To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the People's Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), and the National Cultural Heritage Administration jointly held the opening ceremony of the Permanent Flying Tigers Exhibition in Liuzhou on September 7, 2025. Chen Gang, Secretary of the CPC Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Regional Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Guangxi, delivered remarks and declared the exhibition open. Wei Tao, Chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, presided over the opening ceremony. Yang Wanming, President of the CPAFFC, attended the opening ceremony and delivered remarks. Li Qun, Member of the 14th CPPCC Standing Committee and Member of the Committee on Culture and History, and Study; Chen Yijun, Member of the Standing Committee and Head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Guangxi Regional Committee; Tan Pichuang, Vice Chairman of the Autonomous Region and Secretary of the CPC Liuzhou Municipal Committee; Xie Bing, Deputy Director-General of the National Cultural Heritage Administration; and Jeffrey Greene, Chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, attended the event. Representatives of friendly organizations including the U.S. Flying Tigers Historical Organization, descendants of veterans of the Flying Tigers and the Doolittle Raiders, American teachers and international students in Liuzhou, totaling about 300 distinguished guests, were present at the event.In his remarks, President Yang congratulated the opening of the Permanent Flying Tigers Exhibition in Liuzhou. He noted that on September 3, 2025, a grand commemorative meeting marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War was successfully held in Beijing, at which President Xi Jinping delivered an important address. Soon afterward, holding a Flying Tigers-themed event in Liuzhou, a city with deep historical ties to the Flying Tigers, carries special significance for further advancing China-U.S. relations and strengthening friendship between the two peoples.President Yang emphasized that more than 80 years ago, China and the United States stood at a crossroads of human history and chose to fight side by side for justice and peace, making immortal contributions to the victory of both China's War of Resistance and the global anti-fascist war. The history of China-U.S. cooperation in World War II fully demonstrates that in the face of common challenges, peoples of different countries can transcend differences and work together. Today, as the world undergoes profound changes unseen in a century, with instability and uncertainty on the rise, humanity once again stands at a historical crossroads. Only through concerted global cooperation can a peaceful and prosperous world be achieved. He expressed the hope that China and the United States would draw lessons from history, seek common ground while shelving differences, and pursue the shared goal of peaceful development; that both sides put people at the center, deepen cooperation in local government, economy and trade, culture, and the arts, and continue the friendship between the two peoples; and that efforts be made to expand youth exchanges, foster a new generation of "Flying Tigers", and play a new symphony of China–U.S. friendship in the spirit of the times.Jeffrey Greene, Chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, recalled with deep emotion President Xi Jinping's reply letters in September 2023 to him and to Flying Tigers veterans, as well as the profound bonds between the Chinese and American peoples during the darkest days of World War II. He described the story of wartime cooperation between China and the United States as a human epic of love and loyalty, a bridge linking the two countries, and a testament to unity and strength. He stressed that gathering for the opening of the Permanent Flying Tigers Exhibition was not only to honor those heroes who fought and sacrificed, but also to reaffirm an enduring truth: only by transcending borders, respecting one another, and walking side by side can lasting peace be achieved.Following the opening ceremony, Chinese and American guests toured the exhibition. Students from Liuzhou Huxi Experimental Middle School, a "Flying Tigers Friendship School", performed the 1943 song Dedicated to the Flying Tigers, written to honor their support for China's war of resistance. The performance created a warm and moving atmosphere.The exhibition hall, located in Liuzhou Military Expo Park, covers 6,000 square meters and features five thematic sections: "Formation of the Flying Tigers", “Roaring in the Skies", "Fighting Shoulder to Shoulder", "The CPC and the Flying Tigers", and "The Chinese People Will Not Forget." With over 1,000 precious artifacts on display, the exhibition for the first time presents in a comprehensive and systematic way the complete history and moving stories of the Flying Tigers fighting alongside the Chinese people. Strongly supported by the National Cultural Heritage Administration, the exhibition has drawn wide attention both at home and abroad, with many valuable items donated by enthusiasts from various sectors of both China and the United States.

