On September 19th, Walter Sheel Forum-- 2014 China Germany Culture Forum, hosted by CPAFFC, CIFCA and INTERCULTUR, was held in Berlin. More than 60 representatives including Dr. Markus Ederer, State Secretary of German Foreign Ministry, Dr. Han Guangming, Minister Counsellor of Embassy of People’s Republic of China, Chen Ping, Culture Consellor of Embassy of People’s Republic of China and Thorsten Schafer-Gumbel, Vice President of SPD Germany attended the forum. Vice President Hu Sishe attended the forum and delivered a speech.

Hu reviewed the long history of China-Germany cultural exchanges, introduced what CPAFFC had done in this field and noted that we should give full play to people and people’s organizations, strengthen brand projects while create new ones and explore the potential of cooperation in all ways in China-Germany cultural exchanges in the future. Dr. Markus Ederer recognized positive effects of the forum and expressed his thanks for what CPAFFC and CIFCA have done in promoting China- Germany cultural exchanges and enhancing friendship between Chinese and German people. Dr. Han Guangming and Chen Ping agreed that holding the forum was an innovative way of promoting China- Germany cultural exchanges and hoped CPAFFC and CIFCA continue to serve as a leader and a bridge respectively in people to people diplomacy in the future and hold the forum regularly to increase its influence. Representatives from Chinese cities and local governments delivered speeches respectively on how friendship cities promoted exchanges between Chinese and foreign localities. German representatives from political, educational, cultural and business fields talked about current situation and prospect of exchanges and cooperation between China and Germany from their own point of views. All participants of the forum had a heat discussion on how to develop friendship cities relationship sustainably and how to make friendship cities relationship serve local development and gave their advice and suggestions.

The forum was named after former President of Federal Republic of Germany-- Walter Sheel, who served as Foreign Minister when China established diplomatic relations with Germany and was planned to be held every two years in Germany and China respectively. The aim of the forum was to deepen mutual understandings and trust, enhance friendship and promote exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. The next forum would be held in Beijing in 2016.