The First China-German Symposium on Promotion of Youth Footballers, co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and Germany-China Friendship Association (GCFA), and organized by Eintracht Frankfurt Fu?ball AG, was held in CPAFFC on March 26. The guests including Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mr. Zhu Guanghu, Chairman of Shanghai Football Association (SFA), Mr. Wu Jingui, Sporting Director of Shanghai Greenland Shenhua Football Club, Mr. Shao Jiayi, Director of Chinese National Team Department of Chinese Football Association (CFA), Mr. Felix Kurz, Vice Chairman of GCFA, Mr. Markus Weidner, Director of International Cooperation Department of Eintracht Frankfurt Fu?ball AG, Mme. Yildiz Miller, Deputy Head of Cultural Office of Germany Embassy in China, Mr. Li Xin, Director General of Eintracht Frankfurt Fu?ball AG in Beijing Office and etc., were present. Over 120 personages from education, sport, football associations, foreign affairs offices, clubs and other departments and institutions in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Henan, Inner Mongolia, Shandong and etc., attended the symposium. Vice President Song Jingwu said in his speech, the exchange through football has now become an important part of the exchanges of the humanity and culture between the countries. Developing football game among the youth is of great significance to the healthy growth and enhancing the mutual understanding of the youth between the countries. German is a football power. We could learn from its successful football training system for youth. Germany Experts from Eintracht Frankfurt Fu?ball AG made an introduction about the experience in selection, training, psychological construction for the young athletes. He had a discussion with the audience on how to select football talents, develop campus football game, coach training, youth football league and etc. During the symposium, CPAFFC and SFA signed the cooperation memorandum respectively with Eintracht Frankfurt Fu?ball AG. China Radio International, People's network, China Beijing TV Station,  The Paper and Sports, PPTV and other media reported the activity. Mr. Shen Xin, Director General of Department of European and Asian Affairs of CPAFFC, Mr. Lv Hongwei, Deputy Director General of Department of European and Asian Affairs of CPAFFC, attended the symposium.          

Mr. Hao Zhongwei, deputy director general of the American and Oceania Affairs Department met with the youth leaders from The University of Chicago (UChigaco) in Beijing on March 25th. Deputy Director General Hao introduced the achievements CPAFFC has made in carrying out people-to-people diplomacy, especially in the field of China-U.S. youth exchanges. He also briefed the development of China from history, culture and social aspects. He hoped that the youth leaders of UChigaco could have an in-depth understanding of China through their personal experiences during this trip and keep developing their own expertise, in order to play positive roles in enhancing the China-U.S. bilateral relationship in the future. Sabreena Croteau, PhD in political sciences from UChicago spoke on behalf of the delegation that this is the first China trip for most delegation members. They have deep interests in China, and would like to enhance their understanding about China in the fields of economic development, urbanization and environmental protection etc. They wish to contribute to promoting the friendly ties between the U.S and China.          

The CPAFFC and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) co-hosted the event of “Nowruz – Festival of Unity and Friendship of the Peoples of the SCO Countries” in Beijing on March 22, 2019. CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin and SCO Secretary General Vladimir Norov addressed the event. Yu Jun, representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassadors of the SCO member states and Ambassadors of several observer countries and SCO dialogue partners attended the event and delivered their greetings. The event was chaired by Song Jingwu, Vice President of the CPAFFC and Vice President of the China-Central Asia Friendship Association. Li Xiaolin said in her speech that the Nowruz is a festival celebrated by many countries, marking the arrival of spring and the beginning of the new year. It expresses people's yearning for a better life in the spring and symbolizes friendship, solidarity and pursuit of world peace. Vladimir Norov noted during his speech that a unique feature of Nowruz is to promote the values of peace and solidarity and help preserve centuries-old traditions and cultural diversity. The ideals of Nowruz and the Shanghai spirit are identical in many ways. This is why the celebration of Nowruz has a deep meaning and special significance for strengthening mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples, as well as the mutual enrichment and rapprochement of the cultures of the SCO Family countries. Before the event, the guests visited the photo exhibition of the SCO member states with the theme of Spring, Nowruz and Traditional Culture and the exhibition of featured handicrafts with ethnic customs, watched sports performances and tasted the snack specialties prepared by the embassies participating in the event. The wonderful performances brought by Minzu University of China and the embassies of SCO member states pushed the event to a climax. Nowruz is a traditional festival celebrated by the peoples of Central Asia and the majority ethnic groups of Azerbaijan, Iran and Afghanistan. It is also celebrated by several minority ethnic groups of China, Russia, Pakistan and other SCO member states. In 2009, Nowruz was added to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and was declared International Nowruz Day to be celebrated on 21 March. About 500 people including the leaders and members of the China-Central Asia Friendship Association, representatives from all walks of life, diplomats and their family members from more than 30 countries, as well as students and correspondents in Beijing from the SCO member states, attended the event.             Photographed by CPAFFC and China Pictorial 

