The reception marking the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Djibouti jointly hosted by the CPAFFC, the Chinese-African People’s Friendship Association (CAPFA) and the Embassy of Djibouti was held in Beijing on January 8, 2014. Assistant Chinese Foreign Minister, Mr. Qian Hongshan, CPAFFC Vice President Mr. Feng Zuoku and about 350 participants from home and abroad attended the reception. Vice President Feng Zuoku Addressing the Recepetion Vice President Mr. Feng Zuoku said in his speech that the bilateral relations have withstood the test of time and the vicissitude of  international situation, and maintained healthy and smooth development in the past 35 years. In recent years, the mutual political trust between the two countries has been increased and the cooperation in various fields has been expanded and deepened. China is willing to take the opportunity of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, to implement various measures announced in the 5th Ministerial Conference of FOCAC together with Djibouti, and to promote China-Djibouti relations to a new level. Ambassador Abdallah Abdillahi Miguil Addressing the Reception H.E. Mr. Abdallah Abdillahi Miguil, Ambassador of Djibouti to China, spoke highly of the mutually beneficial cooperation and steady friendship between Djibouti and China, and appreciated the strong support in all aspects given by the Chinese government. He also believed that the bilateral cooperation will enjoy a greater prospect, and the strategic partnership of two sides will be consolidated and strengthened. Cutting Celebrating Cake

Vice president Xie Yuan met with Jose Maria Figueres, the former president of Costa Rica, and his delegation on December 19th ,2013. Figueres was elected as the president of Costa Rica from 1994 to 1998. His father, Jose Figueres Ferrer, was the founder and supreme leader of the National Liberation Party of Costa Rica, and served as President of Costa Rica on 3 occasions. Vice president Xie Yuan welcomed Figueres to China and introduced the work of CPAFFC and the people-to-people contact between China and Costa Rica. The both sides exchanged the ideas on cooperation on trade, tourism development and strengthening ecological environmental protection.

  On December 17, 2013, CPAFFC and CAFA held the reception commemorating the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People and the China-Arab Friendship Day in Beijing. About 150 officials and guests including Mr. Arken Imirbaki, Vice chairperson of the NPC National Committee, Mr. Zhang Ming, Vice Foreign Minister of China, Mr. Feng Zuoku, Vice President of CPAFFC and CAFA and other guests from Foreign Ministry, International Department of CPC, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Culture, official from the Embassy of Palestine and Arabic countries attended the reception.       CPAFFC Vice President Feng Zuoku said in his speech that China continuously supports Palestinian people in establishing, on the basis of the 1967 borders, an independent Palestinian state that enjoys full sovereignty with East Jerusalem as its capital and joins the international community. Last month, President Xi Jinping also sent his letter to the UN on the Commemoration of International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. China is ready to cooperate with Arabic countries for an early settlement of the Palestinian issue on a comprehensive and fair basis. Palestinian Ambassador Mr. Ahmad A. M. Ramadan thanked the Chinese government and people for the strong support for the Palestinian people''''''''s cause for justice.    

On Dec. 17th, the CPAFFC Vice President Feng Zuoku met with H.E. Mr. Magdy Amer, the new Egyptian Ambassador to China. Vice President Feng welcomed Ambassador Amer to come to China to take his new post, and briefed him about the situation of the CPAFFC developing friendly exchanges with Egypt and other Arab countries. Ambassador Amer said he was glad to meet his old friends again. He introduced the current status of China-Egypt relation and the development of the situation of Egypt. He said, although the political situation of Egypt was unstable, the state apparatus was still running regularly. Not long ago, the delegation of the Egyptian diplomats and the Egyptian foreign minister visited China respectively, the Egyptian minister of Economy, trade and electric power would also visit China soon, and exchange views with the relative Chinese departments. The Egyptian government fully realized that the contact with the world, especially the cooperation with China and other friendly countries was the key of development. At present, China and Russia showed understanding and provided support to the situation of Egypt, which was appreciated by Egypt. Egypt hoped China to provide Egypt’s development with strong support including canceling the tourism warning and prohibition to Egypt, so as to help the recovery of the industry of tourism of Egypt. Ambassador Amer also appreciated the CPAFFC’s  active role in promoting the people’s communication of China and other countries in the world. Egypt would like to study China’s experience to develop non-governmental organizations.

