Mr. Hu Sishe, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), paid an official visit to former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama in Tokyo on the afternoon of June 7. Vice President Hu appreciated Mr. Yukio Hatoyama for giving support in the work of CPAFFC and working for the development of the friendly relationship between China and Japan for a long time. Vice President Hu said that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’ s visit to Japan in May had achieved a complete success, which would bring good opportunities  for the bilateral relations to develop. CPAFFC would be dedicated to promoting the exchanges and cooperation between the two peoples and making efforts on consolidating the base of the friendly relationship between the two countries. Mr. Yukio Hatoyama spoke highly of the active role by CPAFFC in promoting the bilateral ties and said that it is needed to inherit and carry forward the spirit of the friendly relationship of the two countries by more and more Japanese people. Therefore, the friendly relations of the two countries would become more steady and last long time if the peoples of the two countries keep strong friendly relations. Both sides also exchanged their views on recent international hot issues and how to develop exchanges and cooperation in future.         Photographed by Yu Xiaodong

On the evening of June 7, 2018, the welcome reception in honor of the delegation of Russian friendly personages and veterans’ relatives was successfully held in the Peace Palace of the CPAFFC. Chen Yuan, President of the China-Russia Friendship Association and former CPPCC Vice Chairman, Li Xiaolin, CPAFFC President, Dmitry Mezentsev, Chairman of the Russia-China Friendship Association and Chairman of Russia’s Federation Council Committee on Economic Policy, and Evgeny Opasov, Vice Chairman of the Russia-China Friendship Association and Head of the Association of Veterans of the WWII and Military Service of Russia, attended the reception. Chen Yuan, President of the China-Russia Friendship Association and former CPPCC Vice Chairman, delivers a speech Chen Yuan and Li Xiaolin addressed the reception. On behalf of the China-Russia Friendship Association and the CPAFFC respectively, they welcomed the new and old Russian friends from afar, and thanked them for their important contributions to the China-Russia friendship over the years. They also stressed that President Putin would soon pay his first state visit to China in his new term as president. The two associations felt honored to receive the friendly personages of the two countries and relatives of the Russian veterans to participate in the people-to-people and cultural activities in the framework of the high-level visit, which reflected not only the two governments’ care and attention to the people-to-people friendship between the two countries and their trust and support to the two associations, but also the two associations’ active engagement in promoting the China-Russia relations at the people’s level. More than 70 people, including the leaders and representatives of the China-Russia Friendship Association and the Russia-China Friendship Association and relatives of the Russian veterans, attended the reception. China Philharmonic Male Choir and Chinese Soprano You Hongfei gave a wonderful performance which was warmly welcomed with friendly atmosphere. The reception served as a great warm-up for President Putin’s upcoming visit to China. CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin delivers a speech Performance Group photo       Photographed by Ren Xin

Mr. Hu Sishe, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Mr. Lorenzo Ku, President of Philippines-China Association for Promotion of Economy and Trade (PCAPET), an old friend of CPAFFC and also a winner of the Award for Contribution to People’s Friendship, and his delegation on the morning of May, 31st. The purpose of visiting China for Mr. Lorenzo Ku this time was to attend the Memorandum signing ceremony of establishing the sister province relationship between Liaoning and Batangas. He had made great efforts on establishing relationship of the two provinces. Mr. Lorenzo Ku had ever introduced Fushun and Riba, Henan and Tarlac to establish sister city (province) relationship as a go-between. Vice President Hu Sishe thanked Mr. Lorenzo Ku for making efforts on promoting the cause of the friendship between two countries at an advanced age. Vice President Hu said that developing and establishing sister city (province) is an important work for us. Entrusted by State Council, CPAFFC is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the work of establishing friendship-city relations between China and other countries. Until now, it has established 30 pairs of sister city (province) between China and the Philippines. The exchanges of the local governments between two countries played an active role in promoting the bilateral relations. Mr. Lorenzo Ku made an introduction about the work and planning on enhancing the bilateral ties. He hoped to continue strengthening the cooperation with CPAFFC. Both sides also had an in-depth discussion on cooperate programs including household service, aged service, health care and etc. Mr. Zhang Juxiang, Director General of China Service for Friendship and Cooperation with Foreign Countries (CSC) of CPAFFC, Mr. Hu Yang, Deputy Director General of CSC, attended the meeting                 Photographed by Song Zifan      

