On May 15th, Vice President Hu Sishe met with Delegation of the Nordhessen Univerity of applied Science from Germany leading by its president Mrs. Michaella Zilling. Vice President Hu Sishe greeted the visit of the Nordhessen University of applied Science. He said, the vocational and technical Education in Germany has always been a role model for China to learn from in the relevant fields. Training and instructing the students according to their classification would be an important trend for the development of Chinese education in the future. The Chinese-German Nursing Exchange Project which was carried by CSC (China Service Center for Friendship and Cooperation with Foreign Countries) was a pilot project of CPAFFC aiming to educate talents mastering applied technology. CPAFFC hoped to work together with Nordhessen Univerity of applied Science to broaden the cooperation areas, so that the bridge for deeper communication and exchange between China and Germany in education could be built. Mrs. Michaella Zilling, president of the university thanked vice president Hu for this meeting. She introduced the history and the subject setting of the university. Nordhessen University of applied Science has much  experiences for cooperation with Chinese Colleges. The vocational applied technology related majors are also the advantage majors of the university. Nordhessen University has a strong interest in cooperating with China on vocational education and is willing to work with CPAFFC to promote exchanges and cooperation in the field of education between China and Germany. After the meeting, CSC-Director Zhang Juxiang introduced the CSC and the Chinese-German Nursing Exchange Project to the guests and both sides had a good communication about the concerned issues and exchange thoughts.        

Vice President Hu Sishe met with the Vienna Flute Mozartet on 15th May. Mr. Hu Sishe welcomed the artists for performing in China. He said that Chinese people has long been fond of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and music of Mozart. As Culture and Music are vital parts of the exchanges for the two countries, CPAFFC is willing to conduct deep cooperation with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the Vienna Flute Mozartet and promote the mutual exchanges between our two peoples and the artists. Dieter Flury, the head of the Vienna Flute Mozartet, former  General Manager and the Principle Flute of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, said that Austrian President and Premier together with a delegation visited China earlier this year, showing great importance to China-Austria ties, and the four artists are very glad to perform in China in the wake of their official visit.       Photographed by Jing Ruoxi

Sponsored by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), co-organized by China-Central Asia Friendship Association ( CCAFA) and China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development (CFFPD), organized by China Next Generation Education Foundation (CNGEF), Nongovernmental Organizations Dialogue of Members of Shanghai Cooperation Organization and 3rd China-Central Asia Cooperation Dialogue was held successfully in Beijing on May, 15th. Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC and CCAFA, Mr. Wu Hongbin and Mr.Hong Jiuyin, Vice Presidents of CCAFA, Mr. Zhang Chaohui, Director-General of Youth Volunteer Action and Guidance Center of the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) Central Committee, Mme. Wu Juan, Secretary General of CNGEF, and leaders from friendly organizations of members of Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO) in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzs, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Sri Lanka and etc., were present and delivered speeches. On the opening ceremony, CCAFA together with Kyrgyz People's Congress signed a cooperation agreement with Uzbekistan Cares for Next Generation Foundation (UCNGF). Vice President Song Jingwu pointed out that, with the developing of the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, the friendly exchanges of the peoples between the members of SCO had been promoted comprehensively, the mutual understanding and mutual trust of the peoples among the different countries had been increasingly strengthened and the mutual respect and mutual trust among different civilizations, regions, races and religions had also been continuously consolidated. As a nongovernmental friendly organization, the Nongovernmental Organization of members of SCO plays a unique role in building a bridge to exchange, conveying people’s willingness and uniting people’s power. It is an important partner of SCO during the development. This dialogue was an important opportunities to exchange for the nongovernmental organizations of members of SCO, and it would further enhance the mutual understanding and friendship. Organizing this dialogue was to assist the SCO Qingdao Summit, to promote the exchanges of peoples among members of SCO and to enhance the pragmatic cooperation in the field of culture. With the theme of charity and professional education, the dialogue aims at adhering to the Shanghai Spirit, implementing the peoples’ intention and delivering benefits to people in SCO. This dialogue is also the continuing of the China- Central Asia Cooperation Dialogue organized by CPAFFC. Over 70 personages from nongovernmental organizations of members of SCO, charities, embassies and the fields of education, academic, media and etc., attended the dialogue. Xinhua News Agency, CCTV-13, CCTV-Pусский, CRI and other mainstream media made widely report on this activity.         Photographed by Feng Miao  

