On September 8th, Vice President Hu Sishe attended the 2014 China (Xiamen) International Forum for Friendship Cities co-hosted by CPAFFC, CIFCA, Fujian Provincial People’s Government and Xiamen Municipal Government in Xiamen. Aimed at enhancing practical exchanges and cooperation between cities in areas of economy and trade, science and technology, culture, health, environment protection and tourism, this forum is a major event during the 18th China International Fair for Investment & Trade. The theme of the forum is seeking cooperation and development among international friendship cities in new media era. There are about 300 guests from home and abroad present at the forum. On behave of CPAFFC and CIFCA, Hu extended the sincere congratulations to the successful convening of the forum and spoke highly of the achievements Xiamen has made in friendship cities development. He also mentioned that CPAFFC and CIFCA will host the 2014 China International Friendship Cities Conference in late November in Guangzhou and invited the present guests to attend the conference. During the forum, Hu was interviewed by People’s Daily Online, and he also attended the signing ceremony of friendship exchange MOU between Xiamen and Prince George’s County, USA.

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Federated States of Micronesia, CPAFFC held the banquet in Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on the 10th, September. Mr. Wang Zhengwei, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference attended the banquet. Altogether around 50 people, including representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Culture and diplomats from the Federated States of Micronesia, the Kingdom of Tonga, Vanuatu and Fiji the Pacific as well as representatives from Islands Forum Trade Office joined the banquet. Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice President of CPAFFC pointed out that since the founding of diplomatic relations 25 years ago, China and Micronesia enjoyed frequent high-level exchanges and cooperations in all fields developed steadily. Moreover, understanding and friendship between the two peoples have greatly enhanced. We have become close friends along the years. We would like to take this opportunity of 25 anniversary of diplomatic relations to work together with Micronesian friends, and develop the friendly relations of cooperation between our two countries to a new hight. His Excellency Mr. Akillino H. Susaia, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federated States of Micronesia expressed appreciation for aids and supports from China to Micronesia in different fields in his speech. In addition, His Excellency spoke highly of the role that CPAFFC played in furthering relationship between the two peoples. Apart from that, Mr. Ambassador reiterated FSM’s commitment to support and adherence to the “One China” policy. His Exellency also expressed his wish in furthering friendly exchanges and cooperations in the field of culture, education and tourism, etc and pursue the pinnacle of Micronisia-China relationship. Before the banquet, Mr. Wang Zhengwei, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC met with His Excellency Mr. Akillino H. Susaia. Vice Presidnet Xie Yuan and Mr. Cong Peiwu, Director-General of the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs of Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended the meeting.

Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao said Thursday that China will work with the United States to promote bilateral ties. Li made the remarks as he met former U.S. President Jimmy Carter in the Great Hall of the People when they attended the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Li said both sides should implement the consensus reached by Chinese and U.S. leaders and be firmly committed to building a new model of major-power relationship between the two countries. Li said it will be healthy for the two countries to develop bilateral relations on the principle of non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation. Carter said as a witness to the development of bilateral ties, he is willing to make more efforts to promote friendly U.S.-China relations. 、

On Sept, 3rd, CPAFFC Vice President Li Jianping met with Congressman Filip De Winter, Chairman of Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest Party) and Mr. Freddy Van Gaever, Honorary Congressman of Belgium and their wives. Vice President Li Jianping welcomed Mr. Filip De Winter and his wife, and Mr. Freddy Van Gaever and his wife to visit China on behalf of CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin. Vice President Li appreciated that the congressmen as the leaders of the Belgian congress has made great contributions to promoting friendly exchanges and developing pragmatic cooperation between China and Belgium, and wished their visit to China a success. The friendly exchanges between China and Belgium have lasted for long. Especially in recent years, the economic cooperation is getting closer and non-governmental friendly contact is enriching constantly. The main tasks of the CPAFFC is to develop friendly exchanges with all countries in the world and promote pragmatic cooperation of regions. In September last year, the CPAFFC received Mr. Kris Peeters, First Minister of Flemish Region and the both sides had a very friendly communication. Mr. Freddy Van Gaever thanked Vice President Li for CPAFFC’s invitation. He said, he has been to China for over 20 times. The speed of development of China is highly commended. He also spoke highly of the efforts that the CPAFFC has made in friendly exchanges between China and Belgium. Mr. Filip De Winter introduced that the aim of their visit is to promote to establish free trade zone in Antwerp, the second largest harbor in Belgium. He also mentioned P. Ferdinand Verbiest, the well-known Belgian astronomer has forged deep friendship with China long time ago. He suggested Izegem, his hometown, to establish friendly relation with the counter cities or regions in China. Vice President Li Jianping said, China and Belgium now have 26 pairs of friendship cities. How to promote those cities to develop more active cooperation will be CPAFFC’s future working direction. For the issue of Izegem, considering that the astronomical instruments manufactured with P. Ferdinand Verbiest’s supervision now are preserved in Ancient Beijing Observatory, Vice President Li Jianping suggested Izegem to establish friendly relation with Dongcheng District of Beijing, the CPAFFC would provide this issue with assistance. The both sides also had in-depth discussions on traffic, environment, city construction and other issues.

