National Consultation on ‘Building Cognitive Capital for Children’ for Sustainable Development, jointly hosted by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) was held on May 16th in Beijing. Madame Li Xiaolin, President of CPAFFC and Mr. Anthony Lake, UNICEF Executive Director attended the consultation and delivered welcome addresses. Martin Burt, International Public Policy Expert and Prof. Dong Qi, President of Beijing Normal University and famous neurologist, gave keynote speeches on cognitive capital for children from different perspectives. Over 180 people from several government departments, relevant academic institutes and research centers and non-governmental organizations attended the consultation. Madame Li Xiaolin pointed out in her welcome address that Chinese government had been placing much emphasis on children’s survival, protection and development and actively participated in the global and regional cooperation and exchanges in these fields, while carrying on works on children within China. Ever since the establishment of the United Nations Every Woman Every Child China Partnership Network in 2015, we had set up a comprehensive cross-sector platform for international collaboration and coordinated the member organizations to participate in the international cooperations in the fields of children’s health and development. UNICEF, as the practitioner in China of Every Woman Every Child affiliated to United Nations, had provided vigorous support to our association. After the implementation of the two-child policy, this consultation was held at the right time to help the young parents to establish the appropriate philosophy for child rearing and early education and resolve questions and confusions in this area so that the whole population could benefit from it. Madam Li Xiaolin delivers welcome address Mr. Anthony Lake, UNICEF Executive Director, emphasized that the first 1000 days after the birth of a baby was the most crucial time period for his whole life. Therefore, investment in the child’s early education could influence the future quality of human resource and social and economic development at large. In the long run, children’s early education investment could yield abundant returns in social, economic and environmental aspects, as well as greatly reduce the negative effects caused by lack of education, health issues and criminal behavior towards family and society. Through this consultation, UNICEF, jointly with CPAFFC, would like to raise the awareness towards cognitive capital for children among all sectors of society, from policy-making level to common people, and exert a positive effects for our future generations.  Mr. Anthony Burt, UNICEF Executive Director delivers welcome address Attendees held penal discussions on various sub-topics as well. Group photo  

A reception of celebrating the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Argentina was jointly held by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and Argentinean Embassy in China on May 16th, 2017. 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), and Mr. Mauricio Macri, President of Argentina, attended the reception and delivered speeches respectively. Over 500 foreign and domestic guests including CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin, Mr. Qin Gang, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs , CPAFFC Vice President Xie Yuan, attended the reception. Vice Chairman Ma Peihua said in his speech that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China-Argentina diplomatic relations. President Mauricio Macri paid the special visit to China to attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and also paid a state visit to China. With common efforts, the two countries had become mutual trust friends and mutual benefit good partners. In the future, China is willing to work together with the Argentina to continue bringing together the wisdom of the two countries and invariably promote all-direction, multi-level and broad-area friendly exchanges and cooperation of the two countries, so as to continuously deepen the bilateral relations and friendship.  President Mauricio Macri thanked the Chinese side for warm reception. He expressed, the rapidly development of China will bring a broad prospect for the cooperation of the two countries, which will endeavor to push bilateral ties for improvement from the new starting point.    

On May 15th, the CPAFFC and the Embassy of Timor-Leste to China jointly held the reception in celebration of the 15th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and Timor-Leste and the 15th Anniversary of the Restoration of Independence of Timor-Leste. Vice Chairman Qi Xuchun of CPPCC National Committee and Mr. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, Founding President, Former Prime Minister and current Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment of Timor-Leste attended the reception and delivered speeches. Qi Xuchun said that China and Timor-Leste enjoyed time-honored exchanges and people-to-people friendship. The bilateral relations had made substantial development in the past 15 years and brought pragmatic relations to the two peoples. China was willing to provide continuous assistance and support to the Timor-Leste’s development and push forward the further development of Comprehensive Partnership Relations of the two countries. Xanna said that Timor-Leste thanked the China for the firm support to Timor-Leste’s national independence and development, and would join with the Chinese side to enhance the exchange and cooperation and strengthen the friendship and understanding. Mme. Zhang Qiujian, Deputy Secretary General of CPPCC National Committee, Vice President Lin Yi of CPAFFC, Ambassador Benedicto of Timor-Leste to China and guests from all walks of life of the two countries, foreign diplomats and envoys in total of 300 people attended the reception.

  On May 15, Madame Lin Yi, Vice President of CPAFFC, met with, Minister of State for Presidential Projects, Land management and Equipment of Madagascar, who was in Beijing attending the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Vice President Lin expressed welcome to Minister Rafidimanana’s second visit to China at the invitation of CPAFFC. She said that Madagascar is an important linchpin in the construction of the Belt and Road, which is highly valued by the Chinese side.  CPAFFC will give full play to its advantages in promoting bilateral cooperation and awareness of relevant policies and jointly build the bridge of people-to-people bond between our two peoples through field survey by young entrepreneurs, cooperation of production capacity, etc. Mr. Rafidimanana expressed gratitude for CPAFFC’s invitation and sang a high praise on CPAFFC’s contribution in people-to-people exchanges between China and foreign countries.  He said that Madagascar and China will always be good friends.  As an old friend of CPAFFC, he himself will spare no effort in supporting CPAFFC’s activities. The Belt and Road Initiative bears historic significance.  It opened a gate of hope for the world and an opportunity to learn each other’s experience of development.  Madagascar will give active response in this regard.  

