On May 28, 2018, the China-Japan Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Forum, co-hosted by the CPAFFC, Sichuan Provincial People’s Government and Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was held in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Governor of Sichuan Province Yin Li, CPAFFC Vice President Song Jingwu, Secretary General of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan Nikai Toshihiro and Vice President of Japan Business Federation (KEIDANREN) Yamauchi Takashi attended and addressed the forum. Vice Governor of Sichuan Province Zhu Hexin chaired the opening ceremony of the forum. Luo Qiang, Mayor of Chengdu, and Zhu Dan, Deputy Director General of Japanese Affairs of the CPAFFC, attended the event. In his speech, Song Jingwu said that China and Japan are close neighbors and suffer from frequent occurrences of natural disasters. The two countries face many common problems in reducing the risks of natural disasters. This year marks the 40th anniversary the signing of the Sino-Japanese Peace and Friendship Treaty. In this important year, the forum co-hosted by Chinese and Japanese sides is of great significance for strengthening local exchanges between China and Japan, promoting economic and social development between the two countries, and enhancing the well-being of the two peoples. He also hoped that China and Japan would take the forum as an opportunity to continue the pragmatic cooperation in the fields of disaster prevention and mitigation, so as to further contribute to promoting international cooperation in disaster prevention and mitigation and jointly building a community with a shared future for mankind. On behalf of the Sichuan provincial government and the people of Sichuan, Yin Li expressed gratitude to the Japanese government, Japanese people and Nikai Toshihiro for their support and assistance to Sichuan in the relief work of the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake. It is hoped that both China and Japan will further deepen scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation on disaster prevention and mitigation, strengthen personnel and technical exchanges, establish and improve cooperation mechanisms for geological disaster big data platform, disaster monitoring and early warning, and post-disaster recovery and reconstruction, so as to further enhance the ability to cope with major natural disasters. Nikai Toshihiro said the relationship between the countries is ultimately the relationship between the peoples. Japan and China should continue to deepen bilateral relations, create a better future, and establish a true mutual trust relationship, in order to achieve common development. He hoped that this forum would be an opportunity for Japan and China to work together to promote a better future for the two countries. Yamauchi Takashi said that this year is the 10th anniversary of the 2018 Wenchuan earthquake. In the past decade, the post-earthquake reconstruction has made tremendous progress. The Japanese economic community is willing to share the experience and technology in response to natural disasters and provide support for Wenchuan's post-disaster reconstruction within its capacity. Before the forum, Chinese and Japanese guests visited the Photo Exhibition of the 10th Anniversary of the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake and the Disaster Prevention of Japan. The theme of this forum is "strengthening cooperation in disaster prevention and mitigation, and building a community with a shared future for mankind." At the forum, Chinese and Japanese participants conducted in-depth exchanges and discussions on topics such as disaster prevention and community construction, emergency response and emergency logistics, as well as earthquake-resistance of buildings. More than 240 people from China and Japan attended the forum. Nikai Toshihiro’s visit to China is at the invitation of the CPAFFC.       Photographed by Li Kun 

Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Mr. Luis Quesada, Peruvian Ambassador to China on May 25th, 2018. Vice President Xie Yuan said that although two countries are far apart, we enjoy profound friendship. China-Peru relation is at best time. Last year, CPAFFC worked together with Peruvian Embassy in China to hold Peruvian Gastronomy Festival, which achieved good result. This year, CPAFFC would continue to keep close contact and cooperation with Peruvian Embassy in China to further promote the friendly exchanges of the two countries in various fields. Ambassador Luis Quesada said, although separated by vast Pacific Ocean, China and Peru relation is as kind as neighbors. The active high-level visits lead the way in promoting the countries' pragmatic cooperation. CPAFFC made remarkable contributions to promote the friendly exchanges of the two countries. He expected to continue to keep close cooperation with CPAFFC to further strengthen the friendly relations during his tenure.         Photographed by Zhu Rui  

Mme. Li Xiaolin, President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), attended the opening ceremony of World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, Anhui Province and delivered a speech on May 25th. President Li Xiaolin announced that CPAFFC would initiate and found Senior Consultant Committee on International Cooperation in Advanced Manufacturing Industry in order to promote international cooperation in manufacturing industry. During in Hefei, President Li Xiaolin met successively with former Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon and former German President Wulff. World Manufacturing Convention was jointly organized by CPAFFC, the People’s Government of Anhui Province (PGAP), Global Alliance of SMEs (GASMEs) and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Over 3000 personages including government officials from different countries, executives from manufacturing enterprises, experts and scholars, attended the convention.  