On Aug. 29th., CPAFFC Vice President Hu Sishe met with and held a banquet for the delegation headed by H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Salman Al Khalifa, the member of royal family of The Kingdom of Bahrain, who is also the chairman of board of AL Mashael Group. At the invitation of CPAFFC, H.H. Sheikh and his 6-person delegation visited China from Aug 25th to 29th. With the assistance and arrangement of Dalian and Rizhao Municipal Foreign Affairs Office, the delegation visited Dalian and Rizhao city. In Dalian, the delegation paid an official call to Dalian Bonded Area Administrative Committee, and investigated at Western Pacific Petrochemical Company Ltd. Dalian. The delegation also had a meeting with Mr. Li Yongjin, the former mayor of Dalian City and the president of Dalian People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. In Rizhao, the delegation visited Shandong Sunrise Group, and had a meeting with Mr. Liu Xiliang, Member of Municipal Standing Committee of CPC and Vice-Mayor of Rizhao. Positive results were achieved in both cities. On Aug., 29th , the delegation held a seminar with Sinowing (Beijing) General Aviation Investment Management Center; both sides signed an agreement of strategic cooperation. The main purpose of H.H. Sheikh’s visit is to discuss with the CPAFFC on strengthening the cooperation of the both sides, at the same time to negotiate with CPAFFC and other related units on jointly developing the Chinese general aviation industry, establishing trade cooperation in crude oil, fuel, and hydrocarbon products.

On Aug 27th 2014, Vice President Feng Zuoku met with H.E. Mr. Sultan Salmeen Almansouri, Qatar Ambassador to China. Both sides exchanged the ideas of promoting the establishment of Qatar China Friendship Association and cooperation to participate in China Qatar Cultural Year activites. Ambassador Sultan hoped that the announcement of establishment of Qatar China Friendship Association would be at the witness of the leaders in both countries during the visit the Amir of Qatar to China in early November. He also hoped that CPAFFC could participated in the relevant activities of China Qatar Cultural Year in 2016. Vice President Feng Zuoku thanked Ambassador Sultan for his attention to promote people to people friendly exchanges between China and Qatar. He said the CPAFFC will keep in touch with the embassy for the establishment of Qatar China Friendship Association and the China Qatar Cultural Year activities.

On Aug. 26th, CPAFFC Vice President Xie Yuan met with Mr. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Indonesian Vice Minister of Defense and his group in Beijing. Vice President Xie Yuan greeted and welcomed Mr. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin to visit China. He briefed the Vice Minister of defense about the main status and history of the CPAFFC. He said, the friendly relation of peace between China and Indonesia has lasted for a long time. Especially in recent years, the economic cooperation has been brought into closer while the people’s contact has been constantly enriched. He thanked Mr. Sjamsoeddin for his long-term support to the CPAFFC, and his great efforts on promoting the establishment of China-Indonesia cooperated synthesis industries park covering steeling, shipbuilding, household electronic appliance. Mr. Sjamsoeddin thanked Vice President Xie Yuan and the CPAFFC for the invitation. He introduced the status of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense. He said, many friendly contacts between China and Indonesia are based on the cooperation of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense and the Chinese Government. He expressed Indonesia would like to develop more extensive cooperation in fields of environmental protection and resource exploration. He also mentioned he would visit Qingdao this time, and expected the CPAFFC would facilitate coastal cities in Indonesia to establish friendship-city relation with Qingdao. Afterwards, Vice President Xie Yuan fully recognized the contribution that Mr. Sjamsoeddin has done to China-Indonesia people-to-people friendly relation, and conferred him China-Indonesia Friendship Contribution Award. Mr. Sjamsoeddin was pleasantly surprised with being awarded and appreciated CPAFFC’s recognition encouragement on his work. Mr. Sun Xueqing, Deputy Dirctor-General of Department of Asian and African Affairs, Mr. He Chenguang, Vice President of China-Brazil Friendship Association attended the meeting.

On 20-24 August, Vice President Xie Yuan attended the annual meeting of U.S. National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The purpose of the visit is to promote the exchanges and explore the opportunities for future cooperation between our two organizations. During the meeting, Vice President Xie Yuan made a speech at the reunion reception held by Embassy of China for the U.S. State legislators who participated in study tours to China at the invitation of CPAFFC in recent years. After the meeting, Vice President Xie Yuan met with members of Minnesota Chapter, USCPFA.

The China International Yoga & Naturopathy Conference 2014 sponsored by the China India Friendship Association (CIFA) kicked off at the Capital Library on 23rd August 2014. Vice President Mr. Feng Zuoku of the CIFA, Mr. Alok Dimri, Political & Press Counsellor  of the Indian Embassy, Mr. Lin Xiaohai, the CIFA council member as well as Secretary General of the Organizing Committee of the Yoga Conference attended and addressed the opening ceremony. Health & fitness practitioners, health experts, managers of yoga institutes, yoga teachers and yoga fans totaling 700 persons attended the ceremony. This is the sixth Yoga Conference sponsored by the CIFA. The event will last for three days, with a variety of programs, such as yoga exhibition, charity auctions, yoga class, yoga competition, yoga-story collection and yoga year-book compilation, yoga tour to India, and etc.  

Mr. Chen Yuan, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and President of China-Russia Friendship Association(CRFA) met with Mr. Kalashnik, Vice President of Russia-China Businessmen Council (RCBC) and his delegation on August 22nd. Mr. Chen Yuan welcomed Kalashnik and his delegation to visit China. He spoke highly of RCBC’s contributions to the pragmatic cooperation of the two countries in economy and trade. He pointed out that the two countries had great cooperation potential in the fields of traffic, agriculture, energy, high-technique and etc.. At the same time he raised programs with unique strategic insight such as Pan-Asian High-Speed Railway. Vice President Kalashnik expressed that Mr.Chen Yuan’s views highly fitted with the ideas of RCBC. The RCBC would further promote the pragmatic cooperation of the two countries in the fields mentioned above. He also invited Mr.Chen Yuan to visit Russia and meet with Mr. Timchenko, President of RCBC at proper time. Li Jianping, Vice President of CPAFFC,  Mr. Song Jingwu  Dirctor-General of Department of  European and Asian Affairs, the correlative leaders of China Development Bank and China Russia Friendship Association attended the meeting.