On Aug 23rd, CPAFFC Vice President Lin Yi met with Mr. Yiu So C·Chua,, Honorary President of Filipino Chinese Friendship Association (FCFA). Vice President Lin Yi welcomed President Chua to visit the association and briefed on the exchanges between CPAFFC and Philippines side. She said CPAFFC would like to deepen the friendship relations and strengthen the communication and cooperation with the FCFA in all areas including economy and trade, culture and youth between the two countries. Mr.Chua thanked Vice President Lin Yi for meeting him and said the FCFA is willing to strengthen the exchanges and cooperation with the CPAFFC to promote Filipino-Sino people-to-people friendly relations to a new level.

On August 23, Madame Lin Yi, Vice President of CPAFFC, met with Mr. Aliou SALL, President of Senegalese Mayors Association, and his wife.  Madame Lin exchanged views with Mr. Sall on future cooperation projects between the two associations. She invited Mr. Sall to lead a delegation to participate in China (Hunan)-Africa Local Industrial Cooperation Conference and expressed willingness to promote, together with the Senegalese side, China-Senegal and China-Africa pragmatic exchanges in the fields of local governments and youth. Mr. Sall said that his association would establish closer ties with CPAFFC so as to actively advance the local governmental cooperation between China and Senegal as well as other western African countries.  

The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) held a reception to commemorate the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Republic of Korea in Beijing on August 23rd. Mr. Chen Zhu，Vice Chairman of Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), Mr. Kim Jang Soo, Ambassador of Korean Embassy in China, attended the reception and delivered speeches respectively. Around 200 Chinese and Korean friendly personages from all walks of life were present. Mme. Lin Yi, Vice President of CPAFFC presided over the reception. Vice Chairman Chen Zhu said in his speech that with the common effort, China-Korea relations have achieved a leaping development in the past 25 year, which greatly benefited the two countries and peoples. The Chinese side pays great attachment to the bilateral relations and is willing to take the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Korea as an opportunity to review and summarize the experience and lesson during the development of the bilateral ties. Moreover, the Chinese side also would like to consolidate the mutual trust, properly handle the divergence and promote China-Korea relations going back to stable and health lane. Ambassador Kim Jang Soo said in his speech that during the meeting in Berlin, the two heads of states had approved the importance to develop the bilateral ties, conveyed the willingness to cooperate and indicated the direction for the development of China-Korea relations. As the two countries have a long history to keep contacts, relationship could not be easily changed. He believed that the two countries could commonly overcome difficulties and build the future through strengthening the mutual trust and the exchanges.

A reception to celebrate the 10th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Costa Rica was held in Beijing on August 17th. Mr. Ma Peihua, Vice Chairman of National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and President of China-Latin America and Caribbean Friendship Association (CLACFA), Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Mr. Alexander Mora, Minister of Ministy of Commerce Exterior, Mr. Patricia Rodríguez, Ambassador of Costa Rica Embassy in China, attended the reception. Before the reception, Vice Chairman Ma Peihua had a brief meeting with Minister Alexander Mora and Ambassador Patricia Rodríguez. Vice President Xie Yuan said in his speech that, China and Costa Rica established strategic partnership of equality, mutual trust and win-win cooperation since the two countries had established the diplomatic relations ten years ago. Both countries had also set an example of friendly cooperation between the countries. The great achievements the two countries had obtained during the friendly exchanges are inseparable from the common efforts made by the friendly personages from all walks of life of the two countries. He hoped that China and Costa Rica relations could achieve greater development in the next ten years, fully exploit potentialities to cooperate of the two countries and develop more platforms to exchanges. Ambassador Patricia Rodríguez pointed out in his speech, Costa Rica and China enjoy profound friendship. The senior leaders of both sides had been keeping contact and had signed free trade agreement since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries. Costa Rica government thanked China for supporting and assistance. He hoped that both sides would take the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Costa Rica as an opportunity to look into the future, further improve the bilateral ties and carry forward the traditional friendship of the two countries. “Impression on Costa Rica” art exhibition was also held on the reception. The works drew by famous painters from China Central Academy of Fine Arts after they went to Costa Rica and experienced the scenery of the country, which was organized by CPAFFC in 2016.

The office of overseas NGOs administration of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau issued the registration certificate and the chief representative certificate to Beijing Office of UBS Optimus Foundation on August 17th, 2017. Since the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Administration of Activities of Overseas Nongovernmental Organizations in the Mainland of China came into force, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) has now become the Professional Supervisory Unit (PSU) of 8 overseas nongovernmental organizations with UBS Optimus Foundation being the 8th one. Wei Wei, the chief representative of Beijing Office of UBS Optimus Foundation, said, “we are very grateful for the great help CPAFFC offered on setting up Beijing Office. UBS Optimus Foundation will fund more projects under the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Administration of Activities of Overseas Nongovernmental Organizations in the Mainland of China to promote the development of underprivileged children and children in difficulty, and make more contributions to Chinese philanthropy.”

The Fourth World Youth Parliament was held in Beijing by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and Fernando Rielo foundation from August 7 to 9, 2017. It is the first time to hold in Asia for the parliament. About a hundred of youth representing fourteen countries including China, Spain, America, India, Ecuador and etc. had a discussion and communication to each other about rich topics. Vice President Song Jingwu attended the parliament and delivered a speech on August 9. The special lecture on “Belt and Road” was also held in the parliament. The organizing committee announced that the fifth parliament will be held in Spain in 2020.    

Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Japan WuShu TaiJiQuan Federation delegation led by Vice President Okazaki Yutaka on August 8th. Mr. Cheng Haibo, Deputy Director-General of Department of Japanese Affairs of CPAFFC, attended the meeting. Vice President Song extended welcome to the delegation and said, this year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations. The people-to-people friendly exchange activities of the two countries were held one by one during this time, such as, as soon as the Conference of the Junior High School Students Table Tennis Friendship Competition Between China and Japan Friendly Exchange Cities came to an end, the friends from Japan WuShu TaiJiQuan field visited China. They hoped to promote the Sino-Japanese friendship from generation to generation through developing various exchanges activities. Vice President Okazaki Yutaka, Specialist Director Kawasaki Masao thanked Vice President Song for taking time to meet them and introduced the Federation will plan to promote the cooperation and exchange of WuShu TaiJiQuan between China and Japan. They hoped to take the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations in this year and the 40th anniversary of Conclusion of a Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan in next year as opportunities to further improve the bilateral relations.

On August 7,  President Li Xiaolin  of Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and National Conference of State Legislatures(NCSL) President  Senator Dan Blue of North Carolina signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Promoting Friendly Exchanges between CPAFFC and NCSL in Boston. Counselor Xu Min from Chinese Embassy, Deputy Consul General Zhao Yumin from Chinese Consulate General in New York, NCSL  President-elect Senator Deb Peters of South Dakota, NCSL Vice President Senator Toi Hutchinson of Illinois and other 40 Chinese and American guests witnessed the signing ceremony. President Li Xiaolin addressed that, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of exchanges between CPAFFC and NCSL,  CPAFFC was delighted to sign the MOU aimed at strengthening the collaborations with NCSL. Over the past two decades, the two organizations made positive contributions to promoting bilateral cooperation in legislature, education, economy and trade and other fields. In the next 20 years, we look forward to expanding our cooperation continuously and bring about more pragmatic results of extensity and depth. President Blue remarked that NCSL treasures the tremendous relations with CPAFFC and appreciates the great support and help CPAFFC extended to NCSL delegations to China. He hoped that the two organizations will continue to learn from each other and further deepen their cooperative relations. At the invitation of NCSL, President Li attended the NCSL 2017 Summit in Boston. During her visit, she had meetings with the NCSL leadership and President Stephen Lakis of State Legislative Leaders Foundation (SLLF)，attended the Reunion participated by US state legislators who joined the NCSL China trips.  

Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Mr. Friedrich Stift, new Austria Ambassador to China on August 3rd. Vice President Song Jingwu congratulated Ambassador Friedrich Stift on taking his new post and had a discussion with him on developing pragmatic cooperation of the two countries, strengthening local exchanges and etc.. Ambassador Friedrich Stift happily recalled the experience he had worked in Beijing thirteen years ago and appreciated the great results China had achieved during the 40 years’ reform and opening up. Ambassador Friedrich Stift also expressed that Austria Embassy in China would continue to give support in the people-to-people diplomacy between China and Austria. Mr. Lv Hongwei, Deputy Director-General of Department of European and Asian Affairs of CPAFFC, attended the meeting.

On August 1, CPAFFC and Ministry Attached to the Presidency in Charge of Presidential Projects, Land Management and Equipment of Madagascar jointly hosted “The Belt and Road: Conference on Industrial Cooperation” at Antananarivo, capital of Madagascar. Minister Narson Rafidimanana (of the above-mentioned Ministry), ministers in charge of industry, commerce, public works and water, together with Madame Lin Yi, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mr. Chen Xiaolei, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the Chinese Embassy and about 100 other officials and entrepreneurs attended the event. Madame Lin said in her speech that Madagascar possesses advantages and basis for the Belt and Road cooperation.  The comprehensive partnership of cooperation between China and Madagascar has provided a strong guarantee for policy coordination.  Madagascar’s peculiar geographical location and natural environment facilitate connectivity of facilities.  The production potential in Madagascar’s agriculture, manufacturing industry and tourism is conducive to unimpeded trade and financial integration.  Above all, the traditional friendship between Chinese and Malagacy people is a reflection of people-to-people bond. Minister Narson Rafidimanana said in his speech that Madagascar and China share a long history of friendship.  Madagascar is confident in cooperation with China under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.  At the end of 2016, Chinese companies built two roads for the Summit of Francophonie with a breathtaking speed and high quality.  Minister Rafidimanana expressed his hope that Today’s Conference would promote the cross-nation trade between enterprises of Madagascar and China.  He also advised all delegates to implement agreements reached at the Conference through their trade deals. Representatives of the Economic Development Board of Madagascar and Ministry Attached to the Presidency in Charge of Presidential Projects, Land Management and Equipment of Madagascar made introductions on the investment policies and commercial environment of Madagascar.  Representative of China-Africa Development Fund briefed the Conference on the Belt and Road Initiative and proposed investment suggestions.  Chinese entrepreneurs shared their investment experience in Madagascar.  Madame Lin Yi and Minister Narson Rafidimanana signed the MOU of professional training and personnel exchanges in the next five years to be conducted between CPAFFC and Ministry Attached to the Presidency in Charge of Presidential Projects, Land Management and Equipment of Madagascar.