On March 22nd, a reception for the first batch of Japanese college students delegation received by the CPAFFC was held in Beijing. Vice President Song Jingwu, together with Nagata Techuji, Executive Council Member of the non-profit social entity organization Japan-China Friendship Association and Shikata Noriyuki, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Japanese Embassy to China addressed the audience. Vice President Song Jingwu welcomed the delegation with a Haiku which says: In the blossom spring day, dear young friends came from afar with whom we shared our sincere friendship in the warm discussions. He said that last year marked the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Abbe met with each other in different occasions and Chinese Premier and Japanese Prime Minister exchanged visits, the bilateral relations were brought back to the normal track and realized new development. China-Japan relations have weathered the storm and came to a new starting point, this has everything to do with the unremitting efforts by the visionary friends from our two countries including the Japan-China Friendship Association. The roots of China-Japan Friendship lay in our peoples with its future in the youth. Youth, bearing the mandate of the development of China-Japan relations, is the hope of our countries and the future of our nations. This year is the Youth Exchanges Facilitating Year between China and Japan. In the next 5 years, large scale youth mutual visits will be carried out between our two countries. He believed with more understanding and friendship between the young people, China-Japan Friendship will be carried on from generation to generation. Vice President Song Jingwu pointed out that China’s development is peaceful development with the objective of win-win cooperation with all other countries including Japan. Both China and Japan are going trough critical junctures in development, broadening and strengthening cooperation not only benefits our two peoples but also the peace and development of Asian and the world at large. It is his hope that with this visit, the students can further grasp the importance of steady and health long term development of China-Japan relations to our two countries, our continent and the world and contribute their share to China-Japan friendship. Nagata Techuji, Executive Council Member of Japan-China Friendship Association and the head of the delegation said that it is to his great delight to lead Japanese college student delegation to China in the Youth Exchanges Facilitating Year between China and Japan and deeply understands the importance of the mission. Seeing is believing. He firmly believes the positive influence of the visit may have in the students’ future life and hopes the students can make this visit the starting point of Japan-China friendship, further understand China and the importance of Japan-China relations with exchanges with their Chinese peers and make their contributions to the realization of genuine friendship between Japan and China. Shikata Noriyuki, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Japanese Embassy to China said, this year is the Youth Exchanges Facilitating Year between China and Japan initiated by the two governments and the visit of the delegation bears profound implications. China is experiencing rapid development and changes, he hopes the students not to be influence by media propaganda and out dated views and have a comprehensive and genuine picture of China through candid exchanges with the Chinese youth and the first hand knowledge of the cultural and technological achievements of China, share their experience and feelings with friends and loved ones back to Japan, facilitating the mutual understanding between the two peoples. In the afternoon, the delegation experienced Intangible Cultural Heritages including Huzhou Writing Brush Production and Beijing Painted Clay Crafts. Ms. Zhu Dan, Deputy Director-General of Japanese Affairs Department joined the above events. Wang Houxian, Senior Inheritor of Daiyuexuan Huzhou Writing Brush demonstrates Writing Brush Production to Japanese college students Zhang Zhongqiang, Senior Inheritor of Beijing Painted Clay Crafts teaches Japanese college students drawing Lord Rabbit, a mythical bunny sent down from the moon to bring good health to Beijing          

