Mr. Xie Yuan, vice president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met with Mr. Luis Monsalve, new Columbian ambassador to China on April, 15. Vice President Xie Yuan welcomed the Ambassador Luis Monsalve to his new post in China and made an introduction about the tasks of CPAFFC and the recent work. He also hoped that CPAFFC should continue keeping friendly relationship with Columbian Embassy in China to promote the exchanges and cooperation of the two countries in the fields of friendly cities, economic and trade, people-to-people and culture and etc., in order to enhance people’s friendship and improve the bilateral relations. Ambassador Luis Monsalve thanked Vice President Xie Yuan for taking time to meet them. He said, Columbian Embassy in China always regards CPAFFC as important partner, therefore, Ambassador Luis Monsalve hoped that Columbia should strengthen the local exchanges with China, promote the mutual understanding of the peoples, deepen the pragmatic cooperation of the two countries in the fields of economic and trade as well as culture, and learn from successful experience China had achieved in the governance of China, such as poverty alleviation and other aspects. Mr. Ji Yongjun, Deputy Director General of Department of American and Oceanian Affairs of CPAFFC, attended the meeting.              

Mr. Hu Sishe, vice president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Mr. Han Man-jong, president of Korea Bicycle Council, and his delegation on April, 11. President Han Man-jong made an introduction about Korea Bicycle Council, which is under the Ministry of Public Administration and Security of Korea charge. It aims to raise the citizen’s awareness of environmental protection and improve the environment in Korea through a green and low-carbon lifestyle. Around 3.8 million members have registered. The visiting to CPAFFC this time aimed to establish the cooperation with CPAFFC and made common contributions to environmental protection of the two countries. Vice President Hu Sishe extended welcome to President Han, Man-jong and his delegation. He said, as a national competitive sport, riding bicycle is more suitable for the public to take part in, moreover, as a method of transportation, bicycle meets with the concept of low-carbon and environmental protection for the people. Both sides should take this activity as an opportunity to promote the exchanges in the fields of culture, sport, environmental protection and etc. between China and Korea. He hoped that China should learn more experience from Korea in environmental protection and could be improved in relevant fields after the cooperation of the two countries. Vice President Hu Sishe also wished “Bicycle Riding on World Earth Day” to be held in Korea this month a complete success. After meeting, under the witness of Vice President Hu Sishe, President Han, Man-jong and Director General Zhang Juxiang signed cooperation memorandum. Mr. Jungpil Chun, Secretary General of Korean Social Security Prevention Association, Mr. Hu Yang, Deputy Director General of China Service Center for Friendship and Cooperation with Foreign Countries (CSC) of CPAFFC, attended the meeting.           Photographed by Song Zifan    

From April 8th to 10th, Vice President Song Jingwu was invited to attend the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Promotion in Tokyo, Japan. During the events, he exchanged views with Japan-China Friendship Center, Keidanren Japan Business Federation and other institutions and guests on facilitating people to people friendship and substantive cooperation between China and Japan. This promotion, co-hosted by the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, the Government of HongKong Special Administrative Region and the Government of Macao Special Administrative Region, was aimed to introduce the comprehensive advantages of the Guangzhou-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and together promoting the building-up of the Greater Bay Area through strengthening exchanges and cooperation. Over 1200 people from government departments, chambers of commerce and enterprises in Guangdong, Hongkong, Macao and Japan attended the events.  Attending the Guangzhou-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Dinner Party Vice President Song Jingwu briefed the leaders of relevant institutions situations of the promotion and the building-up of Guangzhou-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay in their meetings. He said that after returning to the normal track, the current bilateral relations have been in steady improvements with exchanges and cooperation in various fields in continuous strengthening. This year is of great importance in bringing China-Japan relations to a new high, the CPAFFC is willing to cooperate with all sectors in Japan, making a good use of this opportunity, to further facilitate friendly exchanges and substantive cooperation in economic, cultural, youth and local government spheres and contribute to the long-term steady development of the bilateral relations. Meeting with KUBATA MASAKAZU, Secretary General of Keidanren Japan Business Federation           

