Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with the visiting Mr. Grégoire Junod, Mayor of Lausanne,  Switzerland on September 20, 2018. Grégoire Junod said, Lausanne is recognized as the Olympic Capital and also is one of the founding cities of the World union of Olympic Cities(WUOC). Beijing, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao and Nanjing, these Chinese cities, are all the members of WUOC. He hoped that in future, Lausanne could develop more exchanges and cooperation with Chinese cities in the fields of sustainable urban development being promoted by Olympics and sports. Vice President Song Jingwu made an introduction about the results achieved by CPAFFC in the fields of people-to-people diplomacy, public diplomacy and local diplomacy, and encouraged Lausanne to actively take part in the local pragmatic cooperation between China and Switzerland. Mme. Zhang Ruoning, Deputy Director General of Department of European and Asian Affairs of CPAFFC, attended the meeting.

On September 18, the Uganda China Friendship Association youth delegation, which consists of 23 members, visited the CPAFFC. Mr. Li Hai, Deputy Director General of the Department of Asian and African Affairs, met with the delegation. Mr. Li said that youth is the future and hope of the country. For China and Uganda, the youth are the inheritors and promoters of the traditional friendship between the two countries. We hope the young friends from Uganda will feel China more intuitively and understand China more deeply through this visit. We also look forward that the youth can make more contributions to China-Uganda friendship in the future. Mr. Li also exchanged views with the head of the Uganda China Friendship Association on cooperation in vocational education and other areas.       Photographed by Huang Xiaowei

Mme. Lin Yi, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Mr. haider Alrubaie, President of the newly-established Iraq-China Friendship Association (ICFA), and his delegation on September 14. Vice President Lin Yi spoke highly of the establishment of the friendship association with China launched by Haider Alrubaie. She also made an introduction about the situation of CPAFFC and CAFA (the Chinese-Arab Friendship Association), and said, CPAFFC is willing to work together with ICFA to commonly promote the development of the relationship of friendly cooperation of the two peoples. Mr. haider Alrubaie thanked Vice President Lin Yi for taking her time to meet them. He said, China and Iraq have long history and splendid civilization. The peoples of the two countries enjoy profound friendship. The members of ICFA include elites from all walks of life in Iraq. ICFA would like to work together with Chinese side to make contribution to promoting the exchanges between China and Iraq in the fields of culture, economy and trade.  Mr. Li Hai, Deputy Director General of Department of Asian and African Affairs of CPAFFC, attended the meeting.

The 54th Anniversary of Independence Day of the Republic of Malta hosted by the Embassy of Malta in China was held in Beijing on September 14. Hon. Mr. Carmelo Abela, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion of Malta, H. E. Mr. John Aquilina, the Malta’s Ambassador to China, Mr. Li Xikui, the Secretary General of Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Mr. Liu Weimin, the Deputy Director General of the Department of European Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China attended the event. Minister Carmelo Abela said in his speech that the bilateral friendly relations have deepened with the continuous efforts of both sides and he hoped the pragmatic cooperation with China in various fields could be strengthened in the future. Minister Carmelo Abela, Ambassador Mr. John Aquilina, Secretary General Li Xikui and Deputy Director General Liu Weimin joined the cake cutting ceremony to celebrate the event.       Photographed by Xu Jiunan

Mr. Li Xikui, Secretary General of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met with Sino-Fran?aise d'Entreaide et d'Amitié (SFEA) delegation on September 14th, 2018. Secretary General Li Xikui said, CPAFFC established relationship of friendly cooperation with nearly 500 nongovernment organizations and institutions in 157 countries over the past 60 years since it was founded. It also played a leading role in the three aspects of the people-to-people diplomacy, public diplomacy and city-to-city diplomacy. SFEA not only made active efforts on promoting Sino-French friendship, but also made contributions to the charity. Secretary General Li hoped that CPAFFC and SFEA should keep contacts frequently and commonly promote the exchanges and cooperation of the two countries as well as the friendship of the two peoples. Mr. Wu Shimin, President of SFEA said, since its establishment 20 years ago, SFEA has been adhering to the purpose of "unity, friendship and mutual assistance". It is keen on charity and public welfare, supports the construction and development of France, safeguards the legitimate rights and interests of overseas Chinese, and promotes economic and cultural exchanges between China and France. Therefore, SFEA has now developed to be one of the important associations for overseas Chinese in France. The SFEA not only set up poverty-alleviation education foundation to donate and build 6 schools in China, but also took the lead in establishing youth committee among overseas Chinese in France. He hoped that in the future, SFEA could jointly develop more fields to cooperate with CPAFFC.        

On Sept. 13, Mme. Lin Yi, CPAFFC Vice President, met with Mme. Michele Sullivan, Caterpillar Foundation President. Mme. Sullivan expressed her gratitude on the support provided by CPAFFC for the registration and activities of Caterpillar Foundation Beijing Office, and her willingness to further adjust and improve its operation model according to Chinese laws and regulations. Mme. Lin Yi briefed the meeting on the work of CPAFFC and China’s policies on social organizations. She expressed CPAFFC’s wish to strengthen exchanges and cooperations with Caterpillar Foundation and hope Caterpillar Foundation make more contributions to the friendship and welfare of the two peoples.        