At the invitation of Timothy Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics, Mr. Li Xikui, Secretary General of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), led a delegation to attend the opening ceremony of the 15th Special Olympics World Summer Games held in United Arab Emirates on March, 14.     During the activity, Secretary General Li Xikui met with Mr.Timothy Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics, Mme. Patricia Marroquín, the First Lady of Guatemala, Mr. Charles Nyambe, Regional President and Managing Director for Special Olympics Africa Region, Mr. David S. Evangelista, Regional President and Managing Director for Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Region, and others. They had a discussion on the topic of concerning about the development of the disabled and the establishment of the friendly cities, and reached a consensus. Secretary General Li Xikui also attended Global Inclusive Health Forum, Health Plans for athletes and other side events.     It is the first time that the Special Olympics World Games is being held in the Middle East and North Africa. A total of 7, 500 athletes from more than 190 countries and regions participated in this Special Olympics. It is the ninth time for China to take part in the Special Olympics World Summer Games. Over 100 athletes were organized to participate in ten sports events, such as, swimming, basketball and etc..   Special Olympics was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, a member of American Kennedy family. The first Special Olympics competition was held in Chicago in 1968. Special Olympics organization was founded in the same year as an international non-profit organization to hold the Special Olympics World Games. Its current Chairman Timothy Shriver visited CPAFFC on December 5, 2018. Both sides had achieved initial cooperation intention in the fields of sport, diplomacy, public welfare activities on Special Olympics.                

 The Fourth UN Environment Assembly was held in Nairobi, Kenya on March 11, 2019. Li Xikui, secretary general of the CPAFFC, led 30 Chinese entrepreneurs including few from Tibet Autonomous Region to attend the opening ceremony. On the afternoon of March 11th, the CPAFFC and the National Federation of Industry and Commerce jointly organized a parallel session entitled "Entrepreneurs of China Contribute to the World's Third Pole Eco-environmental Protection Conference" Mr. Li Xikui, the IUCN President Mr. Zhang Xinsheng, Vice President of the Federation of Industry and Commerce of Tibet Autonomous Region Mr. Phurbu Tsering, Secretary General of China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation Mr. Zhou Jinfeng,as well as more than 100 experts and scholars from the fields of global environmental protection and new energy discussed and focusing on the changes in the global environment and how to protect the world's third pole. In the speech of Mr. Li Xikui said that as a responsible member of the country and an important member of the international community, China is committed to practicing the new development concept, achieving harmonious coexistence between man and nature, and cooperating with protection and development. We adhere to environmental friendliness and promoting green “Belt and Road” construction, supporting UNEP policy decisions, improving administrative efficiency and execution, and strive to play a greater role in the global environmental governance system. Mr. Zhang Xinsheng said that the protection for the Third pole in Tibet has an irreplaceable role in the entire global environment protection, on which the entrepreneurs have played a great role. Chinese entrepreneurs have proved their ability on it no less than  that of any European or American country. Tibetan entrepreneurs have demonstrated international responsibility for the Third-pole environmental protection. Mr. Phurbu pointed out that the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is the "Third pole in the world". The Tibetan people and people of all nationalities are interdependent and integrated with the ecological environment of the plateau. Private enterprises in Tibet are the beneficiaries of clear waters and green mountains and they are the practitioners of ecological civilization construction. Protecting the ecological environment means developing productive forces. Meanwhile, "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, ice and snow are also invaluable assets." This concept is gradually gaining popularity. The United Nations Environment Assembly is the world's highest level environmental decision-making body. The Environmental Conference is held every two years to define priorities to global environmental policies and to develop international environmental laws. The theme of this conference was “Innovative solutions to environmental challenges and sustainable consumption and production”.               Photographed by Liu Wenwen 

On March 11, CPAFFC Vice President Lin Yi met with H.E. Dhia Khaled, Ambassador of Tunisia to China. Madame Lin Yi welcomed Ambassador Khalid, and briefed him on friendly exchanges of the CPAFFC with Tunisia in recent years. She stated that Tunisia is an important participator in jointly building the Belt and Road. The CPAFFC is willing to maintain communication and cooperation with the Tunisian Embassy to further bilateral cooperation in local governments and people-to-people exchanges under the framework of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to further mutual understanding and promote common development. Ambassador Khaled stressed that Tunisia has always applauded the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and formally joined the BRI in 2018. Tunisia hopes to strengthen its connection and mutually beneficial cooperation with China for common development. He highly appreciated the CPAFFC for its important contributions in furthering people-to-people friendship and cooperation between Tunisia and China, and expressed his willingness to continue to support the friendship associations in both countries in their efforts to promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the areas of youth, culture, local governments, etc. Deputy Director General Li Hai of the Asia & Africa Department of CPAFFC was present at the meeting.         Photographed by Tu Lili    

