Shigeo of the School of Global Studies at Chukyo University, visited Beijing, Guangxi, Guangdong, and other regions in China from November 24 to 30.On November 25, the CPAFFC hosted a welcome dinner for the delegation. The event was attended by Yuan Mindao, Vice President of the CPAFFC; Cheng Haibo, Vice President and Secretary General of the China-Japan Friendship Association; and UsuiMasato, Minister of the Embassy of Japan in China. They encouraged the visiting students to engage actively with their Chinese peers, develop an interest in and support the cause of China-Japan friendship, and dedicate their youthful energy to fostering stronger bilateral relations.During their stay, the delegation visited Beijing International Studies University and the Guilin University of Aerospace Technology, participating in academic and cultural exchanges. They also toured historical and cultural sites and gained insights into China's green and low-carbon development practices, as well as China's rural revitalization initiatives.This visit was conducted under the framework of the Memorandum on Enhancing Youth Exchanges between the Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of China. The delegation included students from over 40 universities across Japan, most of whom were visiting China for the first time.

On November 29, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Embassy of Gabon in China jointly hosted a reception in Beijing to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Gabon. The event was attended by Chen Xiaodong, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs; Yan Dong, Vice President of the CPAFFC; and Baudelaire Ndong Ella, Gabonese Ambassador to China, who each delivered speeches. Approximately 350 representatives from all sectors of society in China and Gabon attended the event.In his speech, Yan Dong highlighted the achievements in the long-standing friendship and cooperation between China and Gabon. He emphasized the CPAFFC's contributions over the past 70 years in fostering stronger ties and practical collaboration between China and countries worldwide, including Gabon. Yan expressed the CPAFFC's readiness to use the 50th anniversary as a new starting point to further deepen ties with Gabon across all sectors. He reiterated the association's role as a bridge for people-to-people exchanges, practical cooperation, and youth friendship, pledging continued efforts to strengthen the China-Gabon comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.Chen Xiaodong noted that over the past five decades, China and Gabon have consistently stood by each other, weathering challenges together and building a profound and enduring friendship. He highlighted the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in September, where Chinese President Xi Jinping, Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, and other African leaders delivered a resounding message of solidarity and shared progress between China and Africa. The summit underscored the strong commitment of Global South countries to unity and cooperation, presenting a blueprint for advancing modernization together. Chen affirmed China's readiness to work closely with Gabon and other African nations to implement the outcomes of the summit swiftly and bring tangible benefits to the people of both regions.Baudelaire Ndong Ella praised the historical foundations of the friendly relations between China and Gabon, established by the previous generation of leaders from both countries. Under the strategic leadership of President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and President Xi Jinping, bilateral relations have experienced steady and sustained growth. He noted that China has become Gabon's largest trading partner and emphasized the fruitful outcomes of practical cooperation in recent years. Gabon remains firmly committed to the one-China principle and actively supports initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. These efforts showcase the Global South's contributions to addressing the challenges facing humanity and advancing the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind.The reception concluded with captivating cultural performances by Chinese and Gabonese artists, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere that symbolized the enduring bond between the two nations.

On November 27, 2024, Jiang Jiang, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Marco Bettin, Secretary General of the Italy China Council Foundation (ICCF), and his delegation at the CPAFFC.Both sides expressed positive views on the state of China-Italy relations and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close contact to further promote exchanges and cooperation in various areas, including economy, trade, culture, subnational exchanges, and youth engagement. They emphasized the importance of leveraging people's efforts to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of China and Italy, contributing to the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.Zong Linhong, Deputy Director-General of the CPAFFC Department of European and Asian Affairs, attended the meeting.