On Apr 9, in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between China and DPRK and the 1st anniversary of the first state visit to China by Kim Jong-un, chairman of the State Affairs Commission (SAC) of the DPRK. The opening ceremony of the exhibition on photos, books and paintings of DPRK was hold in Beijing. The exhibition was co-organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Chinese-DPRK Friendship Association, DPRK Committee for Cultural Liaison with Foreign Countries and DPRK-Chinese Friendship Association and sponsored by DPRK Mansudae Art Studio. The exhibition, under the theme of the glorification of the traditional China-DPRK friendship with forms of photos, books and paintings, showed the common ideals and faiths and deep revolutionary friendship cultivated by the older generations of the two countries as well as the mutual trust and support from each other in the history. Vice President Lin Yi of CPAFFC, Mr. Pak Kyong Il, Chairman of the DPRK-China Friendship Association and Vice Chairman of the DPRK Committee for Cultural Liaison with Foreign Countries and, Mr. Jong Hyon U, Charge d'Affaires of DPRK's Embassy in China, President Wang Yanling of Beijing   Seven Star Group attended the opening ceremony and made speeches respectively.    Vice President Lin Yi of CPAFFC made a speech Chairman Mr. Pak Kyong Il made a speech   Mr. Jong Hyon U made a speech  President Wang Yanling made a speech          

Vice President Xie Yuan attended and delivered a key-note speech at the 2019 Forum on Chinese-American Civilian Diplomacy, co-organized by Shanghai Institute of American Studies, Institute of International Relations and Institute of History of SASS, and Shanghai Public Diplomacy Association, in Shanghai on April 9. Vice President extended his congratulations to opening of the forum. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 40 years ago, China-US relations has continued to grow through trials and tribulations, achieving historical development. The maintenance of a sound China-US relations put at stake not only the well-being of Chinese and Americans, but also that of people all over the world. People-to-people diplomacy works on increasing people’s mutual understanding and trust, highlighting interactive friendship which surpasses realistic political and economic interests. Thus it adds elements of stability into the relationship between states. When bilateral relations are met with difficulties, it is urgently needed to enrich the content, expand the horizon and innovate the means of people-to-people diplomacy, bringing new vigor and vitality into people-to-people diplomacy in a new era.        

Secretary General Li Xikui met with Barry R. Sedlik and Monique Luo, co-founders of Global Creative Cities Coalition(GC3), and David Zanatta, commissioner of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine, City of Long Beach, California, USA, at the CPAFFC on April 3. Secretary General Li Xikui extended his welcome to the delegation. He briefed the guests on the major tasks of the CPAFFC in promoting friendly exchanges between China and foreign countries, in particular, by means of friendship cities exchanges. Barry R. Sedlik said, the GC3 is dedicated to promoting friendly exchanges and cooperation between cities on global basis. It plans to work with the city of Long Beach to host a Ping Pong Tournament and Expo and other events within this year. Secretary General Li Xikui said, the CPAFFC would like to strengthen cooperation with GC3 to make tangible progress in youth and sports exchanges between China and the United States.        

On March 29, the reception in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sudan was co-hosted in Beijing by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Embassy of Sudan to China. Mr. Arken Imirbaki, Vice Chairman of Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and President of the Chinese-Arab Friendship Association, Madam Lin Yi, Vice President of the CPAFFC, and Mr. Ahmed M.A. Shawir, Ambassador of Sudan to China, together with other 500 guests attended the reception. In her speech, Madam Lin Yi pointed out that over the past 6 decades, with sincere cooperation, the two countries have always treated each other as equals, and supported each other’s core interests and major concerns. She said that China is ready to work with Sudan, taking the opportunity of celebrating the 60th anniversary, to further bilateral exchanges in various fields at all levels, deepen pragmatic cooperation, and foster new highlights in bilateral relations, thus to further development of China-Sudan Strategic Partnership. Ambassador Shawir stressed that with mutual trust and joint efforts of both sides, on the win-win basis, fruitful results have been achieved for the Sudan-China cooperation, laying a solid foundation for bilateral relations. Sudan is willing to continue to work with China, and push bilateral cooperations to a new high.      Photographed by Ren Xin        