At the invitation of the Colombia-China Association for Relations and the Dominican Federation of Municipalities, Ma Peihua, former Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and President of the China-Latin America and the Caribbean Friendship Association (CHILAFA), headed a delegation to visit Columbia and the Dominican Republic from March 3 to 11, 2019. He was accompanied by Xie Yuan, Vice President of the CPAFFC and Vice President of the CHILAFA. During his visit to Columbia, Ma Peihua met respectively Peñalosa, Mayor of Bogota, Mosquera, President of the Council of Bogota, Mejia, President of the Council of Medellin, Moreno, President of the Colombia-China Friendship Association, and Ruiz, President of the Colombia-China Association for Relations. Li Nianping, Chinese Ambassador to Columbia, accompanied the delegation to attend some of the meetings. During the stay in the Dominican Republic, Ma Peihua met respectively with Pared, President of the Senate of the Dominican Republic, Diaz, Minister of Sports and Recreation, and Hidalgo, President of the Dominican Federation of Municipalities. He also attended the reception hosted by the Chinese Embassy in the Dominican Republic for exchanges between the Dominican friends from all walks of life and the CHILAFA delegation. Zhang Run, Chinese Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, accompanied the delegation to attend the above programs.                 

“In Celebration of International Working Women’s Day·China-Japan Friendship Spring Ikebana Workshop” was held by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and China-Japan Friendship Association (CJFA) on March 6 in Beijing. Mme. Li Xiaolin, President of CPAFFC, Mme. YOKOI EIKO, wife of Japanese Ambassador to China delivered speeches respectively. Mme. Lin Yi and Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice Presidents of CPAFFC, Mr. Li Xikui, General Secretary of CPAFFC and Mme. Wang Xiuyun, Vice President of CJFA, and others attended the activity. President Li Xiaolin said, during the past two thousands history of friendly exchange, the cultural mutual learning between China and Japan produced many forms of art which were popular with the two peoples. Cultural mutual learning could communicate minds and enhance understanding of the two peoples. In recent years, CPAFFC made endeavor to host large-scale cultural performances including, the exhibition of Chinese Characters: A Legacy and Marvel Perfected over Three Millennia, the dance drama Crested Ibises, which were very popular with the two peoples. After co-hosting China-Japan Friendship Spring Tea Party with Japanese Urasenke Chado Tradition in last April, CPAFFC organized China-Japan Friendship Spring Ikebana Workshop this year, so as to attract more people engaging in the Sino-Japanese cultural exchange through this new exchange platform. Sino-Japanese relations currently confronted with important opportunities to further develop under the base of returning normal track. CPAFFC would like to take culture as a bond to connect more people in the two countries, pool greater strength and push the cause of the friendship between China and Japan for improvement. Moreover, CPAFFC expected the women in the two countries to play their advantages to make more contributions for the development of Sino-Japanese relations. Mme. YOKOI EIKO said, on the occasion of International Working Women’s Day, CPAFFC held China-Japan Friendship Spring Ikebana Workshop, which exerted a far-reaching significance. Making all women full of confidence and pride in life and work, and playing more important role in society are the topics two governments and societies concerned. Continuing to develop cultural exchange would benefit to improve the sense of happiness for the women of the two countries and also deepen and expand the cornerstone of the friendly relations between China and Japan. Mr. Wang Zhongyi, the member of National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the editor-in-chief of People’s China delivered a keynote speech on Chinese Pai Praising Chinese Solar Term. Mme. HORIE MORIKA, the Vice Professor of ikenobo origin of ikebana made a speech on Japanese flower arrangement and display ikebana arrangements. Over 80 personages including women representatives from all walks of life of the two countries, Japanese overseas students and media attended the activity.               

On March 5, Madame Lin Yi, Vice President of the CPAFFC,   met with H.E. Abdellahi El Vilaly, Mauritanian new Ambassador to China. Lin Yi congratulated Ambassador Vilaly on his assumption of the new post and briefly introduced the friendly exchanges of the CPAFFC with Mauritania in recent years. She said that Mauritania is an important partner of China in jointly contributing the Belt and Road Initiative. The CPAFFC is willing to maintain communication and coordination with the Mauritanian Embassy to further local and people-to-people bilateral cooperation under the framework of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation with the purpose of promoting the implementation of the important consensus reached by the state leaders of the two countries. Ambassador Vilaly thanked the CPAFFC for making contributions in people-to-people connectivity between China and Mauritania. He said, Mauritania highly recognizes the concept of the Belt and Road Initiative plays a bigger role based on its geographical advantages. The Embassy of Mauritania in China will continue to support the two countries’ friendship associations in conducting more exchanges and cooperation in the areas of local governments, economy and trade, youth and culture, etc.           Photographed by Fang Ying