From December 6th to 8th, co-hosted by CPAFFC , Guangzhou Municipal Government, UCLG  and the World Association of  Major Metropolises(METROPOLIS), the Global Mayors' Forum & 2018 Urban Innovation Conference and  the 4th Edition of Guangzhou Award for Urban Innovation  (Guangzhou Award) was held at Baiyun International Conference Center in Guangzhou. More than 700 guests and representatives from 105 cities and local governments in 39 countries were present at the Conference. On December 7th, Mr. He Wei, Vice-Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee,  Mr. Ma Xingrui, Governor of Guangdong Province, Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC, Emilia Saiz, UCLG Secretary-General, and Rudi Vervoort, Representative of METROPOLIS, Minister President of Brussels Capital Region, Belgium, addressed the opening ceremony. Maimunah Mohd Sharif, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN-Habitat sent a video remarks. Mr. Wen Guohui, mayor of Guangzhou, chaired the opening ceremony.  Tri Rismaharin, Mayor of Surabaya and President of UCLG ASPAC also attended the conference. Vice-Chairman He Wei pointed out in his speech that, the Chinese Government attaches great importance to and actively supports international exchanges and cooperation in urban governance innovation.. Guangzhou Award as an important exchange platform will better serve global cities and benefit global citizens.    Vice President Song Jingwu said that the Global Mayors' Forum is established with the purpose of further implementing the United Nations’ SDGs and the New Urban Agenda, and encouraging cities worldwide to participate in global governance and to contribute insights to a more fair, sound and balanced global governance mechanism. The theme of the forum is titled Global Openness and Inclusive Innovation. A three-day activities was organized. The Guangzhou Declaration at the Global Mayors’ Forum is also released. Five cities are awarded as the winning cities of the 4th Edition of Guangzhou Award: Milan of Italy, Guadalajara of Mexico, Wuhan of China, Mezitili of Turkey and New York City of the United States. Surabaya of Indonesia received the largest number of votes to win the Online Popular City.        

On December 7th, Mr. Song Jingwu Vice president of CPAFFC attended the First UCLG ASPAC Retreat in Guangzhou. As the newly elected co-president, Vice president Song Jingwu co-chaired the Retreat together with  Tri Rismaharin, Mayor of Surabaya and President of UCLG ASPAC, and Secretary General of  UCLG ASPAC. Vice president Song expressed his gratitude to the Executive Board and Council for their long-term support to CPAFFC and the 25 city members of China. He said that under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative CPAFFC and the Chinese city members will work closely with UCLG ASPAC to promote implementing the United Nations’ SDGs and the New Urban Agenda, and to jointly build Asia-Pacific Community of Shared future. The Retreat was held simultaneously with the Global Mayors’ Forum and the 4th Edition of Guangzhou Award. The members reviewed 2015-2020 Strategic Plan, also known as the Manifesto, and discussed the challenges and expectations for ASPAC.              

Co-hosted by Hangzhou Municipal government and CPAFFC the fist assembly of the Belt and Road Local Government Committee (BRLC) met in Hangzhou from December 2nd to 5th. Mr. Zhou Jiangyong, member of Standing Committee of Zhejiang Party Provincial Committee and Hangzhou municipal party secretary, Mr. Xu Liyi, Mayor of Hangzhou, Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice president of CPAFFC, Dr. Bernadia, Secretary General of UCLG and Tri Rismaharin, Mayor of Surabaya and President of UCLG ASPAC attended the meeting and delivered speeches. More than 150 delegates from 20 countries attended the meeting. The members adopted the constitution of the committee, elected the leaders and deliberated the working plan down the road. The BRLC was initiated by Hangzhou Municipal Government and CPAFFC. BRLC which is based in Hangzhou was unveiled in the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. With 70 members to date, the committee has carried out a variety of activities based on the philology of opening-up, cooperation, sharing and win-win result, playing an important role in building the Belt and Road by putting in place a platform for knowledge and resource sharing and cooperation.            

Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with visiting Mr. Thierry BERTHELOT, First Counselor of the French Embassy in China and his delegation on December 5th, 2018. Both sides had a brief discussion on the activities in commemoration of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and France. Vice President Song Jingwu introduced the work CPAFFC had developed for France this year and the work plans in next year. He also proposed the idea that the reception to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and France will be held during the French high-level delegation visiting China next year. Counselor Thierry BERTHELOT thanked CPAFFC for making the contributions to promoting the exchanges between China and France. He also said, the French important personages could be invited to attend the reception in Beijing during their visiting China in the first three months next year. Both sides also exchanged their views on how to develop a series of activities in commemoration of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties of the two countries. Mr. Alain GALAUP, Political Counselor of the French Embassy in China, Mme. Zhang Ruoning, Deputy Director General of Department of European and Asian Affairs of CPAFFC attended the meeting.          