Director General Zhang Heqiang of the American and Oceania Affairs Department met with Speaker Pro Tempore Gordon M. Johnson of New Jersey General Assembly on March 28th in Beijing. Director General Zhang regarded sub-national cooperation as an essential part of China-US relations. He admired the continuous efforts made by Speaker Johnson on promoting New Jersey’s relationship with China, and hoped that New Jersey could further expand its cooperation with China in various fields, such as economy and trade, education and tourism.  Speaker Johnson viewed China as an important global partner for New Jersey. Some enterprises within the State are planning to invest in China, and a number of small and medium sized cities hope to form comparable city clusters in the aim of exploring sister-city relations with Chinese counterparts. With the assistance of CPAFFC, New Jersey looks to further deepening friendship and cooperation with China.       Photographed by Zhang Yang

At the invitation of the Ministry of Information and Culture of Afghanistan and the Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan, a Chinese cultural delegation led by Zhou Pianping, Deputy Secretary General of the China Friendship Association for International Art Exchange, paid a working visit to Afghanistan on March 26 and 28. Ambassador Liu Jinsong and Political Counselor of Wang Daxue accompanied the delegation to relevant activities. On March 27, the delegation, accompanied by Ambassador Liu, met with Acting Minister Safi and Deputy Minister Bawary of the Ministry of Information and Culture of Afghanistan. Acting Minister Safi warmly welcomed the delegation to Afghanistan and recalled with pleasure her unforgettable experience at the Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo last September. She said that culture is extremely important for the peace and stability of Afghanistan at present. It can help the Afghan people know who they are and where they have come from and strengthen their national identity. China has invited Afghanistan to attend the cultural expo and hold the exhibition of Afghan National Treasures. We have taken concrete actions to support Afghanistan's peaceful reconstruction and enhanced Afghanistan's cultural confidence and international visibility. Afghanistan is the "Heart of Asia" and has the responsibility to contribute to the inheritance and preservation of regional culture. Afghanistan is ready to carry out more cultural exchanges and cooperation with China under the framework of the "One Belt and One Road" initiative, strengthen the ties between Afghanistan and the "One Belt and One Road" initiative, enhance cultural connection and people-to-people bond between the two countries, and deepen the friendship between China and Afghanistan. Acting Minister Safi also warmly invited China to participate in the "Culture Week" activities during the centenary of Afghanistan's independence celebrations.   Delegation Meets with Acting Minister Safi with Ambassador Liu Deputy Secretary-general Zhou Jianping said that since 2017, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries has promoted the touring exhibition of Afghan National Treasures in China, which has been warmly welcomed by the Chinese audiences and received more than 1.2 million visitors. "Treasure Exhibition" of Afghanistan has become a bridge of cooperation between the two countries and departments. Over the past two thousand years, Afghanistan has played an irreplaceable role on the Silk Road and contributed more to the "One Belt and One Road" initiative. Chairman Xi Jinping has just concluded his visit to Italy. Afghanistan is just the intersection of the ancient Silk Road from Chang 'an of China to Rome of Italy. China-Afghanistan joint development of "One Belt and One Road" has a historical basis and an opportunity of our time. China will soon hold the "Conference on Dialogue among Asian Civilizations" in Beijing. We hope that Afghanistan will select and enrich the exhibition so that the people of Asian countries will have a better understanding of Afghan culture.   Group Photo of the Delegation with Ambassador Liu and Acting Minister Safi, etc. Ambassador Liu said that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the independence of Afghanistan and the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. China supports the "Culture Week" in Afghanistan and will invite the Chinese art troupe to participate. Paintings Presented by the Delegation to Acting Minister Safi Later, the delegation, accompanied by the Political Counselor Wang Daxue, paid a visit to the National Museum of Afghanistan and the Shamshad Military Museum. Rahimi, director of the National Museum of Afghanistan, said the touring exhibition of Afghan Treasures in China has offered many colleagues of the National Museum a chance to visit China to learn about local culture and history. He thanked the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Beijing Jianzhong Cultural Communication Co.,Ltd. for their warm reception. The National Museum of Afghanistan has a rich collection of fine works, but the security situation in Afghanistan is serious for foreigners. Zhou jianping said that the exhibition of Afghan treasures in China has indeed opened a window for the Chinese people to understand the history and