The world is experiencing a special situation due to outbreak of novel coronavirus. The virus has mostly affected China and its people, with individuals and businesses adversely influenced. However, the people are strong enough to fight and win the battle against the virus. The Chinese government responded swiftly and with great resolve to the public health emergency and mobilizing all its resources to overcome the critical situation in Hubei province where the outbreak has been the most severe. Iran, my country, has been also affected the novel coronavirus and unfortunately 54 people have died by Sunday and many more have been infected.This is not the first biological threat to humans and will not be the last. There have been several epidemics since the beginning of 21st century, although the West has mostly has managed to avoid the worst, but it does not mean that an epidemic will never seriously trouble those parts of the world. Biological threats are every country's problem, not only those that are most badly challenged by the emergence of a serious public health threat.In the case of the novel coronavirus, which is clearly a serious threat to people around the world considering how highly contagious it is, I think that there has been insufficient international coordination, and countries and airlines individually decided how to manage their relationships with China, which have obviously been ineffective. There has also been a lack of public awareness campaigns informing people of what they can do to minimize the risks of transmission. And concerted efforts by countries to counter the spread of the virus have been too little, too late.However, I believe we can turn the current threat into opportunity by training and educating people to adopt higher health standards, which contribute to the prevention of an outbreak. The role of NGOs is crucial in making people more aware of the importance of simple hygiene measures. On the national level, countries have to collectively design and individually implement more robust healthcare systems. People have to be able to trust their countries' health systems in critical circumstances. On the international level, countries need to enhance their cooperation on health issues. Stronger public health ties among countries will facilitate collaboration in times of crisis. I think a new international coordination mechanism to specifically manage biological risks should be considered.China and the world will definitely win the battle against the novel coronavirus. All people with any kind of humanity are supporting the people who are affected by the virus in any way. As Persian poet Sa'adi (1210-1291) wrote:"The sons of Adam are limbs of each other, having been created of one essence. When the calamity of time affects one limb, the other limbs cannot remain at rest."We all have to rethink our roles in human society so we are better prepared for the future public health challenges that are sure to emerge.The author is Mostafa Mohammadi, visiting lecturer of management in Shahid Beheshti University of Iran, and Head of Youth Committee, Iran-China Friendship AssociationOriginal link:https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202003/02/WS5e5ca6e4a31012821727b9c9.html

On Jan. 7, Vice President Hu Sishe met with Mr. Kadir Tanridagli, Chairman of Turkey-China Cultural Exchange and Cooperation Association (TCCA).Vice President pointed out that China and Turkey have maintained close exchanges among the people and enjoy great potential for cooperation. Turkey is a country along the Belt and Road. CPAFFC will work hard to promote Belt and Road cooperation and advance cultural exchanges and mutual learning with Belt and Road countries. Vice President Hu Sishe hoped that both sides can work together to hold the Dialogue Between Chinese and Turkish Historic and Cultural Cities, forging a platform for enhancing mutual understanding between the historic and cultural cities from both countries.Chairman of TCCA said that the two peoples share deep friendship and TCCA, a Turkish non-governmental organization, wish to increase contact with CPAFFC and promote people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, sharing the development opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative.Both sides had an in-depth discussion and reached agreement on future cooperation.Mr. Ji Wei and Ms. Jia Ling, Deputy Directors General of Cultural Exchange Department of CPAFFC,  also attended the meeting.  Photographed by Wang Lijuan

On the morning of December 31，2019, Vice President Lin Yi met with President Haider Al Rubeiy of Iraq-China Friendship Association in Beijing.The two sides exchanged views on bilateral people-to-people friendly relations and cooperation in the areas of economy and trade, culture and etc. They hoped the two associations could deepen communication and cooperation in the new year, and make greater contribution to our two nations and peoples.Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Beijing Dr. Bahir Mirdan，Vice President of the Chinese Arab Friendship Association and former Board Chairman of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Mr. Yuan Li, and Deputy Director General of Asia-Afirca Department of the CPAFFC Mrs. Tang Ruimin attended the meeting.Photographed by Liu Lu

