Jointly organized by CPAFFC and Embassy of Indonesia in Beijing, reception in celebration of the 65th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and Indonesia was held in Beijing on April 13th, 2015. Vice Chairman Qiangba Puncog of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Vice President Lin Yi of CPAFFC, Ambassador Soegeng Rahardjo of Indonesia to China, together with around 400 guests from International Department of CPC Central Committee, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, Embassy of Indonesia, diplomatic corps, as well as Chinese and Indonesian media representatives attended the celebration. In her speech, Madame Lin Yi said that China and Indonesia are friendly neighbors across the sea. The exchanges between our two peoples enjoy a time-honored history and, together with other Asian and African countries, jointly initiated the Bandung Spirit with the core content of peaceful coexistence and seeking the common ground while reserving the differences, which made outstanding contribution to the building of new international relations. The CPAFFC is willing to take the 65th anniversary of bilateral relations and the 60th anniversary of Bandung Conference as an opportunity, to conduct more cooperation and make greater efforts for the people-to-people friendship cause between the two countries. Ambassador Soegeng Rahardjo said in his speech that with the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in October 2013, the Indonesia-China cooperation is today at its highest level ever.  Indonesia is willing to join with China in synergizing the Global Maritime Fulcrum concept of President Joko Widodo and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative of President Xi Jinping. Vice Chairman Qiangba Puncog met with Rahardjo before the reception and toured a photo exhibition on China-Indonesia friendship exchanges.

The launching ceremony of the world tour of Melodic Gems - Concert of the Most loved Art Songs of Modern China, co-sponsored by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (the CPAFFC), Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) and China Oriental Performing Arts Group (COPAG), was held in BFSU on April 10, 2015. More than 400 people including foreign diplomats and experts in China, international and Chinese students and professors of the university watched the show. Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice President of the CPAFFC, Mr. Han Zhen, Secretary of the CPC Committee of BFSU, and Mr. Gao Ai, Deputy General Manager of COPAG attended the launching ceremony and delivered their remarks. During the concert, the soloist Mr. Gu Xin, Chinese renowned tenor and chairman of the board of COPAG sang a dozen of Chinese art songs including modern and contemporary art songs, traditional folk songs., and songs converted from Chinese ancient poetry. The concert combined vocal performances with introductory lectures. The Choir and Classical Music Association of BFSU also performed in the show. Melodic Gems is a long-term non-profit project committed to the popularization of Chinese vocal arts. It has been put on stage in dozens of universities and theaters nationwide since 2011. After the launching ceremony, its world tour will begin from this year.

On 8th April, Vice President Song Jingwu met with Mr. Niek Meijer, Presient of the Netherlands China Friendship Association (VNC) and his delegation at the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC). Vice President Song expressed his warm welcome to President Meijer. He made a brief introduction of CPAFFC’s history, objectives, recent work and its contribution to enhancing exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese and foreign local governments. He congratulated Mr Meijer on becoming the new President of the VNC, and hoped that under the new leadership VNC makes greater contribution to the friendly cooperation between China and the Netherlands and the two peoples. Song spoke highly of the Sino-European Agricultural Seminar initiated jointly by CPAFFC and VNC. He invited the VNC to send delegation of Dutch agricultural experts and related institutes to participate this year’s Seminar so as to create more opportunities for agricultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. President Meijer introduced the VNC’s main work in the future, and shared his views on local government cooperation. He said that the VNC would always support the Sino-European Agricultural Seminar, and is willing to join hands with the CPAFFC in promoting Netherlands-China friendship and exchanges. Ms. Zhang Ruoning, Deputy Director General of the Department of European and Asian Affairs was present at the meeting.

Organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the China-Central Asia Friendship Association(CCAFA) and the Turkmenistan Embassy in China, a round table meeting themed ”Turkmenistan’s Neutrality Policy is the Guarantee of Peace and Stability” was held in Beijing on April 7, 2015. Mr. Cheng Guoping, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC, Ambassadors of Afghanistan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and other 70 guests from all fields attended the event.