On November 25, Yuan Mindao, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), welcomed a 75-member delegation from Japan's Kansai business community at the CPAFFC.Yuan Mindao expressed his warm welcome to the large delegation, marking their first visit to China in 12 years. He thanked the Kansai economic community for its longstanding dedication to China-Japan friendship, its active participation in China's reform and opening up process, and its valuable contributions to fostering exchanges and practical cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, and people-to-people exchanges between China and Japan. He also acknowledged their role in promoting the continuous improvement and development of China-Japan relations.Yuan highlighted that President Xi Jinping recently met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on the sidelines of the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima, the capital of Peru. During the meeting, the two sides reaffirmed the all-round promotion of China-Japan strategic relationship of mutual benefit and will work together to build a constructive and stable relationship that meets the requirements of the new era, thus charting the course for the development of bilateral relations. Yuan further stated that the CPAFFC and the China-Japan Friendship Association are eager to collaborate with people of insight from all sectors of society in Japan, including the Kansai economic community, to vigorously promote friendly exchanges and pragmatic cooperation between the two countries in the subnational exchanges, economic, trade, and cultural fields, and contribute to the steady and sustained growth of China-Japan relations. Yuan concluded by wishing great success to Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai.Yoshiyuki Miyabe, deputy head of the delegation and Representative Director of the Kansai Association of Corporate Executives, along with other delegation members, also delivered remarks. They expressed gratitude to the CPAFFC for its pivotal role in facilitating people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between Japan and China over the years. They stressed that Japan and China are important and inseparable neighbors, particularly in today's complex and challenging international environment. Strengthening economic and trade cooperation and deepening people-to-people exchanges, they noted, are more important than ever. The delegation expressed their willingness to take this visit and Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai as opportunities to enhance exchanges and deepen cooperation with China, contributing to the sustainable development of Japan-China relations.

On November 17, 2024, the Global Multinational Corporations Summit—The 14th International Roundtable of Multinational Corporations' Leaders was held in Beijing. Shen Xin, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), attended the parallel forum of the China-Australia Business Leaders Roundtable and delivered a keynote speech.In his speech, Shen Xin highlighted the significance of 2024, making the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping's state visit to Australia and the establishment of the China–Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Over the past decade, China-Australia economic and trade relations have seen ups and downs, but their mutually beneficial nature has remained unchanged. Shen pointed out that since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1972, China and Australia have formed more than 100 pairs of sister provinces, states, and cities. He specifically cited Guangdong and New South Wales, the first pair of sister province/state between the two nations, which continues to maintain active contact and hold joint economic meetings. He remarked that while it is often said that business should focus solely on business, experience has shown that the sound and stable development of China-Australia economic and trade relations relies heavily on the friendship between the two peoples and local support. He expressed hope that, as bilateral economic and trade cooperation advances, the Chinese and Australian business communities will act as champions of friendship, helping strengthen public support for China-Australia relations.The Global Multinational Corporations Summit—The 14th International Roundtable of Multinational Corporations' Leaders was co-hosted by the China International Council for the Promotion of Multinational Corporations and the China Center for International Economic Exchanges. The event featured speeches delivered in person or via video link by notable figures, including Wang Yiming, former Deputy Director of the Development Research Center of the State Council; Xu Guanghong, Deputy General Manager of COFCO Corporation; Philip Ruddock, former Federal Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs of Australia; Warwick Smith, former Federal Minister for Sport of Australia; and Vaughn Barber, Chair of the China-Australia Chamber of Commerce.

On November 12, the 2024 Sichuan International Friendship Cities Cooperation and Development Conference opened in Chengdu, the capital of China's Sichuan Province. Yan Dong, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.In his address, Yan Dong emphasized that international friendship cities cooperation serves as a key channel for enhancing subnational exchanges and fostering people-to-people ties between China and other countries. He described it as an important platform for Chinese localities to engage with the wider world and a significant mechanism for promoting international industrial cooperation, mutual benefit, and shared development. Yan highlighted Sichuan's achievements in recent years, noting that the province has fully leveraged its international sister-city resources to achieve remarkable results in personnel exchanges, economic and trade cooperation, cultural interactions, and youth engagement. He affirmed that these efforts have played a pivotal role in advancing Sichuan's high-quality development. Yan Dong further stated that the CPAFFC is committed to working with Sichuan to build more bridges for people-to-people exchanges, practical cooperation, cultural exchanges, and youth friendship. This joint effort, he noted, will make greater contributions to enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between Chinese and foreign peoples, facilitate state-to-state relations, strengthen practical partnerships between Chinese and foreign local governments, and support the collective goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind.Hosted by the People's Government of Sichuan Province and organized by the Foreign Affairs Office of Sichuan Province, the conference was attended by nearly 300 Chinese and international guests from 30 countries.

