On July 13, Vice President Lin Yi met with José Correia, President of Cabo Verde- China Friendship Association in Beijing, with the presence of Deputy Director General Li Hai of the Asian and African Affairs Department of CPAFFC, and Counselor Francisco Mendes of the Cabo Verdian Embassy in China. Lin extended her warm welcome to José and affirmed the years of good cooperation with Cabo Verde-China Friendship Association. She stressed that CPAFFC was willing to work with Cabo Verde to make new contributions to the consolidation and development of the traditional friendship between China and Cabo Verde. José expressed the affirmative will of Cabo Verde-China Friendship Association on its continuous effort in enhancing the people-to-people exchange between the two countries with the concerning Chinese institutions and proposed Lin to pay a visit to Cabo Verde. They also exchanged views on some specific cooperation projects in the fields of youth, culture and education.       Photographed by Yang Huiwen

The third World Philanthropy Forum (WPF) will be held on September 5th-7th in the city of Shanghai, China. This Forum is organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Tsinghua University, the University of Hong Kong, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and co-hosted by the China Welfare Institute. Forum sponsors include the Institute for Philanthropy of Tsinghua University, Tsinghua University's Social Work Education Center, and China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development. Under the theme of “building a sustainable Community of Shared Future for Mankind,” the third WPF will focus on content concerning poverty eradication, health and well-being, quality education, sustainable cities and communities, and the partnership to promote the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Meanwhile, discussions at the Forum will revolve around the following issues: sustainable development concept & education contribution, global partnerships for sustainable development, world city 2050, vocational education and youth development, arts & humanities and philanthropy, global and regional poverty eradication and governance under the new era, women and children protection and Soong Ching Ling’s thought, and resource partners for sustainable development, among others. The Fourth Session of the 12th National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China passed the Charity Law of the People’s Republic of China in 2016, and designated September 5th (the International Day of Charity, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly) as “Chinese Charity Day”. In the same year, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Tsinghua University initiated and invited the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation to co-organize the first WPF. Based in China and open to the world, the Forum is committed to promoting philanthropic practices, social services, academic exchanges, policy advocacy, personnel training, experience sharing as well as international cooperation around the world. It focuses on the hot issues and difficulties in human progress, respects for differences, equal participation and consensus gathering, actively implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and promoting the building of a Community of Shared Future for Mankind. The two UN Secretary-Generals successively sent letters to celebrate the holding of the Forum. It is reported that this Forum will also hold a series of activities to announce achievements, including the signing ceremony for “The Belt& Road” personnel training plan, the formal establishment of the academic committee, and the launch of the WPF Philanthropy Index Research. The Forum will also announce the venue and theme for the 2019 Forum. In addition, the Forum will also hold the “Annual Meeting of Collaboration Network For Philanthropy and Social Services” and organize visits to Shanghai-based charity organizations.      

On July 10th , Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with H.E. Darko Pajovic, New Montenegrin Ambassador to China. Vice President Song Jingwu welcomed Ambassador Darko for taking his new post in China and expressed the wishes to cooperate widely with the Embassy of Montenegro in China in multiple fields, making greater contributions for the continuous development of bilateral relations. Ambassador Darko spoke highly of CPAFFC’s hard works to promoting the development of the friendly relations between the two countries, hoped to work together closely with CPAFFC to enrich further the bilateral friendship. The Vice Director of The Department of European and Asian Affairs of CPAFFC, Ms. Zhang Ruoning, was present at the meeting.       Photographed by Yang Yingzi 

On July 4, Madame Lin Yi, Vice President of the CPAFFC, met with Mr. Edmundo Galiza Matos, President of the Mozambique-China Friendship, Solidarity and Cooperation League of the Parliament of Mozambique in Beijing. Mr. Matos said that the Mozambique-China Friendship Association has been officially registered and established in Mozambique recently, with he himself serving as the President. The Association, committed to spreading Chinese culture and learning from China’s experience of economic development, is willing to work closely with the CPAFFC to enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples. Vice President Lin extended her warm welcome to Mr. Matos and her congratulations to the establishment of the Mozambique-China Friendship Association. She said that China and Mozambique are all-weather friends and have broad prospects for bilateral relations. CPAFFC is willing to work with the Mozambican side to continuously deepen the friendship between the two peoples by carrying out more pragmatic cooperation in the fields of youth, charity and local governments.           Photographed by Yang Huiwen    