At the Invitation of CPAFFC, the Austria-China Friendship Association VIP() Delegation, led by Mr. Mag. Harald Himmer, Vice President of the Federal Council of Austria, visited China from March 28th. to April 6th.    During its stay in Beijing, Mrs. Lin Wenyi, National Political Consultative Conference vice president met the delegation in the Great Hall of the People. Vice President Lin said, the cooperation in each field between China and Austria was well conducted. China has already been the second largest partner of Austria outside the EU. This year marks the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and EU. Vice president Lin highly praised the outstanding contribution of Austria to China-EU relationship. Lin hoped that Austria, with its geo-political advantage, becomes an active participator in the construction of “One Belt and One Road”. Vice president Himmer hoped to strengthen the cooperation of big data, energy efficiency and environmental protection, renewable energy between China and Austria. Meanwhile he said, as a giant winter sport country, Austria, with its rich experience in ski resorts management, related technologies etc., is willing to assist China to bid for the Olympic Winter Sport 2022. The delegation also visited Xi’an, Hangzhou and Shanghai. During the stay in Shanghai, on behalf of the Shanghai Municipal Government Mr. Zhou Yajun, vice director of Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office and vice president of the Shanghai Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, awarded Mr. Prof. Gerd Kaminski, vice executive president of Austria-China Friendship Association, “Magnolia Award” to honor his great contribution to China-Austria friendships. 

On April 2, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) held a reception to celebrate the 20th anniversary of China-Bosnia and Herzegovina diplomatic relations. Vice Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, Mr Chen Changzhi and Vice Foreign Minister Mr Wang Chao attended the reception. Vice President of the CPAFFC and HE Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to China Maric delivered speeches. Before the reception, Vice Chairman Chen Changzhi met with Ambassador Maric. He said that 20 years after China and Bosnia and Herzegovina established diplomatic relations, the bilateral relations developed smoothly with deepened political mutual trust, expanded economic, cultural, and educational exchanges and cooperation, and good communication and coordination in international and regional affairs. China attaches great importance to the relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and is poised to join hands with the Bosnia and Herzegovina to take the 20th anniversary as an opportunity, make full use of the China-CEEC cooperation platform, expand political mutual trust, make closer friendly exchanges, and upgrade mutually-beneficial cooperation, so as to bring China and Bosnia and Herzegovina relations to a new level. Ambassador Maric thanked the Chinese side to host the 20th anniversary reception. He expressed his appreciation towards China’s position that all countries, big or small, should be equals. He said that Bosnia and Herzegovina has always upheld the One China policy, and will continue to do so in the future. At present, China and Bosnia and Herzegovina enjoy sound political relations, which has provided a favourable environment for the two countries’ economic cooperation. He believed that in the larger context of the China-CEEC cooperation, the two countries’ economic cooperation will enjoy better prospect. The Chinese and foreign guests present also watched brilliant folk music performance played by students from an art university in Beijing.

Vice President Lin Yi met with and hosted luncheon for H.E. Mr. Paul Chikawa, Ambassador of Zimbabwe to China, on April 1, 2015. The two sides reviewed the development of China-Zimbabwe relations, and had in-depth exchange of views on further promoting the exchanges between local governments and friendship cities of the two countries.

At the invitation of Mr. Abdusalomov, Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Uzbekistan, CPAFFC sent an observer’s delegation  headed by Ms. Hu Chunmei, Deputy Director General Level Counsel of the European and Central Asian Department, Secretary General of China Central Asia Friendship Association to Uzbekistan to observed the preparation, voting and ballots counting of the presidential election from March 27 to 31. The delegation visited Tashkent, the capital city and Urgench in northwest of the country. During their stay in Urgench, the delegation further studies the whole process of the election, including the voting and ballots counting. On the election day, Ms. Hu had an interview with Uzbekistani National TV station. On March 30, CEC announced preliminary result, acclaiming that President Karimov had won re-election with his share of vote at 90.39%.