On September 4, 2025, during celebrations marking the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of Cuba, awarded President Yang Wanming the Cuban Government's "Friendship Medal."President Miguel Díaz-Canel noted that Comrade Yang Wanming has long cherished a sincere and profound friendship with Cuba and has been consistently dedicated to strengthening the friendship and solidarity between Cuba and China. In recognition of these contributions, the Cuban Government decided to award him the "Friendship Medal."President Yang expressed gratitude to President Miguel Díaz-Canel, the Communist Party of Cuba, the Cuban Government and the Cuban people for this honor. He emphasized that, guided by the important consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries, the CPAFFC will continue to uphold the policy of safeguarding, consolidating and developing China-Cuba friendship, with the aim to contribute to the common development of the socialist cause in two countries, further enrich the connotation of the China-Cuba community with a shared future, and promote bilateral relations so that they bring even greater benefits to the two peoples. Established in 1979, the "Friendship Medal" is awarded by the Cuban Government to individuals or organizations in recognition of their outstanding contributions to building a more just society and to deepening friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance among peoples.

On September 2, 2025, President Yang Wanming of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met with Yukio Hatoyama, former Japanese Prime Minister, at the CPAFFC, who was invited to attend the commemorative events marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.President Yang extended a warm welcome to Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on hias participation in the commemorative events, commending his longstanding commitment to China-Japan relations, his consistent support for people-to-people friendship between the two countries, and his active efforts and contributions to improving and advancing bilateral ties.Yukio Hatoyama expressed gratitude to the Chinese side for the invitation and extended best wishes for the full success of the commemorative events. He praised China's remarkable achievements in economic and social development. He said that 80 years ago, Japan inflicted grave suffering on the Chinese people, and that he came to China with a spirit of reflection and apology, to express deep condolences to the Chinese people who lost their lives in the war. He stressed his consistent belief that Japan must face history squarely, earnestly draw lessons from the past, ensure that it never again takes the path of war, and remain committed to safeguarding China-Japan friendship and world peace. It is hoped that the two sides would fully implement the comprehensive advancement of their strategic relationship of mutual benefit, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, and culture, and work together to build an Asian community with a shared future.President Yang emphasized that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, an important opportunity to face history squarely and shape the future. He commended Mr. Yukio Hatoyama for consistently upholding a correct view of history—facing it, remembering it, and learning from it while adhering to the path of peaceful development—a stance deeply appreciated by the Chinese people. President Yang expressed admiration for Mr. Yukio Hatoyama's courage in withstanding pressure and standing firmly on the right side of history.President Yang further noted that China-Japan relations are at a crucial stage of improvement and development. The meeting between the two state leaders in Lima last November produced important consensus that charted the course for bilateral ties. He stressed that both sides should firmly uphold the right direction of their relations, implement the important consensus of the leaders, continuously consolidate political mutual trust, properly manage differences, and safeguard the political foundation of bilateral ties. He called for deepening economic and trade exchanges, creating new highlights in economic and trade cooperation, and actively advancing cultural and people-to-people exchanges, particularly youth exchanges, so as to strengthen the public foundation for friendship between the two countries. The CPAFFC is ready to work with Mr. Yukio Hatoyama and other visionary figures from Japan to contribute to the sustained improvement and development of China-Japan relations.Yuan Mindao, Vice President of the CPAFFC and Zhu Dan, Director-General of the Department of East Asian Affairs of the CPAFFC, were present at the meeting.

