Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan met with Salim Ahmed Salim, former Prime Minister of Tanzania and President of Tanzania-China Friendship Promotion Association, who attended the 3rd Forum on China-Africa Local Government Association. Wang conveyed President Xi's cordial greetings to Tanzanian President John Magufuli. He said that China-Tanzania friendship, which was forged by older generations of leadership of both sides, has gone from strength to strength. He also appreciated Salim’s significant contributions to China-Tanzania friendship. Since an action speaks louder than a dozen of guiding principles, Wang said he expects China-Tanzania ties will continue to advance through concrete cooperation projects under the guidance of the leaders of both sides. Salim also conveyed the Tanzanian president's greetings to President Xi, saying that China has sincerely helped Africa's development and is a true friend of Tanzania. He hoped that the two sides will conduct in-depth exchanges and cooperation at all levels, and continue to consolidate and develop the traditional friendship between Tanzania and China.  

A delegation of 17 youth leaders from Harvard Kennedy School of Government visited the CPAFFC on May 8. Deputy Director-General Hao Zhongwei of the Department of American and Oceanian Affairs of the CPAFFC briefed the delegation on the history of the CPAFFC and its work on strengthening China-U.S. people-to-people exchanges, especially exchanges between young people of the two countries. He hoped youth leaders from Harvard leverage their talents as friendship ambassadors in cultural exchanges between the two countries. Alvares-Cienfuegos, head of the delegation, MC/MPA student at Harvard Kennedy said that the visit to China was a trip of discovery, learning and friendship, which provided an opportunity for them to gain a better understanding of China and its culture, and forge connections with related parties in China. He also hoped to make positive contributions to enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between American and Chinese people.       Photographed by the Department of American and Oceanian Affairs

Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan attended the Third Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation in Beijing on May 8 and delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. Wang Qishan said that socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. The Chinese nation has achieved a tremendous transformation: it has stood up, grown rich, and is becoming strong. Wang said that China will unswervingly implement the strategy of opening up to the outside world for mutual benefit so as to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. He noted that China is still a developing country and faces the principal contradiction of unbalanced and inadequate development. It is an arduous task and big challenge for China to win the battle of targeted poverty alleviation and achieve an all-round well-off society. Wang said that China and Africa have always stuck with each other through thick and thin and supported each other. Under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation （FOCAC）, the local governments' exchanges and cooperation on poverty alleviation and sustainable development will help promote the comprehensive strategic cooperation partnerships between China and African nations. On the sidelines of the forum, Wang respectively met with Brigi Rafini, Prime Minister of Niger, and Salim Ahmed Salim, former Prime Minister of Tanzanian and President of Tanzania-China Friendship Promotion Association. When meeting with Rafini, Wang conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping's sincere greetings to Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou.  Wang said that profound traditional friendship and similar struggles enable Chinese people to better understand African people’s concern over development.  It is our shared aspiration to promote cooperation and common development. Wang said that China has maintained fruitful cooperation with Niger in various fields in recent years and will make efforts to lift bilateral ties to a new high. Rafini also conveyed the Nigerien president's greetings to President Xi.  He said that Niger appreciates China's remarkable achievements of development as well as China’s help and support to Niger.   Niger is pleased to see China playing a more important role in the international community and hopes to learn from China's experiences on development. When meeting with Salim, Wang conveyed President Xi's cordial greetings to Tanzanian President John Magufuli. He said that China-Tanzania friendship, which was forged by older generations of leadership of both sides, has gone from strength to strength. He also appreciated Salim’s significant contributions to China-Tanzania friendship. Since an action speaks louder than a dozen of guiding principles, Wang said he expects China-Tanzania ties will continue to advance through concrete cooperation projects under the guidance of the leaders of both sides. Salim also conveyed the Tanzanian president's greetings to President Xi, saying that China has sincerely helped Africa's development and is a true friend of Tanzania. He hoped that the two sides will conduct in-depth exchanges and cooperation at all levels, and continue to consolidate and develop the traditional friendship between Tanzania and China.  