On May 14th, Vice President Xie Yuan attended the forum ‘Exploring Marx’s Thoughts—Marking the 200th Anniversary of Marx’s Birth’ in Yan'an, Shaanxi Province. The forum was co-held by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Yan'an Municipal Committee of CPC and the People’s Government of Yan'an. It is of great significance to summarize the journey of the exploration of Marx’s thoughts in Europe and to promote the localization, modernization and popularization of Marxism in China. The forum was divided into three sessions, i.e., Marxism and Human Development, Reform and Opening-up and the Localization of Marxism, and Marxism and Youth’s Mission. Yan Hanping, deputy secretary of Yan'an Municipal Committee of CPC, Zhang Maizeng, party secretary of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Yang Zhihe, director of the Academic Affairs Department of China Executive Leadership Academy of Yan'an, Xie Yuan, Vice President of CPAFFC were invited and delivered keynote speeches.   Deputy secretary Yan Hanping stated that Yan'an is an important place for the localization of Marxism. The three great leaps taken place in China were all related to Yan'an. In the future, Yan'an will continue to develop with the Yan'an spirit. Party secretary Zhang Maizeng pointed out Marx is a thoughtful, innovative and diligent figure. His thoughts are people-centered and practice-oriented. It is of profound historical and practical significance to explore why China had chosen Marxism. Vice president Xie Yuan spoke highly of the signing of the memorandum between Yan'an and Trier to establish a friendship-city relation. He recommended Yan'an to invite the mayor of Trier to visit Yan'an as soon as possible and promote practical cooperation between the two cities, especially strengthen exchanges and interactions among the youth.   The forum also invited professors from Central Party History Research Institute, Renmin University of China, China Foreign Affairs University, Beijing Normal University, China Executive Leadership Academy of Yan'an, Party History Research Office of Yan'an and Yan'an University to jointly discuss the understanding of Marxism and its localization in China. Meanwhile, PhD. candidates from China, Germany, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Laos and Nepal participated in the forum to share their views.               

At the invitation of the CPAFFC, H.E. Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim, President of Tanzania-China Friendship Promotion Association and former Prime Minister of Tanzania, led a 9-member delegation to visit Beijing and Shanghai from May 6 to 11, and attend the 3rd Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation, which was hosted by the CPAFFC. During the visit, H.E. Mr. Wang Qishan, the Chinese Vice President, Mme. Li Xiaolin, the CPAFFC President, Dr. Justin Yifu Lin, Dean of the Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development at Peking University, Mr. Li Yiping, Vice Chairman of Shanghai People’s Political Consultative Conference, Mme. Jing Ying, Vice President of Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries met with the delegation respectively. Dialogue of China Global Television Network, Paper and Daily News of Tanzanian had exclusive interviews with Dr. Salim. Dr. Salim has made historically important contributions to establishing and consolidating China-Tanzania and China-Africa friendship cooperation, and to the restoration of lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations as well. He also forged profound friendship with older generation of the Chinese leaders. He is not only an old and good friend to the Chinese people, but also an iconic figure in China-Tanzania and China-Africa friendship.                Photographed by Zhang Yujun

