Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of China''s National People''s Congress (NPC), joined visiting Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou-Nguesso at a reception to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Congo in Beijing, June 13, 2014. Zhang and Sassou-Nguesso addressed the event, which was conducted by Li Xiaolin, President of reception host-the Chinese People''s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. Zhang mentioned in his speech, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of the Congo formally established diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level in 1964. In this half-century, people of the two countries are as close as brothers and forged a sincere friendship. The bilateral relations between two countries become the model of South - South cooperation due to its healthy and steady development. Zhang pointed out that, over the past 50 years, the two countries stick through thick and thin, seek common development and sincere cooperation and foster a friendly and lasting friendship. Reviewing the history of friendly relations between China and Congo, it is found that China and Congo have always firmly supported each other on their major interests, sought common development in mutually beneficial cooperation,  and helped each other in difficulties, all of which is a true portrayal of our traditional friendship. We must cherish from generation to generation to carry forward.    Zhang also said that, today Chinese people are committed to realizing the Chinese dream of the nations’ great rejuvenation while Africans are working to achieve the African dream of unity, development and revitalization and the Congolese are forging ahead in unity to realize the Congolese dream of a democratic and prosperous nation. Zhang said the Chinese dream shares broad common with the African dream and the Congolese dream, adding that both China and Congo are working on opportunities and national rejuvenation. China''s development will bring about ever-greater space of cooperation for Africa and all other countries in the world and the development of the Republic of Congo and Africa will provide a bigger arena for China to carry out cooperation between the two sides. Zhang reiterated China''s commitment to developing relations with Africa with “sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith”. Over the past five decades, the two countries have developed a vigorous, win-win partnership that has born rich fruits. He said the past 50 years marked a half-century of true friendship, solidarity and commitment. He said the Republic of Congo would continue to expand friendly cooperation with China and make joint efforts to realize freedom, dignity and development. Zhang said China is ready to implement the consensus that the two heads of state reached during Chinese President Xi Jinping''s visit to the Republic of Congo in March 2013. According to Zhang, China will further enhance mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and deepen fraternal friendship with the Republic of Congo, to promote the comprehensive cooperative partnership featuring solidarity and mutual assistance. Sassou-Nguesso said over the past five decades, the two countries have developed a vigorous, win-win partnership that has born rich fruits. The past 50 years marked a half-century of true friendship, solidarity and commitment. He said that under the leadership of The Communist Party, China has achieved the quick development of economy and maintained a stable environment in terms of politic and society. And the Republic of Congo will continue to expand friendly cooperation with China and make joint efforts to realize freedom, dignity and development. Totally 170 guests attended the reception, including former Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and President of the Chinese-African People’s Friendship Association(CAPFA) Abdul’ahat Abdurixit, Director of Foreign Affairs Committee of NPC Fu Ying, Director of Agriculture and Village Committee of NPC Chen Jianguo, Deputy Secretary-General and Deputy Director of Foreign Affairs Committee of NPC Cao Weizhou, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Zhang Ming, Vice Minister of Education Liu Limin, Vice Minister of Commerce Li Jinzao, Vice Minister of Culture Yang Zhijin, Vice President of the CPAFFC and CAPFA Feng Zuoku, Ambassador of China to Congo Guan Jian, the visiting Congolese delegation and the Congolese mission to China.  During the reception, students of the China-Congo Friendship Primary School from Yushu, Qinghai Province performed unique Tibetan dance.

On June 10th, the Second China-Poland Forum on Local Cooperation organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the people’s government of Guangdong province, Infrastructure and Regional Development Ministry of Poland, the Polish Foreign Ministry, was held in Guangzhou. Mme. Li Xiaolin, President of CPAFFC, Mme. Zhao Yufang, Vice Governor of Guangdong, Mr. Marcin Kubiak, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development of Poland, Mr. Wies?aw Byczkowski, Vice Governor of Pomerania and other major leaders from China and Poland attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. The theme of the forum is Sustainable Urbanization, with four panel discussions on topic of City Reconstruction and Historical Protection, Environmental Protection-New Energy and Recycling Economy, City Image building and Sustainable Tourism, Education-The Commercialization and Application of Research Findings of Colleges and Universities. Those topics fully demonstrate that the forum is practical and the cooperation is wide-ranged. The forum has drawn wide attention and participation from all walks of life of China and Poland. Around 200 people attended the forum, including 140 representatives from over 20 provinces and cities of China, and around 50 Polish guests from Poland Central Government and 5 provinces: Pomerania, Malpolska, Lower Silesia, Silesia and Lodzkie. Fuoshan City of China and City of Starogard of Poland signed the Agreement on Establishment of Friendship Cities, Southern Medical University of China and Medical University of Lodz signed the agreement of cooperation. The Awarding Ceremony for Friendly Cooperation between China and Poland and City Promotion Activities took place after the forum.

