On October 28, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement, saying that the Department of State would discontinue participation in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the People's Republic of China Concerning the Establishment of the U.S.-China Governors Forum to Promote Sub-National Cooperation (MOU) jointly signed by the two countries back on January 19, 2011. He also slandered the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) “has sought to influence state and local leaders”. We are not at all surprised at this, because the like of Pompeo never cared about the wellbeing of the people, and never learned about the concept of peaceful coexistance and common development. Their minds are full of outdated ideological prejudices, and would only mislead the American people by creating tensions and fabricating lies. We feel pitiful and regrettable for a superpower to choose such a person to lead its diplomacy!It is well known that CPAFFC, founded in 1954, is a national people’s organization engaged in people-to-people friendship cause between China and the rest of the world. With the aims of enhancing people’s friendship, furthering international cooperation, safeguarding world peace and promoting common development, CPAFFC has always stayed committed in establishing friendly ties with other countries. Our efforts in maintaining and deepening such ties are welcomed by all parties.During the past few months, despite the globally ravaging pandemic, over 20 diplomats in China from countries in Europe, Asia and Africa, as well as representatives from the business sector of the U.S. and Japan met with the President of CPAFFC, discussing on deepening mutual people-to-people friendship and subnational win-win cooperation. This is just one example of how the rest of the world recognizes the role of our association.The above MOU signed by the two sides was proposed by the United States. CPAFFC of China and National Governors Association of the U.S. are responsible for the implementation of the MOU respectively. Through joint efforts from both sides, the China-U.S. Governors Forum has been successfully held for five times, bringing together subnational leaders from 23 Chinese provinces (regions or municipalities) and 35 U.S. states. The Forum has become an important platform for China-U.S. subnational cooperation, and is widely welcomed by the subnational governments from both sides. The Forum promoted bilateral trade and investment cooperation, brought tangible benefits to both peoples and created jobs. These outcomes can not be denied by the like of Pompeo.Promoting friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation between the people and subnational governments of China and the U.S. serves the common interests of the two countries and peoples. Upholding the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, openess and transparency, and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, China-U.S. subnational exchanges have focused on economic cooperation as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges, so as to enhance mutual understanding and friendship and facilitate win-win cooperation. After the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, the subnational governments and the two peoples expressed sympathy and support to each other, and rose to the common challenge together to safeguard people’s life and health, reflecting the common aspiration of the Chinese and American people. Pompeo slandered China-U.S. subnational and people-to-people friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation as “united front work” and “malign influence”. He obviously underestimated and insulted the kindness, intelligence and wisdom of the American people, only exposing his own inanity and incompetence.We firmly believe that only by upholding dialogue and exchanegs, inclusiveness and openness, could a country prosper and its people enjoy a happy and peaceful life. Self-closure, being even afraid of one’s own shadow, and ruling the country through lies will only lead the U.S. to isolation and decline.Justice naturally inhabits man's heart. We believe that the insightful people in the U.S. could clearly see and firmly oppose the “political virus” spread by the like of Pompeo, strengthen friendly exchanges between the Chinese and American people, and drive forward subnational win-win cooperation so as to promote common development.

