At the invitation of New Zealand-China Friendship Society(NZCF), Mr. Hu Jianhuai, Assistant Director General of the Department of Asian and African Affairs led a delegation of 4 people to New Zealand from 22nd May to 24th May to attend the annual conference of NZCF. Around 80 people, including Mr. Jin Zhijian, Chinese Counselor General in Christchurch, Mr. Richard Kempthorne, Mayor of Tasman City, Mr. Paul Matheson, Vice Mayor of Nelson, Mr. Philip Burdon, Sponsor for NZCF, leading members of NZCF and representatives from NZCF national and branches also attended the annual conference.  

Organized by CPAFFC, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organization (VUFO), the Red Journey Following the Footsteps of Uncle Ho Chi Minh and China-Vietnam Border Gala was held in Guangxi from May 17 to 22, 2015. A 21-member delegation led by VUFO Chairman Vu Xuan Hong, together with around 4000 delegates from Ho Chi Minh Museum in Hanoi and China-Vietnam border areas participated in the event. Mr. Qi Jianguo, Vice President of China-Vietnam Friendship Association and former Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam accompanied Mr. Vu during the visit. Mr. Lan Tianli, Vice Governor of Guangxi, and leaders of relevant cities and counties in China met with the Vietnamese delegation respectively. By visiting places where Chairman Ho Chi Minh once worked and lived and attending friendship activities in cities of Fangchenggang, Guilin, Nanning, Baise and Chongzuo, the Journey and Gala are aimed to recall the remarkable contribution made by older generation of Chinese and Vietnamese state leaders and promote bilateral friendship. Both sides praise highly of the event and agreed on a number of intentions for cooperation. Lan Tianli and Vu Xuan Hong Qi Jianguo  at the Initiating Ceremony Vu Xuan Hong Presenting the Statue of Ho Chi Minh China-Vietnam Border Gala

A delegation of foreign diplomats and experts in China headed by Ambassador of Timor-Leste H.E. Ms. Vicky Fun Ha Tchong visited China’s Hubei province from May 17th to 21st, on Chinese Culture Tour organized by the CPAFFC. The 11-member delegation consists of foreign experts and cultural officials from 10 embassies including Myanmar, the Maldives, Republic of Korea, Russia, Ecuado, and Pakistan. In Hubei, the delegation was invited to the 9th Central China Investment and Trade Expo and the International Forum on “Belt and Road Initiative” Cooperation among the Six Central China Provinces, and accompanied by heads of the Hubei provincial foreign affairs office, met with Yang Chenqing, Director General of the Publicity Department of CPC Committee of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, and Liu Jianxin, Deputy Mayor of Yichang. They also went to the Hubei Institute of Fine Arts with its art museum, cultural creative company and art research department, and had an in-depth discussion with students and professors there. In cities of Enshi and Yichang, representatives of cultural and foreign affairs departments held talks with the delegation on issues of promoting international folk art exchanges. During the culture tour, the delegation visited Donghu New Technology Development Park, “Made in Hanyang” Cultural Industry Innovation Park, Qintai Theatre, Enshi Tujia Folk Culture Park, Hubei Provincial Museum, and Yichang Museum, etc.. The delegation members said, the tour provided a great experience for them to know about not only the history and culture of Hubei, but also the recent progress and development of local cultural creative industry. They would continue to promote future interactions and cooperations in culture and all other related areas, between their countries and Hubei and other Chinese provinces. The activity is known as part of the project series, the 2015 Chinese Culture Tour designed for foreign diplomats and experts in China, and aims to strengthen relations with cultural offices of foreign embassies and deepen the cooperation with local governments in international cultural exchanges.

On the morning of 20th, May 2015, Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice President of Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries meets with Mark Bacon, eldest son of the former Tasmanian Governor. Jim Bacon, Mark Bacon’s Late Father was a close friend of President Xi Jinping. During his term as Governor of Tasmania, Jim devoted himself to friendly cooperation with China and pushed forward the establishment of friendship relation between Tasmania and Fujian Province. During his state visit in Australia last November, President Xi Jinping paid a special visit to Hobart, capital city of Tasmania and met with Bacon’s family.

On the afternoon of May 27, Lin Yi, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship With Foreign Countries met with Ahad Mohammadi, Chairman of Iran-China Friendship Association. The two sides exchanged ideas on furthering the friendly cooperation between two organizations. Lin Yi said, China and Iran are two countries with ancient civilizations, the two sides need to spend more effort in promoting culture exchanges. Our two associations started holding annual conference since 2010. The Sixth Annual Conference of China-Iran Friendship Associations will be held in China this year. It is suggested that the two sides carry out richer and more colorful activities on the subject of “ The Belt and Road ” strategy. Mohammadi said that, our two organizations have had long and close exchanges during the past 16 years, and both have made positive contributions to deepening friendship between the two peoples. China plays an important role in maintaining regional stability, he appreciates the “The Belt and Road” Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, and Iran-China Friendship Association has already held several seminars on this subject. He hopes that the two organizations could continue to promote cooperation under the framework of “ The Belt and Road” Initiatives.