culture of Afghanistan. The Delegation, accompanied by Political Counsellor Wang Daxue pays a visit to the Director of the National Museum, Rahimi At the Shamshad media group, general manager Abdul Karim Fazel invited the delegation to visit the military museum, where he introduced the great sacrifices Afghanistan has made for independence, freedom and peace in modern times. Fazel introduces a computer classroom converted from an old helicopter On March 28, the delegation, accompanied by Ambassador Liu, went to the Ghulam Mohammad Maimanagi Art School affiliated to the Ministry of Information and Culture for a discussion. Deputy Minister of Information and Culture Bawary, President of the Art School Shariq, Professor Osmani of the Department of Archaeology of Kabul University, teachers and students of the school and other old and new friends were present. Delegation and Ambassador Liu at Art School The Deputy Minister Bawary together with Zhou Jianping, Deputy Secretary-general opened Afghan Treasures Exhibition in Shenzhen, he made a splendid prologue in Afghanistan intellectuals characteristic enthusiasm and sincere: "China and Afghanistan have a long history of civilization. Afghanistan is ready to work with China to build the "One Belt and One Road" and strengthen the bond between our peoples." The school offers free courses in watercolor, oil painting, drawing, calligraphy, computer design and handwork for the whole society, said principal Shariq. The school also specially opened sewing classes for women and enrolled a group of deaf students who love painting. Delegation Presents Gifts to Students From paper cutting and freehand sketching to oil painting and calligraphy, delegations and diplomats from the embassy entered classrooms to give small gifts to children and appreiciate the works of students and teachers. Handicrafts visited by the delegation and Ambassador Liu In the handicraft classroom, Deputy Secretary-general Zhou took up a handicraft with great interest and looked at it carefully. Students in the sewing class wearing ethnic costumes In the sewing room, everyone's eyes were attracted by the gorgeous Afghan national costumes. "I will take it home and hang it on the wall for my friends to enjoy," said Mr. Jin xingshi, a member of the delegation. Delegation, Ambassador Liu visit oil painting classroom In the oil painting classroom, President Shariq introduced that most of the students here are deaf and dumb children. They can neither hearing nor speaking, but they express the fear and aversion of the Afghan people to war and the desire and dream for peace and a happy life in the eyes of the children with their brushes and colors. The Burning and Destruction of the Flames of War Suffering and Shouting Street Market in War Calls for Peace During his visit to Afghanistan, Chinese artist Jin Xingshi, a member of the delegation, held a lecture entitled "The Consciousness Expression of Modern Chinese Painting" in the Embassy and painted on the spot, which added some relaxed artistic atmosphere to the busy and tense embassy in the war zone. Ambassador Liu Jinsong and some staff members of the embassy, representatives of Chinese-funded Institutions in Afghanistan and Chinese Businessmen's Association attended the meeting. Jin Xingshi iving an art lecture in the embassy Jin Xingshi paints the scene for the embassy The exhibition Treasures from the National Museum of Afghanistan was organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and co-organized by the China Friendship Association for International Art Exchange and KOUZAN Fine-arts Company. High-level officials of the two countries also spoke highly of the exhibition, agreeing that the exhibition has become an important project of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries in recent years and has made contributions to the "One Belt and One Road" people-to-people bond. Through communications between China and Afghanistan, the two sides have drawn up an agreement to continue their cooperation in touring exhibitions in Changsha, Nanjing and Hong Kong in 2019. At the initiative of Chairman Xi Jinping, the first conference on Dialogue among Asian Civilizations will be held in Beijing in May 2019. The Afghan Treasure Exhibition has been included in the conference plan and will be displayed in the art museum of Tsinghua University Art Museum for 70 days. Chen jianzhong, President of KOUZAN Fine-arts Company, Jin Xingshi, Chinese Contemporary Artist, Liu Zhenhua, Exhibition Manager of Beijing Jianzhong Cultural Communication Co., LTD. (Beijing branch of KOUZAN Fine-arts Company) and Jiang Ruixia, Director of International Department attended the above activities.          

Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met with Mr. Fernando Caceres, Minister of the Ministry of Sports of Uruguay and his delegation on March, 28. Vice President Xie Yuan made a brief introduction on the tasks of the CPAFFC and expressed congratulations to Uruguay football team on wining China Cup Champion. Both sides had a discussion on programs including sportsmen training, football friendly matches between China and Uruguay, and etc.. Mr. Ji Yongjun, Deputy Director General of Department of American and Oceanian Affairs of CPAFFC, Mr. Fernando Lugris, Uruguay Ambassador to China, attended the meeting.