On September 13, the reception in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Iraq was co-hosted in Beijing by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Embassy of  the Republic of Iraq in 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, Mr. Chen Xiaodong, Assistant Minister of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the representatives from the relatives institutions and organizations such as International Department of CPC Central Committee, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education, China Youth Federation, enterprises and the main media institutions, as well as all the diplomats from the Embassy of Iraq and Iraqi immigrants in China and relative embassies together about more than 300 guests attended the reception. Before the reception, Vice Chairman Arken Imirbaki met with Ambassador Berwari and Mr. Haider Al-Rubeiy, President of Iraqi-China Friendship Association who came all the way from Iraq for this function. They visited the exhibition of pictures of Iraqi customs and relations between the two countries together. Vice President Lin Yi and Ambassador Ahmad Berwari delivered speeches respectively at the reception. President Lin Yi said in her speech that, China and Iraq have traditional friendship. At present, Iraq has become China's third largest trading partner in the Arab world and the fourth largest supplier of crude oil in the world. China has been Iraq's largest trading partner and crude oil buyer for many years. The CPAFFC looks forward to working with Iraqi side to further promote the development of friendly and cooperative relations in various fields between China and Iraq and jointly create a better future for both countries. Ambassador Berwari recalled the long history of bilateral exchanges between Iraq and China and thanked the Chinese government and people for their consistent support for Iraq over the past 60 years. He firmly believed that the profound and friendly relations between China and Iraq would continue. During the reception, Vice Chairman Arken Imirbaki and Ambassador Berwari unveiled the commemorative envelop and the stamps for 60th anniversary. Vice Chairman Arken Imirbaki  presented the commemorative porcelain plate of the envelope and Xi Jinping: The Governance of China I and II to Ambassador Berwari and then, they cut the celebration cake for 60th anniversary. At the reception, the Iraqi folk music band and Chinese dancing group presented the wonderful shows.                          

On September 12th, Vice President of CPAFFC Mme Lin Yi met with Mr. Mbassi, Secretary General of UCLGA in Beijing. Vice President Lin Yi thanked Mr. Mbassi for his constant support to CPAFFC and made introduction of the major projects and key working fields of CPAFFC in African Affairs. She hoped that both sides could jointly promote the exchanges and cooperation between China Africa local governments of in the areas of youth, culture, charity and experience of governance. Mr. Mbassi expressed his gratitude to Vice President Lin for her meeting with him. He said that the "Eight Initiatives" proposed by President Xi Jinping aiming at boosting Africa's development had set the direction for China-Africa relations.UCLGA is willing to work together with CPAFFC and make local governments and people benefit more from China-Africa cooperation. Mr. Li Hai, Deputy Director General of the Department of Asian and African Affairs of CPAFFC, was present at the meeting.     Photographed by Yang Huiwen

On September 11, the reception in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Oman was co-hosted in Beijing by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Embassy of Oman in China. Mr. Arken Imirbaki, Vice Chairman of Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and President of the Chinese-Arab Friendship Association, Mr. Yang Fuchang, former Deputy Minister of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and President of China Oman Friendship Association, Madam Lin Yi, Vice President of the CPAFFC, and Dr. Abdulmonam Al-Hasani, Minister of Information of Oman, Dr. Abdullah Saleh Al Saadi, Ambassador of Oman to China, together with other 400 guests attended the reception. Vice President Lin Yi said in her speech that, over the past four decades since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Oman, bilateral friendly cooperation has seen smooth development, with pragmatic achievements covering various fields, and the China-Oman strategic partnership was established this May. She stressed that development of bilateral relations requires support and involvement of all parties, and called for further cooperation between both countries in various fields, friendship associations included, to make more contribution for a closer people-to-people bond between China and Oman, as well as among all Belt and Road countries. Minister of Information Dr. Hasani said that the relations between our two countries have not been a passing event in the past, but an inevitable result of the peace-loving spirit and humanitarian communication with people and civilizations. He hoped that the two countries could, through joint efforts, open a beautiful terrace with colorful orchards of Omani-Chinese friendship.             Photographed by Tu Lili

A dialogue between leaders of Chinese and Russia regions, sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China (MFA China) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (MFA Russia), co-organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Local Cooperation Council of the Russia-China Friendship Committee for Peace and Development (RCFCPD), was held successfully in Vladivostok in Russia's Far East on September 11th, 2018. Nine Chinese leaders from provinces and autonomous regions including Mr. Li Jiheng, Provincial Committee Secretary of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Mr. Chen Qiufa, Provincial Committee Secretary of Liaoning Province, Mr. Bayanqolu, Provincial Committee Secretary of Jilin Province, Mr. Zhang Qingwei, Provincial Committee Secretary of Heilongjiang Province, Mr. Lou Qinjian, Provincial Committee Secretary of Jiangsu Province, Mr. Che Jun, Provincial Committee Secretary of Zhejiang Province, Mr. Liu Jiayi, Provincial Committee Secretary of Shandong Province, Mr. Peng Qinghua, Provincial Committee Secretary of Sichuan Province, Mr. Ma Xingrui, Provincial Committee Secretary of Guangdong Province, and Russian leaders from thirteen federal subjects, such as Primorsky Krai, Khabarovsk Krai, Amurskaya Oblast, Jewish Autonomous Oblast, Zabaykalsky Krai, Republic of Tatarstan, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Irkutsk, Moscow Oblast, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Yaroslavl Oblast, Tula Oblast, Republic of Chechnya, took part in the dialogue. Mme. Li Xiaolin, President of CPAFFC, presided the dialogue. Earlier this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Putin decided to hold years of China-Russia local cooperation and exchange in 2018 and 2019 during exchanging congratulatory messages on the coming New Year. This dialogue is one of the important bilateral activities held during Chinese President Xi attending the Fourth Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok as well as is the highest-level and largest conference in the history of China-Russia local exchange, which completely indicates that the two central governments pay high attention to local cooperation, and the Sino-Russian local cooperation is full of vitality and enthusiasm.       Photographed by Feng Miao