Mr. Li Keqiang, the Premier of State Council, attended the opening ceremony of the 3rd China-Japan Governors Forum and delivered a speech in Sapporo, Hokkaido on the morning of May, 11th. Mr. Abe Shinzō,  the Prime Minister of Japan, was present. Li Keqiang said, China and Japan are important neighbors. Keeping a healthy and stable relation is not only in line with the fundamental interests of the two countries and the peoples, but also beneficial to the stability and prosperity of the region and the world. Both sides should firmly keep to the general direction of peace, friendship and cooperation of bilateral relations on the basis of the four political documents between China and Japan, and further develop Sino-Japanese good-neighborly and friendly relations. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the conclusion of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan. Both sides should review the spirit of the treaty, consolidate the political foundation, broaden the friendly cooperation in order to push bilateral relations back to right track and make new and stable development. Li Keqiang pointed out, local exchange and cooperation is an   important part of Sino-Japanese relations and important channel for promoting the friendship between the two countries. During the visit, the Chinese and Japanese governments reached a number of cooperation agreements, creating conditions and space for deepening cooperation between the two countries and enterprises. Both sides agreed to carry out innovation cooperation, establish an innovative dialogue mechanism, and gradually promote technical cooperation between the two countries in the fields of high-tech, aging population, health care and others, while strictly require to  protect intellectual property rights. Meantime, Premier Li hoped that the two sides could play the economic complementary advantages, jointly explore third-party markets and cooperate to form a stronger competitiveness in order to avoid vicious competition. Strengthening financial cooperation and sign an agreement for currency swaps as soon as possible. The Chinese side agreed to grant the Japanese RMB Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (RQFII) quota, which would facilitate investment, personnel exchange and financial risks for both sides. He hoped that Japanese enterprises would make use of this advantage to actively expand investment in China. Li Keqiang said that at the Boao Forum for Asia annual conference, President Xi Jinping made it clear that the door of China's opening-up will be wider and wider. In this process, local provinces in China are willing to cooperate with Japanese localities in the fields of strengthening high-tech, high-end manufacturing, modern agriculture and etc., and welcome Japanese localities and enterprises to actively participate in the process of China’s development towards high-quality and achieve mutual benefit and win-win. Shinzo Abe said that the exchange of friendly cities between Japan and China has continued to develop and has become one of the driving forces for the peaceful and friendly development of the two countries and an uninterrupted friendship bond. The two sides should further stimulate the vitality of local exchanges, strengthen cooperation in the fields of aging population, local development, and tourism, and promote the development of strategic and mutually beneficial relations between the two countries. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission He Lifeng, CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin, and 12 governors from China and Japan, attended the forum.        

Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan met with Salim Ahmed Salim, former Prime Minister of Tanzania and President of Tanzania-China Friendship Promotion Association, who attended the 3rd Forum on China-Africa Local Government Association. Wang conveyed President Xi's cordial greetings to Tanzanian President John Magufuli. He said that China-Tanzania friendship, which was forged by older generations of leadership of both sides, has gone from strength to strength. He also appreciated Salim’s significant contributions to China-Tanzania friendship. Since an action speaks louder than a dozen of guiding principles, Wang said he expects China-Tanzania ties will continue to advance through concrete cooperation projects under the guidance of the leaders of both sides. Salim also conveyed the Tanzanian president's greetings to President Xi, saying that China has sincerely helped Africa's development and is a true friend of Tanzania. He hoped that the two sides will conduct in-depth exchanges and cooperation at all levels, and continue to consolidate and develop the traditional friendship between Tanzania and China.  

A delegation of 17 youth leaders from Harvard Kennedy School of Government visited the CPAFFC on May 8. Deputy Director-General Hao Zhongwei of the Department of American and Oceanian Affairs of the CPAFFC briefed the delegation on the history of the CPAFFC and its work on strengthening China-U.S. people-to-people exchanges, especially exchanges between young people of the two countries. He hoped youth leaders from Harvard leverage their talents as friendship ambassadors in cultural exchanges between the two countries. Alvares-Cienfuegos, head of the delegation, MC/MPA student at Harvard Kennedy said that the visit to China was a trip of discovery, learning and friendship, which provided an opportunity for them to gain a better understanding of China and its culture, and forge connections with related parties in China. He also hoped to make positive contributions to enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between American and Chinese people.       Photographed by the Department of American and Oceanian Affairs

Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan attended the Third Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation in Beijing on May 8 and delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. Wang Qishan said that socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. The Chinese nation has achieved a tremendous transformation: it has stood up, grown rich, and is becoming strong. Wang said that China will unswervingly implement the strategy of opening up to the outside world for mutual benefit so as to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. He noted that China is still a developing country and faces the principal contradiction of unbalanced and inadequate development. It is an arduous task and big challenge for China to win the battle of targeted poverty alleviation and achieve an all-round well-off society. Wang said that China and Africa have always stuck with each other through thick and thin and supported each other. Under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation （FOCAC）, the local governments' exchanges and cooperation on poverty alleviation and sustainable development will help promote the comprehensive strategic cooperation partnerships between China and African nations. On the sidelines of the forum, Wang respectively met with Brigi Rafini, Prime Minister of Niger, and Salim Ahmed Salim, former Prime Minister of Tanzanian and President of Tanzania-China Friendship Promotion Association. When meeting with Rafini, Wang conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping's sincere greetings to Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou.  Wang said that profound traditional friendship and similar struggles enable Chinese people to better understand African people’s concern over development.  It is our shared aspiration to promote cooperation and common development. Wang said that China has maintained fruitful cooperation with Niger in various fields in recent years and will make efforts to lift bilateral ties to a new high. Rafini also conveyed the Nigerien president's greetings to President Xi.  He said that Niger appreciates China's remarkable achievements of development as well as China’s help and support to Niger.   Niger is pleased to see China playing a more important role in the international community and hopes to learn from China's experiences on development. When meeting with Salim, Wang conveyed President Xi's cordial greetings to Tanzanian President John Magufuli. He said that China-Tanzania friendship, which was forged by older generations of leadership of both sides, has gone from strength to strength. He also appreciated Salim’s significant contributions to China-Tanzania friendship. Since an action speaks louder than a dozen of guiding principles, Wang said he expects China-Tanzania ties will continue to advance through concrete cooperation projects under the guidance of the leaders of both sides. Salim also conveyed the Tanzanian president's greetings to President Xi, saying that China has sincerely helped Africa's development and is a true friend of Tanzania. He hoped that the two sides will conduct in-depth exchanges and cooperation at all levels, and continue to consolidate and develop the traditional friendship between Tanzania and China.  

CPAFFC Secretary General Li Xikui led the delegation of China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development (CFFPD) to visit the U.S. and atttend the 2018 Global Philanthropy Forum from May 2 to 6, 2018. During the visit, he made in-depth exchanges on charity cooperation and NGO management and development with David Arnold, President of the Asia Foundation, Birger Stamperdahl, President of Give2 Asia, Clare Winterton, COO of Global Fund for Women, Jane Wales, CEO of the Global Philanthropy Forum, Heather Grady, Vice President of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, and Kim Meredith, Executive Director of the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society. Li Xikui briefed the U.S. partners on the functions of the CPAFFC and the CFFPD, as well as the Chinese government's relevant management policies for foreign NGOs. He expressed the hope to deepen mutual understanding through face-to-face exchanges and promote pragmatic cooperation between the two sides in the development of public welfare projects, the cultivation of talents in the field of public welfare, and the sharing of public welfare resources.           The U.S. side welcomed the delegation’s visit and thanked the CPAFFC for its tremendous help in their development in China. They expressed their willingness to communicate closely with the CPAFFC, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of public welfare projects and professional personnel training in China, share the successful experience of the U.S. in philanthropy, and explore the possibility of jointly carrying out public welfare projects in developing countries with high-quality resources, so as to promote the continuous development of bilateral relations. During the visit, Li Xikui attended the 2018 Global Philanthropy Forum and its sub-forums. He introduced the charity projects carried out by the CPAFFC and the CFFPD. He also introduced the World Philanthropy Forum initiated by the CPAFFC, and invited representatives from the U.S. and gobal philanthropic organizations to attend the 3rd World Philanthropy Forum to be held in Shanghai in September this year.       Photographed by Jia Ji