The Third U.S.-China Subnational Legislatures Cooperation Forum was held in Las Vegas, Nevada, on November 29th with the joint hosts of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and State Legislative Leaders Foundation (SLLF).  Themed on “Promoting Partnerships--States and Provinces Working Together”, the representatives of the Forum carried out in-depth discussions on promoting U.S.-China economic, trade and education cooperation through legislation, conducted active exchanges in intelligent transportation, healthcare industry development and legislation. CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin, leaders from Standing Committees of five Chinese Municipal and Provincial People’s Congress, Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in the United States Yin Chengwu, Consul General of China in San Francisco Wang Donghua, SLLF President Stephen G. Lakis, 25 legislative leaders from 16 states of the United States as well as nearly 150 representatives from various sectors of both countries were present at the Forum. President Li Xiaolin pointed out in her speech that, the China-U.S. relationship was experiencing a temporary downturn with some difficulties, in the meanwhile possessing significant development opportunities. As long as our two countries focus on cooperation and properly manage our differences in the spirit of mutual respect and win-win cooperation, the China-U.S. relations must be able to embrace sound and stable development in the long run. China would deepen reform and further open up, to create promising future for mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the United States as well as other countries in the world. This Forum will provide a platform for Chinese and American legislators to share views and form new ideas for future cooperation. Minister Counsellor Yin Chengwu read the Congratulatory Message from Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai to the Forum and delivered his own speech, admired the Forum for providing a platform for exchanges between China-U.S. sub-national legislatures and sub-national interactions, and extended the belief that the growth of China-U.S. relations would help create a more solid framework and open up greater prospects for the sub-national cooperation, including between sub-national legislatures. President Lakis said that SLLF would remain committed to working together with CPAFFC to promote the U.S.-China subnational legislative cooperation and based on this, enhance the economic, trade and cultural collaboration, so as to contributing to the healthy development of U.S.-China relationship. Executive Vice Chairman of Standing Committee of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Congress Chen Zhenning spoke on behalf of Chinese provinces and cities present at this forum, said that the establishment of China-U.S. sub-national legislature cooperation mechanism had undoubtedly provided an important platform and a unique opportunity for both sides to strengthen dialogues, enhance mutual understanding and deepen cooperation, injected positive energy into the development of more comprehensive, longer-term and healthier development of China-U.S. relations. The Joint Joint Statement of the Third U.S.-China Subnational Legislatures Cooperation Forum has been issued at the Forum, declaring that China and U.S. provincial and state legislatures will be committed to promoting the exchanges in various fields, enhancing cooperation and strengthening friendship. The U.S.-China Subnational Legislatures Cooperation Forum was established in December 2015 as one of the results of President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the United States in September 2015. The forum aims at utilizing subnational legislatures to pragmatic cooperation between Chinese provinces and American states and to promote the healthy development of China-U.S. relations at large. The first and second Forum was held respectively in Honolulu City of Hawaii State in 2016 and in Wuhan of Hubei Province in 2017.             

In cooperation with the Embassy of Palestine in Beijing, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries held the event to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People as well as the 30th anniversary of establishment of China-Palestine diplomatic relations in Beijing on 29th  November 2018. H.E. Mr. Gong Xiaosheng, China’s Special Envoy on the Middle East Issue, H.E. Mr. Abdullah Al-Saadi, dean of the diplomatic corps of Arab countries in China and Ambassador of Oman , H.E. Mr. Mahmud Elamin, head of the mission, league of the Arab states, H.E. Mr. Fariz Mehdawi, Ambassador of Palestine as well as over 200 guests attended the event. H.E. Mr. Gong Xiaosheng, China’s Special Envoy on the Middle East Issue, speaks. H.E. Mr. Abdullah Al-Saadi, Dean of the diplomatic corps of Arab countries in China as well as Ambassador of Oman,  speaks. H.E. Mr. Mahmud Elamin, Head of the mission, League of the Arab states, speaks. H.E. Mr. Fariz Mehdawi, Ambassador of Palestine, speaks. Mr. Chen Min’an, Vice President of Public Diplomacy & Culture Exchange Center, speaks.         Photographed by Ai Lin

On November 28, Vice President Xie Yuan met with Mr. Tang Shiqi, Dean of International Studies School of Peking University and his colleagues. Both agreed to cement cooperation on international people to people exchanges and international public policy .       