Invited by Association for Sri Lanka-China Social and Cultural Cooperation (ASLCSCC), a CPAFFC delegation comprising 4 delegates led by the Vice-President of the CPAFFC, Hu Sishe, visited Sri Lanka from June 5th to 9th, 2014. During the visit, the delegation attended the ceremony of planting friendship trees and releasing the dove of peace as well as the commemorating meeting organized by the ASLCSCC to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the CPAFFC , visited the University of Kelaniya and the University of Peradeniya, and held discussions with friendship organizations such as Sri Lanka-China Friendship Association and Sri Lanka-China Society. The delegation has gained a thorough understanding of the current situation of people-to-people communications between Sri Lanka and China, further discussed cooperations in various fields and reached many consensuses.

At the invitation of Jamaica-China Friendship Association, a CPAFFC delegation headed by Mr. Bai Lichen, the former vice chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and the adviser of the CPAFFC visited Jamaica from June 7th to 9th. The delegation had meetings with Mr. Patrick Allen, Governor of Jamaica and Mme. Portia Simpson-Miller, Prime Minister of Jamaica respectively. Bai Li Chen recalled the long lasting friendship between China and Jamaica. He said the Chinese government attached great importance to the friendly partnership relation jointly established and developed by both countries. China and Jamaica are both developing countries. The two countries should work together and help each other, to seek common development jointly. He hoped that Jamaica could issue and perfect the related policy to attract foreign investment. The CPAFFC would like to assist Jamaica continuously as the role of a bridge. Governor Allen said the friendly relation between China and Jamaica had lasted over 200 years. The non-governmental friendship had paved the way for official contact. He wished himself as patron of Jamaica-China Friendship Association, would continuously promote and deepen the two people’s mutual understanding and friendship. Prime Minister Simpson-Miller thanked the delegation for inviting her to visit the CPAFFC during her visit to China last year. She hoped to further cement the contact with China in economy and trade, and enhance the cooperation with China in fields of service industry, info-technology, science, agricultural product processing and etc. Senator Arnold Joseph Nicholson, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Mr. Pickersgill, Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Fay Pickersgill, President of Jamaica China Friendship Association presented at the meetings. 

On June 5, the reception of China - UK Youth Exchange Project on Documentary Filmmaking: Ten Persons’ Stories took place in the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries(CPAFFC). CPAFFC, together with the China Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) and Edinburgh Napier University (Napier) of UK jointly launched the project. Students from the Department of Film and Media Art,CAFA have made 5 short documentaries on 5 British citizens living in China. Students from Film School of Arts & Creative Industries, Edinburgh Napier University have made 5 short documentaries on 5 Chinese living in UK. By inviting film major students from these two universities to make themed short documentaries and conducting exchange visits, the project provides both students and audience a chance to view Chinese and British culture and society from a new perspective so as to enhance mutual understanding and appreciation between the two peoples. Vice President Li Jianping of CPAFFC, Ms. Xu Jia, Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges of CAFA, Prof. Wang Shuibo of CAFA, Mr. Paul Gray from Napier and the students from both universities delivered the speech. Officials from Scottish Affairs Office of British Embassy, Members of China EU Association and students from universities in Beijing attended the premier.