From November 4 to 8, Yuan Mindao, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), led a China-Japan friendship delegation on a visit to Japan. During the visit, Yuan met with officials from Tokushima Prefecture and representatives from related organizations, including the Iskra Industry Co., Ltd., the Shorinji Kempo Group, the Japan Association for Study of Traditional Chinese Medicines, and the Kouzan Fine-Arts Company. The discussions focused on strengthening China-Japan people-to-people exchanges and enhancing subnational exchanges and cooperation. While in Tokyo, the delegation attended a symposium regarding a visit by the Iskra Industry Co., Ltd. to China, which included learning about China's revolutionary war and its historical significance.Yuan Mindao emphasized that the foundation of China-Japan friendship lies with the people. He noted that, last month, President Xi Jinping met with foreign guests at the China International Friendship Conference and Events Marking the 70th Anniversary of the CPAFFC. During this meeting, President Xi delivered a significant speech highlighting the role of people-to-people diplomacy in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation. President Xi proposed working together to build a community with a shared future for mankind. Yuan reaffirmed the CPAFFC's commitment to collaborating with like-minded individuals from all sectors of society in both countries to promote friendly exchanges and practical cooperation at both subnational and people-to-people levels. He expressed the CPAFFC's dedication to contributing to the steady and sustainable growth of China-Japan relations.Japanese participants who had attended President Xi's meeting expressed their encouragement and renewed confidence after hearing his speech. They reiterated their commitment to strengthening people-to-people exchanges and expressed a strong desire to intensify cooperation with the CPAFFC to advance the cause of China-Japan people-to-people friendship. President Chen Zhiqing and Director Yumiko Yoshida of the Iskra Industry Co., Ltd. shared that their visit to China, particularly to learn the spirit of the Long March, has profoundly impacted their employees. The experience gave their younger team members a deeper understanding of China's remarkable development achievements and inspired enthusiasm and a sense of responsibility to contribute to the Japan-China friendship. Gotoda Masazumi, Governor of Tokushima Prefecture, also expressed a strong willingness to deepen practical cooperation with its sister province, Hunan, as well as other regions in China. He highlighted areas such as economy and trade, people-to-people exchanges, and youth engagement as key fields for further collaboration.

On November 11, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) held a press conference to announce the upcoming China International Friendship Cities Conference 2024. Sun Xueqing, Secretary-General of the CPAFFC; Wang Yu, Full-Time Vice President of the Yunnan Provincial Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; Wang Ya, Member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Kunming Municipal Committee and Deputy Mayor of Kunming; and Zhang Zhenxing, Deputy Director-General of the General Office of the CPAFFC, attended the event to provide details about the conference and answer questions from reporters. Sun Liang, Deputy Director-General of the General Office and Spokesperson of the CPAFFC, presided over the press conference.The China International Friendship Cities Conference 2024 is scheduled to take place in Kunming, the capital of Southwest China's Yunnan Province, from November 18 to 19. With the theme "Common Prosperity, Shared Future", the conference will be co-hosted by the CPAFFC, the China International Friendship Cities Association (CIFCA), and the People's Government of Yunnan Province, and organized by the People's Government of Kunming Municipality. The event is expected to bring together approximately 700 participants, including representatives from more than 60 provinces and states, 120 cities, and over 60 local government or friendship organizations The conference will feature an opening ceremony, thematic forums, and four parallel forums on the following topics: namely, "Technology Innovation for Building Smart Cities", "Urban Green Development for Public Well-Being", "Reserving Urban History and Culture", and "Interconnected Transportation for Building a Shared Urban Future". Additionally, more than 20 agreements are expected to be signed, cover the establishment of new sister-city relationships and cooperation projects. Kunming Initiative will also be issued, calling on sister cities and local governments to further strengthen solidarity, deepen cooperation, and promote mutual support. To further encourage exchanges between Chinese and foreign local governments, the CPAFFC and the CIFCA have recognized 20 Chinese provinces and cities with outstanding achievements in international friendship city work, along with 40 foreign provinces, states, and cities that have actively engaged in exchanges with their Chinese counterparts. These entities will be honored with the International Friendship City Award for Outstanding Contribution and the Friendship City Award for Outstanding Partnership with China.International sister cities play a vital role in fostering people-to-people exchanges, promoting mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation, and facilitating cultural and civilizational dialogue. They are instrumental in building a community with a shared future for mankind, advancing Chinese modernization, deepening cultural exchanges between China and the world, and strengthening people-to-people ties. Since China established its first international sister city partnership in 1973, 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in China, along with 541 cities, have formed 3,046 sister-city and sister-province/state relationships with 602 provinces/states and 1,867 cities in 147 countries, creating a global network of friends and partners spanning five continents.The CPAFFC is a national people's organization of China specializing in people-to-people diplomacy. It is responsible for guiding, coordinating, and managing the establishment and development of international sister-city relations between China and foreign countries. Founded by the CPAFFC in 1992, the CIFCA is a national social organization dedicated to developing international sister-city partnerships, promoting practical cooperation, and serving local development, while adhering to China's independent foreign policy of peace. Provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the State government, and cities in China that have forged sister-city relationships with foreign countries are all members of the CIFCA. Over the years, the CPAFFC and the CIFCA have actively supported Chinese and foreign local governments in establishing sister city relations and fostering practical cooperation in areas such as economy, science and technology, culture, education, and youth exchanges. These efforts have played a significant role in supporting China's overall diplomacy and advancing local socioeconomic development.The China International Friendship Cities Conference is China's largest and highest-level institutional event on sister cities. Jointly initiated by the CPAFFC and the CIFCA in 2008, the conference is held biennially in principle.The CPC Yunnan Provincial Committee, the People's Government of Yunnan Province, the CPC Kunming Municipal Committee, and the People's Government of Kunming Municipality have attached great importance to the preparation of this year's conference. A preparatory mechanism and a special task force have been established, with efforts focused on finalizing the program, designing the conference outcomes, defining responsibilities, generating a positive public opinion environment, and ensuring the security for the event. Preparations for the conference are progressing smoothly across all fronts.