On September 1, 2025, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) held the Medal Presentation Ceremony in Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. President Yang Wanming awarded commemorative medals to 55 representatives of international friends. Massimo D'Alema, former Prime Minister of Italy; Viorica Dăncilă, former Prime Minister of Romania; Daniel Andrews, former Premier of Victoria, Australia; Kobayashi Yōkichi, son of Japanese veteran of the Eighth Route Army Kobayashi Kiyoshi; Mangesh Rajan Borkar, grandnephew of Indian doctor Dwarkanath Kotnis; Jean-Louis Bussière, son of French doctor André Bing; Mariann Andersen, niece of Danish friend Bernhard Arp Sindberg; Thomas Rabe, grandson of German friend John Rabe; Nikolai Chuikov, grandson of Marshal Vasily Ivanovich Chuikov of the Soviet Union; Zavizionov, son of a Soviet Red Army veteran, Yuri Zavizionov; Cynthia Chennault, daughter of General Claire Lee Chennault of the American Flying Tigers; Elyn MacInnis, daughter-in-law of Lieutenant Donald MaoInnis of the Flying Tigers; Sarah Murray Stewart, daughter-in-law of New Zealand friend Rewi Alley, and more than 60 representatives of international friends or their families from 14 countries, attended the event. Yuan Mindao, Vice President of the CPAFFC, presided over the medal presentation ceremony.In his remarks, President Yang recalled that 80 years ago, the Chinese people fought with unyielding courage, defended homeland with their own flesh and blood, and rose one after another to confront the national crisis. With more than 35 million casualties, the Chinese people sustained the main Eastern battlefield of the World Anti-Fascist War and made an indelible, historic contribution to the victory of the global struggle against fascism. During this heroic joint resistance, the Chinese people received broad support and sincere assistance from peoples around the world, leaving behind many deeply moving stories. This enduring friendship, forged in shared sacrifice, is etched in the collective memory of the Chinese people and peoples worldwide, and has become a valuable spiritual legacy that continues to inspire joint efforts for global peace and development.President Yang further stressed that, President Xi Jinping has called all nations across the world to learn from history, especially the hard lessons of the Second World War and eliminate the root cause of war and prevent historical tragedies from recurring. The world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century. Standing at this historical crossroads, the fundamental truths revealed by the devastation of World War II are all the more evident. Learning from history to uphold peace, we must resolutely stand on the side of peace, safeguard the hard-won victory of World War II, and firmly defend the post-war international order—dissolving suspicion with trust and resolving disputes through cooperation. Learning from history to uphold justice, we must safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms of international relations founded on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Learning from history to strengthen people-to-people bonds, we must advocate a vision of civilizations based on equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness—promoting exchanges to transcend estrangement, mutual learning to transcend conflict, and coexistence to transcend notions of superiority—thereby opening a new chapter of cultural exchange, cultural integration, and people-to-people connectivity among all nations.The ceremony was held in a warm and cordial atmosphere. International guests expressed heartfelt gratitude to China for awarding such a significant medal on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. They recalled with deep emotion the moving stories of themselves or their forebears fighting shoulder to shoulder with the Chinese people and forging lasting friendships, unanimously affirmed that China had made an indelible contribution to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, and pledged to carry forward and promote the cause of people-to-people friendship between China and other countries, contributing through civil efforts to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

To mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Switzerland, the Sino-Swiss Dialogue on Cooperation at Local Level, co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Swiss Chinese Association, and organized by the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, was successfully held in Shanghai on August 28, 2025. Yang Wanming, President of the CPAFFC; Chen Jing, President of the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; Thomas Wagner, Honorary President of the Swiss Chinese Association; Andries Diener, President of the Swiss Chinese Association; and Sacha Bachmann, Consul General of Switzerland in Shanghai, attended the event and delivered remarks.In his remarks, President Yang noted that Switzerland is among the first countries to incorporate sustainable development into its national strategy; China has also made green development the defining feature of its high-quality growth. President Xi Jinping emphasizes that "new quality productive forces are by nature green productive forces." China and Switzerland share a high degree of alignment in their concepts of green development and enjoy complementary strengths in technological innovation and ecological governance. In particular, subnational cooperation has become a vital platform for the two countries' joint pursuit of sustainable development.President Yang stressed that the CPAFFC has long