Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), attended the opening ceremony of “Cuba Va” Exhibition of Photography of Paolo and delivered a speech in National Center for Performing Arts (NCPA ) on July 27th. The exhibition was commonly organized by CPAFFC and NCPA. The series of works took by Cuba famous photographer, Paolo Titolo, reflecting the aggressive and active of Cuban people, were exhibited in NCPA. Above 100 Chinese and Cuban friendly personages from all walks of life including Mr. Chen Xi, Ambassador of Chinese Embassy in Cuba, Mrs. Marina Domenech, Chargé d'affaires of Cuban Embassy in China, Ms. Mariela Castro, daughter of Cuban leader and etc., attended the opening ceremony. Vice President Xie Yuan congratulated the photography exhibition on opening successfully and also spoke highly of the works focusing on people living and full of humanistic care, which indicated Cuban people’s optimism and their positive attitude during fighting against difficulties. He hoped that this exhibition could attract more Chinese people to learn about Cuba and further enhance the traditional friendship of the two peoples. Photographer Paolo expressed his sincere thanks to CPAFFC for launching and organizing the exhibition. He introduced the times and experience of the photos when they were taken. He hoped to exhibit more real and progressive Cuba to the two peoples and continuous deepen the traditional friendship of the two countries by his works.  

Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Mme. Mariela Castro, the daughter of the highest leader of Cuba, Raul, and her family members at the invitation of CPAFFC on July 27th. Vice President Xie Yuan extended his welcome to them and made a brief introduction about the friendly exchange had developed in recent years between CPAFFC and Cuba. Mme. Mariela thanked CPAFFC for warm reception. She expressed that she would learn more about and love China through this visiting to China. Both sides also had a discussion on promoting the exchange and cooperation between China and Cuba in the fields of Chinese medicine, youth education, film, art and etc.. Mr. Ji Yongjun, Deputy Director-General of Department of American and Oceanian Affairs of CPAFFC, attended the meeting.

Mme. Lin Yi, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with United Arab Emirates young ambassadors delegation at the invitation of CPAFFC on July 24th. Vice President Lin Yi extended welcome to the delegation. She expressed that the United Arab Emirates is an important partner of the Belt and Road construction of China. Chinese side attached high importance to the relations developed with the United Arab Emirates. The youth is the future for a country. There are some young elites from various fields in the delegation this time. Vice President Lin hoped that the members could learn more about China through this visiting and bring back the Chinese friendship to the United Arab Emirates as a messenger of the friendly cooperation between China and the United Arab Emirates. All the members of the delegation thanked CPAFFC for kind invitation and considerate arrangement. They would like to learn the experience China had gained in the social development and strengthen the cooperation with China in the future. The program of the United Arab Emirates Young Ambassadors was launched in 2012 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi of the United Arab Emirates. It is also an annual international youth exchange program commonly organized by CPAFFC, General Office of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates. Mr. Mohamed Alshamsi, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the United Arab Emirates Embassy in China, attended the meeting.

Mr. Chen Yuan, Vice-Chairman of National Committee of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and President of China-Russia Friendship Association (CRFA) met with Mr. Mezentsev, Member of Russia Federation Council (RFC) and Chairman of Russia-China Friendship Association (RCFA) on July 24th. President Chen Yuan welcomed Chairman Mezentsev to China and expressed his pleasure to meet Mezentsev again in Beijing after a short time. Chairman Mezentsev thanked President Chen Yuan for taking time to meet him and made a clear introduction on the work RCFA developed recently and next arrangements. Both sides had an in-depth discussion about the preparations for the commemorative activities of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of RCFA and also exchanged their views on further strengthening the local exchanges of the two countries, promoting the cooperation in the fields of tourism, economy, trade and humanity and etc.. Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and CRFA, Mr. Novoselov, Senior Counsellor of Russian Embassy in China, attended the meeting. 