The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) organized a reception in Beijing to celebrate the 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Uruguay on May 29th, 2018. Mr. Hao Mingjin，Vice-Chairman of Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), Mr. Hu Sishe, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mr. Enrique Iglesias, former Foreign Minister of Uruguayan Foreign Affairs Ministry, Mr. Fernando Lugris, Uruguayan Ambassador to China and other personages attended the reception. Vice Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Hao Mingjin had a brief meeting with former Foreign Minister Enrique Iglesias and Ambassador Fernando Lugris before the reception. Vice President Hu Sishe said in his speech, since the establishment of the strategic partnership between China and Uruguay in 2016, the bilateral relations had developed rapidly, the willingness for both sides to cooperate had become more and more urgent, and the friendship between the two peoples had been increasingly deepened. He hoped that both sides should take the 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to further push the bilateral ties forward and expand the friendly exchanges between the two countries.  Ambassador Fernando Lugris also expressed in his speech, the relations between Uruguay and China have now developed into the best stage, during which both sides kept close contact in various fields, pragmatic cooperation had been increasingly deepened and developed. The Uruguayan side appreciated the Chinese side for giving support and assistance to them for a long time. He hoped that Uruguay and China relations would achieve remarkable results in next 30 years.           Photographed by Sun Tao, Lin Zhichang    

On May 28, 2018, the China-Japan Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Forum, co-hosted by the CPAFFC, Sichuan Provincial People’s Government and Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was held in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Governor of Sichuan Province Yin Li, CPAFFC Vice President Song Jingwu, Secretary General of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan Nikai Toshihiro and Vice President of Japan Business Federation (KEIDANREN) Yamauchi Takashi attended and addressed the forum. Vice Governor of Sichuan Province Zhu Hexin chaired the opening ceremony of the forum. Luo Qiang, Mayor of Chengdu, and Zhu Dan, Deputy Director General of Japanese Affairs of the CPAFFC, attended the event. In his speech, Song Jingwu said that China and Japan are close neighbors and suffer from frequent occurrences of natural disasters. The two countries face many common problems in reducing the risks of natural disasters. This year marks the 40th anniversary the signing of the Sino-Japanese Peace and Friendship Treaty. In this important year, the forum co-hosted by Chinese and Japanese sides is of great significance for strengthening local exchanges between China and Japan, promoting economic and social development between the two countries, and enhancing the well-being of the two peoples. He also hoped that China and Japan would take the forum as an opportunity to continue the pragmatic cooperation in the fields of disaster prevention and mitigation, so as to further contribute to promoting international cooperation in disaster prevention and mitigation and jointly building a community with a shared future for mankind. On behalf of the Sichuan provincial government and the people of Sichuan, Yin Li expressed gratitude to the Japanese government, Japanese people and Nikai Toshihiro for their support and assistance to Sichuan in the relief work of the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake. It is hoped that both China and Japan will further deepen scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation on disaster prevention and mitigation, strengthen personnel and technical exchanges, establish and improve cooperation mechanisms for geological disaster big data platform, disaster monitoring and early warning, and post-disaster recovery and reconstruction, so as to further enhance the ability to cope with major natural disasters. Nikai Toshihiro said the relationship between the countries is ultimately the relationship between the peoples. Japan and China should continue to deepen bilateral relations, create a better future, and establish a true mutual trust relationship, in order to achieve common development. He hoped that this forum would be an opportunity for Japan and China to work together to promote a better future for the two countries. Yamauchi Takashi said that this year is the 10th anniversary of the 2018 Wenchuan earthquake. In the past decade, the post-earthquake reconstruction has made tremendous progress. The Japanese economic community is willing to share the experience and technology in response to natural disasters and provide support for Wenchuan's post-disaster reconstruction within its capacity. Before the forum, Chinese and Japanese guests visited the Photo Exhibition of the 10th Anniversary of the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake and the Disaster Prevention of Japan. The theme of this forum is "strengthening cooperation in disaster prevention and mitigation, and building a community with a shared future for mankind." At the forum, Chinese and Japanese participants conducted in-depth exchanges and discussions on topics such as disaster prevention and community construction, emergency response and emergency logistics, as well as earthquake-resistance of buildings. More than 240 people from China and Japan attended the forum. Nikai Toshihiro’s visit to China is at the invitation of the CPAFFC.       Photographed by Li Kun 

Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Mr. Luis Quesada, Peruvian Ambassador to China on May 25th, 2018. Vice President Xie Yuan said that although two countries are far apart, we enjoy profound friendship. China-Peru relation is at best time. Last year, CPAFFC worked together with Peruvian Embassy in China to hold Peruvian Gastronomy Festival, which achieved good result. This year, CPAFFC would continue to keep close contact and cooperation with Peruvian Embassy in China to further promote the friendly exchanges of the two countries in various fields. Ambassador Luis Quesada said, although separated by vast Pacific Ocean, China and Peru relation is as kind as neighbors. The active high-level visits lead the way in promoting the countries' pragmatic cooperation. CPAFFC made remarkable contributions to promote the friendly exchanges of the two countries. He expected to continue to keep close cooperation with CPAFFC to further strengthen the friendly relations during his tenure.         Photographed by Zhu Rui  

Mme. Li Xiaolin, President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), attended the opening ceremony of World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, Anhui Province and delivered a speech on May 25th. President Li Xiaolin announced that CPAFFC would initiate and found Senior Consultant Committee on International Cooperation in Advanced Manufacturing Industry in order to promote international cooperation in manufacturing industry. During in Hefei, President Li Xiaolin met successively with former Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon and former German President Wulff. World Manufacturing Convention was jointly organized by CPAFFC, the People’s Government of Anhui Province (PGAP), Global Alliance of SMEs (GASMEs) and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Over 3000 personages including government officials from different countries, executives from manufacturing enterprises, experts and scholars, attended the convention.  

Mme. Lin Yi, the CPAFFC Vice President, met with H.E. Mr. Dolana Msimang, the South African Ambassador to China on May 23. Mme. Msimang expressed her sincere appreciation to the CPAFFC for promoting South Africa-China friendship and enhancing two countries’ goodwill exchanges over the past years, especially thanks to the CPAFFC for hosting the reception in celebration of the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Africa and China, and said the CPAFFC’s role and function are of great importance to embassies in China, with the South African embassy included. Mme. Lin said that this year marks the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa and will also witness the FOCAC Beijing Summit, so it is an important year in China-South Africa and China-Africa cooperation. The CPAFFC will continue its close cooperation with the embassy and work together to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and African peoples and promote China-Africa friendly and pragmatic cooperation. Both sides also exchanged views on South Africa Development Community. Mr. Li Hai, Deputy Director General of Afro-Asian Affairs Department, was present at the meeting.       Photographed by Zhang Yujun    

On May 23, 2018, CPAFFC Vice President Song Jingwu met with Patrik Kovács, President of Young Entrepreneurs Organization of European union (JEUNE), and discussed exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and European youth. Song Jingwu said that 2018 marked the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the EU. With frequent exchange of visits between Chinese and European leaders, the China-EU relations are full of opportunities for long-term development. The CPAFFC was willing to cooperate with JEUNE to strengthen the exchanges between Chinese and European youth. Patrik Kovács appreciated the CPAFFC’s contributions to the multi-field and in-depth development of the China-EU relations, and expressed his hope for more pragmatic cooperation with the CPAFFC. The two sides exchanged views on organizing Chinese youth study tours to Europe and establishing the office of JEUNE in China. JEUNE is the biggest organization representing young entrepreneurs across Europe with more than 1.66 million members from 22 countries. It is committed to helping European young entrepreneurs start and further exchanges and cooperation with young people from other countries in the world. Lv Hongwei, Deputy Director General of European and Asian Affairs, was present at the meeting.             