been committed to building bridges for subnational cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries. He expressed the CPAFFC's readiness to further deepen Sino-Swiss cooperation on sustainable development at the subnational level and turn the outcomes into lasting momentum for bilateral relations. The first is to guide actions with vision, jointly pursuing the green development vision and exploring a new form of civilization featuring harmony between humanity and nature. The second is to ensure continuity with mechanisms, building multi-level cooperation networks and broadening participation, so that sustainable development cooperation can become fertile ground nourishing subnational exchanges. The third is to sustain cooperation with culture, fostering a culture of sustainable development that extends beyond policy documents into people's daily lives, thereby laying a solid social foundation for Sino-Swiss friendship through civilizational dialogue.Chen Jing observed that over the past 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, Shanghai and Switzerland have forged profound bonds through subnational cooperation. As a global pioneer in sustainable development, Switzerland has accumulated extensive experience in green transition. Looking into the future, deeper collaboration in sustainable development will inject strong momentum into Sino-Swiss subnational exchanges. He expressed the hope that such cooperation would become more substantive, with closer business linkages, opening new chapters of win-win cooperation and strengthened friendship between the two peoples.The Swiss side emphasized that China plays an important role in today's world, contributing greater stability to global development. In an era of profound change and challenges, people-to-people and subnational exchanges have become all the more important. Since the beginning of this year, multiple exchanges in culture, the arts, and youth engagement have been held between Switzerland and China, with particularly close friendship city cooperation between Basel and Shanghai. The Swiss side expressed willingness to work with China to further deepen friendship between the peoples, enhance mutual understanding, and jointly contribute to world peace and development.The dialogue, focusing on "cooperation in sustainable development", explored topics such as green energy transition, artificial intelligence empowerment, and smart city governance. Featuring policy briefings, corporate case studies, and academic presentations, the dialogue fostered mutual learning between China and Switzerland at the subnational level in sustainable development and expanded prospects for future cooperation. More than 60 representatives and experts from government departments, universities, and enterprises in Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang, as well as the Consulate General of Switzerland in Shanghai, the Swissnex China, the SwissCham China, and other institutions, attended the event.

On August 27, 2025, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Embassy of Switzerland in China co-hosted in Beijing a reception celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Swiss Confederation. Xiao Jie, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and Andrea Caroni, President of the Council of States of the Swiss Federal Assembly, attended the event and delivered remarks. Yang Wanming, President of the CPAFFC; Hua Chunying, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs; Wang Ruihe, Member of the Constitution and Law Committee of the National People's Congress; Jürg Burri, Ambassador of Switzerland to China; Stefan Engler, First Vice President of the Council of States of the Swiss Federal Assembly; Werner Salzmann, Second Vice President of the Council of States of the Swiss Federal Assembly; Thomas Wagner, Honorary President of the Swiss Chinese Association; and Andries Diener, President of the Swiss Chinese Association, together with representatives from various sectors of two countries, totaling about 150 distinguished guests attended the event. Yuan Mindao, Vice President of the CPAFFC, presided over the reception.In his remarks, Vice Chairman Xiao Jie remarked that over the past 75 years, practical cooperation between China and Switzerland has borne fruitful results, cultural exchanges flourished, and subnational cooperation generated numerous highlights. The two countries have cultivated a spirit of cooperation characterized by "equality, innovation, and mutual benefit", setting an example for cooperation between nations with different social systems, at different stages of development, and of different sizes. As two important forces committed to peace and multilateralism, China and Switzerland should continue to, on the basis of mutual respect and trust, deepen exchanges and cooperation, write new and compelling chapters in their innovative strategic partnership, and bring greater benefits to the two peoples.President Andrea Caroni noted that on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and China, it is important to not only reflect on the past but also look ahead. In the face of global geopolitical turbulence, challenges confronting the world are complex, and no country can address them single-handedly. Only through cooperation can such challenges be overcome. He expressed the hope that the two countries build on trust, respect, and friendship, and continue to move bilateral relations forward.During the reception, performers from China's Central Conservatory of Music and Swiss musicians staged captivating performances. The event was marked by a warm and cordial atmosphere.