Mr. Li Xikui, Secretary General of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and Director of China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development (CFFPD), met in Beijing with Mr. Benjamin C.Y. FOK, Chairman of the board of Henry Fok Ying Tung Group Company Limited, and his delegation on July, 3rd. Secretary General Li Xikui extended his welcome to the delegation and made an introduction about the main functions and the tasks of the CPAFFC and CFFPD. Secretary General Li also invited Mr. Benjamin C.Y. FOK to attend Third World Philanthropy Forum to be held in Shanghai in September this year. Secretary General Li also said, two sides should keep close contact and establish cooperative relationship, so as to work together to develop the cooperation and exchanges in the field of philanthropy.  Mr. Benjamin C.Y. FOK hoped that two sides should strengthen the cooperation in the fields of philanthropy, ecology and environmental protection.           Photographed by Zhang Chuyan    

Vice President Xie Yuan met with a delegation led by Tim Quigley, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sister Cities International on July 2nd. Both parties carried out conversations on the topics of the Belt &Road Initiative and commemorating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the U.S. next year, agreeing to strengthen communication in a bid to further promote China-U.S. subnational exchanges and cooperation.            Photographed by Chen Ke    

On June 29, the reception in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cote d'Ivoire, co-hosted by CPAFFC and the Embassy of Cote d'Ivoire in China, was held in Beijing. H.E. Mr. Zheng Jianbang, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice President of CPAFFC, Major General Liu Dianjun, Assistant to Air Force Chief of Staff, Mr. Wan Li, Deputy Director-General of the Department of African Affairs of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mme. Cai Shufen, President of Beijing Municipal Women's Federation, H.E. Mr. Dosso Adama, Ambassador of Cote d'Ivoire to China, and other 300 Chinese and African representatives from all walks of life attended the reception.  Vice President Xie Yuan said that Cote d’Ivoire is China’s traditional friendly country and important partner in West Africa. In recent years, the mutual political trust between China and Cote d'Ivoire has been continuously enhanced while trade cooperation getting closer, cultural exchanges flourishing and mutual understanding being gradually deepened. Taking the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cote d'Ivoire and the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation as an opportunity, China is willing to make joint efforts with Cote d'Ivoire to further all-round and multi-level friendly and cooperative relations. Ambassador Dosso said that the friendship between Cote d'Ivoire and China withstands the test of time. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 35 years ago, the two countries have attained new achievements in the exchanges of different fields. Cote d'Ivoire will continue, as always, to support China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, participate in the “Belt and Road Initiative” and build with China the community of shared future for mankind. Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Mr. Zheng Jianbang meet with Ambassador Dosso Vice President of the CPAFFC Mr. Xie Yuan gave a speech Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Mr. Zheng Jianbang gave Ambassador Dosso the book Xi Jinping: the Governance of China as a gift. Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Mr. Zheng Jianbang gave Ambassador Dosso commemorative plate as a gift. Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Mr. Zheng Jianbang and Ambassador Dosso cut the celebration cake together     Photographed by Xu Yan    

On June 28th, invited by Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs of South Africa, Vice President Lin Yi of CPAFFC led a delegation to attend the BRICS Friendship Cities, Local Governments Cooperation and Urbanization Forum held in East London, EasternCape and delivered a speech at the opening ceremony on behalf of the Chinese delegates. The BRICS Friendship Cities and Local Governments Cooperation Forum was jointly launched by CPAFFC and CIFCA in 2011. It aims to promote friendship-city twinning and international cooperation and exchanges among the BRICS countries. It is convened annually by the hosting country of the BRICS Leaders Meeting since the year 2011.  Under the theme of Building sustainable and inclusive cities through innovation and partnerships, delegates discussed issues of urbanization cooperation, sustainable human settlements and urban-rural infrastructure development and etc. at plenaries and parallel sessions of the forum. Besides the delegation of CPAFFC, about 500 delegates including Deputy Minister Andries Nel of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs of South Africa, Director Alessandra Vieira of Ministry of Cities of Brazil, Counsul-general Roman Ambarov of Russia, Joint Secretary Khushwant Singh Sethi of Panchayati Raj of India are present. As the host, Premier Phumulo Masualle of Eastern Cape Province and Executive Mayor Xola Pakati of Buffalo City Metro and attended and delivered opening remarks. During the forum, Vice President Lin met with Deputy Minister Andries Nel of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs of South Africa and President Parks Tau of South African Local Government Association respectively. They had in-depth exchanges on promoting cooperation at local and regional level between China and South Africa. Vice President Lin Yi also invited them to attend China International Friendship Cities Conference held in Wuhan this November. Lin said that we BRICS countries are committed to upholding global peace and contributing to the international security order. With the increasingly close ties among BRICS countries, the BRICS Friendship Cities and Local Governments Cooperation Forum has become an important content of BRICS cooperation. We should make full use of the forum mechanism to strengthen the friendship and local governments cooperation among the BRICS countries. We should expand the coverage of BRICS cooperation and deliver its benefits to more people and promote the "BRICS Plus" cooperation approach and build an open and diversified network of development partnerships to accelerate results-oriented cooperation at local and regional level.   Photographed by Liu Hongmin and Wang Bo