In the afternoon of December 23th, CPAFFC held China-Japan Youth Friendly Exchange Convention in the Great Hall of the People. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu sent congratulation letters respectively on behalf of Chinese and Japanese governments. President Li Xiaolin, vice president Song Jingwu of CPAFFC, director general of Department of Asian Affairs of Foreign Ministry Wu Jianghao, former Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary and president of Japan-China Association for Promotion of Friendly & Cultural Exchange Kawamura Tateo, chief envoy of Japanes embassy in China Ueno Atsushi as well as representatives of relevant organisations of both countries as well as Chinese and Japanese youth representatives adding up to about 1200 people attended the convention.President Li Xiaolin said in her speech, it is a grand occasion of 2019 China-Japan Youth Exchange and Promotion Year that over two thousand young people from China and Japan gathered in Beijing and attended the China-Japan Youth Friendly Exchange Convention. The congratulation letters of State Councilor Wang Yi and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu mark the great importance attached by both governments to the young exchange. The youth is the hope of the country and the nation, which also holds the future of relations of both countries. CPAFFC held the opening ceremony of 2019 China-Japan Youth Exchange & Promotion Year successfully in April and worked together with multiple Japanese organisations to have co-organized mutual visits of over two thousand young people of both countries, launched friendly exchange events of diverse aspects and various forms. Through mutual visits and exchanges, the youth of both countries have gained objective and more rational understanding of the opposite country and have built a bond of heart in the new meeting. Looking into the future, CPAFFC would continuously work with all sectors of chinese and Japanese societies as well as all locals to strengthen exchanges of young people and to make contributions to establishing a better future for China-Japan relations together.Kawamura Tateo said in his speech, Japan and China have long history of friendly exchanges, whose basis is exactly the mutual understanding and trust of both people. A bright future for Japan-China friendship can only be achieved through friendly exchanges of young people of both countries. In 2019, China-Japan Youth Exchange & Promotion Year, both sides launched various exchange events, of which the China-Japan Youth Friendly Exchange Convention is the largest event and can be described as a mile stone of Japan-China youth exchange events. He hoped that youth exchange between both countries can be continuously expanded and implemented.Young representatives of both countries shared their thoughts about exchanges respectively and gave varieties of performances with characteristics of both countries.

The event to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People was held in Beijing on December 3rd by the CPAFFC in cooperation with the Embassy of the State of Palestine and the Beijing Foreign Language Studies University (BFSU). Special Envoy of the Chinese Government for the Middle East Mr. Zhai Jun, CPAFFC Vice President Madam Lin Yi, BFSU President Mr. Yang Dan, representative of the diplomatic corps of Arab countries to China as well as Ambassador of Bahrain Dr. Anwar Alabdulla, Ambassador of Palestine Mr. Fariz Mehdawi, head of the Mission of the League of Arab states to China Mr. Mahmud Elamin, and above 200  delegates from various countries attended the event.Special Envoy Zhai Jun delivering a speech Ambassador of Bahrain Anwar Alabdulla speaking on behalf of the diplomatic corps of Arab countries to China Head of the Mission of the League of Arab states to China Mahmud Elamin reading the Message from Secretary-General of Arab League Ahmed Aboul-GheitAmbassador of Palestine Fariz Mehdawi reading the Message from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas BFSU President Yang Dan delivering a speechDelegates from various countries attending the event

On November 29th ,vice president of CPAFFC Hu Sishe met with Kazuhiko Oigawa, governor of Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, Kawazu Takashi, Speaker of the Ibaraki Parliament and Japan-China Friendship Association of Ibaraki as well as Ogawa Haruki, mayor of Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture and other delegates.On behalf of president Li Xiaolin, vice president Hu welcomed the visit of governor Kazuhiko and his delegates. He pointed out that people-to-people exchanges has played an important role for long in the China-Japan relations. CPAFFC and Japan-China Friendship Association have done tremendous work in this very area including multiple events of municipal government exchange. The China-Japan relations have improved remarkably at present and this opportunity should be taken to further strengthen the China-Japan municipal government cooperation, which has a solid foundation of public will among both peoples. Vice president Hu highly endorsed the proposals of Ibaraki such as strengthening cooperation of high-tech and giant panda protection with China, establishment of friendly municipal relations between Ibaraki and Hitachi with China etc. and would support the consultation with relevant chinese municipal governments. He also suggested that Ibaraki should firstly establish a general framework of cooperation with chinese municipal governments using support of CPAFFC and actively attend the relevant events such as China-Japan Governor Forum, so as to develop economic and cultural cooperation more pragmaticly and to reach higher goals at the existing basis.Governor Kazuhiko thanked the warm reception of vice president Hu and highly appreciated the efforts of CPAFFC promoting China-Japan people-to-people exchanges. He introduced the contact situation between Ibaraki and China. Governor Kazuhiko praised the economic achievements of China and said, facing serious population issue, Japan should strive to develop cooperation with China in areas such as economy, personnel etc., in order to maintain development vitality. As a symbol of Ibaraki strengthening China-Japan friendly cooperation, Ibaraki is working hard to bring in giant pandas from China. With strong scientific research force and well-developed industry, Ibaraki is able to ensure the survival and reproduction of giant pandas. Meanwhile, it is hoped to establish friendly partnership between Ibaraki and Hitachi with chinese municipal governments, by which suggestions and support from CPAFFC are expected. Deputy director general of Department of East Asian Affairs, Ms. Zhu Dan, director general of China Service Center for Friendship and Cooperation with Foreign Countries, Mr. Zhang Juxiang also attended the meeting.Photographed by Jiang Fengguo