On May 31, 2014, the Celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Diplomatic Relationship between China and Malaysia was held at the Great Hall of the People. Nearly 300 people from different circles in the two countries attended the celebration, including Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng, First Secretary of Central Communist Youth League Qin Yizhi, Party Secretary of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Peng Qinghua, President of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Chen Wu, Chinese ambassador to Malaysia Huang Huikang and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife. This event was cohosted by CPAFFC, Malaysia-China Friendship Association and Embassy of Malaysia. Li Keqiang said in his speech, this day marks a special milestone in the history of China-Malaysia friendship. On this day 40 years ago, Premier Zhou Enlai and Prime Minister Abdul Razak of Malaysia jointly signed the China-Malaysia Joint Communiqué, which made Malaysia among the first ASEAN countries that established diplomatic relationship with China. It opened a new chapter in the history of the China-Malaysia relationship, and also ushered in a new era of China''s relations with the ASEAN countries. As friendly neighbors, China and Malaysia are pioneers and models of friendly cooperation in the region. Li Keqiang pointed out, over the past 40 years, the China-Malaysia relations, with flourishing vitality and strong momentum, have stepped onto a track of comprehensive, stable and practical development. The sapling of the China-Malaysia relations planted 40 years ago has grown into a lofty tree with luxuriant foliage. China is willing to work with Malaysia to better integrate the mutually beneficial cooperation with each other''s development strategy, and further enhance regional cooperation and jointly create a brighter future for Asia, making the 40-year-old China-Malaysia relations achieve fruitful results constantly to bring more benefits to the two peoples. Li Keqiang said, the China-Malaysia relations have been more mature through all the tests and challenges. After the incident of the missing Malaysia Airlines passenger flight occurred, China has maintained close cooperation with all relevant parties, never stopped the search work, and paid high attention to the investigation and settlement of the incident. China is willing to join efforts with Malaysia to remain fully committed to searching for the flight and properly manage the relevant follow-up issues so as to enable the China-Malaysia relations and friendship to stand tests. Najib said in his speech that 40 years ago, his father, the then Prime Minister Abdul Razak of Malaysia resolutely came to China to open "a journey of goodwill and friendship to sow the seeds of mutual understanding between Malaysia and China". Leaders of the two countries jointly opened up a new era for the Malaysia-China relations. Over the past 40 years, with the joint efforts of both sides, Malaysia-China friendship has become even stronger as time goes by and Malaysia-China cooperation has achieved fruitful results, bringing benefits to the two peoples. Malaysia expresses deep sorrow for the incident of the missing Malaysia Airlines passenger flight, and thanks the Chinese government for providing strong support for Malaysia in the process of handling the incident. Malaysia will spare no effort to carry out the search work and properly manage the aftermath. He believed that Malaysia-China friendship will become firmer and closer through tests. Najib said that with the rising position of Asia, Malaysia expects to forge a partnership with China in achieving common development, promoting prosperity and safeguarding peace, and to enhance exchanges and cooperation with China in all fields, making new contributions to the prosperity and stability of the two countries and the region at large. Li Keqiang and Najib then signed the Joint Communiqué of the 40th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Diplomatic Relationship between China and Malaysia. They presented each other with commemorative coins and first-day covers in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relationship between China and Malaysia.

The China-Malaysia Friendship Evening banquet, marking the 40th anniversary of the bilateral relations co-hosted by CPAFFC, Malaysia-China Friendship Association and Malaysia Embassy in China, was held in Beijing on May 31st, 2014. Madame Gu Xiulian, President of China-ASEAN Association(CAA), the visiting Prime Minister Najib Razak of Malaysia together with more than 800 people from the two countries in various circles attended the banquet. President Gu Xiulian expressed that China and Malaysia are close and friendly neighbors and enjoy time-honored people-to-people friendly exchanges. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 40 years ago, the bilateral relations have made smooth development and witnessed broad cooperation in various areas. As people-to-people friendship serves a solid foundation of inter-government relations, the CPAFFC and CAA will continue to play an active role in this regard for the further development of China-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership relations. Prime Minister Najib said that the communication of the past 40 years has proved China as an important friend of Malaysia and a partner to realize prosperity and peace. Malaysia and China have common dreams and social development goals. The Chinese dream will bring opportunities to the world and connects with the Vision 2020 of Malaysia. Najib thanked the Chinese government for sending two giant pandas and believed the next 40 years’ development of Malaysia-China relations would have a better future. President Gu Xiulian met Prime Minister Najib before the dinner and congratulated him on the success of the visit. Najib thanked CAA and CPAFFC’s support to the development of the bilateral relations. Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin, Vice Governor Zhang Xiaoqin of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Huang Hui Kang, CPAFFC Vice President Feng Zuoku and Party Secretary Han Zhen of Beijing Foreign Studies University attended the meeting and the banquet.