  On July 17, “the 7th China-Japan-ROK Youth Arts Exchange Exhibition” successfully opened at the Arts and Crafts Museum in Changchun, Jilin Province, which is jointly hosted by the CPAFFC, the Suzu City Japan-China Friendship Association and the Kimcheou Fine Arts Association of the Republic of Korea, with the Jilin Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries organizing the event. The exhibition, from July 17 to July 23, is composed of more than 240 pieces of outstanding calligraphy and painting works of Chinese, Japanese and Korean primary and middle school students, with the theme of peace, cooperation and the silk road.   Vice President Hu Sishe gave awards to representatives of prize winners At the opening ceremony, Vice President Hu Sishe of the CPAFFC, Director General Wang Zhiwei of Foreign Affairs Office of Jilin Province (also the President of Jilin Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries), President Sambai Michizo of Suzu City Japan-China Friendship Association, Speaker Akasaka Toshiaki of Suzu Municipal Congress and President Kim Young Sic of the Kimcheou Fine Arts Association of the ROK gave speeches and awarded representatives of prize winners. More than 200 teacher and student representatives from Changchun primary and middle schools have attended the ceremony and visited the exhibition. Changchun primary students also played zheng, wrote calligraphy on site, performed the technique of printing and dyeing, among other interactive performances.   Vice President Hu Sishe took a group photo with three countries’ representatives of prize winners In his speech, Vice President Hu Sishe pointed out, “Art is the bridge that connects people’s thoughts and the bond that builds friendship. Through works of calligraphy and painting, the youth from China, Japan and ROK showed different cultural customs and ways of living of the three countries as well as expressed their common cordial feelings and colorful dreams. By this kind of friendly exchanges, the CPAFFC wishes to enhance mutual understanding and trust among people of the three countries, especially among the youth, and make efforts for Northeast Asia’s peace and stability, prosperity and development.”   Vice President Hu Sishe visited the exhibition with Director General Wang Zhiwei of Foreign Affairs Office of Jilin Province “China-Japan-ROK Youth Art Exchange Exhibition” is an exhibition series initiated in 2011 by the CPAFFC, which aims to promote cultural exchanges among the youth of the three countries, cultivate friendly relations, promote mutual understanding as well as build a platform for exchanges and cooperation at the local government level. The exhibition is held annually among the three counties in rotation, with previous events held in Wuhan, China (2011), Kim Chou, ROK (2012, 2015), Suzu, Japan (2013, 2016) and Chengdu, China (2014). All have been well received.    Exhibition site   Changchun primary students performed the technique of printing and dyeing on site

On July 20, the CPAFFC Vice President Mme. Lin Yi met with Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, Chairman of the Daily Sun and former Governor of Abia State of Nigeria. Mme. Lin Yi said that Chairman, as a good friend of China and an old friend of the CPAFFC as well, has actively promoted China-Nigeria economic and trade relations for years in manufacturing, agriculture etc. She also introduced the CPAFFC’s recent exchanges with Nigeria, especially the local government cooperation, and hoped to work with the Chairman to deepen cooperation in areas such as local exchanges and media between China and Nigeria.  Dr. Kalu recalled with delight his first visit to China at the invitation of the CPAFFC 16 years ago when he was the Governor of Abia State. He spoke highly of the CPAFFC’s commitment to enhancing China-Africa people-to-people friendship, and said that he is willing to facilitate the establishment of friendship organizations with China, which will focus on economic and trade cooperation, so as to contribute more to strengthening Nigeria-China pragmatic cooperation in agriculture and other areas together with the CPAFFC.

Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Mrs. Patricia Rodriguez,  new Costa Rica  Ambassador to China on July 18, 2017. Vice Presidnt Xie Yuan welcomed Ambassador Patricia Rodriguez to her new post in China and expressed that CPAFFC attached great importance to the development of the bilateral relations. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Costa Rica. CPAFFC would keep close contact with Costa Rica Embassy in China to commonly hold the celebration activities. Ambassador Patricia Rodriguez said that she served as one of leading members in Costa Rica and China Friendship Association before, and has been promoting the friendship of the two peoples. Moreover, she had ever further studied in China for several times and had written some books about China. Costa Rica Embassy in China will actively assist CPAFFC to organize some relevant celebration activities. Mr. Ji Yongjun, Deputy Director-General of Department of American and Oceania Affairs of CPAFFC attended the meeting.