“Love in China”philanthropic activity--“Ride for Love” bicycle race hosted by The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries was launched on May 16th in Dayu County of Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province. Vice President Xie Yuan attended and addressed the opening ceremony. Vice President Xie introduced in his speech that “Love in China” philanthropic activity was designed by CPAFFC, with the purpose of caring the health and supporting the sports career of adolescents. “Ride for Love” Bicycle Race is the first project of this activity, which indicates our good will towards healthy growth of the young generation as well as environmental protection. The six-month bicycle race will be held in turns in Yashan of Jiangxi Province, Liangshan of Sichuan Province, Zhaosu of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Datong of Shanxi Province, Ulanqab of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Wuyi Mountan of Fujian Province, Hong’an of Hubei Province, Longgang of Guangdong Province. On the opening race, there were nearly 400 athletes divided into different levels and schedules competing along the rugged muddy mountain road. Chinese athletes Hu Hao, Guo Xinwei and Zhu Jun won the top three prizes of the 22.8 kilometers Man Elite Group.

On the morning of May 15th, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), China-Japan Friendship Association (CJFA), Jiangsu Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and Japan-China Friendship Association jointly held the conference commemorating 20th anniversary of China and Japan collaborating to restore Nanjing walls, aiming for Memorizing History, Safeguarding World Peace, Enhancing Friendship, and Joining Hands to Create Future. Lin Yi, Vice President of CPAFFC, Wu Xijun, Vice President of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Chu Yonghong, Deputy Mayor of Nanjing and Sakai Tetsuo attended the conference and delivered speeches respectively. In her speech, Vice President Lin Yi thanked the Chinese and Japanese personages from all circles for their long-term attention and efforts on restoring Nanjing walls. She said, during the 20 years, the activity of restoring Nanjing walls not only restored the cultural heritage which suffered from devastation and war, but also has built a great wall of peace and friendship in two peoples’ heart. She said, this year is the 70th anniversary of the world anti-fascist war and the victory of the Chinese people’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression. Summarize Past, Exploit Future, Memorize History, No More Wars is the common wish of the two peoples. May peace and friendship maintain in two peoples’ especially the youth’s mind, through recalling the history and deepening the understanding on the importance of the peace between China and Japan, so as to pass peace and friendship from generation to generation. Vice President Sakai of JCFA said in his address, 20 years ago in 1995, it was the 50th anniversary of WWII. As everyone knows, the Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama pronounced Murayama Statement which represents the decision of the Japanese cabinet meeting. In Murayama Statement, Japan sincerely apologized to the Asian people including the Chinese and Korean people, and reflected on the great harm that the war brought to the people. Murayama Statement and the initiative of restoring Nanjing walls raised by Ikuo Hirayama, the late president of JCFA are fully  suitable of the 50th anniversary of WWII. Vice President Sakai said, the Abe Statement which will be pronounced in Aug.15th in this year, the 70th anniversary of WWII attaches worldwide attention. The Japanese people look forward that Abe Statement would completely inherit the content of Murayama Statement from the former successive Japanese government, and wish the meeting of the heads of Japan and China could be continued after the two meetings before. Wang Xiuyun, Director-General of Department of Japanese Affairs of CPAFFC, Hirayama Michiko the wife of Hirayama Ikuo, persons in charge of headquarter of JCFA, friendly personages from both China and Japan, representatives from all circles, university students from Nanjing, about 100 Japanese university students, in all over 400 people attended the commemorative conference.          