On August 26, 2025, President Yang Wanming met with Selcuk Ünal, the newly appointed Turkish Ambassador to China, at the CPAFFC. The two sides held in-depth exchanges on China-Türkiye relations, people-to-people exchanges, and subnational cooperation.President Yang congratulated Ambassador Selcuk Ünal on his assumption of office in China, noting that Türkiye is an important country in the Middle East, strategically located at the crossroads connecting Europe and Asia. He pointed out that in recent years, under the guidance and care of the two heads of state, relations between China and Türkiye have maintained steady growth, with cooperation across various fields steadily deepening. He emphasized that the CPAFFC attaches great importance to fostering people-to-people friendship with Türkiye and stands ready to work closely with the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in China to strengthen mutual friendship, expand friendship city cooperation, enhance youth exchanges, and further enrich the China-Türkiye strategic cooperative partnership.Ambassador Selcuk Ünal highly commended the CPAFFC for its long-standing contribution to enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of Türkiye and China. He highlighted that both China and Türkiye are ancient civilizations, and the history of friendly exchanges between the two peoples deserves to be cherished. With next year marking the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, he expressed the readiness of the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in China to strengthen cooperation with the CPAFFC, further unlock the potential of friendship city cooperation, and expand collaboration in such fields as think tanks, academia, culture, arts, and education, in order to consolidate the public foundation of bilateral friendship.Ji Yongjun, Director-General of the Department of Asian and African Affairs of the CPAFFC, was present at the meeting.

From August 4 to 6, 2025, the 2025 Sino-Japanese Friendship Table Tennis Competition for Junior High School Students was successfully held in Beijing. The competition was co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the China-Japan Friendship Association, the China Table Tennis Association, the Japan-China Friendship Association and the Japan Table Tennis Association.Yang Wanming, President of the CPAFFC; Wang Liqin, President of the Chinese Table Tennis Association; Masayoshi Kawada, President of the Japan Table Tennis Association; Takashi Kawatsu, Vice President of the Japan-China Friendship Association; and Kanasugi Kenji, Japanese Ambassador to China delivered speeches at the opening ceremony. At the closing and award ceremony, Cheng Yonghua, Executive Vice President of the China-Japan Friendship Association, and Utsunomiya Tokuichiro, President of the Japan-China Friendship Association, addressed the audience. At the celebratory reception, Vice President Yuan Mindao of the CPAFFC; President Utsunomiya Tokuichiro of Japan-China Friendship Association, Nakahara Shinji, President of All Nippon Airways China, and three representatives of the champion teams delivered remarks respectively. Counselor Nie Jia of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Zhang Jian and Vice President Tian Zhihong of Beijing Sport University, Vice President Qin Zhijian of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, Executive Vice President Zhang Qian of the Beijing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Second-class Inspector Yang Jun of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports, Adviser Takeo Kawamura of the Japan Table Tennis Association and former Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Minister Sonoda Yō of the Japanese Embassy in China, Director Yamamoto Tomohiko of the Beijing Office of the Japan Council of Local Authorities for International Relations, and Kashiwagi Midori, Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Center in Beijing, together with about 500 participants including distinguished guests and representatives from the governments, local friendship associations, universities, enterprises, and media of two countries, as well as 42 participating teams jointly formed by friendly exchange cities of China and Japan, took part in the competition and related events.(President Yang Wanming delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the competition)At the opening ceremony, President Yang declared the opening of the competition, noting that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, exchanges and cooperation at various levels have steadily advanced, further enriching the China-Japan relationship of strategic and mutually beneficial cooperation. He stressed that the foundation of friendship lies among the people, and its future rests with the younger generation. Recalling President Xi Jinping's recent message to the World Youth Conference for Peace in Beijing last week, he emphasized that peace depends on the youth, who should act as advocates and practitioners of peace, contributing their wisdom and strength to building a community with a shared future for humankind.President Yang added that the youth of China and Japan bear the future of bilateral relations and the mission of friendship: "Only by cherishing peace can sustainable development be ensured; only when the youth are united can the future be bright. I hope that young athletes from two countries will use this competition as an opportunity to enhance understanding, forge friendships, and grow into guardians of peace, inheritors of friendship, and creators of the future."President Utsunomiya Tokuichiro remarked that mixed Chinese and Japanese teams competed side by side and delivered impressive matches. He expressed the hope that young participants would transcend national boundaries, deepen their friendships, and become a