CPAFFC Secretary General Li Xikui led the delegation of China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development (CFFPD) to visit the U.S. and atttend the 2018 Global Philanthropy Forum from May 2 to 6, 2018. During the visit, he made in-depth exchanges on charity cooperation and NGO management and development with David Arnold, President of the Asia Foundation, Birger Stamperdahl, President of Give2 Asia, Clare Winterton, COO of Global Fund for Women, Jane Wales, CEO of the Global Philanthropy Forum, Heather Grady, Vice President of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, and Kim Meredith, Executive Director of the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society. Li Xikui briefed the U.S. partners on the functions of the CPAFFC and the CFFPD, as well as the Chinese government's relevant management policies for foreign NGOs. He expressed the hope to deepen mutual understanding through face-to-face exchanges and promote pragmatic cooperation between the two sides in the development of public welfare projects, the cultivation of talents in the field of public welfare, and the sharing of public welfare resources.           The U.S. side welcomed the delegation’s visit and thanked the CPAFFC for its tremendous help in their development in China. They expressed their willingness to communicate closely with the CPAFFC, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of public welfare projects and professional personnel training in China, share the successful experience of the U.S. in philanthropy, and explore the possibility of jointly carrying out public welfare projects in developing countries with high-quality resources, so as to promote the continuous development of bilateral relations. During the visit, Li Xikui attended the 2018 Global Philanthropy Forum and its sub-forums. He introduced the charity projects carried out by the CPAFFC and the CFFPD. He also introduced the World Philanthropy Forum initiated by the CPAFFC, and invited representatives from the U.S. and gobal philanthropic organizations to attend the 3rd World Philanthropy Forum to be held in Shanghai in September this year.       Photographed by Jia Ji

Vice President Xie Yuan attended the 23rd USCPFA Washington Seminar on US-China Relations with the theme of US-China Relations:Facing Changes on the Global Landscape from May 4 to 6. Diana Greer, President of USCPFA, Barbara Harrison, former President of USCPFA and Friendship Ambassador as well as representatives from chapters of Hawaii, Minnesota , Richmond etc also attended the seminar. Vice President Xie delivered a keynote speech at the seminar about China’s development, China-US relationship and people-to-people ties. He hoped to work with USCPFA and other US counterparts to deepen understanding and promote sound development of bilateral relations in the future. Many experts in the US spoke at the seminar and exchanged views with the audience on the topics of China-US relationship as well as economic and trade ties.         photographed by Wang Yang    

The Seminar on The Practice of Marxism in China , and the  activities to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Marx’s birth,  which were co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign countries (CPAFFC) and Belgium-China Friendship Association (BCFA), were held successfully in Brussels, capital of Belgium, on the morning of May, 5th. Over 100 personages including the experts and the scholars from Belgium, France, Swiss and China, attended the seminar. Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mr. Hans VAN DUYSEN, Chairman of BCFA, Mr. Zhang Chi, Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Belgium, attended the seminar and delivered speeches respectively. Vice President Song Jingwu said that Chinese President Xi Jinping closely connected with the conditions and practical requirements in a new era to propose series of new governance concepts, thoughts and strategies with pioneering significance and to establish Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, which fundamentally directed the Party and the country to attain revolutionary achievements and revolutionary changes. Furthermore, another new great leap in Marxism with Chinese characteristics had been achieved, which would direct the Chinese people to realize national rejuvenation. The experts and the scholars from different countries had an in-depth discussion on Marxism’s influence on China and the theoretical sources between the Marxism and the series of new thoughts including a community with a shared future for humanity, the Belt and Road Initiative, socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era and etc.. Attendees all considered that Chinese President Xi Jinping has scientifically combined the fundamental principles of Marxism with socialism with Chinese characteristics to develop Marxism, which produced greater influence on the world. BCFA Chairman Hans VAN DUYSEN said that despite the changing times, Marxism is never out of date. The western countries should introspect their own problems. China has opened up a development model that is different from the western countries and found a development path that is suitable for itself, which have attained remarkable achievements. We believed that the Chinese model would have capacity of helping the world to overcome the crises would possibly happen in future. Journalists from over ten medias including Xinhua News Agency, CCTV, People’s Daily, JIEFANG Daily, China News Service and etc., made live interviews and reports.                  Photographed by Zuo Fengqiang  