China (Xing County) International Symposium on Poverty Relief and its side events, co-hosted by the CPAFFC and Shanxi Provincial People’s Government, were successfully held in Xing County, Lvliang City, Shanxi Province from June 27 to 28, 2018. CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin and Vice Governor of Shanxi Province Chen Yongqi attended the symposium. Jamaican Ambassador to China Antonia Hugh and over 160 guests from embassies, international organizations and multinational corporations of 16 countries also participated in the symposium. CPAFFC Vice President Xie Yuan and Secretary General Li Xikui attended relevant events respectively. The theme of the symposium is “A Bridge of Friendship and Cooperation, Joining Hands to Facilitate International Poverty Reduction”. It aims to build a platform for Chinese and overseas communities to discuss poverty alleviation, promote international exchanges and cooperation on poverty alleviation, showcase Xing County to the world, and provide strong support for the poverty-stricken areas to achieve poverty-reduction goals at an early date. In her speech at the opening ceremony, CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin said that it is the common mission of human society to eliminate poverty. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping at the core has made poverty alleviation a key task in achieving the first centenary goal to finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects by the time the CPC marks its centenary. China has made decisive progress in poverty alleviation, offering China’s wisdom and China’s approach to achieve global poverty reduction. Targeted poverty alleviation was identified by the 19th CPC National Congress as one of the three tough battles that China must win to secure a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. New deployment has also been made. As required by the CPC Central Committee, the CPAFFC carried out targeted poverty alleviation work in Xing County, and implemented a series of poverty alleviation projects. The CPAFFC would take this symposium as an opportunity to share experiences in poverty alleviation, bring together resources from all walks of life both at home and abroad, and contribute to the poverty alleviation in poverty-stricken areas at an early date. Vice Governor Chen Yongqi said that Shanxi Province implemented the decisions and policies of the CPC Central Committee, and fully carried out the “Eight Major Projects” and “Twenty Actions” of poverty alleviation. In the past five years, 2.75 million people had been lifted out of poverty, and the poverty headcount ratio had dropped from 13.6% to less than 3.9%. Shanxi Province would strengthen exchanges and cooperation with other countries in strategic emerging industries such as new technologies, new materials, new energy, energy conservation and environmental protection and high-end equipment manufacturing. Ambassador Antonia Hugh said in his speech that poverty is a development issue as well as a global issue. He expressed his appreciation for China’s determination to declare war on poverty. He believed that under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, China's development would bring more opportunities for global poverty reduction. The symposium was chaired by CPAFFC Secretary General Li Xikui.       The letter of intent on poverty relief programs signing ceremony between international organizations (enterprises) and Xing County and donation ceremony were held at the opening ceremony. The CPAFFC, the OSI Group, Prologis, Essilor Vision Foundation, BBCI (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. and other organizations and enterprises sighed strategic cooperation agreement on poverty alleviation with Xing County People’s Government. Qualcomm, VISA Inc., AstraZeneca, United Technologies Corporation, and Rongbaozhai Company and other enterprises donated student computers, school bags, youth STEM incubation spaces and cultural products to the Xing County People's Government.         During the main conference, Liu Zhijie, Director General of Shanxi Poverty Alleviation and Development Office, Li Zhengyin, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Shanxi Provincial Committee and Secretary of CPC Lvliang City Committee, Liang Zhifeng, Secretary of the CPC Xing County Committee, Aicha Mokdahi, President of Essilor Vision Foundation, Kitamura Tomoo, Director of Council of Local Authorities for International Relations, Beijing, Li Fei, Vice President for Government Relations, United Technologies China, Guo Tao, Vice Chairman of Qualcomm, and other representatives from local governments, international organizations and enterprises, delivered speeches respectively on international poverty alleviation cooperation.         