driving force for the continued development of China-Japan friendship.Wang Liqin, President of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, highlighted that table tennis is not only China's national sport but also a "silver bond" linking the people-to-people friendship between China and Japan. He encouraged the youth to value this exchange, refine their skills, nurture friendships, broaden their horizons, and demonstrate both sportsmanship and camaraderie.Masayoshi Kawada, President of the Japan Table Tennis Association, said that this competition had provided an important platform for exchanges between young people from the two countries' friendship cities, playing a vital role in enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. He hoped that the participants uphold the spirit of "friendship first", enjoy the competition with passion, and leave with unforgettable experiences and lasting friendships.Ambassador Kanasugi Kenji noted that this competition offered a valuable opportunity for young people from China and Japan to foster mutual understanding through direct interaction. He voiced confidence that these experiences would enable the youth to contribute to peace and development in bilateral relations, the region, and the world at large.(President Yang Wanming and Ambassador Kanasugi Kenji, partnering respectively with Liu Shiwen and Lin Gaoyuan, jointly serves the opening ball of the competition)At the opening ceremony, President Yang Wanming and Ambassador Kanasugi Kenji, partnering respectively with former world champion Liu Shiwen and reigning world champion Lin Gaoyuan, jointly served the opening ball of the competition. Liu Shiwen and Lin Gaoyuan also staged an exhibition match, igniting an electrifying atmosphere among the audience.The competition concluded with the awarding of champions, runners-up, third-place winners, and excellence awards. The Tianjin-Kobe team, Qingdao-Shimonoseki team, and Wuhu-Kochi team emerged as the champions.During the event, junior high school athletes from China and Japan also trained with the Chinese National Youth Table Tennis Team and toured Shougang Park and Beijing Municipal Administrative Center.(Cheng Yonghua, Executive Vice President of the China-Japan Friendship Association and Utsunomiya Tokuichiro, President of Japan-China Friendship Association, present trophies to the champion teams)Since its inception in 1990, the Sino-Japanese Friendship Table Tennis Competition for Junior High School Students has been held eight times. As a regularized exchange event, it features mixed teams of young players from the two countries' friendship cities.

On August 4, 2025, President Yang Wanming met with a delegation of senior officials from Bulgarian subnational governments at the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC). The delegation included 25 leaders and representatives from Bulgarian municipalities, including mayors of Ruse, Vidin, Gabrovo, and Shumen, all members of the National Association of the Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria.President Yang extended a warm welcome to the delegation, noting that Bulgaria was among the earliest countries to establish diplomatic relations with the newly founded People's Republic of China, and that the two countries enjoy a long-standing friendship. In recent years, under the leadership and strategic vision of President Xi Jinping and President Rumen Radev, bilateral relations have been elevated to the level of a strategic partnership. The two sides should take the important consensus reached by the two heads of state as their guiding principle, work together amid profound global changes, enrich the content of China-Bulgaria friendship, and inject fresh momentum into bilateral cooperation. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the European Union. Not long ago, the 25th China-EU Summit was held in China. At this critical juncture, China and the EU should adhere to the theme of mutually beneficial cooperation, enhance communication, build mutual trust, and deepen collaboration. President Yang expressed the hope that Bulgaria will continue to play an active role in promoting EU-China relations, which should be mutually beneficial and based on mutual respect and equality.President Yang commended Bulgaria for being among the first countries to sign Belt and Road cooperation documents with China. The CPAFFC is ready to work with National Association of the Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria and Bulgarian subnational governments to use the 10th anniversary of China-Bulgaria Belt and Road cooperation this year as an opportunity to deepen political trust, align development strategies, and expand cultural exchanges. These efforts would help bring the China-Bulgaria strategic partnership to new levels of depth and substance. President Yang also invited Bulgarian municipal leaders to attend the China-Bulgaria Local Cooperation Conference, scheduled to be held in Sofia this September, to contribute further to practical cooperation between the two countries' localities.Members of the delegation praised the CPAFFC for its important role in carrying forward the traditional friendship between Bulgaria and China. They stressed that Bulgarian subnational governments attach great importance to cooperation with China and expressed readiness to actively participate in the upcoming Bulgaria-China Local Cooperation Conference. They noted their commitment to leveraging the platform to fully explore opportunities in trade, investment, cultural exchanges, and the green transition, with a view to advancing the Bulgaria-China strategic partnership and delivering greater benefits to the two peoples.Director-General Hao Zhongwei and Deputy Director-General Lv Hongwei of the Department of European and Asian Affairs of the CPAFFC were present at the meeting.