Mme. Lin Yi, the CPAFFC Vice President, met with H.E. Mr. Dolana Msimang, the South African Ambassador to China on May 23. Mme. Msimang expressed her sincere appreciation to the CPAFFC for promoting South Africa-China friendship and enhancing two countries’ goodwill exchanges over the past years, especially thanks to the CPAFFC for hosting the reception in celebration of the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Africa and China, and said the CPAFFC’s role and function are of great importance to embassies in China, with the South African embassy included. Mme. Lin said that this year marks the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa and will also witness the FOCAC Beijing Summit, so it is an important year in China-South Africa and China-Africa cooperation. The CPAFFC will continue its close cooperation with the embassy and work together to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and African peoples and promote China-Africa friendly and pragmatic cooperation. Both sides also exchanged views on South Africa Development Community. Mr. Li Hai, Deputy Director General of Afro-Asian Affairs Department, was present at the meeting.       Photographed by Zhang Yujun    

On May 23, 2018, CPAFFC Vice President Song Jingwu met with Patrik Kovács, President of Young Entrepreneurs Organization of European union (JEUNE), and discussed exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and European youth. Song Jingwu said that 2018 marked the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the EU. With frequent exchange of visits between Chinese and European leaders, the China-EU relations are full of opportunities for long-term development. The CPAFFC was willing to cooperate with JEUNE to strengthen the exchanges between Chinese and European youth. Patrik Kovács appreciated the CPAFFC’s contributions to the multi-field and in-depth development of the China-EU relations, and expressed his hope for more pragmatic cooperation with the CPAFFC. The two sides exchanged views on organizing Chinese youth study tours to Europe and establishing the office of JEUNE in China. JEUNE is the biggest organization representing young entrepreneurs across Europe with more than 1.66 million members from 22 countries. It is committed to helping European young entrepreneurs start and further exchanges and cooperation with young people from other countries in the world. Lv Hongwei, Deputy Director General of European and Asian Affairs, was present at the meeting.             

The Fourth China-U.S. Governors Forum, co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Sichuan Provicial People’s Government, was held in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province on May 22. The theme of the forum was Win-win Cooperation and Shared Development. Vice Chairman Wu Weihua of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Secretary Peng Qinghua of CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee, President Li Xiaolin of the CPAFFC, Governor Yin Li of Sichuan Provincial People’s Government, Governor Wang Wentao of Heilongjiang Provincial People’s Government, Executive Vice Governor Chen Xiangqun of Hunan Provincial People’s Government, Vice Governor Xia Yanjun of Hebei Provincial People’s Government, Ambassador Terry Branstad of the U.S. to China, Governor Bill Walker of Alaska, Lieutenant Governor John Sanchez of New Mexico, and representatives from the States of California, Michigan, Ohio and Iowa State Economic Development Agency attended the forum. Governor Jerry Brown of California, Governor Rick Snyder of Michigan, Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York and Governor Jay Inslee of Washington sent videos or letters of congratulations to the forum. Discussions around trade and investment, green development, innovation driven economy were carried out among 350 attendees from Chinese and U.S. governments and businesses to tap into the potential for China-U.S. sub-national cooperation, striving for practical achievements. Vice Chairman Wu Weihua said at the opening ceremony that after 40 years, with joint efforts between the two countries, China-U.S. cooperation has expanded extensively, forming an interdependence under which circumstances one can not be isolated from the other. Chinese President Xi Jinping made it clear at this year’s Boao Forum for Asia that China will open its doors wider to the outside world. China will relax its control on market access, create a more favorable business climate, strengthen intellectual property rights protection and increase importation. In this process, Chinese provinces are willing to cooperate with U.S. states in trade and in trade and investment, green development and innovation driven economy. China welcomes U.S. states and their businesses to participate in its high-quality development, making shared development and win-win cooperation. Secretary Peng Qinghua said, as one of the economic, resources, personnel, science and technology powerhouses of China, Sichuan is endowed with a sound base for exchanges and cooperation with the U.S. and other regions, possessing a great potential. Sichuan wishes to take the forum as an opportunity to perfect cooperation mechanism, expand friendly exchanges, and deepen cooperation in trade and investment, education, science and technology, green and low-carbon development, as well as people-to-people exchanges, resulting in a win-win and mutually beneficial situation. President Li Xiaolin said, as one of the most important China-U.S. sub-national cooperation mechanisms, China-U.S. Governors Form has been supported by national and sub-national leaders as well as people from all walks of life from both countries. She also hoped attendees to the forum carry out extensive discussions to provide more ideas and strategies to promote the development of China-U.S. relationship and sub-national relationship, promoting common development and world peace and prosperity through exchanges and cooperation. Ambassador Branstad had attended all three previous forums and expressed his pleasure to attend the fourth forum as Ambassador. He said that sub-national cooperation was bedrock of U.S.-China relationship. The forum had been playing an important role in promoting sub-national cooperation in trade and investment, culture, agriculture, environment protection, education and sports, bringing benefits to people of the two countries. The China-U.S. Governors Forum was established in 2011 under the consensus of the state leaders of the two countries. Since then three forums and two rounds of dialogues have been held, with total participation of 26 Chinese provincial leaders and 33 U.S. governors. It has received great care and support from the national leaders and all social sectors of the two countries, providing an important platform for China-U.S. sub-national cooperation.           Potographed by Department of American and Asian Affairs