Recently, Ron Nirenberg, Chairman of Sister Cities International (Hereinafter referred to as “SCI”) and Mayor of San Antonio, Texas, posted a message on the official website of SCI, calling for global coordination and cooperation of the sister cities worldwide against the COVID-19 outbreak, and appreciating the solidarity among sister cities between US and China in combating against the pandemic.  In the message, Ron said, “Amidst an unprecedented global health and economic crisis, unyielding solidarity and hope are essential for us to successfully navigate this extraordinarily difficult environment.” Highlighting the stories of cooperation and sharing the best practice among the sister cities network, Ron appealed every individual and community to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation. Ron, as the Mayor of San Antonio, took San Antonio as an example and shared a touching story of mutual help between San Antonio and its Chinese sister city Wuxi in Jiangsu Province. When the COVID-19 outbreak occurred in China, members of the San Antonio community came together to assist Wuxi by raising funds to purchase needed supplies. While Wuxi was getting better, it came to assist San Antonio by pledging a shipment of more than 30,000 masks.“These acts of compassionate exchange have been important symbols reinforcing the reality of our common experience.” (Message attached)Founded in 1956 and headquartered in Washington D.C., Capital of the US, SCI is an important partner of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (Hereinafter referred to as“CPAFFC”）. In 2014, CPAFFC and SCI jointly established the US-China Sister Cities Conference, which has been successfully held for four times. Being an important platform for exchanges, communication and cooperation between sister cities of the two countries, the US-China Sister Cities Conference has been included in the outcomes list of the US-China strategic and economic dialogue and the programs of social and people-to-people dialogue on many occasions. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the US, CPAFFC has immediately encouraged Chinese provinces and cities to express sympathy and donate medical materials to their sister states and cities in the US, conveying sincere concern and support of Chinese people.A Message from the ChairmanRon NirenbergDear Friends:Amidst an unprecedented global health and economic crisis, unyielding solidarity and hope are essential for us to successfully navigate this extraordinarily difficult environment. Humanity has not experienced such systematic disruption across every continent at any time in recent history.Almost every major urban and rural population center has been overwhelmed by the COVID-19 virus, an invisible adversary that knows no borders and threatens our public health systems as well as our social and economic networks.In this global era, our responsibility rests in protecting human health while reinforcing the bridges we have built between communities of many nations. We must be committed to a future of progress and global solidarity.In this short time, we have witnessed several innovations, some of which have been taken as best practices from other communities around the world. The UNESCO Creative Cities Network for example, in which San Antonio participates, has convened its member cities to share best practices on various themes and facilitate the empowerment of communities to take actions that have worked elsewhere.As the hub for institutional knowledge and best practices in the field of citizen diplomacy, we too should be doing the same in our network, highlighting stories of cooperation and shared learning among our many sister cities.We have read stories of sister cities in China and the U.S. helping each other during this time.  My own city is an example. Members of our local community came together to assist our sister city Wuxi by raising funds to purchase needed supplies.Now, our sister city has turned around and offered assistance to our community pledging a shipment of more than 30,000 masks.  These acts of compassionate exchange have been important symbols reinforcing the reality of our common experience.As the Mayor of San Antonio, I have seen COVID-19’s devastating impact firsthand.  On Feb 1, I made my first public statement about the virus. Since then, I have had to issue five emergency declarations and an amendment to facilitate effective management of resources and ensure an efficient response to the impact of the virus in our community.Critical coordination and strategic communication are pivotal in the effort to flatten the curve and eradicate this disease.  Other mayors around the world, from communities small and large, are dealing with the same issues.  We share the same concern for the welfare of our residents and first responders. We are dealing with the unintended consequences of social distancing, which has disrupted our workforce and local economies as well as our educational delivery systems.Sister Cities International unites tens of thousands of citizen diplomats and volunteers in more than 140 countries. I call upon each of you to rise to the occasion and engage and communicate.  Even if we are practicing social distancing, this does not mean we should practice isolationism. Together, our global community will get through this.Our work in the sister cities network is more important than ever. Let’s reinforce our values and mission to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation — one individual, one community at a time. And may the bridges we build remain open and everlasting.Ron NirenbergChairman of Sister Cities InternationalMayor of San Antonio, Texas