On May 3, 2018, Li Zhanshu, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), met with the delegation of Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarian’s union led by its president Hayashi Yoshimasa, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, at the Great Hall of the People. Li Zhanshu said that China and Japan are close neighbors, and are dependent on each other. The history of long-term exchanges between the two countries proves that win-win cooperation accords with the fundamental interests of both countries and long-term friendship is the only right choice. History should be remembered, but not for continuing hatred. He called on the Japanese side to remember history, learn lessons from it and avoid repeating mistakes. He said that China and Japan should treat each other in an objective and rational way, as cooperative partners rather than threats. The two sides should look into the future and help bilateral relations return to normal. Li Zhanshu, Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, meets with the delegation of Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' union led by Hayashi Yoshimasa, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on May 3, 2018. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) Li Zhanshu also said that legislative exchange is an important part of China-Japan relations. The two sides should further the exchanges of experiences on legislation and state governance, lead the people of all walks of life to see China-Japan relations in an objective and rational way, strengthen cooperation in key areas, and upgrade pragmatic cooperation. Japanese side is welcome to participate in the Belt and Road and to achieve win-win cooperation. Hayashi Yoshimasa said that Japan and China are neighbouring countries and the bilateral relations are the most important relations to both sides. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China. The Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' union will inherit the tradition to contribute more to improving bilateral ties. Tang Jiaxuan, President of the China-Japan Friendship Association, Yang Zhenwu, Secretary General of the NPC Standing Committee, Li Xiaolin, President of the CPAFFC, were present at the meeting. The visit of the delegation of Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' union is at the invitation of the CPAFFC.        

The Establishment and Launching Ceremony of “Cultural Heritage Special Fund” was held in Beijing on April, 26th. Mr. Li Xikui, the Secretary General of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Director of China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development (CFFPD), attended the activity. Secretary General Li Xikui congratulated on the establishment of this Special Fund, hoped to keep close contact with relevant parties and expected each party to play its advantage to jointly make the program of Cultural Heritage Special Fund better, so as to promote the pragmatic cooperation and exchange in the field of culture between China and foreign countries such as Russia and to carry forward the traditional culture. Mr. Peng Guangqian, Mr. Zhu Xinhua, Mr. Cao Yunshan, Mme. Li Xiaoli, Honorary Deputy Director-Generals of the Special Fund, Mme. Yun Shan, Secretary General of Special Fund, Mr. Jing Bo, Executive Secretary General of Special Fund, Mr. Tan Jing, President of Beijing Sihai Jinchang Enterprise Management Consulting Co., Ltd, attended the activity.       Photographed by Shao Shuai

On April 26th, Mme Lin Yi, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met with H.E. Dr. Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to China. Ambassador Dhaheri thanked Vice President Lin for meeting with him. He said, with excellent strategic partnership, China and the United Arab Emirates enjoyed smooth cooperation in the fields of politics, economy and trade, etc. China is the largest trading partner of the United Arab Emirates, and the United Arab Emirates is China's largest trading partner in the Middle East and North Africa. On this basis, the United Arab Emirates hopes to actively promote the people-to-people friendly cooperation between the two countries. Vice President Lin Yi introduced the work of the CPAFFC and China-Arab Friendship Association and exchanged views with Dhaheri on how to further promote the friendly exchanges between the peoples from China and the United Arab Emirates.     Photographed by Ai Lin

Mr. Tang Jiaxuan, President of China-Japan Friendship Association (CJFA), met in Beijing with visiting Mr. NIWA UICHIRO, President of Japan-China Friendship Association (JCFA), and his delegation on April, 25. President Tang Jiaxuan welcomed NIWA UICHIRO leading a delegation to visit China on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the conclusion of China-Japan treaty of peace and friendship, and appreciated JCFA for adhering to the belief of Sino-Japanese friendship for several decades, extensively developing the friendly activities and continuously making contributions to the cause of the friendship between the two countries. At present, the bilateral relations show a better momentum. President Tang hoped that the friends from JCFA could remain true to their original aspiration and face up to the future, and moreover, continuously advance the various friendly exchanges of the two peoples with practical actions. NIWA UICHIRO said, at present, bilateral relations confront with new development opportunities. JCFA is willing to strengthen the exchanges and cooperation in the fields of the friendly cities, youth, sport and etc. Furthermore, JCFA would like to work together with CJFA to make active efforts on enhancing the national feelings of the two countries and promoting the development of the bilateral ties. Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mme. Zhu Dan and Mr. Cheng Haibo, Deputy Director-Generals of Department of Japanese Affairs of CPAFFC, attended the meeting.       Photographed by Mou Liyi