  Li Keqiang, Premier of State Council of the People's Republic of China, met in Tower of Violet Light in Zhong Nan Hai with the Chinese and Japanese representatives attending the Second China-Republic of Korea Governors Conference on November, 27. ( Xinhua/ Pang Xinglei) BEIJING, Nov. 27 (Xinhua)---Li Keqiang, Premier of State Council of the People's Republic of China, met in Tower of Violet Light in Zhong Nan Hai with the Chinese and Japanese representatives attending the Second China-Republic of Korea Governors Conference on the afternoon of November, 27. Li Keqiang said, China and Republic of Korea are friendly and close neighbors. At present, the bilateral relations have maintained  stable development in general. The cooperation in various fields and the local exchange has been steadily advanced. Two heads of states held a meeting not long ago, which further promoted the development of the Sino-Korean relations. The bilateral trade and investment increased rapidly and had broader space to improve. We would like to work with Republic of Korea to push bilateral relations for improvement in the spirit of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. Li Keqiang pointed out that, The Second China-Republic of Korea Governors Conference achieved active results, especially in the fields of people-to-people exchanges, environmental protection and etc., which demonstrated a strong desire and an enormous potential for cooperation between China and Republic of Korea. He hoped that both sides should take this Conference as an opportunity to strengthen the exchanges, learn from each other and promote the cooperation, so as to make active contributions to the development of the bilateral ties. The representatives from Korean side congratulated China's reform and opening-up on making major achievements in the past four decades, which are not only beneficial to China itself, but also promote the peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia region. Korean side would like to work with China to promote the trade investment cooperation and the people-to-people exchange, and strengthen the local government cooperation, so as to make new contributions to the development of the bilateral relations.       Resource: Xinhuanet:  http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2018-11/27/c_1123775699.htm

Jointly organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Beijing Municipal Government and Governors Association of Republic of Korea (GAOK), the Second China-Republic of Korea Governors Conference was held in Beijing on the morning of November 27. Mme. Li Xiaolin, President of CPAFFC, Mr. Park Won Soon, the President of GAOK and Mayor of Seoul, Mr. Noh Young Min, Korean Ambassador to China, delivered speeches respectively. Mme. Bu Xiaolin, Chairwoman of  Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Mr. Tang Yijun, Governor of Liaoning Province, Mr. Yi Lianhong, Governor of Jiangxi Province, Mr. Yang Bin, Vice Mayor of Beijing Municipal Government, Mr. Ya Yanjun, Vice Governor of Hebei Province, Mr. Zhu Tianshu, Vice Governor of Jilin Province, Mr. Cheng Zhiming, Vice Governor of Heilongjiang Province, Mr. Guo Yuanqiang, Vice Governor of Jiangsu Province, Mr. Lu Yongzheng, Vice Governor of Guizhou Province, Mr. Zhao Gang, Vice Governor of Shaanxi Province and Mr. Kwon, Youngjin, Mayor of Daegu, Mr. Lee Choonhee, Mayor of Sejong, Mr. YANG SEUNG JO, Governor of Chungcheongnam-do, Mr. KIM YUNG ROK, Governor of Jeollanam-do, Mr. LEE CHEOL WOO, Governor of Kiong sang buk , Mr. WON HEE-RYONG, Governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, delivered speeches respectively on behalf of the local governments. With the theme of the Local Governments between China and Korea Commonly Entering a New Era, both sides had an in-depth discussion on the topics common concerned including "Promoting the Exchanges and Cooperation in the fields of Culture and Tourism Industry" and "Strengthening the Protection and settlement in the fields of Climate and Environment". A Joint Declaration was released after the Conference. Both sides also made a decision that the third China-Korea Governors Conference will be held in Korea in 2020.          