At the invitation of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), a Mexican governors delegation with over 30 members including Mr. Graco Ramírez, Governor of Morelos and Chairman of Mexico National Governors Conference (CONAGO), Mr. Francisco García, Governor of Tamaulipas, Mr. Marco Mena, Governor of Tlaxcala, Mr. Kiko Vega, Governor of Lower California and Governors of Oaxaca and Pueblaand, visited China from March 26 to April 1, 2017.  During in China, Mr. Yang Jiechi, State Councilor of State Council, Mr. Ying Yong, Mayor of Shanghai Municipal Government, Mr. Wang Ning, Executive Vice Governor of Sichuan Province, Mr. Yan Zhongqiu, Vice Chairman of Beijing Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mr. Liu Dianxun，Director-General of Investment Promotion Agency of Ministry of Commerce of China, Mr. Yang Jianrong, President of Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shanghai, Mme. Jing Ying，Vice President of Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, met with the delegation respectively. The delegation visited enterprises including HUAWEI, China National Technical Imp.&Exp. Corp., New Hope Dairy and others. Moreover, the delegation held discussions with more than 20 Chinese institutions and enterprises, such as China Development Bank, China-LAC Fund, State Grid Corporation of China, China National Offshore Oil Corporation, CITIC Construction Co., Ltd. , COFCO Corporation, China National Pharmaceutical Group Corporation, Beijing Automotive Group Co., Ltd., China Huaneng Group, JD.COM. Mexican side expressed that the states are willing to deepen the exchange and cooperation with Chinese side, and attract more Chinese enterprises to invest in Mexico, so as to improve financial and trade bilateral relations.  

 From September 24 to 29, 2016, CPAFFC received the delegation of Sabah State Legislative Assembly of Malaysia, headed by YB. Datuk Teo Chee Kang, Minister with Special Tasks, Chief Minister's Department of Sabah State Government. The trip covered Beijing and Zhejiang. Mr. Zhang Yong, Vice Chairman of the Commission of Legislative Affairs of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Mr. Cheng Weisheng, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of Zhejiang Provincial People’s Congress, Mr. Wang Jincai, Chairman of the Standing Committee of Hangzhou Municipal People’s Congress, Madame Lin Yi, Vice President of CPAFFC, and Madame Chen Aizhen, Executive Vice President of Zhejiang Provincial Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, met with the delegation respectively.Mr. Zhang Yong made introduction of China’s national people’s congress system. Mr. Cheng Weisheng and Mr. Wang Jincai briefed the delegation of China’s local people’s congress system and expressed willingness in strengthening Zhejiang as well as Hangzhou’s cooperation with Sabah.  The Malaysian delegation extended invitation to leaders of Hangzhou for a visit to Sabah this year, in a bid to speed up the process of twinning Hangzhou with Kota Kinabalu, Capital of Sabah State.  Madame Lin Yi and Madame Chen Aizhen exchanged ideas with the delegation on enhancing local government, people-to-people and cultural cooperation.  In Hangzhou, the delegation also visited the Alibaba Group.Meeting with  Zhang Yong Meeting with Cheng WeishengMeeting with Wang Jincai

On November. 1st, Vice President Xie Yuan led a CPAFFC delegation to attend the Commemoritive Meeting of 40 Years of International Sister Cities in Guangzhou. This meeting is held to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Guangzhou’s international sister cities（friendship cities）network. With the theme of "Hand in Hand for a Better Future”, the meeting is aimed to promote multi-level, wide-ranging cooperation between Guangzhou and other cities all over the world on the platform of international friendship cities. Zhang Shuofu, member of the standing Committee of the Guangdong Provincial CPC Committee and secretary of the Guangzhou Municipal CPC Committee, Ye Zhenqin, member of the standing Committee of the Guangdong Provincial CPC Committee, and Wen Guohui, mayor of Guangzhou attended the meeting. Representitives from 35 cities of 26 countries and officials from Chinese central, provincial and municipal governments presented at the meeting. In his keynote speech, Vice President Xie Yuan said that the major initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping to build a community with a shared future for mankind and to jointly build "Belt and Road Initiative" has  contributed China's wisdom and solutions to the world to continuously promote mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation among countries, to reform and improve the global governance system, and to promote the establishment of a more just and rational international atmosphere, which has gained increasing acknowledgment in the international community. During the past 40 years, Guangzhou has established 36 friendship cities relationship with 33 countries, and has made remarkable progress in high-level visits, economic and trade cooperation, cultrual exchanges and other fields. Especially after entering the new era, Guangzhou has made extensive progress in making friends with foreign countries, and enhancing people-to-people friendship, based on Xi Jinping's diplomatic thought with Chinese characteristics in the new era. Vice President Xie Yuan suggested that the participants join hands together to achieve the healthy development of international friendship cities and make joint efforts to build a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity for mankind. During the conference, a signing ceremony of friendship cities and cooperation projects were also held. Vice President Xie Yuan making keynote speech The Commemoritive Meeting of 40 Years of International Sister Cities in Guangzhou Delegates to the meeting having a photo together Photographed by Gao Yuan