Secretary Peng Qinghua of CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee: The China-U.S. Governors Forum serves as a platform where sub-national leaders exchange ideas and sub-national cooperation are carried out. With its theme Win-win Cooperation and Shared Development, the forum echoes with the voice of the era and meets the expectations of all sides. We would like to take the forum as an opportunity to perfect cooperation mechanism, expand friendly exchanges and deepen practical cooperation with U.S. states in trade and investment, education and scientific innovation, green and low-carbon development, and people-to-people exchanges, creating a win-win, mutual-learning and mutually beneficial relationship. Governor Yin Li of Sichuan Province: Green development is the trend of our time and common goal of both countries. This forum has put green development on its agenda as an act to conform to the global trend of low-carbon development and of responsibility to jointly promote green and sustainable development. There exists a solid foundation and great potential in ecological construction, green industry and clean energy. Sichuan will, as always, work with people from all sectors of society of the U.S. to push forward green development through opening-up and win-win cooperation. Governor Wang Wentao of Heilongjiang Province: As the world enters an era of economic globalization, bilateral, multilateral and regional cooperation has become a realistic choice for different countries in the world. As the geographically closest Chinese province to U.S. mainland, Heilongjiang wishes to play a more important role in the mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries. Heilongjiang also expects to strengthen its cooperation with U.S. states in agriculture, tourism, high-tech industry, modern manufacturing and service industry. Executive Vice Governor Chen Xiangqun of Hunan Province: Green development serves as an important foundation for the construction of a community of shared future. It also points to the correct direction for the development of world economy. Hunan hopes increase exchanges and communication with its American counterparts, share its green development mechanism, work with the U.S. states in the development of green industry, clean energy and tourism industry. We might make green development an opportunity to enhance our mutually beneficial relationship. Vice Governor Xia Yanjun of Hebei Province: Trade and investment is the common concern of all countries and regions of the world. It is also a crucial ingredient for economic development. Hebei province attaches great importance to trade and investment cooperation with the U.S. The One Belt One Road initiative, the Co-ordinated Development of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, the planning and construction of Xiong’an New Area, and the preparation for the 2022 Winter Olympics are seen as great opportunities for Hebei. It also provide a huge market and great potential for the province’s cooperation with the U.S, which we wish to push forward in areas such as trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges. Governor Bill Walker of Alaska: Alaska appreciates its relationship with Chinese provinces and hopes to work with its Chinese counterparts in a myriad of areas based on this relationship. Alaska is rich in natural gas, which China is in great need of. Our joint efforts in this regard have been supported by Presidents of both countries. We are working to start a direct flight from Alaska to China, which will bring Chinese commodities and tourists to Alaska. We also hope to export more goods to China. Governor Jerry Brown of California: It is crucially important to convene American and Chinese governors, discussing topics such as trade and economics and clean energy, enhancing mutual understanding and practical cooperation. As is known to all, global economy is facing great challenge, but that challenge cannot be compared with the challenge of climate change. I encourage all parties to take more measures to counter climate change, including carbon trade, green construction, energy conservation devices, renewable energy, and zero emission vehicles. This work is of great importance to not only Chinese and American sub-national governments, but to other countries as well. Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York: More than ever before, New York State is committed to exploring opportunities for cultural exchange and to encouraging foreign partnership and investment. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our important cultural relationship with the Chinese community-both here in New York and abroad-and to achieving our shared goals together in the months ahead. Governor Jay Inslee of Washington: As is known to all, the U.S.-China Governors Forum provides a unique opportunity to raise both peoples’ awareness and morale to stand up together to difficult challenges. As such, I encourage each participants carry on with your efforts, making new achievements in key areas such as climate change and economic development. Lieutenant Governor John Sanchez of New Mexico: The similarities between the U.S. and China outweigh their differences. More than ever, both countries need to build more trust with each other. As the third largest energy producer in the U.S., New Mexico is actively developing renewable energy, diversifying our economy and creating more jobs. We would like to work with China, along with 49 other states of the U.S., striding forward in the face of our common challenges.           Photographed by Department of American and Oceanian Affairs