On July 30, 2025, the Award Ceremony of the "Me and China" Writing Campaign was held in Lanzhou, Gansu Province. Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC); Cui Shixin, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of People's Daily; and He Wei, Vice Chairman of the Gansu Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), attended the occassion. Representatives of writing contributors from 11 countries, along with Chinese and international friends from various sectors, were present.In his remarks, President Yang Wanming stressed that relations between nations ultimately rest on the bonds between their peoples. At a time when global challenges are becoming increasingly interconnected, it is more essential than ever to strengthen mutual understanding, build consensus, exchange ideas, and pursue shared development through dialogue and engagement. The goal of the "Me and China" writing campaign was to invite friends from around the world to jointly compose a new and inspiring chapter of mutual understanding and friendship between China and the rest of the world. Since its founding over 70 years ago, the CPAFFC has upheld its core principles of friendship, cooperation, peace, and development, fostering deep and lasting ties with peoples across the globe. Looking ahead, the CPAFFC will continue to walk hand-in-hand with international friends and cultivate mutual understanding; serve as a bridge for intercultural exchange and mutual learning; and help weave the fabric of a community with a shared future for mankind, so as to let the trickling streams of people-to-people friendship converge into a mighty river of national friendship.Cui Shixin noted that the "Me and China" writing campaign was a valuable initiative aimed at strengthening China's international communication capacity. One of its key inspirations is that building friendship is a collective effort, and that the most compelling stories about China should be told by friends from around the world. Going forward, the People's Daily will continue to explore innovative storytelling methods, enhance targeted communication strategies, and broaden the geographic, demographic, and thematic reach of its reporting, striving to present a true, multidimensional, and comprehensive image of China to global audiences.He Wei emphasized that the award ceremony offers an opportunity to fully implement President Xi Jinping's important statement: "people-to-people friendship is the foundation for stable and long-term state-to-state relations, an unremitting driving force for world peace and development, and a prerequisite for win-win cooperation." Gansu will leverage its unique strengths to expand people-to-people exchanges with countries around the world and contribute its part to helping international friends better understand and connect with China.K.C. Ma, Vice President of the Flying Tigers Historical Organization, delivered a speech on behalf of the award recipients. He remarked that in today's rapidly changing world, maintaining peace and promoting development remain shared goals of all peace-loving people. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War. During World War II, thousands of American Flying Tigers fought side by side with the Chinese people, writing a powerful chapter in the history of China-US friendship. Looking to the future, he expressed hope that the peoples of China and the United States, especially the younger generation, would honor this legacy and carry forward the enduring spirit of the Flying Tigers.The "Me and China" writing campaign was co-hosted by the CPAFFC and People's Daily, with the award ceremony co-organized by the Gansu Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. Since the call for submissions was launched in February 2024, the campaign received over 1,300 entries from more than 80 countries and regions. Thirty-five outstanding writings have been published in People's Daily since June 2024, receiving widespread acclaim from readers both in China and abroad.Also held that day was the "Silk Road · People-to-People Friendship Dialogue" Story Sharing Session, a story-sharing session featuring representatives from friendship organizations, Chinese enterprises, universities, and research institutions. Alongside international writing contributors, they shared personal accounts of China’s people-to-people exchanges with the world and reaffirmed their dedication to fostering global friendship and mutual understanding.