Co-sponsored by the CPAFFC, the China International Culture Exchange Centre (CICEC), the Chinese Cultural Exchange Association and the People's Publishing House, “He Attracted the World’s Attention”, an exhibition in commemoration of late Premier Zhou Enlai, was opened at the Handover Gift Museum of Macao on December 5, 2018. Edmund Ho Hau Wah, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC, Lionel Leong Vai Tac, Acting Chief Executive of Macao, Sun Da, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Hu Sishe, Vice President of the CPAFFC, Alexis Tam Chon Weng, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR, Zhao Wei, Deputy Secretary General of the Sixth and Seventh CPPCC National Committee, Li Zhongjie, Advisor to the CICEC and former Deputy Director of the Party History Research Center Central committee of the CPC, Zhou Erjun, former Political Commissar of the PLA National Defense University, Lei Pui Lam, President of the Chinese Cultural Exchange Association, Chui Sai Peng, President of Executive Council of the Chinese Cultural Exchange Association, and around 100 guests from the Macao SAR government and cultural and educational circles attended the opening ceremony. CPAFFC Vice President Hu Sishe and Secretary Alexis Tam Chon Weng address the opening ceremony In his speech, Hu Sishe said that Premier Zhou Enlai is the advocate and practitioner of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The CPAFFC has always followed these principles when carrying out exchanges with other countries. At the same time, he never lost his heart and loyalty to the party, always adhered to the faith and bore in mind the mission. He is known as a model of every Chinese people. He also expressed his hope that the exhibition will enable more people to deeply understand and learn from Premier Zhou’s patriotism, promote the people-to-people bond, deepen exchanges and cooperation between the two sides, and take the opportunity of the 40th anniversary of reform and opening up to jointly work for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nations. In his welcome speech, Alexis Tam Chon Weng stated that Premier Zhou Enlai enjoys a very high prestige in the compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao. This exhibition has a far-reaching and great significance in Macao. He believed that all Macao people will turn their longing for the late premier into power, to unite as one and work hard for the homeland. Guests addressing the opening ceremony Sun Da, Zhou Erjun and Chui Sai Peng also delivered speeches at the opening ceremony, expressing their longing for late Premier Zhou and recognizing the great significance of holding the exhibition at the crucial historical moment of building a great modern socialist country in every dimension. Guests visiting the exhibition The exhibition is divided into four parts, namely Accomplishments, Selflessness, Integrity and Love. A total of 137 pieces of exhibits, including calligraphy artwork about the late premier by celebrities all over the world, photographs, as well as other precious exhibits and historical materials provided by his relatives and staff. Most of the exhibits are authentic and have high historical value. After the opening ceremony, the local citizens and students watched the exhibition and left messages to express their feelings. Audience watching the exhibition and leaving messages The exhibition will be held in Macao from December 5 to 12, 2018 and have received large media coverage.         Photographed by Liu Hongwei

"China-Germany Globalization Forum" was held in Berlin, Germany on December 3rd. This Forum was co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung and Daimler AG. Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mr. Ma Canrong, Former Chinese Ambassador to Germany, Mr. Manfred Grund, Parliamentary Secretary of the union Party (CDU/CSU) parliamentary group, Mr. Frank Priess, Vice President of International Department of Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung, attended the forum and delivered speeches respectively. Over 30 Chinese and German experts and scholars on political, economic and academic fields had an in-depth exchanges on the opportunities and challenges the whole world had confronted with, and the current situation and future of the cooperation between China and Germany under the background. Vice President Song Jingwu said in his speech that, looking at the development of modern history of the two countries, China and Germany should firmly support and uphold the globalization. CPAFFC would like to institutionalize the forum and held discussions frequently on Sino-German relations, China-EU relations and hot issues. Mr. Zhang Junhui, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of Chinese Embassy in Germany attended the forum.                       Photographed by Zhang Ji