On May 12, 2017, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) held a reception in Beijing to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between China and Croatia. Mr. Chen Yuan, Vice Chairman of National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Ms. Zhang Qiujian, Deputy Secretary-General of National Committee of CPPCC, Mr. Wang Chao, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC, together with Mr. Mihelin, Advisor to the President of Croatia and Mr. Koharovi?, Croatian Ambassador to China, attended the reception. Vice President Song Jingwu and President Advisor Mr. Mihelin delivered speeches respectively at the reception. Mr. Mihelin conveyed the congratulations of Croatian President Ms. Grabar-Kitarovic. Vice Chairman Chen Yuan, Deputy Foreign Minister Wang Chao, President Advisor Mr. Mihelin and Ambassador Koharovi? jointly unveiled the commemorative envelope marking the 25th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries. Around 80 people including leaders from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the CPC, and former Chinese ambassadors to Croatia, diplomats from Croatian Embassy in China, representatives from all walks of life and media, attended the reception.    

On May, 12, Mr. Li Xikui, Secretary-General of CPAFFC and Council President of CFFPD met with the delegation headed by Mr. Ilias Psinakis, Mayor of Marathon, Greece. Mr. Li expressed his warm welcome to the delegation and held deep discussion with the delegation by reaching consensus on organizing the Chinese fans to run marathon in Marathon city and holding the Chinese cultural week in Marathon City. Mr. Ilias Psinakis agreed with the proposals of Mr. Li and said that Marathon City will do their best to provide all the help for the success of the events.

On May 12, Mr. Hu Sishe, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met with Mr. Inonu Takeshi, the professor of Tokyo University of the Arts and group of KOUZAN Fine-Arts company. Vice President Hu gave sincere appreciation for Mr. Inonu Takeshi’s constant contributions to publicize the history and culture of China. He also said CPAFFC would like to strengthen cooperation in those activities, which could promote the friendship between China and Japan. Vice president Hu also appreciated the efforts KOUZAN Fine-Arts Company had made on the cultural exchanges between China and Japan. He remarked that the  large-scale relics  exhibition -“Chinese Characters: A Legacy and Marvel Perfected Over Three Millennial is now touring in Japan this year, as one of the significant commemorative activities for  the 45th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-China diplomatic relations. The exhibition stirred up wide concern among the personage of culture, education, foreign organizations, as well as mainstream media and ordinary people of the two countries. Those achievements are inseparable from the efforts of KOUZAN Fine-Arts Company. Mr. Inoue Takeshi as one of NHK TV producers, who produced NHK documentary-“the river’s source”, “China-reform and open of 1.2 billion people”， and “New Silk road”.Mr. Inoue Takeshi expressed that he would like to get the support from CPAFFC to hold exhibition “The Forgotten Silk Road-Exhibition of Salvaged Buddhist Cultural Relics of Afghanistan”. He hopes that the exhibition can display the history and culture of silk road to visitors, and also deepen the understanding of the Belt and Road.

Mr. Tang Jiaxuan, President of China-Japan Friendship Association, met in Beijing with Mr. NIKAI TOSHIHIRO, Legislator of Japanese Liberal Democratic Party, who attended the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation on May 12. President Tang said that the general relations of the two countries are stable, but they are fragile and sensitive. He hoped that the two countries should take the 45th anniversary of the normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations as an opportunity to safeguard the political foundation of the bilateral ties, firmly keep to the general direction of peace, friendship and cooperation of bilateral relations so as to push Sino-Japanese relations for improvement. The Belt and Road Initiatives are the important public products for each country to strengthen international cooperation, which are benefit for the economic growth, development and win-win situation of the regions and the global. Chinese side expected the Japanese side to participate in the Belt and Road Initiatives and inject vitality into the cooperation of the two countries and the improvement of bilateral relations. NIKAI TOSHIHIRO agreed with President Tang about the Sino-Japanese relations. NIKAI TOSHIHIRO said that the large-scale humanity and culture exchange programs between Japan and China had held in the past achieved good results. Continuous expanding the exchange of the humanity is very much important to develop the bilateral ties. We would firmly keep to the belief and continue to make efforts on promoting Japan and China friendship no matter what will happen in Sino-Japanese relations.

Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Tochigi-ken Japan-China Friendship Association (TKJCFA) delegation on May 12. Vice President Song extended his warm welcome to the delegation. He spoke highly of the friendship-with-China exchanges TKJCFA had actively developed for many years, and encouraged it to make more efforts on the cause of Sino-Japanese friendship. Head of the delegation SATO KATSUHIRO expressed that they would like to continue making contributions to promoting the friendly exchanges and cooperation of the two countries. Mme. Zhu Dan, Deputy Director-General of Department of Japanese Affairs of CPAFFC, attended the meeting.

On May 11, 2017, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) held a reception in Beijing to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between China and Slovenia. Mr. Qiangba Puncog, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Mr. Wang Chao, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC, and Mr. Janez Premoze, Slovenian Ambassador to China, attended the reception. Vice President Song Jingwu and Ambassador Mr. Premoze delivered speeches respectively at the reception. Vice Chairman Qiangba Puncog, and Ambassador Mr. Premoze jointly unveiled the commemorative envelope marking the 25th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries. Around 80 people including leaders from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the CPC, and former Chinese ambassadors to Slovenia, diplomats from Slovenian Embassy in China, representatives from all walks of life and media, attended the reception.