The Fourth China-U.S. Governors Forum, co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Sichuan Provicial People’s Government, was held in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province on May 22. The theme of the forum was Win-win Cooperation and Shared Development. Vice Chairman Wu Weihua of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Secretary Peng Qinghua of CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee, President Li Xiaolin of the CPAFFC, Governor Yin Li of Sichuan Provincial People’s Government, Governor Wang Wentao of Heilongjiang Provincial People’s Government, Executive Vice Governor Chen Xiangqun of Hunan Provincial People’s Government, Vice Governor Xia Yanjun of Hebei Provincial People’s Government, Ambassador Terry Branstad of the U.S. to China, Governor Bill Walker of Alaska, Lieutenant Governor John Sanchez of New Mexico, and representatives from the States of California, Michigan, Ohio and Iowa State Economic Development Agency attended the forum. Governor Jerry Brown of California, Governor Rick Snyder of Michigan, Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York and Governor Jay Inslee of Washington sent videos or letters of congratulations to the forum. Discussions around trade and investment, green development, innovation driven economy were carried out among 350 attendees from Chinese and U.S. governments and businesses to tap into the potential for China-U.S. sub-national cooperation, striving for practical achievements. Vice Chairman Wu Weihua said at the opening ceremony that after 40 years, with joint efforts between the two countries, China-U.S. cooperation has expanded extensively, forming an interdependence under which circumstances one can not be isolated from the other. Chinese President Xi Jinping made it clear at this year’s Boao Forum for Asia that China will open its doors wider to the outside world. China will relax its control on market access, create a more favorable business climate, strengthen intellectual property rights protection and increase importation. In this process, Chinese provinces are willing to cooperate with U.S. states in trade and in trade and investment, green development and innovation driven economy. China welcomes U.S. states and their businesses to participate in its high-quality development, making shared development and win-win cooperation. Secretary Peng Qinghua said, as one of the economic, resources, personnel, science and technology powerhouses of China, Sichuan is endowed with a sound base for exchanges and cooperation with the U.S. and other regions, possessing a great potential. Sichuan wishes to take the forum as an opportunity to perfect cooperation mechanism, expand friendly exchanges, and deepen cooperation in trade and investment, education, science and technology, green and low-carbon development, as well as people-to-people exchanges, resulting in a win-win and mutually beneficial situation. President Li Xiaolin said, as one of the most important China-U.S. sub-national cooperation mechanisms, China-U.S. Governors Form has been supported by national and sub-national leaders as well as people from all walks of life from both countries. She also hoped attendees to the forum carry out extensive discussions to provide more ideas and strategies to promote the development of China-U.S. relationship and sub-national relationship, promoting common development and world peace and prosperity through exchanges and cooperation. Ambassador Branstad had attended all three previous forums and expressed his pleasure to attend the fourth forum as Ambassador. He said that sub-national cooperation was bedrock of U.S.-China relationship. The forum had been playing an important role in promoting sub-national cooperation in trade and investment, culture, agriculture, environment protection, education and sports, bringing benefits to people of the two countries. The China-U.S. Governors Forum was established in 2011 under the consensus of the state leaders of the two countries. Since then three forums and two rounds of dialogues have been held, with total participation of 26 Chinese provincial leaders and 33 U.S. governors. It has received great care and support from the national leaders and all social sectors of the two countries, providing an important platform for China-U.S. sub-national cooperation.           Potographed by Department of American and Asian Affairs