The seminar on targeted poverty alleviation work by CPAFFC was held on the afternoon of June 27. Li Xiaolin attended and addressed the seminar. She said that the CPAFFC attached great importance to targeted poverty alleviation and has repeatedly studied and deployed relevant work. By mobilizing all parties, integrating Chinese and overseas resources and dispatching outstanding officials to work in the poverty-stricken areas, the CPAFFC implemented a series of effective projects. In order to further strengthen the targeted poverty alleviation work, the association held China (Xing County) International Symposium on Poverty Relief, so as to bring supports at home and abroad, especially the advanced development concepts and scientific management experiences, to Xing County. The next step is to strengthen the study on theories and policies on poverty alleviation, take Xi Jingping’s thought on targeted poverty alleviation as guidance on practices, enhance the relationship with the people of Xing County, strengthen the ties between the local leaders and the people in difficulty, increase researches on poverty alleviation, and further strengthen communication and coordination with the Xing County People’s Government. At the seminar, senior officials of Lvliang City and Xing County introduced the poverty alleviation work at the city and county levels. The two parties conducted in-depth discussions on continuing to strengthen communication and collaboration and promote effective cooperation.           In the afternoon, CPAFFC Vice President Xie Yuan led a working team and went for a study tour to Shahao Village of Caijiaya Town, Xing County, where a CPAFFC official worked as First Secretary of the poverty-stricken village. The team discussed with the cadres of the CPC Shahao Village Committee, called on villagers Wang Pinggang, Liu Yingsheng and Liu Xiying, and visit the construction site of Shahao farm. The team also visited Jinsui Border Revolution Museum and said that they would inherit and carry forward the revolutionary spirit and the spirit of Jinsui, to make new achievements in poverty alleviation.         In the meanwhile, CPAFFC Secretary General Li Xikui and over 100 participants of the symposium visited the key poverty alleviation projects in Xing County. The group visited Zhangjialiang ecological poverty alleviation project in Caijiaya Town. They visited Xing County E-Commerse Public Service Center and Qingquan Vinegar Company in Kangning Agricultural Park, to learn about the quality, online sales of the specialty products such as millet, dates, walnuts and vinegar and the effect to reduce poverty. The group also went to Division 120 School to learn about the schooling situation of the left-behind children and poor students in Xing County, and unveiled the youth STEM incubation space donated by United Technologies Corporation.       On the morning of June 28, CPC Lvliang City Committee and Lvliang City People’s Government hosted the poverty relief promotion conference. Relevant government officials marketed local agricultural specialties, such as minor coarse cereals, dates and walnuts. More than 40 kinds of products from over 20 agricultural enterprises were displayed. 112 industrial projects with a total investment of 94 billion yuan were also presented. Chinese and overseas representatives enthusiastically discussed cooperation intentions with the heads of local enterprises .      

On the morning of June, 27th, Mme. AICHA MOKDAHI, Chairperson of France Foundation Vision Essilor (FFVE) and Mr. Liu Shiqing，County Mayor of Xing County, Shanxi Province,  signed a cooperative agreement on China (Xing County) International Symposium on Poverty Relief co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and People’s Government of Shanxi Province. According to the agreement, FFVE will donate an optometry center to Xing County People’s Hospital, so as to assistant Xing County to do well in poverty alleviation. CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin and Vice Governor of Shanxi Province Chen Yongqi were witnesses to the signing ceremony. Under the framework of cooperation between CPAFFC and SPF (Secours Populaire Fran?ais), FFVE had begun to develop the poverty alleviation program “Bright Sight, Viewing World” in Xing County last year. Children in Xing County were required to have their vision tested, and free ten thousands pairs of glasses would be given to near sighted children. For more than one year, this program had been basically completed and had achieved great success. In addition, Secretary of Secrétariat National of SPF THIERRY ROBERT announced in opening remark that it will donate a school bus to Xing County.             Photographed by Zuo Fengqiang