On July 25, 2025, the opening ceremony of the 2025 China-South Asia Youth Leaders Exchange Program was successfully held in Wuhan. The event was co-organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the South Asia-China Friendship and Cooperation Organization, and the Hubei Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. Sun Xueqing, Secretary-General of CPAFFC; He Lijun, Deputy Secretary-General of the Hubei Provincial Government and Director of the Provincial Advisory Office; Zhang Xiaomei, Director of the Hubei Provincial Foreign Affairs Office and President of the Provincial Friendship Association; Mohamed Rasheed, Chairman of the South Asia-China Friendship and Cooperation Organization and Chairman of the China Maldives Cultural Association; Indrananda Abeysekera, President of the Association for Sri Lanka-China Social and Cultural Cooperation; Sumudu Walakuluge, Cultural Counsellor of the Sri Lankan Embassy in China; Samuel, Cultural Counsellor of the Bangladesh Embassy in China; as well as nearly 100 youth representatives from South Asian countries such as Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, along with Chinese youth representatives from Hubei University and South Asian international students, attended the event.Guests from China and South Asia commended the traditional friendship and practical cooperation between the two sides. They stressed that both sides have steadfastly followed the path of peaceful development and win-win cooperation, and expressed their readiness to work together to promote the building of an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, so as to jointly advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. It is hoped that young people on both sides work hand in hand to defend peace and security, promote open development, and facilitate mutual learning among civilizations, thereby contributing their youthful energy to the creation of a China-South Asia community with a shared future.In their remarks, youth representatives from both sides pledged to make the most of this opportunity for in-depth exchanges, to build connections grounded in a deep understanding of and empathy for different civilizations, and to advance cultural understanding and friendship between China and South Asia, injecting youthful energy into the development of China-South Asia relations.Under the theme "Connect Culture with Youth for a Shared Future", more than 30 young leaders from six South Asian countries, together with Chinese youth representatives from Hubei University, China Three Gorges University, and South Asian international students, will explore the distinctive features of Hubei's traditional culture and gain a deeper understanding of the Hubei chapter in China's journey toward modernization.

On July 25, 2025, the opening ceremony of the Seminar for Young Leaders of Friendly Organizations in Pacific Island Countries was held in Beijing. The event was organized by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China and hosted by the Research Center for People-to-People Diplomacy of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC). Jiang Jiang, Vice President of the CPAFFC, attended the opening ceremony and delivered remarks.Vice President Jiang Jiang extended a warm welcome to all participants to China for the seminar, highlighting that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in the 1970s, China has proactively advanced practical cooperation with Pacific Island Countries in the principle of mutual respect, which has led to substantial progress in bilateral ties. Youth, as the backbone of national development, are not only the inheritors of our longstanding friendship but also the pioneers of future cooperation. The seminar aims to provide participants with a deeper understanding of China's development, domestic and foreign policies, and its vision for cooperation with Pacific Island Countries. This, in turn, will contribute to enhancing mutual understanding and trust, expanding and deepening future cooperation, and empowering youth to play a pivotal role in building a China-Pacific Island Countries community with a shared future. The CPAFFC is dedicated to leveraging its unique strengths to advance cooperation in human resources development and people-to-people exchanges, building more bridges for people-to-people engagement, practical cooperation, cultural exchanges, and youth engagement between China and Pacific island countries.This seminar will last for 10 days and will invite government officials and experts from relevant fields to conduct lectures, on-site teaching, and discussions with 29 young leaders from 10 Pacific Island Countries, in a view to foster mutual learning and exchange. During their stay in China, participants will also be invited to attend events such as the World Youth Conference for Peace and the China-Oceania Youth Exchange Festival.

On July 19, 2025, the opening ceremony of the "Celebrating Culture and Tourism Together" Qingdao International Friendship Cities Exchange Month was held in Qingdao, Shandong Province. Ren Gang, Mayor of Qingdao, and Jiang Jiang, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), attended the opening ceremony and delivered remarks.Vice President Jiang Jiang congratulated on the successful opening of the event. He emphasized that friendship city partnerships are an essential platform for promoting friendship between peoples, strengthening mutual trust, and deepening practical cooperation. China is advancing a path of urban modernization with Chinese characteristics, aiming to build innovative, livable, beautiful, resilient, civilized, and smart cities that serve the people. This ongoing transformation offers new opportunities for exchanges and cooperation between Chinese cities and their international friendship cities. The CPAFFC is committed to serving as a bridge for international engagement, supporting Qingdao and other Chinese cities in expanding people-to-people and sectoral exchanges with their global counterparts in fields such as culture, youth, science and technology, economy and trade, and education. By tightening the bonds of friendship and strengthening networks of practical collaboration, the CPAFFC aims to promote cooperation through friendship and drive development through cooperation, working together to build a peaceful, beautiful, and sustainable future.The "Celebrating Culture and Tourism Together" Qingdao International Friendship Cities Exchange Month is hosted by the Qingdao Municipal People's Government, with the CPAFFC serving as a supporting partner. Representatives from 26 cities and institutions across 19 countries—including Germany, Belarus, Hungary, Japan, Ethiopia, New Zealand, and the United States—will participate in a series of related events.