The Third U.S.-China Subnational Legislatures Cooperation Forum was held in Las Vegas, Nevada, on November 29th with the joint hosts of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and State Legislative Leaders Foundation (SLLF).  Themed on “Promoting Partnerships--States and Provinces Working Together”, the representatives of the Forum carried out in-depth discussions on promoting U.S.-China economic, trade and education cooperation through legislation, conducted active exchanges in intelligent transportation, healthcare industry development and legislation. CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin, leaders from Standing Committees of five Chinese Municipal and Provincial People’s Congress, Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in the United States Yin Chengwu, Consul General of China in San Francisco Wang Donghua, SLLF President Stephen G. Lakis, 25 legislative leaders from 16 states of the United States as well as nearly 150 representatives from various sectors of both countries were present at the Forum. President Li Xiaolin pointed out in her speech that, the China-U.S. relationship was experiencing a temporary downturn with some difficulties, in the meanwhile possessing significant development opportunities. As long as our two countries focus on cooperation and properly manage our differences in the spirit of mutual respect and win-win cooperation, the China-U.S. relations must be able to embrace sound and stable development in the long run. China would deepen reform and further open up, to create promising future for mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the United States as well as other countries in the world. This Forum will provide a platform for Chinese and American legislators to share views and form new ideas for future cooperation. Minister Counsellor Yin Chengwu read the Congratulatory Message from Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai to the Forum and delivered his own speech, admired the Forum for providing a platform for exchanges between China-U.S. sub-national legislatures and sub-national interactions, and extended the belief that the growth of China-U.S. relations would help create a more solid framework and open up greater prospects for the sub-national cooperation, including between sub-national legislatures. President Lakis said that SLLF would remain committed to working together with CPAFFC to promote the U.S.-China subnational legislative cooperation and based on this, enhance the economic, trade and cultural collaboration, so as to contributing to the healthy development of U.S.-China relationship. Executive Vice Chairman of Standing Committee of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Congress Chen Zhenning spoke on behalf of Chinese provinces and cities present at this forum, said that the establishment of China-U.S. sub-national legislature cooperation mechanism had undoubtedly provided an important platform and a unique opportunity for both sides to strengthen dialogues, enhance mutual understanding and deepen cooperation, injected positive energy into the development of more comprehensive, longer-term and healthier development of China-U.S. relations. The Joint Joint Statement of the Third U.S.-China Subnational Legislatures Cooperation Forum has been issued at the Forum, declaring that China and U.S. provincial and state legislatures will be committed to promoting the exchanges in various fields, enhancing cooperation and strengthening friendship. The U.S.-China Subnational Legislatures Cooperation Forum was established in December 2015 as one of the results of President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the United States in September 2015. The forum aims at utilizing subnational legislatures to pragmatic cooperation between Chinese provinces and American states and to promote the healthy development of China-U.S. relations at large. The first and second Forum was held respectively in Honolulu City of Hawaii State in 2016 and in Wuhan of Hubei Province in 2017.             

In cooperation with the Embassy of Palestine in Beijing, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries held the event to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People as well as the 30th anniversary of establishment of China-Palestine diplomatic relations in Beijing on 29th  November 2018. H.E. Mr. Gong Xiaosheng, China’s Special Envoy on the Middle East Issue, H.E. Mr. Abdullah Al-Saadi, dean of the diplomatic corps of Arab countries in China and Ambassador of Oman , H.E. Mr. Mahmud Elamin, head of the mission, league of the Arab states, H.E. Mr. Fariz Mehdawi, Ambassador of Palestine as well as over 200 guests attended the event. H.E. Mr. Gong Xiaosheng, China’s Special Envoy on the Middle East Issue, speaks. H.E. Mr. Abdullah Al-Saadi, Dean of the diplomatic corps of Arab countries in China as well as Ambassador of Oman,  speaks. H.E. Mr. Mahmud Elamin, Head of the mission, League of the Arab states, speaks. H.E. Mr. Fariz Mehdawi, Ambassador of Palestine, speaks. Mr. Chen Min’an, Vice President of Public Diplomacy & Culture Exchange Center, speaks.         Photographed by Ai Lin

On November 28, Vice President Xie Yuan met with Mr. Tang Shiqi, Dean of International Studies School of Peking University and his colleagues. Both agreed to cement cooperation on international people to people exchanges and international public policy .       

  Li Keqiang, Premier of State Council of the People's Republic of China, met in Tower of Violet Light in Zhong Nan Hai with the Chinese and Japanese representatives attending the Second China-Republic of Korea Governors Conference on November, 27. ( Xinhua/ Pang Xinglei) BEIJING, Nov. 27 (Xinhua)---Li Keqiang, Premier of State Council of the People's Republic of China, met in Tower of Violet Light in Zhong Nan Hai with the Chinese and Japanese representatives attending the Second China-Republic of Korea Governors Conference on the afternoon of November, 27. Li Keqiang said, China and Republic of Korea are friendly and close neighbors. At present, the bilateral relations have maintained  stable development in general. The cooperation in various fields and the local exchange has been steadily advanced. Two heads of states held a meeting not long ago, which further promoted the development of the Sino-Korean relations. The bilateral trade and investment increased rapidly and had broader space to improve. We would like to work with Republic of Korea to push bilateral relations for improvement in the spirit of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. Li Keqiang pointed out that, The Second China-Republic of Korea Governors Conference achieved active results, especially in the fields of people-to-people exchanges, environmental protection and etc., which demonstrated a strong desire and an enormous potential for cooperation between China and Republic of Korea. He hoped that both sides should take this Conference as an opportunity to strengthen the exchanges, learn from each other and promote the cooperation, so as to make active contributions to the development of the bilateral ties. The representatives from Korean side congratulated China's reform and opening-up on making major achievements in the past four decades, which are not only beneficial to China itself, but also promote the peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia region. Korean side would like to work with China to promote the trade investment cooperation and the people-to-people exchange, and strengthen the local government cooperation, so as to make new contributions to the development of the bilateral relations.       Resource: Xinhuanet:  http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2018-11/27/c_1123775699.htm