From June 17 to 18, 2025, at the invitation of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the Swiss-Chinese Association, President Yang Wanming of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) led a delegation on an official visit to Frankfurt, Germany, and Zurich, Switzerland.

In Frankfurt, President President Yang attended and addressed the opening ceremony of the First German-Chinese City Summit, and held separate meetings with Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel, Chair of the GIZ Management Board; Mike Josef, Mayor of Frankfurt; and Jovanka Porsche, Chair of the European Global Neighbours Think Tank.

In his remarks at the opening ceremony of the German-Chinese City Summit, President Yang highlighted President Xi Jinping's view that "the vitality of state-to-state relations lies at the subnational level." He emphasized that, subnational cooperation between China and Germany has long been underpinned by development-oriented engagement, mutual benefit, and cultural exchange, producing fruitful results and providing robust support for bilateral ties. Amid the complex dynamics of intertwined globalization and anti-globalization trends, and the growing contest between multilateralism and unilateralism, subnational governments in both countries should draw on past successes, uphold a spirit of partnership, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and work together toward sustainable development. Such collaboration would contribute valuable subnational strength to the advancement of the all-round strategic partnership between China and Germany.

(President Yang Wanming delivers remarks at the opening ceremony of the German-Chinese City Summit)

During bilateral meetings, President Yang noted that, since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972, China and Germany have upheld the principles of mutual respect, trust, and equality, consistently pursuing a path of mutually beneficial cooperation and shared development. Recently, President Xi Jinping had a phone call with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in which both leaders provided strategic guidance for the future of China-Germany relations. Their continued high-level communication reflects the importance both sides attach to deepening cooperation across all sectors. The German-Chinese City Summit was a timely and concrete step in implementing the important consensus reached by the two leaders at the subnational level. It is hoped that subnational governments in both countries would enhance dialogue and exchanges, expand the "circle of friends", and strengthen a "network of cooperation" based on mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, thereby injecting fresh impetus into the sound, stable, and sustainable development of China-Germany relations.

Consul General Huang Yiyang of China in Frankfurt stated that subnational exchanges between China and Germany are gaining strong momentum, with increasingly active interactions among subnational governments. This fully demonstrates both the mutually beneficial nature of the cooperation and the strong willingness to engage. He underscored the broad prospects and growing demand for cooperation in fields such as economy and trade, culture, and sports. The Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Frankfurt will continue to serve as a bridge, making full use of the German-Chinese City Summit platform to deepen and enhance subnational collaboration.

(President Yang Wanming meets with Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel, Chair of the GIZ Management Board)

Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel said that multilateralism is currently under severe strain, making it all the more important for Germany and China to deepen dialogue and cooperation. The enthusiastic participation of subnational governments in the First German-Chinese City Summit reflects the close and results-oriented nature of bilateral subnational cooperation. The event sends a clear signal to the international community that China and Germany remain committed to working together to confront global challenges. Mayor Mike Josef expressed his gratitude to the organizers for selecting Frankfurt as the host city for the inaugural summit and spoke highly of the subnational cooperation between Chinese and German cities, noting that friendship city exchanges have played a vital role in enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. It is hoped that more Chinese cities and enterprises strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Frankfurt in the future.

The First German-Chinese City Summit was co-hosted by the CPAFFC, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Frankfurt. President Yang Wanming, Consul General Huang Yiyang, GIZ Chair Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel, and Frankfurt Mayor Mike Josef attended and addressed the opening ceremony. More than 100 participants from 10 Chinese cities—Shenyang, Qingdao, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Haikou, Chengdu, Kunming, Jinhua, Ningde, and Cixi—and 14 German cities—including Frankfurt, Bonn, Mannheim, and Stuttgart—took part in in-depth discussions under the theme "City partnerships for sustainable development: Tackling global challenges together and creating a sustainable future." During the plenary speech session, city representatives from both countries shared their experiences in addressing climate change, advancing low-carbon urban development, and promoting green transition, based on the specific strengths and contexts of their respective cities. In the roundtable discussions, municipal leaders and scholars exchanged views on building climate-resilient cities and explored innovative pathways and models for sustainable urban development. At the summit, President Yang, on behalf of the CPAFFC, and GIZ Chair Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Additionally, Jinhua City in China's Zhejiang Province and Düren City in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany signed a friendship city agreement. Participants also conducted a site visit to the redevelopment project of Frankfurt's Osthafen (East Harbor) industrial zone, where they explored new ideas for smart integration of industry and city functions. The visit provided fresh inspiration for urban regeneration through mutual learning and exchange.

(The CPAFFC and GIZ signed a Memorandum of Understanding)

Consul General Huang Yiyang of China in Frankfurt attended the related events.

During his visit to Zurich, President Yang Wanming attended the Seminar on Subnational and People-to-People Exchanges Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of China-Switzerland Diplomatic Relations. On the sidelines of the seminar, President Yang met with several friendly individuals from Swiss, including Andries Diener, President of the Swiss-Chinese Association and Thomas Wagner, Honorary President of the Swiss-Chinese Association, former Mayor of Zurich, and recipient of China's honorary title "People's Friendship Ambassador"; Werner E. Nievergelt, Vice President of the Swiss-Chinese Association and former Consul General of Switzerland in Guangzhou; Fritz Schluep, Co-General Manager of the Titoni Ltd.; and Ilona Schmiel, General Manager of the Zurich Tonhalle, as well as other distinguished individuals.

In his meetings, President Yang noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1950, China and Switzerland have adhered to the principles of mutual respect and trust, and have cultivated a spirit of "equality, innovation, and win-win cooperation." In 2016, the leaders of two countries jointly decided to establish the China-Switzerland innovative strategic partnership, setting a clear course for the future of bilateral ties. President Yang commended the Swiss-Chinese Association for its 80 years of dedicated efforts in fostering mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and Swiss peoples. The CPAFFC is ready to work with all sectors of Swiss society, including the Swiss-Chinese Association, to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, unlock the full potential of cooperation in fields such as culture, innovation, and the green economy, and get well prepared for the upcoming China-Switzerland Forum on Sustainable Development, with a view to deepening and substantiating China-Switzerland relations and better benefiting the two peoples.

The Swiss side expressed appreciation for the important role of the CPAFFC in promoting mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of Switzerland and China, and conveyed their readiness to work closely with the Chinese side to further strengthen bilateral ties and contribute to deepening the friendship between the two countries.

(President Yang Wanming attended the Seminar on Subnational and People-to-People Exchanges Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of China-Switzerland Diplomatic Relations)

Minister-Counsellor Mao Jun, Charge d'Affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Switzerland, and Consul General Chen Yun of China in Zurich attended the related events.