On Nov. 23, Vice President Song Jingwu met with Ms. Zhang Meifang, newly appointed Consul Genral in Belfast. VP Song introduced the great efforts made by CPAFFC in recent years in promoting the exchanges and cooperation between the local governments of China and Northern Ireland in the fields of Agri-food security, Health services technology, education and skill training, and briefed on the holding of the Reginal Leaders’ Summit. Ms.Zhang Meifang said that the Consulate General in Northern Ireland will continue to work jointly with CPAFFC to further deepen cooperation between China and Northern Ireland at local level.        

On November 21, 2018, Mr. Chen Zhu, Vice Chairman of Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) met in the Great Hall of the People with Mr. Nirj Deva, Chairman of the European union (EU)-China Friendship Group of European Parliament and his delegation, which were invited by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) to visit China . Vice Chairman Chen Zhu said, we appreciated EU-China Friendship Group for making more contributions to enhancing the parliamentarians' understanding about China’s national conditions since its establishment 12 years ago. He said, China always considered the relationship with EU from strategic perspective. Both sides maintained frequent high-level interactions and increasingly strengthened strategic cooperation and political mutual trust. All-round exchanges between China and EU had brought tangible benefits to the two peoples and also made active contributions to tackling global challenges. He hoped that EU-China Friendship Group and Chairman Nirj Deva would continue making contributions to promoting the cooperation between China and EU and the friendship of the two peoples. Nirj Deva spoke highly of the tremendous achievements China has made over the past four decades since the launch of reform and opening-up. He said, China’s rise strengthened the dependence between China and EU. The Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China also provided more opportunities for the cooperation between China and EU, which made important contributions to safeguarding the global trade regime and the world economic development. He also expressed, EU-China Friendship Group and he himself would promote the exchanges between China and EU in various fields, made endeavor to enhance EU countries’ understanding about China and strengthened the friendship of the peoples between China and EU as before.        

On November 20th local time, co-hosted by the CPAFFC, the Danish Embassy to China, Central Denmark Region and City of Aarhus, the 2nd China Denmark Regions and Cities Forum is held in Aarhus, the 2nd biggest city in Denmark. Over 300 Chinese and Danish Guests including Danish Minister for Environment and Food Jakob Ellemann-Jensen,Danish Ambassador to China A. Carsten Damsgaard, Chairman of Central Denmark Region Anders Kühnau, Mayor of Aarhus Jacob Bundsgaard, Lord Mayor of Copenhagen Frank Jensen as well as Vice President of CPAFFC Xie Yuan, Chinese ambassador to Denmark Deng Ying and Vice Chairman of CPPCC Beijing Committee Li Wei attended the forum. Vice President Xie Yuan delivered a keynote speech titled Together Drawing the Blueprint for the Future of China Denmark Regional Cooperation on the opening, in which he proposed the future development of China Denmark Regional Cooperation with the Belt and Road Initiative as the strategic guidance, innovative as the inexhaustible powerhouse, health as a major field and sustainability as the orientation. During the forum, Vice President Xie Yuan also met with Danish VIPs. Co-founded by the CPAFFC together with its Danish partners in 2016, the China Denmark Regions and Cities Forum is the first local cooperation mechanism between China and Denmark and has been included into China Denmark Joint Work Program(2018-2020). The theme of the 2nd forum is Working Together for an Innovative, Healthy and Sustainable Future Under the Framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.        