The reception marking the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Kenya and the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of Kenya hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the Chinese-African People’s Friendship Association (CAPFA) and the Kenya Embassy to China was held on December, 12 in Beijing. H.E. Mr. Luo Fuhe, Vice Chairperson of the National Committee of CPPCC, H.E. Mr. Zhang Ming, Vice Minister of Foreign Ministry, H.E. Mr. Feng Zuoku, Vice President of CPAFFC and CAPFA, H.E. Mr. Michael Kinyanjui, Kenyan Ambassador to China and about 100 other friendship personnels from China and Africa attended the reception. Vice President Feng Zuoku addressing the reception CPAFFC Vice President Mr. Feng Zuoku said in his remarks that the traditional friendship between China and Kenya has a long history and has developed steadily and healthily. The bilateral high-level exchanges has become more frequent, mutual political trust has been increased and our cooperations in various fields have been deepened. China and Kenya have maintained close coordination and cooperation in international affairs and always supported each other on the issues related to the core and major interests. China is willing to take the opportunity of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, to work together with Kenya to promote the China-Kenya friendship to a new stage. Kenyan Ambassador Michael Kinyanjui delivering speech Kenyan Ambassador Michael Kinyanjui praised China’s support and help to Kenya since its independence in his remarks. He said that Kenya would continue to promote the all-round and deepening cooperation with China for the further development of Kenya-China friendship.

  Vice President Feng Zuoku met with H.E.Mr.Tarek Amri, Tunisian new ambassador to China on Dec 12, 2013 and introduced the activities of our association. Ambassador Amri hoped that China could establish the China-Tunisia Friendship Association and cooperate with the embassy for the people-to-people friendship through mutual visits, exhibitions and youth exchanges. Ambassador Amri also mentioned that the embassy hopes to cooperate with CPAFFC for the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the bilateral relations and promotes the cooperation in all fields.  

To celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia and the China-Cambodia Friendship Year, H.E. Mme. Gu Xiulian, President of China-Cambodia Friendship Association led a delegation and paid a visit to Cambodia from December 3rd to 7th, 2013 at the invitation of H.E. Mr. Ek Sam Ol, President of Cambodia-China Friendship Association. Mr. Feng Zuoku, Vice President of CPAFFC and China-Cambodia Friendship Association accompanied Mme. Gu during the visit. Meeting with King Norodom Sihamoni Mme. Gu respectively met with His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, Her Majesty Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, H.R.H Princess Norodom Buppha Devy, Prime Minister H.E. Hun Sen, 1st Vice President of Senate H.E. Say Chhum, 1st Vice President of the National Assembly H.E. Nguon Nhel and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation H.E. Hor Namhong. Mme. Gu and Prime Minister H.E. Hun Sen also planted two trees which symbolize the everlasting friendship between China and Cambodia. Meeting with  Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk During this visit, the delegation held various celebration activities, such as the China-Cambodia Bringing Light Tour to conduct the free operations to 100 local cataract patients, the China-Cambodia Photo Exhibition on Cultural Relics, and the China-ASEAN Friendship Tour donation to Chaktomuk Primary School. H.E. Mrs. Bu Jianguo, China''s Ambassador to Cambodia, accompanied the delegation in main activities. Meeting with Prime Minister Hun Sen