The Red Thread (Le Fil Rouge), a China-France musical and choreographic work planned by the CPAFFC, Beijing International Culture & Art Corp., Ltd and Pavillon Rouge Rouge des Arts, was created and performed from April 16 to May 23 in China. The project was lauched as part of 2014 Croisements Festival in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic establishemnt between China and France. President Li Xiaolin and French ambassador Sylvie Bermann wrote inscriptions for the performances. Vice President Xie Yuan attended the press conference and watched its debut. The Red Thread held 4 performances in China that were highly credited by the audience, and will tour France in September. The project has support from French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, French Ministry of Culture, French Embassy in China, French Cultural Center, and French Consulate General in Guangzhou. CCTV-10 recorded the rehearsal in a 40-minute documentary. China National Radio, China Radio International and other mainstream media gave special coverage of the project.  The idea of the dance comes from French choreographer Kilina Cremona who is inspired by and shares personal tragedy with Chinese dancer Liu Yan. As a leading dancer, Liu Yan got injured in an accident during the last rehearsal before the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. She had to bid farewell to the stage and adjust to life on wheelchair. Kilina Cremona, an accomplished contemporary dancer, was disabled by a hearing impairment overnight. She left the stage since then and embarked on choreography. At the news of Liu Yan’s injury, Kilina decided to bring her back to stage. The idea of their cooperation was materialized by the 50th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations. In addition to the tour, French special educationists held 3 art workshops respectively for deaf, blind and normal children in Beijing and Guangzhou, where children are exposed to music and drama, and told that every child, disabled or not, has the right and opportunity to enjoy arts and to mount the stage. The tour of The Red Thread enables true cultural interactions and exchanges between China and France，in a sense that it is ont only a fantastic performance, but a spiritual feast showing people strength and human concern.  

On May 22nd, Vice President Li Jianping of CPAFFC met with the delegation headed by Mr. José Manuel, President of Chamber of Commerce and Investment between China and Dominica, and Mr. Enrique Antonio, President of Reservation Bank of Dominica Republic.  Vice President Li Jianping extended his welcome to the delegation for their visit to CPAFFC, and briefed the guest about the work of CPAFFC on Dominican affairs and the commemorative events marking 60th anniversary of CPAFFC. He sorted out in details of the Dominican financiers and businessmen’s current situation and demands when they have economic contact with China, and expressed the willingness of CPAFFC to offer more support to strengthen the people-to-people friendship and economic relation between China and Dominica. Mr. José Manuel thanked President Li Jianping for take time for the meeting in his tight schedule. He emphasized that, the flourish of China’s economy is important to Dominica’s foreign trade. He hoped the civil business contact between the two countries could be deepened. Mr. Enrique Antonio introduced the cooperation plan with the related Chinese financial institutions. Mme. Rosa del Carmen Ng Báez, Representative of Trade Development Office in China of Republic of Dominica attended the meeting. 

At the invitation of the CPAFFC, Hon. Ekwee Ethuro, Speaker of the Senate of Kenya, led a 19-people delegation to pay a visit to Beijing, Yangzhou, Nanjing and Xuzhou from May 14 to 22, 2014. During their stay in Beijing, the delegation attended China International Friendship Conference in Commemoration of 60th Anniversary of CPAFFC, and TV production program “Gathering of 60 Years “ in Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of CPAFFC. CPPCC Vice Chairman H.E. Mr. Ma Peihua and President of the Chinese-African People’s Friendship Association H.E. Mr. Abdul’ahat Abdurixit met with or hosted dinner for the delegation respectively. In Jiangsu Province, Vice Chairman of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Congress Mr. Zhao Peng, President of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Friendship Association Mme. Wu Xijun, Honorary President of Nanjing Municipal People’s Friendship Association Mr. Wang Zhengsheng, Vice Chairman of Yangzhou People’s Congress Mr. Chen Weiqing and Vice Chairperson of Xuzhou People’s Congress Mme. Yuan Jianfen met with the delegation respectively. The group also held talks with the senior officials of China Communications Construction Company, China Road and Bridge Corporation and Sinohydro Corporation, and paid visit to Muyang Group and XCMG Group.