On March 28, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong attended and launched the opening of the Flying Tiger Guilin Heritage Park in Guilin, southwest China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Over 300 Chinese and American guests attended the ceremony, including Secretary Peng Qinghua of CPC Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Committee, Deputy Secretary General Jiang Xiaojuan of the State Council, Vice Minister Lu Xin of Education, Vice Minister Chen Gaihu of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Vice Minister Tan Tianxing of the State Council Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, Assistant Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang, CPAFFC Vice President Xie Yuan, Secretary Zhao Leqin of CPC Guilin Municipal Committee, Mayor Zhou Jiabin of Guilin, Chairman James Whitehead of the American Flying Tigers Historical Organization (FTHO) and Honorary President Florence Fang of FTHO, US Consul General Jennifer Galt in Guangzhou, Air Attaché Michael Marble of the US Embassy in China, 91-year-old Flying Tiger veteran JV Vinyard, Cynthia Chennault, daughter of General Chennault and Nell Calloway, granddaughter of General Chennault. Before the opening ceremony, Vice Premier Liu Yandong held a meeting with the key members of the US delegation. She said that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the Victory of World’s Anti-Fascist War and the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. China and the US fought side by side during the war as alliance and made great contribution to the final victory of the World’s Anti-Fascist War. The heroic stories of the Flying Tigers and the American people assisting China are immortal and will always be remembered. Vice Premier Liu reiterated that tremendous changes have taken place in the international situation and we are still faced with many common challenges. The cooperation between China and the US is not only in the interests of the two peoples, but also bears important significance to the world peace and development. In his address at the ceremony, Vice President Xie Yuan pointed out that the Flying Tiger Guilin Heritage Park is the best commemoration and tribute to the history of Chinese and American peoples fighting together against brutality for justice and peace. Chinese people will always remember the contributions made by the US and the other countries to the Chinese People’s War against Japanese Aggression. We shall work together to carry forward the spirit of cooperation and make continuous contributions to building a new model of China-US major country relationship. When speaking at the ceremony, Gen. Whitehead held that by dedicating the Flying Tiger Heritage Park, we are honoring the joint friendship by Americans and Chinese which was forged during the darkest days of WWⅡ. The cooperative spirit is vital to the development of our bilateral relationship. The Chinese people have never forgotten the Flying Tigers, nor have the Flying Tigers forgotten the sacrifices made by the Chinese people. He also expressed great gratitude to the support from all levels of Chinese governments over the past nine years and hoped that more Americans and Chinese will visit the heritage park and cherish the history and friendship between the two countries. He quoted lines from CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin’s speech on the Chinese dream of happiness and peace, “The dream of peace is also the dream of the world. To transcend civilization differences and join hands to work together is the only choice for us to realize our dreams.” After the opening ceremony, Chinese and American guests toured the park. The Flying Tiger Guilin Heritage Park started construction in July 2011. Located at the former site of Yang Tang Airport, it has such historical relics as the Command Post Cave, Observing Stone of General Chennault, and aircraft bunkers. It is the only existing command post of the Flying Tigers in China. The American Flying Tigers Historical Organization donated over 300 historic items to the Park such as military uniforms, medals, and photos related to the Flying Tigers.

On March 27, 2015, as an important program within the framework of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2015，the ASEAN-China Governors/Mayors’Dialogue (ACGMD) was held at Boao, Hainan. Leaders from 16 provinces and cities in China and ASEAN countries attended the Dialogue. Through in-depth discussions on the theme of “Local Cooperation: Driving Force to Build a Community of Common Destiny”, the representatives reached various consensus and signed the Joint Statement Issued by the ASEAN-China Governors/Mayors’Dialogue. Vice President Lin Yi of CPAFFC hosted the Dialogue and made a speech. The representatives proposed that the ACGMD be held annually at Boao during the BFA annual conferences. They also agreed to share their achievements and opportunities and seek common development through enhanced local cooperation in an open and inclusive spirit, including the exchanges in connectivity, maritime cooperation, investment, tourism, agriculture and culture, so as to promote the mutual trust and friendship between China and ASEAN and push the bilateral relationship to a new height. The Chinese attendants include Governor Liu Cigui of Hainan Province, Mayor Huang Qifan of Chongqing Municipality, Vice Mayor Yan Qingmin of Tianjin Municipality, Vice Governor Wang Lixia of Shaanxi Province, Mayor Miao Ruilin of Nanjing City, Vice Mayor Xie Shuangcheng of Hangzhou City and Vice Mayor Dong Xiaoli of Qingdao City. Their ASEAN representatives are: Deputy Chairman Mansor B M Yassin of Municipal Board from Bandar Seri Begawan of Brunei Darussalam, Governor Lorn Limthay of Kampong Cham Province of Cambodia, Vice Governor Trac Thai Sieng of Phnom Penh of Cambodia, Governor Made Mangku Pastika of Bali Province of Indonesia, Vice Governor Keophilavanh Aphaylath of Vientiane of Laos, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng of Penang State of Malaysia, Mayor U Hla Myint of Yangon of Myanmar, Provincial Parliament Member Celestino A. Martinez III of Cebu Province of the Philippines and Vice Governor Punlop Singhasenee of Phuket Province of Thailand.