On Dec. 6, the awards presentation and outstanding works exhibition of 2013 Family Love Photo Exhibition initiated by the CPAFFC were held. Mr. Xie Yuan, the vice president of the CPAFFC, Mr. Xu Qiang, the deputy secretary-general of Beijing  People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Mr. Zhao Yingxin, the president of China Photograph Press, Mr. Wu Liang, the editor-in-chief of China Special Topic Gallery of China Pictorial Press, the teachers and students from the contesting schools in Beijing  and teachers and students from 5 schools for mentally retarded in Beijing participated the exhibition, totaling over 120 persons were present at the event. This contest was initiated on May 15, this year and over a thousand works were received from all over the nation. After strict selection by 7 members of the selection committee, 16 works won the contest. In his Speech, Vice President Xi Yuan said, “it is expected that this contest will spread the seeds of love in youth’s heart,  and which will grow and blossom, spread to every corner of the world.” He also particularly mentioned the 5 schools for mentally retarded, and wished those kids would grow in love from their families and the entire society. During April 7 to 18 next year, the CPAFFC and People’s Pictorial jointly with the Branch of Young Photographers of Worker’s Association of China Children’s Press, will hold Family Love Exhibition in Palais des Nations of United Nations in Geneva. The new round of collection for works will start soon. The new works being collected will go to the UN with the winning works of this contest, so as to reveal the Chinese youth’s healthy feature and mind. After the news press, the guests, students, teachers and parents viewed the exhibition with interest in the compound of the CPAFFC, and took photos for memory.

The year 2014 marks the 35th anniversary of China-US sister cities relationship. Over the past 35 years, there are altogether 41 pairs of sister provinces/states and 199 pairs of sister cities established between the two countries, who have carried out proactive and productive exchange and cooperation in various fields such as economy and trade, science and technology, people-to-people and education. To further promote the future development of China-US sister cities and push forward the practical exchange and cooperation between these sister cities, CPAFFC and Sister Cities International (SCI) will jointly host U.S.-China Sister Cities Conference on March 26 to 28, 2014 in Washington D.C. and would like to invite representatives from the Chinese and the US sister cities to participate. During the conference, we will share best practices, explore further cooperation and give out the U.S.-China Sister Cities Awards to recognize those outstanding sister provinces, states, cities and individuals from the two sides. We sincerely invite representatives from the local governments, business, education, culture and other sectors of both sides to support and join this conference, and to foster the sister cities relations and subnational exchanges between our two countries, and to play our parts to lay a solid foundation for building the new type of major country relations between China and the U.S. For further information, please contact Ms. Zhang Yang at 010-65283530 or jessieyy719@163.com

Mr. Xu Kuangdi, former Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of CPPCC and President of Chinese Academy of Engineering, currently President of China-US People’s Friendship Association, met with Mr. Marc Allen, President of Boeing China at the CPAFFC on December 4. The two sides exchanges views on topics including Boeing’s business development plans in China. Vice President Xie Yuan of CPAFFC attended the meeting. Mr. Xu Kuangdi commended Boeing Company on its long-term support in promoting friendly relations and economic cooperation with China. Xu Kuangdi said that China is a huge market for Boeing Company. With China’s rapid economic development and the lifting of people’s living standards, more and more Chinese people choose to travel abroad by planes. This creates new demands for aviation industry. In addition, there is also a growing demand for traditional models of planes at the Chinese market. China’s aviation industry only starts recently, and it is hoped that Boeing could maintain its good partnership with China’s aviation industry, produce more models of aircraft, and adopt to the blossoming global aviation industry. Mr. Marc Allen thanked Mr. Xu Kuangdi for meeting him. He said that since Boeing entered the Chinese market 40 years ago, it has kept good cooperation with China, and developed partnership with many Chinese companies such as Aviation Industry Corporation of China, and Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China. Chinese market has great potentials, and in the next 20 years, it will need 5580 new airplanes. We believe that by cooperating with China, we could demonstrate to the world that the two countries do not only compete, but can also cooperate. Boeing will continue to be a bridge for China-US economic and trade cooperation, and contribute to the development of China-US relations. Mr. Marc Allen also introduced Boeing’s plan to set up an aircraft equipment center in China, and the project of Green Airplanes.