On Novermber 20, 2018, Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met with delegation of EU-China Friendship Group of European Parliament (EUCFG) led by Mr. Nirj Deva, Chairman of EUCFG. The delegation will visit Beijing and Wuhan. Vice President Song Jingwu extended warm welcome to the delegation and spoke highly of the active contributions Chairman Nirj Deva and EU-China Friendship Group had made to strengthening the mutual understanding and friendship between China and EU. Chairman Nirj Deva said, although the world order and EU are changing, he and EUCFG would not stop continuing to promote the friendly exchanges between EU and China. Mr. Nicolas Chapuis, Head of Delegation of the EU to China, Mr. Shen Xin, Director General of Department of European and Asian Affairs of CPAFFC, Mr. Xiong Wei, Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Mission to the EU, attended the meeting.      

Sponsored by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the China International Friendship Cities Association (CIFCA), and the People's Government of Wuhan, undertaken by the Foreign Affairs Office of the Wuhan Municipal People's Government, the "2018 China International Friendship Cities Conference", was held in Wuhan from November 15th to 16th, 2018. Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech. Vice President of Uganda Edward Ssekandi, former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and more than 300 foreign representatives from organizations from 125 provinces and cities of more than 60 countries, and 35 associations of municipalities, Mr. Jiang Chaoliang, secretary of the Hubei Provincial CPC Committee, Mr. Wang Xiaodong, governor of Hubei Province, Madame Li Xiaolin, president of the CPAFFC, Mr. Ma Guoqiang, secretary of the Wuhan Municipal CPC Committee, Mr. Zhou Xianwang, mayor of Wuhan, together with more than 300 Chinese delegates from 115 cities and districts in 31 provinces in China, totaling more than 700 people, attended the Conference. At the opening ceremony, Vice President Ssekandi, former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, and President-designate of the Sister Cities International, USA, Carlo Robertson Lupezi, fully endorsed the Friendship Cities Conference, as a way to promote mutual understanding between countries and regions, also as an effective platform for strengthening local cooperation among countries. Governor Wang Xiaodong and Secretary Ma Guoqiang also respectively gave a brief introduction to the situation in Hubei Province and Wuhan City, and expressed their strong desire to strengthen cooperation with the local governments of participating countries. In the opening speech, President Li Xiaolin pointed out that since its founding in 1954, the CPAFFC has been making friends on the international stage on behalf of the Chinese people. We have established friendly and cooperative relations with 157 countries and more than 500 friendly organizations in the world. Entrusted by the Chinese Government, we have initiated the establishment of the China International Friendship Cities Association, which is responsible for the coordination and management of the establishment and development of friendship cities between China and other countries in the world. At present, China has established 2566 pairs of friendship city relations with 136 countries on five continents. While encouraging Chinese and foreign regions and cities to make friends, we also actively build platforms for Chinese and foreign local government exchanges. Madame Li stressed that as China's overall national strength continues to rise and China is gradually moving toward the center of the world stage, the willingness to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and foreign regions and cities is constantly increasing. We are facing both new opportunities and new challenges. CPAFFC will continue to work with colleagues and friends from all over the world to build a beautiful home planet. CPAFFC Vice President Xie Yuan presided over the opening ceremony and made concluding speech at the closing ceremony. Vice President Hu Sishe attended the Top Talk. and Vice President Lin Yi delivered a speech at the welcome dinner banquet. Focusing on the practical needs of building a community with a shared future for mankind and the development of local governments, the conference will jointly explore the issues of urban modernization, internationalization, and ecology around the theme of "Sharing Development Opportunities and Deepening Win-win Cooperation." Share the advanced experience of friendship cities to promote common prosperity and development. During the conference, a signing ceremony was held for the newly built friendship cities. The "Wuhan Initiative" was issued. and a commendation ceremony was held for the outstanding contributions made by the Chinese and foreign friendship cities in 2016-2017. The second China-Latin America Forum on Local Government Cooperation was also held at the same time. The China International Friendship Cities Conference, which has been held every two years since 2008, has been held successively in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Chongqing. This is the 6th conference, and the next session will be held in Kunming.