On November 8, the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Economic, Trade and Cultural Cooperation, themed "Exchange and Mutual Learning, Close People-to-People Ties, and Mutually Beneficial Cooperation", opened in Jinhua, located in Southeast China's Zhejiang Province. Qin Boyong, Vice Chairperson of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Executive Vice Chairperson of the Central Committee of the China National Democratic Construction Association (CNDCA), delivered a video address. Other distinguished attendees included Lu Shan, Vice Governor of Zhejiang Province; Zhang Yangbin, Deputy Secretary-General of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC); Liu Yuxi, Special Representative of the Chinese Government on African Affairs; Zhu Chonglie, Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Jinhua Municipal Committee; Godius Walter Kahyarara, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport of Tanzania, and Rahmat Allah Mohamed Osman, Permanent Representative of the African Union (AU) to China. The forum attracted over 400 participants from 40 countries and regions, including diplomatic envoys in China, government officials, experts, scholars, and business representatives.In his speech, Zhang Yangbin emphasized that physical distance cannot separate true friends who remain close despite being thousands of miles apart. He attributed the enduring China-Africa friendship to the exchange of diverse civilizations and friendly people-to-people exchanges. Since the start of the new era, China-Africa practical cooperation has achieved substantial progress, with exchanges across various fields becoming more dynamic than ever before. Exchanges and mutual learning in culture, education, tourism, youth, and media have flourished, further consolidating popular support for the friendship between China and African countries.Zhang Yangbin highlighted that, during the meeting with foreign guests attending the China International Friendship Conference and Events Marking the 70th Anniversary of the CPAFFC, President Xi Jinping underscored the vital role of people-to-people friendship in advancing world peace and development. President Xi also urged the CPAFFC to leverage its unique position to foster friendships between the Chinese and foreign peoples and to promote practical international cooperation. Building on this guidance, the CPAFFC will steadfastly follow President Xi's instructions and collaborate with friends from participating countries to: build more bridges for people-to-people exchanges, thereby broadening social and popular support for the China-Africa friendship; establish more pathways for practical cooperation to ensure that subnational partnerships and sister-city collaborations bring tangible benefits to African nations; strengthen cultural exchanges to deepen bonds, foster mutual understanding, and pool collective strengths between the Chinese and African peoples; and promote youth friendship to cultivate the next generation of leaders dedicated to the cause of China-Africa friendship. These initiatives, Zhang noted, will inject new momentum and vitality into mutually beneficial cooperation and people-to-people friendship between China and African nations. They will also contribute to the revitalization of the Global South and advance the shared goal of building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.