Vice President Song Jingwu attended and addressed the opening ceremony of 2018 Wuxi International Cherry Blossom Week and the Commemoration of the 31st Anniversary of the China-Japan Cherry Blossom Friendship Forest in Wuxi on March 28, 2018. Vice President Song Jingwu addresses the opening ceremony Vice President Song said that after over 30 years of hard work, the China-Japan Cherry Blossom Friendship Forest jointly built by Wuxi and its Japanese partner has not only become China's top destination for cherry blossom viewing, but also a symbol of friendship between China and Japan. The Wuxi International Cherry Blossom Week has become an important cultural event in Wuxi, which has played an important role in promoting urban construction and development as well as pushing forward exchanges and cooperation with other countries. In October last year, the 19th CPC National Congress was successfully convened and the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era was introduced. In the new era, it is hoped that Wuxi will continue to use cherry blossom as a media and continuously expand its circle of friends for international exchanges, promote Wuxi’s economic and social development, and carry out friendly exchanges and pragmatic cooperation between China and other countries in more fields and at a higher level, so as to contribute to regional prosperity and world peace, as well as a community with a shared future for mankind. Mme. Bo Suning, President of Jiangsu People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Mr. Lu Zhijian, Vice Mayor of Wuxi, consul generals of the United States, Japan and other 7 countries in Shanghai, representatives of the Japanese industrial and commercial circles, representatives of Wuxi’s friendship cities and representatives of overseas students in Jiangsu Province and Shanghai, totaling over 300 people, attended the opening ceremony.     Photographed by Fu Bo  

On March 26th, the 2nd China-Morocco Friendship Forum, co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Morocco-China Friendship and Exchange Association (MCFEA) and the Souss Massa Region was held in Agadir. The forum was held on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Morocco, with attention and support from King Mohamed VI. The theme of the forum is "Morocco: the Gate of Chinese Belt and Road Initiatives in Africa ". Vice President Lin Yi of the CPAFFC, President Mohamed Khalil of the MCFEA , Minister Mohamed Sajid of Tourism, Air Transport, Crafts and Social Economy, Secretary of State to the Minister Jamila El Moussali of Tourism, Air Transport, Crafts, Social Economy, Handicrafts and Social Economy, Secretary of State to the Minister Mbarka Bouaida of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests (in charge of Maritime Fisheries), Wali Ahmed Hajji of the Souss Massa Region, and President Brahim Hafidi of the Souss Massa Region Council spoke respectively. Chinese Ambassador to Morocco Li Li was also present at the forum and delivered a speech. Both sides reviewed the progress of bilateral relations in the past 6 decades since the establishment of diplomatic ties and expressed the common willingness to promote the construction of "Belt and Road Initiative" through local government cooperation and people-to-people friendly exchanges. More than 400 people from 17 provinces and cities of China and over 10 provinces and cities of Morocco, including local government leaders, representatives of culture, trade and economic circles attended the forum.  

On March 23, the reception in celebration of the 45th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relationship between China and Benin, co-hosted by CPAFFC and the Embassy of Benin in China, was held in Beijing. 40 guests in total, including Mme. Lin Yi, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mr. Xiao Han, Deputy Director-General of the Department of African Affairs of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Simon Adovelande, Ambassador of Benin to China, diplomats of Benin Embassy, representatives of Benin nationals in China attended the reception. Mme. Lin Yi said in her speech that over the past 45 years, with the strengthening of high-level mutual political trust and the rapid growth of bilateral trade, China has become a major trading partner and investment source of Benin. The pragmatic cooperation in various fields between the two countries has scored fruitful results and brought substantial benefit to the two peoples. China and Benin share similar development goals. It is hopeful that the two countries join hands to embark on a new journey of forging a community with shared future for mankind. Ambassador Adovelande stressed that the 45th anniversary of resumption of Benin-China diplomatic relations has provided an opportunity to recall the harmonious bilateral relations in the history and to discuss about the new cooperation opportunities in the future. Benin will actively participate in the Belt and Road initiatives, enhance the pragmatic cooperation with China and develop Benin-China cooperation into a role model for South-South cooperation.

Mr. Li Xikui, Secretary General of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Mr. Mamytov, Chairman of the Kyrgyz Republic’s People’s Assembly on the invitation of Shaanxi Normal University on March 23rd, 2018. Secretary General Li expressed welcome on behalf of CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin to Chairman Mamytov paying a visit to CPAFFC, and thanked Chairman Mamytov for making actively contributions to promote the friendly relationship between Kyrgyz and China. Secretary General Li made an introduction about the aims of CPAFFC and CCAFA (China-Central Asia Friendship Association), and the exchanges with Kyrgyz in recent years, and in particular about the exchanges of the two countries in the fields of people-to-people, humanity and culture and etc.. Chairman Mamytov said, Kyrgyz considers China as the prior cooperation partner. Under the personal promotion of the two heads of state, bilateral relations developed smoothly and rapidly. At present, China invests and builds a series of pragmatic cooperation programs in Kyrgyz, which are benefit to the Kyrgyzstan people. The Kyrgyz Republic’s People’s Assembly would like to establish a close and friendly cooperation relationship with CPAFFC, and make contributions to enhance the friendship of the two peoples, especially that of the minorities. Mr. Lv Hongwei, Deputy Director-General of Department of European and Asian Affairs of CPAFFC, diplomats from Kyrgyzstan Embassy in China, attended the meeting.  

