CPAFFC Vice President SONG Jingwu met with Mr. Jaroslv Tvrdik,Chairman of the Committee of Czech-China Chamber of Collaboration, on Feb. 19th. The two sides exchanged in-depth views on the european refugee problem, the french election and Brexit etc. Mr. SHEN Xin and Mr. Lue Hongwei, Deputy Director-General of the Department of European and Asian Affairs of CPAFFC, and Vice-president of the Committee of Czech-China Chamber of Collaboration Mr. Petr Mrhalek attended the meeting.

On February 17, CPAFFC Vice President Song Jingwu met with Mr. Vasilescu, Deputy Secretary of Romanian Social Democratic Party, Executive President of Romania-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Policy Adviser towards China for Romania Prime Minister. Both sides spoke highly of the traditional friendship between China and Romania, and the progress under the “16+1” cooperative mechanism. The two also discussed this year’s China-CEEC Mayors Summit to be held by CPAFFC and the Europe China Friendship Association Conference to be held by Romania-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Brussels this year. Mr. Wang Tieshan, Standing Vice President of China-Romania Friendship Association, and Mr. Lv Hongwei, Deputy Director General of CPAFFC European and Asian Department were present during the meeting.

On February 16th, Vice President Song Jingwu attended the Reception on the 45th Anniversary of UK-China Ambassadorial Relations at British Embassy Residence. During the reception, Vice President Song exchanged ideas with Alok Sharma MP, Parliament Under Secretary of State of FCO, on the Ceremony of the 45th Anniversary of China-UK Ambassadorial Relations and the 3rd China-UK Local Leaders’ Summit. Song emphasized that people-to-people exchanges and local cooperation serve as the foundation for the “Golden Age” of China-UK relations. The CPAFFC is committed to the preparation of the Ceremony of the 45th Anniversary of China-UK Ambassadorial Relations and the 3rd China-UK Local Leaders’ Summit with the British side, together contribute to the 45th anniversary of China-UK ambassadorial relations and the“Golden Age”of the bilateral relations. Sharma highly valued the CPAFFC’s contribution in promoting UK-China relations and the China-UK Local Leaders’ Summit as a branding of UK-China local cooperation. The British side will further strengthen comprehensive cooperation with the CPAFFC, together lay the foundation for the“Golden Age”of the bilateral relations.

On 16th February Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao met in Beijing with Henry Keswick, Chairman of Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd., who visited China at the invitation of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC). Vice President of CPAFFC Song Jingwu and Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Haixing attended the meeting. Li Yuanchao said that in 2016, Chinese President Xi Jinping and British Prime Minister May reaffirmed that the bilateral relationship is heading to a golden era. As 2017 marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the ambassadorial-level diplomatic relations between China and the UK, he hoped the two sides make joints efforts to develop the global comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the UK for the 21st century. “Belt and Road Initiative” created huge potential for cooperation between the two countries, and he expected the Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd. keep expanding their cooperation with China. Henry Keswick expressed full confidence in China’s economy, saying that he would like to grasp the opportunities brought by the “Belt and Road Initiative” and increase investment in and cooperation with China.

Deputy Director General Zhang Ruoning of European Department Met with Ms. Tarja Kangaskorte, Deputy Head of Mission from Finland Embassy on Feb 16th. The two sides exchanged in-depth views on the proposal to hold celebration event of the 100 Anniversary of the Independence of Finland this June at the Friendship Association.

CPAFFC Vice President Song Jingwu met with Mr. Hans VAN DUYSEN, President of Belgium-China Association (BCA), on February 16th. On behalf of CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin, Vice President Song first thanked President Hans VAN DUYSEN for writing a letter to CPAFFC as soon as the South China Sea arbitration occurred and standing up for China’s serious and just attitude towards this arbitration. Both sides also reviewed the experience of the friendly cooperation of the two organizations over the past years and had an in-depth discussion on how to give a lot of support for each other. Vice President Song again invited President Hans VAN DUYSEN to visit China this year. President Hans VAN DUYSEN also invited Vice President Song to visit Belgium on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the BCA and attended relevant activities. To carry out the cooperation programs among BCA and Chinese language Study Office of Beijing Foreign Studies University as well as China International Book Import & Export (Group) Corporation. President Hans VAN DUYSEN paid a special visit to China this time.

On February 15, CPAFFC Vice President Song Jingwu met with President of Serbian Far East Society Mr. Goran Vasiljevic and his wife. Song spoke highly of the couple’s contribution towards the mutual understanding and friendship between Chinese and Serbian people. The two sides reviewed the previous cooperation and exchanged opinions on future work regarding people-to-people exchange between the two associations. Mr. Goran Vasiljevic invited Vice President Song Jingwu to lead a delegation to Serbia this year.

Invited by LaLiga and Amphictyony of Ancient Greek Cities, a CFFPD Delegation comprising 4 delegates led by the Secretary General of CPAFCC, Li Xikui, who is also the Chairman of CFFPD, visited Spain and Greece from February 6th to 12th. During the visit in Spain, the Delegation met with Olga de la Fuente，General Manager of the LaLiga Foundation, they in-depth exchanges and reached a preliminary consensus about holding the youth football exchange and training program. The delegation attended the Uraia Workshop 2017, visited the Secretary-General of the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), and exchanged views about the urban development and local government exchanges with the United Regions Organization/Forum of Regional Governments and Global Associations (ORU Fogar), Public Diplomacy Council of Catalonia, CASA ASIA and other organizations. During the visit in Greece, the delegation visited the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Ioannis Amanatidis, and met with Llias Psinakis, the President of Amphictyony of Ancient Greek Cities, Mayor of Marathons, and President of Marathons Foundation, they in-depth discussed and reached a consensus about the cooperation of culture, sports and local government. The delegation also exchanged views on relevant cooperation with a number of international organizations such as the Global Found for Cities Development (FMDV) and UNHABITAT. Mr. Li Xikui attended the Uraia Workshop 2017 Mr. Li Xikui met with the Mayor of Marathons Mr. Li Xikui visited the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece Mr. Li Xikui met with LaLiga Mr. Li Xikui visited UCLG

In order to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the normalization of the diplomatic relations between China and Japan, China and Japan New Year Concert sponsored by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and China-Japan Friendship Association (CJFA) was held in the evening of February 10th in National Center for the Performing Arts. Over 120 people including Mr. Tang Jiaxuan, President of CJFA, Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mr. YOKOI YUTAKA, Japan’s Ambassador to China, were present.   During the concert, the Chinese and Japanese youth pianists performed classic music in superb skill, such as The Girl With the Flaxen Hair and Chopin Scherzo No.2, as well as other piano music reflected the two countries’ culture, such as Silver Cloud in A Moon Night and Sakura, which got praise. KAWAI Foundation for Musical Education and China-Japan Friendly Exchange also organized the concert together with CPAFFC and CJFA.

CPAFFC Vice President Song Jingwu met with Ukrainian Ambassador to China Dyomin on February 10th. Vice President Song Jingwu extended welcome to Ambassador Dyomin’s visit and made a brief introduction about the function of CPAFFC. Ambassador Dyomin conveyed greetings of Chinese New Year to Vice President Song and introduced the latest cooperative situation in the field of humanity and culture of the two countries. Both sides had an in-depth discussion on holding commemoration the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Ukraine, and strengthening the people-to-people exchange of the two countries. Mme. Hu Chunmei, Associated Counsel of Department of European and Asian Affairs of CPAFFC, attended the meeting.