From 28th Oct. to 29th Oct.2019, the 21th China-Japan-Korea Friendship City Exchange Conference was co-hosted by CPAFFC, Japanese Council of Local Authorities for International Relations(CLAIR), and Governor Association of Korea in Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan. Vice-President Xie Yuan, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of CLAIR Okamoto Tamotsu, Director of international Affairs of Governor Association of Korea Yang Joong Mo, Governor of Ehime Nakamura Tokihiro and municipal representatives from China, Japan and Republic of Korea, more than 500 people in total attended the conference. In his speech, vice-president Xie Yuan pointed out that China, Japan and Republic of Korea are neighboring countries across the sea that cannot be removed. Three countries share a similar culture. A peaceful regional environment would be a strong garantee for the sustainable healthy development of cooperation among three countries. Municipal government cooperaion works as a significant part of China-Japan-Republic of  Korea state relations. Each country gets its own features and advantages in terms of municipal development and the perspective for cooperation and mutual benefits is bright and has giant potential. It is hoped that three countries can take this conference as an opportunity to expand the cooperation areas and promote cooperation level in municipal development, to build a solid foundation of public opion and hand in hand to create a bright future of China-Japan-Republic of Korea and Northeast Asian cooperation.   Okamoto Tamotsu said, as the most influential international conference of municipal government level in Northeast Asia, the conference has been continuously held for the past 21 years and has effectively strengthened the communication and exchange among municipal governments from three countries, built a important foundation of mutual understanding and amity. Yang Joong Mo expressed, the municipal government exchange and cooperation offers a new approach for developing relations of China, Japan and Republic of Korea. He hoped that the municipal governments of China, Japan and Republic of Korea can further promote the understanding and deepen the cooperation, work together to maintain peace and prosperity of Northeast Asia.Nakamura Tokihiro said, Ehime pays great attention to and promotes actively the exchange and cooperation with China and Republic of Korea. Ehime has established friendship relation with multiple municipal regions in China and Republic of  Korea. He hoped that undertaking this conference can help spread the attraction of Ehime and constantly strengthen the exchange and cooperation with relevant municipal regions in China and Republic of Korea. In the keynote speech and in the workshop, municipal representatives of China, Japan and Republic of Korea focused on the conference theme of making most of regional advantage, building attractive cities and discussed actively, exchanged experience and sought opportunity to cooperate in terms of experience tourism, sustainable development, handling polulation aging etc. The 22th China-Japan-Korea Friendship City Exchange Conference will be held in Gwangju, Republic of  Korea in 2020. Photographed by Shen Haiting

On August 26, Vice President Xie Yuan led a CPAFFC delegation to attend the opening ceremony of 2019 Smart China Expo and The 2nd Mayors’ Roundtable for International Sister Cities of Chongqing, China. Representatives from nearly 60 countries and regions attended the Expo, including heads of international organizations, well-known foreign scholars and Top 500 enterprises executives. At the opening ceremony, Mr Liu He, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice premier of the State Council, read out Chairman Xi Jinping's congratulatory letter and delivered a speech. As one of the thematic conferences of the Expo, The 2nd Mayors’ Roundtable for International Sister Cities of Chongqing, China. was jointly sponsored by CPAFFC and Chongqing Municipal People's Government. 31 mayors from 23 countries participated in the conference. Centering on the theme of "Intelligent Life and Innovative Future", the delegates discussed the role of cities in promoting intelligent development and creating a better life, shared experiences in the construction of intelligent cities，and prospects on international innovation cooperation. The delegates talked about the trend of intelligent cities, and reached board consensus. In his keynote speech, Vice President Xie Yuan said that the Mayors’ Roundtable, as one of the thematic conferences of the Smart China Expo, will further tighten relations between friendship cities. It is of great significance to promote exchanges and cooperation in the fields of the IOT, block chain, artificial intelligence, as well as innovative personnel training and so on.  It is believed that the Mayors’ Roundtable will help to further promote the development of intelligent cities, share the experience and vision of intelligent city construction, promote international urban innovation cooperation, empower the economy and enrich our lives.  CPAFFC and CIFCA (China International Friendship Cities Association) will, as always, encourage the development of friendly relations between Chinese and foreign cities, enhance policy support to the western provinces, autonomous regions and cities, including Chongqing. We will work with Chinese and foreign localities to make active efforts to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. During the conference, a signing ceremony of memorandum of understanding on cooperative relations and cooperation projects were also held. Vice President Xie Yuan Making keynote speech The 2nd Mayors’ Roundtable for International Sister Cities of Chongqing, China Photographed by Gao Yuan