The CPAFFC, the People’s Government of Xing County and OSI signed an MOU on Poverty Reduction on July 17 in Xing County, Shanxi Province. Associate Counsel Xu Fenghua of CPAFFC, Party Secretary Liang Zhifeng of Xing County, Secretary General Xi Wanghua of Shan Xi Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Senior Vice President Brent Afman of OSI attended and addressed the signing ceremony. The signing of the MOU marked another solid step in the poverty reduction efforts and a good start. All parties expressed positive expectations for the cooperation, wishing to make joint efforts to carry out the poverty reduction program. In the year to come, OSI, with its pioneering production techniques, quality management system, and its expertise in farming and food industry, will provide quality management system training and exchanges, student nutrition meals, egg-washer donation, raw material supplier development and student care plan to help local people out of poverty, adding new momentum to the development of local economy.

On July 14th, Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met in Beijing with Mr. IWAO OKAMOTO, the former President and Consultant of Japan-China Economic Association (JCEA), and Mr. TADASHI IZAWA, Newly-appointed President of JCEA. Vice President Song Jingwu spoke highly of the efforts JCEA had made for many years on pushing the bilateral ties in economy and trade for improvement and maintaining the healthy and stable development relations. Vice President Song said, this year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations, next year will mark the 40th anniversary of the Conclusion of A Treaty of Peace and Friendship. The bilateral relations would confront with important opportunities to further improvement and development. Therefore, CPAFFC and CJFA (China and Japan Friendship Association) are willing to work with JCEA to catch the opportunities to deepen the exchanges and cooperation of the two countries in economy and trade , enhance the mutual understanding and friendship among the two peoples, so as to commonly improve the cause of Sino-Japanese friendship. IWAO OKAMOTO expressed that JCEA would engage in the development of the cause of Sino-Japanese friendship as before. He will continue to make efforts on promoting the bilateral relations in the future. New President TADASHI IZAWA said, he would like to inherit the fine tradition of JCEA and actively develop the exchanges and cooperation in economy and trade between China and Japan as well as make his contributions to improve the bilateral relations.

  Mr. Tang Jiaxuan, President of China-Japan Friendship Association (CJFA) met in Beijing with Japanese Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren) delegation led by Mr. MATSUSHITA MASAYUKI, Vice President of Kankeiren and Vice President of Panasonic on July 13. Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Mr. Yuan Mindao, Director-General of Department of Japanese Affairs of CPAFFC, attended the meeting. President Tang welcomed Kankeiren delegation to China and spoke highly of the valuable contributions it had made as one of the most important economic organizations in Kansai region to working for the cause of Sino-Japanese friendship, promoting the exchanges and cooperation of the two countries in economy and trade as well as maintaining healthy and stable development of bilateral relations for many years. President Tang said, the cooperation in economy and trade between China and Japan will face new opportunities with the current bilateral relations being improved increasingly. Chinese President Xi Jinping met at request in G20 Hamburg Summit with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan. Both sides reached consensus on developing Sino-Japanese relations. Prime Minister Abe also expressed the willingness to develop cooperation with China within the “Belt and Road” framework and expected Japanese economic circles including Kankeiren to catch the opportunities to actively take part in the construction of the “Belt and Road” , so as to make  contributions to further deepening the exchanges and cooperation in economy, trade, and push the bilateral relations for improvement. Vice President MATSUSHITA MASAYUKI said, Kankeiren attaches great importance to the exchanges and cooperation in economy and trade with China. Since 2015, Kankeiren had held Japan and China entrepreneurs exchange conferences with CJFA for 3 consecutive years, and yesterday the third entrepreneur conference was held in Shanghai successfully. The entrepreneurs from the two countries held a pragmatic discussion on the topics of health and beauty, city travel and etc., which achieved good results. There is a long and deep historic origin between Kansai region and China, which also have close economic contact. Therefore, Kansai economic circle will continue to carry forward the tradition, develop various  activities of friendly exchanges with China, actively support the construction of the “Belt and Road”, increasingly deepen the exchange and cooperation of the two countries in economy and trade, so as to improve the bilateral relations.