On 26th November, vice president of CPAFFC Song Jingwu met with Mr. Ezhov, director general of Information & Municipal Affairs Bureau, Russian International Cultural Cooperation Agency (RICCA) and Ms. Kasyanova, representative of RICCA in Beijing and director general of Beijing Russian Culture Center. Vice president Song exchanged in-depth views with the guests in terms of youth exchange, municipal cooperation as well as  ideas of organising activities in coordination with official projects as well as the China-Russia Theme Year and reached multiple agreements. Both sides expressed the will to further intensify the contact, to promote the level of people-to-people exchanges of both countries and to consolidate the foundation of society and public will for bilateral relations.

On 18th November, vice president of CPAFFC Hu Sishe met with H.E. Anwar Al-Abdullah, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain in China on his visit in CPAFFC.Vice president Hu said, this year marks the 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Kingdom of Bahrain. Both countries had close contact since the ancient silk road time, especially in terms of economy, trade and cultural exchanges. It is hoped that both sides could launch more cultural and economic exchanges under the framework of Belt-and-Road Initiative.H.E. Anwar Al-abdullah said, the chinese Belt-and-Road Initiative fits the perspective of Bahrain’s economic development well and the economic cooperation between both countries has been rapidly developed in recent years. He hoped to work closely with CPAFFC and commonly promote the cooperation and exchanges in various fields.Deputy director General of China Service Center for Friendship and Cooperation with Foreign Countries, Hu Yang also attended the meeting.

On November 18, Mme. Lin Yi, Vice President of CPAFFC, met with H.E. Mr. Saramady Toure, Guinean Ambassador to China.Vice President Lin Yi congratulated Ambassador Toure on assuming his new post to China and said that Guinea is the first sub-Saharan African country to establish diplomatic relations with China. Guinea is a good brother and partner of China. The CPAFFC always attaches great importance to the friendly cooperation with Guinea. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Guinea. CPAFFC will co-host a celebration reception with the Guinean Embassy in China.Ambassador Toure expressed his thanks to CPAFFC for cooperation with the Embassy in hosting the reception.  He said that Guinea is always grateful for assistance from China and the reception is expected to reflect the profound friendship between the two countries. The Guinean Embassy will continue to maintain close ties with CPAFFC on related matters.Mr. Li Hai, Deputy Director-General of the Asian-African Affairs Department of CPAFFC, Mr. Bah Maadjou, Political Counselor, and Mr. Diane Sidikiba, Economic Counselor of the Guinean Embassy in China, were present at the meeting.

On November 15, Vice President Lin Yi met with the outgoing Ambassador of Oman to China Abdullah Saleh Hilah Al Saadi.Mrs. Lin thanked Ambassador Saadi for his great support to the CPAFFC over the past years. Reviewing the events jointly hosted by the CPAFFC and the Omani Embassy, she wished for Ambassador Saadi’s continuous efforts in promoting bilateral people-to-people friendship in the future. Lin said, we are willing to join hands with the Omani side to further the development of bilateral relations as well as our people-to-people friendship. Ambassador Saadi thanked the CPAFFC for its contribution on the development of bilateral ties and the enhancement of China-Oman people-to-people exchanges during his term. He said that the embassy will continue to support and cooperate with CPAFFC as a bridge between the two countries.Deputy Director General Mr. Li Hai of the Asia-Afirca Department also attended the meeting.