On May 21st, Mme Lin Yi, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met with H.E.Mr. German Ekua Sima Abaga, Ambassador of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea to China in Beijing. Mme Lin said that in recent years, the CPAFFC had worked closely with the Embassy of Equatorial Guinea in China, and had frequent contact with the Association of Equatorial Guinean Graduates of China. The people-to-people communication channels with Equatorial Guinea are unimpeded. Ambassador Sima spoke highly of the positive role played by CPAFFC in promoting the relations between China and Equatorial Guinea, and believed that enhancing mutual understanding between peoples is of great significance in promoting the bilateral relations. Mme Tang Ruimin, Deputy Inspector of Department of Asian and African Affairs of CPAFFC attended the meeting.       Photographed by Yang Huiwen

Liu He, member of the political bureau of the CPC central committee, vice premier of the State Council, met with Governor Walker of Alaska, Lieutenant Governor Sanchez of New Mexico and other major U.S. delegates attending the Forth China-U.S. Governors Forum in Beijing on May 21st. Liu He said that he just came back to Beijing from Washington D.C. During his visit, the two sides had conducted positive, tangible and fruitful discussions on China-U.S. Trade issue and reached important consensus, which would be beneficial for peoples in both countries and all around the world. The China-U.S. Governors Forum is an important sub-national exchanges mechanism between the two countries. He hoped delegates from the U.S. take this forum as an opportunity to promote practical cooperation at the sub-national level, promoting further development of bilateral relationship. Walker and Sanchez said the whole world were celebrating the consensus reached by our countries in trade issue. They hoped to further cooperate with Chinese localities in trade, investment, green development and innovation, making further contribution to the development of bilateral relationship.         Photographed by Mu Liyi  

Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with visiting Mme. O.Melynikova, Director General of Russian Cultural Center (RCC) and Cultural Counselor of the Russian Embassy in China on May 21st. President Song extended welcome to O. Melynikova. He said, Counselor O. Melynikova had paid several official visits to CPAFFC after taking office, which indicates the support she had given in and the attention she had paid to the friendly cause of the peoples between China and Russia. We appreciated for it. O. Melynikova said that RCC actively developed the exchanges of the two countries in the fields of humanity and culture including arts and education in recent years and paid high attention to the pragmatic cooperation of the peoples between the two countries. RCC would like to work together with CPAFFC to develop the exchanges. Both sides also exchanged their views on the topics concerning the cooperation of the local governments, the exchanges of the youth between China and Russia, and the preparations for Mitrovanova’s upcoming visit to China, who is new Director of the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation (ROSSOTRUDNICHESTVO). Mme. Hu Chunmei, Associated Counsel of Department of European and Asian Affairs of CPAFFC, and Secretary General of China and Russia Friendship Association, was present.           Photographed by Zheng Chen