The Sixth China-US Relations Conference, hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Texas A&M University, co-hosted by Peking University Health Science Center and the Texas Medical Center was held from May 11 to 13 in Houston, Texas, United States. The participants include Mr. Xu Kuangdi, vice chairman of the 10th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and president of China-US People’s Association, Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai to the U.S., President Li Xiaolin of CPAFFC, Vice Minister Liu Qian of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, Neil Bush, third son of former U.S. President George H.W.Bush and president of the Points of Light Foundation, President Michael Young of Texas A&M University, Mayor Annise Parker of Houston, Thomas Frieden, Director of U.S. Centers for Disease Control. U.S. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Bidden sent congratulatory messages respectively to the conference. President Obama said “The world we live in today is a community of nations. The United States and China are dedicated to realizing a future that shines with the health of all people---one we will only reach by working together. In addressing global health challenges, America and China have a common interest of historic consequence. Together, America and China can rise to the challenges of our changing world and meet our moral obligations.” Vice President Bidden said that the cooperation between U.S. and China on global issues like infectious diseases are doing the ground work for US-China relations, and will benefit all people. Xu Kuangdi delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the conference. He spoke highly of the great impact that the past five China-US Relations Conferences have made and highly commended President George H.W. Bush’s consistent efforts and contribution to the development of China-US relations and the growth of China-US friendship, as well as Neil Bush’s efforts in carrying on this conference forward. He also praised the great efforts that the hosting organizations---the CPAFFC and Texas A&M University have done. He pointed out that in the 21st century, the world is faced with increasing nonconventional security and global challenges. It is crucial for China and the U.S. to work together in combating the common challenges, which is pivotal for peace and progress of mankind. In her speech, CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin said that ever since 2003 when the conference was initiated by former U.S. President George H.W Bush, it has grown into an important platform where people from the political, economic, academic and other fields exchange ideas and hold dialogue on bilateral and global issues. The theme of this year’s conference is “Global Infectious Diseases: Prevention, Preparedness and Response”. This is the first time that the China-US Relations Conference focuses on a particular issue of global nature. In the future, the conference will also cover the areas of the food safety and security, and environmental protection. Ambassador Cui Tiankai said in his remarks that as two largest economies and permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, China and the U.S. are having effective cooperation in such areas as the world economy, counter-terrorism, disaster prevention and relief, and prevention of infectious diseases, including helping the West African countries fight against Ebola Crisis. This year’s conference is about the cooperation of China and the U.S. on global infectious diseases. It is an important part in the building of a new model of China-US major country relationship. He hoped that professionals from various fields of the two countries will play their unique role and contribute to China-US exchange and cooperation. As the co-chair of the conference, Neil Bush said that the conference is an important legacy from his father George H.W. Bush, which is aimed at promoting better understanding, closer relations, and better cooperation between the two great nations in the 21st century. He will carry on his father’s legacy to work for US-China relations and the future development of the conference. During the conference, over 400 government officials, experts and business leaders attended the conference and held in-depth discussion on national preparedness of public health, emergence response, prevention and control of infectious diseases like Ebola, and the role of private sector in the global health response system. They also brought up constructive proposals on the future cooperation of China and the U.S. in relevant fields. Before the conference opens, Xu Kuangdi, Li Xiaolin, Cui Tiankai and Li Qiangmin paid a visit to President George H.W. Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush at Neil Bush’s home in Houston.

To celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Denmark, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Royal Danish Embassy co-hosted the Conference on China-Denmark Agriculture Cooperation and Efficient Use of Natural Resources on 11 May at the Great Hall of the People. Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the CPAFFC, and Mr. Manu Sareen, Danish Minister for Children, Gender Equality, Integration and Social Affairs, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. About 200 people including Mr. Zhang Tianzuo, Director General of the Department of Sectoral Policy and Law, Ministry of Agriculture of the PRC, Mr. Hou Daijun, Deputy Director General of the Department of Nature and Ecology Conservation, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Mr. Esben Egede Rasmussen, Executive Director General of the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, Mr. Kristoffer B?ttzauw, Executive Deputy Director General of the Danish Energy Agency, and government officials, agriculture and environmental protection experts and scholars, enterprise representatives of the two countries attended the Conference. The attendees exchanged views on agricultural policy, food safety, cooperation in agricultural production throughout the value chain, environmental protection, and renewable energy. Conference participants also witnessed the signing of seven agreements covering the fields of energy, innovation, agriculture, dairy products, and education. As Copenhagen Fur has provided Xin Hualu Primary School in Xinzheng City of Henan Province with various teaching and learning opportunities, Xinhualu Primary School presented an work of graphic art made by themselves to His Excellency the Danish Ambassador to China, with the good wish for a fruitful and even closer friendship between China and Denmark.

  On May 11, Vice President Xie Yuan met former president of New Zealand-China Friendship Society (NZCFS), Professor William Edward Willmott and his Chinese garden delegation. Mr.Xie extended warm welcome to the delegation visiting China. He highly praised Professor Willmott and his family for their outstanding contributions to promote friendship between China and New Zealand over many years. Willmott thanked CPAFFC for its constant support to NZCFS. During their trip, the group held discussions with relevant institutions and visited Chinese gardens in different cities, which not only helps enhance mutual friendship but also increases their understanding about China in terms of social development and environmental protection. Willmott was born in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, he regarded China as his first hometown. In 1921, his parents came to Sichuan as Canadian missionaries. They brought western medicine to the local people, initiated the West China School of Medicine of Sichuan University and gave significant supports to the anti-Japanese war and work of communist party of China. In Sichuan, the delegation visited West China School of Medicine of Sichuan University and exhibition of old photos themed “Chengdu,my home”, which records stories when the missionaries lived in Sichuan. Xie stressed that CPAFFC would as always continue to promote various exchanges between China and New Zealand, and welcomed Willmott to visit China in September and attend the activities in commemorating the 70th anniversary of victory of the World Anti-Facist War. New Zealand ambassador to China John Mckinnon attended the meeting. The delegation also visited former residence of Rewi Alley in CPAFFC after the meeting.