Vice President Xie Yuan met with Carlos A. Gimenez, Mayor of Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA, on March 19. Vice President Xie expressed a warm welcome to Mayor Gimenez, who is on his first official visit to China. He said, the National People’s Congress, which was still in session, set the 6.5% growth target for Chinese economy, indicating a very sound economic momentum. China’s development would bring benefits to people around the world, including the US. He hoped to work together with Mayor Gimenez toward a healthy and sustainable way of developing China-US relations in a new era.   Mayor Gimenez said, Miami-Dade County boasts an ideal geographic location, conveniant transportation networks and harbor facilities, booming commerce and tourism industries. It serves as gateway for Chinese commodities, personnel, technology and investment into the US, as well as central and south America. He hoped to promote the establishment of a direct flight from Miami to China through his visit. He also wanted to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in the areas of sister city, municipal transportation, water supply and drainage, as well as film making.

Heading a CPAFFC working group, Vice President Xie Yuan visited the State of Texas of USA from March 7 to 8. During the visit, he had dialogues with Executive Director Bryan Daniel of the Economic Development and Tourism Division of the Governor's Office of Texas, Chief of Staff Patricia Shipton of the Speaker of Texas House of Representatives, Chief Development Officer Andy Icken of Mayor’s Office of Houston, Chairman Neil Bush of Bush China US Relations Foundation (youngest son of former US President George H.W. Bush), and Chairman Charles Foster of US China Partnerships. The US side regards the US-China relationship as one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world, and the sub-national cooperation forms the foundation of the bilateral relations. Texas is rich in natural and human resources, and has been leading other US states in terms of economic development in recent years, with advantages at industries such as energy, medical care, innovation and education. Texas wishes to expand its links with China and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in all areas through various channels including subnational governments, legislatures and sister cities, so as to further contribute to the sound and stable development of the bilateral relations.  

On March 7, the CPAFFC Vice President Mme. Lin Yi met with H.E. Mrs. Winnie N. Chibesakunda, Ambassador of Zambia to China. Ambassador Chibesakunda expressed her gratitude to the CPAFFC for providing support and assistance to facilitate exchanges between Zambian and Chinese localities and friendship provinces/cities. She said the Chinese provinces such as Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Henan enjoy broad prospect of cooperation with the Zambian side at the local level, so the embassy will continue to actively promote pragmatic cooperation in areas of politics, economy, culture and tourism among more provinces and cities between the two countries. Mme. Lin Yi said that the CPAFFC is willing to work with the embassy  to enhance the local government exchanges and accelerate the establishment of friendship provinces and cities. Mr. Li Hai, Deputy Director General of Department of Asian and African Affairs, was present at the meeting.

Heading a CPAFFC working group, Vice President Xie Yuan visited the State of New Mexico of USA from March 5 to 7. During the visit, he held meetings with Lieutenant Governor John Sanchez of New Mexico, Director Alan Armijo of Constituent Services of Albuquerque Mayor’s Office, and, Chair Carol Lopez of Sister Cities Committee in the City of Santa Fe, and discussed on the ways to further promote practical cooperation and sister state/province/cities relations between New Mexico and China. The US side views China as an important international partner, and believes that China’s rapid development has created numerous opportunities for New Mexico. New Mexico will continue to strengthen its exchanges and cooperation with China in all areas, and push forward the friendly ties with China.  

At the invitation of the U.S. National Governor’s Association, Director General Zhang Heqiang of the Department of American and Oceanian Affairs of the CPAFFC headed a working group to Washington DC to attend the NGA Winter Meeting. During his stay there, DG Zhang had meetings with Alaska Governor Bill Walker, Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and CSG Director of Federal Affairs Andy Karellas, exchanging views with them on strengthening China-U.S. sub-national cooperation.

On February 18th, the 8th Cross-Strait Spring Festival Temple Fair with the theme of “Hometown of Panda, Splendid Sichuan” was launched in Nantou County Expo Center, Taiwan Province. The temple fair was co-hosted by the China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development (CFFPD), the China Culture Friendship Association and Sichuan Provincial Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. CPAFFC Vice President Xie Yuan and CFFPD Secretary General Jia Ling attended the opening ceremony.     At the opening ceremony, Vice President Xie Yuan conveyed cordial greetings and new year wishes of the mainland people. He said that during this traditional festival of family reunion and cohesion, we bring the most unique cultural products of Sichuan Province to Nantou and friends in Taiwan, closely linking Sichuan with Taiwan and Nantou. Although geographically far apart, the hearts of the people are connected. He said he was very concerned about and the heavy loss of lives and properties in the eastern part of Taiwan caused by the recent 6.5-magnitude earthquake in Hualien County, and expressed the compassion of the entire delegation. On behalf of the CFFPD, He donated NT$ 500,000 to the disaster-stricken area for emergency rescue and expressed hopes that the people in disaster-stricken areas would unite to tide over the crisis.       The temple fair brought together 16 kinds of authentic Sichuan snacks, 12 varieties of intangible cultural heritages, more than 80 photographs of natural and cultural scenery, over 100 kinds of Sichuan local specialties and products, as well as Zigong lantern exhibition, folk song and dance performances, Sichuan Opera show, acrobatic show, etc., to let the people from Taiwan taste, watch, understand and perceive Sichuan Province and celebrate the joyful Spring Festival with unique Sichuan flavor.  The event will last five days till February 21st.