Vice President Song Jingwu met with Marilena Pillati, the Vice Mayor of Bologna, Italy on July 25. Vice President Song Jingwu introduced the work CPAFFC has done to promote local government cooperation between China and Italy and said that CPAFFC would continue to support cooperation between Bologna and Chinese cities. Marilena Pillati thanked CPAFFC for its support for Italy-China local government cooperation. She said Bologna is the capital of culture, art and education of Italy and that the Bologna municipal government is dedicated to carrying out more pragmatic cooperation with Chinese local governments.  Photographed by Yang Yingzi

On 16th July, vice President Lin Yi met with defence minister of Cote d'Ivoire, Mr.Hamed Bakayoka. Minister Bakayoka said, he had a close contact with chinese firms, chinese business persons and had visited China a couple of times while working in the government of Cote d'Ivoire and thus had a strong emotional connection with China. He expressed that Amity between the people is the key to sound state-to-state relations and he is willing to establish contact with CPAFFC and to promote the exchanges between the people of two countries. Mr. Bakayoka is also the mayor of City Abobo, Cote d'Ivoire at the same time. He hoped that City Abobo could establish a friendship relationship with chinese cities under the help of CPAFFC.  Vice president Lin Yi welcomed the visit of Mr. Babayoka to CPAFFC while he came to participate conferences in China. She said, Cote d'Ivoire is a important partner  of China in Africa. She thanked Mr. Bakayoka for his contributions to the people-to-people friendship between two countries. CPAFFC is willing to support the establishment of friendship relationship on both province and city level between two countries and would keep in contact with Cote d'Ivoire Embassy in China to help Mr. Bakayoka get in touch with provinces and cities in China and pay mutual visits at a proper time. CPAFFC wish to help build the foundation of city friendship between two countries through further exchanges and pragmatic cooperation.   Vice inspector of Department of Asain and African Affairs, Ms. Tang Ruimin and Ambassador of Cote d'Ivoire Dosso Adama were also present at the meeting. Photographed by Pei Xingchen

Mr. Song Jingwu, the vice president of CPAFFC met with Mr. Tim Losty, the minister Counsellor of British Embassy on 9. July. Mr.Losty will complete his term and resume a new post in Northern Ireland Government. Mr. Song spoke highly of what Losty has done in promoting the relations between China and UK and between Chinese and British local governments. Mr.Song and Mr. Losty also exchanged views about the political landscape in the UK.   Mr. Losty expressed that the British government pays high attention to the cooperation between China and UK with close partnership between Northern Ireland and its three counterparts at provincial level namely JiLin, Liaoning and Hubei being an example. He hopes that Northern Ireland reinforces its cooperation with Chinese local governments when it comes to manufacturing, health, finance, IT industry and creativity industry. Mr. Song said that Northern Ireland is a major supporter of China-UK local governments exchanges and China’s opening-up is a great opportunity for the Northern Ireland. Mr. Losty said that he will do more to the relations of China and UK and push forward the joint program between China, Northern Ireland and Scotland as he takes his new post back home. Photographed by Wang Fan