On the afternoon of July 17, 2025, Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, attended the Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Friendship Event and delivered a speech at the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.On the afternoon of July 17, 2025, Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, attended the Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Friendship Event and delivered a speech at the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. Prior to the friendship event, Peng Liyuan met with Elyn MacInnis and Luca Berrone.On the afternoon of July 17, 2025, Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, attended the Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Friendship Event and delivered a speech at the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. On the afternoon of July 17, 2025, Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, attended the Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Friendship Event and delivered a speech at the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. On the afternoon of July 17, 2025, Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, attended the Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Friendship Event and delivered a speech at the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. Peng Liyuan took group photos with Chinese and American youth participants and other guests admist a warm and friendly atmosphere.

On July 16, Chinese and American youth sing songs together at the China National Opera House.On July 16, 2025, the closing performance of the Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China–U.S. Youth Choir Festival was held at the China National Opera House in Beijing. Centered on the theme "Singing for Peace," the event brought together young participants from China and the United States, who raised their voices in harmony to celebrate youth, peace, and friendship through music.On July 16, Chinese and American youth sing songs together at the China National Opera House.On July 16, Chinese and American youth sing songs together at the China National Opera House.On July 16, Chinese and American youth sing songs together at the China National Opera House.On July 16, Chinese and American youth sing songs together at the China National Opera House.On July 16, Chinese and American youth sing songs together at the China National Opera House.

On July 14, 2025, Lu Xiangdong, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met in Beijing with a high-level delegation of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami led by its Emir, Shafiqur Rahman. The two sides exchanged views on enhancing China-Bangladesh friendly relations, deepening people-to-people exchanges, and advancing subnational cooperation.Xu Yan, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Asian and African Affairs of the CPAFFC, was present at the meeting.

On July 14, 2025, U.S. choirs participating in the Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Choir Festival arrived in Beijing. Under the thoughtful coordination of the Beijing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the choirs visited several leading institutions, including the China National Symphony Orchestra, Beijing University of Technology, the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, and Beijing No. 8 High School.At the China National Symphony Orchestra, Chinese and American youth observed a full orchestral rehearsal and attended a high-level masterclass in professional music performance. At Beijing University of Technology, students from two countries collaborated on musical arrangements featuring cultural elements and explored innovative fields such as modern architectural design and intelligent building control systems. At the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, American youth immersed themselves in the essence of Chinese opera, trying out traditional stage props and learning foundational movement techniques. At Beijing No. 8 High School, the young participants joyfully sang and shared their personal stories, raising their voices together in a heartfelt tribute to peace and friendship.Utah Valley University Choir visited the China National Symphony OrchestraBrigham Young University Women's Choir and Combined Choir visited Beijing University of TechnologySouthern Methodist University Choir and Wind Choir visited the National Academy of Chinese Theatre ArtsSt Genevieve High School Valiant Voices and Pure N Heart visited Beijing No. 8 High School

On July 11, 2025, Yuan Mindao, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Chikamatsu Shigehiro, outgoing Director of the Beijing Office of the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR), and his successor, Tomohiko Yamamoto. The two sides exchanged views on jointly organizing the 26th Conference of Friendship Cities of China, the Republic of Korea and Japan, and on further promoting friendly exchanges and practical cooperation between subnational governments and friendship cities of China and Japan across a wide range of fields.

On the morning of July 11, 2025, U.S. youth choirs participating in the Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Choir Festival visited several universities and secondary schools in Fuzhou, where they engaged in warm and lively exchanges with local students and faculty. Together, the young participants explored elements of China's intangible cultural heritage, sang beloved songs in both Chinese and English, and built friendships through music, shared emotion, and heart-to-heart interaction. United in harmony, the youth from two countries voiced their hopes for peace and lasting friendship through song. Shen Xin, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), attended the activities.Tacoma Lincoln High School Choir visited Fuzhou Education College Affiliated High SchoolStadium High School Choir (Tacoma) visited Fuzhou Senior High SchoolSouthern Methodist University Choir visited Fujian Vocational College of ArtBrigham Young University Combined Choir and Women's Choir visited Fujian Normal UniversityUtah Valley University Choir and Pure N Heart Choir visited Minjiang UniversityOne Voice Choir visited Fuzhou No. 16 High SchoolSt. Genevieve High School Valiant Voices visited Fuzhou No. 11 High School

On July 10, 2025, Jiang Jiang, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met in Beijing with Tara Gyawali, Chief Administrative Officer of Lumbini Cultural Municipality, Nepal, Tara Gyawali was visiting China to attend the Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting. The two sides exchanged views on fully harnessing the role of cultural exchange as a bridge for enhancing people-to-people friendship between China and Nepal and advancing practical cooperation between subnational governments of the two countries.Qing Boming, Director-General of the Department of Friendship City Affairs and Cultural Exchanges of the CPAFFC, was present at the meeting.