Vice President Xie Yuan attended the 23rd USCPFA Washington Seminar on US-China Relations with the theme of US-China Relations:Facing Changes on the Global Landscape from May 4 to 6. Diana Greer, President of USCPFA, Barbara Harrison, former President of USCPFA and Friendship Ambassador as well as representatives from chapters of Hawaii, Minnesota , Richmond etc also attended the seminar. Vice President Xie delivered a keynote speech at the seminar about China’s development, China-US relationship and people-to-people ties. He hoped to work with USCPFA and other US counterparts to deepen understanding and promote sound development of bilateral relations in the future. Many experts in the US spoke at the seminar and exchanged views with the audience on the topics of China-US relationship as well as economic and trade ties.         photographed by Wang Yang    

The Seminar on The Practice of Marxism in China , and the  activities to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Marx’s birth,  which were co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign countries (CPAFFC) and Belgium-China Friendship Association (BCFA), were held successfully in Brussels, capital of Belgium, on the morning of May, 5th. Over 100 personages including the experts and the scholars from Belgium, France, Swiss and China, attended the seminar. Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mr. Hans VAN DUYSEN, Chairman of BCFA, Mr. Zhang Chi, Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Belgium, attended the seminar and delivered speeches respectively. Vice President Song Jingwu said that Chinese President Xi Jinping closely connected with the conditions and practical requirements in a new era to propose series of new governance concepts, thoughts and strategies with pioneering significance and to establish Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, which fundamentally directed the Party and the country to attain revolutionary achievements and revolutionary changes. Furthermore, another new great leap in Marxism with Chinese characteristics had been achieved, which would direct the Chinese people to realize national rejuvenation. The experts and the scholars from different countries had an in-depth discussion on Marxism’s influence on China and the theoretical sources between the Marxism and the series of new thoughts including a community with a shared future for humanity, the Belt and Road Initiative, socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era and etc.. Attendees all considered that Chinese President Xi Jinping has scientifically combined the fundamental principles of Marxism with socialism with Chinese characteristics to develop Marxism, which produced greater influence on the world. BCFA Chairman Hans VAN DUYSEN said that despite the changing times, Marxism is never out of date. The western countries should introspect their own problems. China has opened up a development model that is different from the western countries and found a development path that is suitable for itself, which have attained remarkable achievements. We believed that the Chinese model would have capacity of helping the world to overcome the crises would possibly happen in future. Journalists from over ten medias including Xinhua News Agency, CCTV, People’s Daily, JIEFANG Daily, China News Service and etc., made live interviews and reports.                  Photographed by Zuo Fengqiang  

On May 3, 2018, Li Zhanshu, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), met with the delegation of Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarian’s union led by its president Hayashi Yoshimasa, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, at the Great Hall of the People. Li Zhanshu said that China and Japan are close neighbors, and are dependent on each other. The history of long-term exchanges between the two countries proves that win-win cooperation accords with the fundamental interests of both countries and long-term friendship is the only right choice. History should be remembered, but not for continuing hatred. He called on the Japanese side to remember history, learn lessons from it and avoid repeating mistakes. He said that China and Japan should treat each other in an objective and rational way, as cooperative partners rather than threats. The two sides should look into the future and help bilateral relations return to normal. Li Zhanshu, Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, meets with the delegation of Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' union led by Hayashi Yoshimasa, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on May 3, 2018. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) Li Zhanshu also said that legislative exchange is an important part of China-Japan relations. The two sides should further the exchanges of experiences on legislation and state governance, lead the people of all walks of life to see China-Japan relations in an objective and rational way, strengthen cooperation in key areas, and upgrade pragmatic cooperation. Japanese side is welcome to participate in the Belt and Road and to achieve win-win cooperation. Hayashi Yoshimasa said that Japan and China are neighbouring countries and the bilateral relations are the most important relations to both sides. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China. The Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' union will inherit the tradition to contribute more to improving bilateral ties. Tang Jiaxuan, President of the China-Japan Friendship Association, Yang Zhenwu, Secretary General of the NPC Standing Committee, Li Xiaolin, President of the CPAFFC, were present at the meeting. The visit of the delegation of Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' union is at the invitation of the CPAFFC.        

The Establishment and Launching Ceremony of “Cultural Heritage Special Fund” was held in Beijing on April, 26th. Mr. Li Xikui, the Secretary General of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Director of China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development (CFFPD), attended the activity. Secretary General Li Xikui congratulated on the establishment of this Special Fund, hoped to keep close contact with relevant parties and expected each party to play its advantage to jointly make the program of Cultural Heritage Special Fund better, so as to promote the pragmatic cooperation and exchange in the field of culture between China and foreign countries such as Russia and to carry forward the traditional culture. Mr. Peng Guangqian, Mr. Zhu Xinhua, Mr. Cao Yunshan, Mme. Li Xiaoli, Honorary Deputy Director-Generals of the Special Fund, Mme. Yun Shan, Secretary General of Special Fund, Mr. Jing Bo, Executive Secretary General of Special Fund, Mr. Tan Jing, President of Beijing Sihai Jinchang Enterprise Management Consulting Co., Ltd, attended the activity.       Photographed by Shao Shuai

On April 26th, Mme Lin Yi, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met with H.E. Dr. Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to China. Ambassador Dhaheri thanked Vice President Lin for meeting with him. He said, with excellent strategic partnership, China and the United Arab Emirates enjoyed smooth cooperation in the fields of politics, economy and trade, etc. China is the largest trading partner of the United Arab Emirates, and the United Arab Emirates is China's largest trading partner in the Middle East and North Africa. On this basis, the United Arab Emirates hopes to actively promote the people-to-people friendly cooperation between the two countries. Vice President Lin Yi introduced the work of the CPAFFC and China-Arab Friendship Association and exchanged views with Dhaheri on how to further promote the friendly exchanges between the peoples from China and the United Arab Emirates.     Photographed by Ai Lin

Mr. Tang Jiaxuan, President of China-Japan Friendship Association (CJFA), met in Beijing with visiting Mr. NIWA UICHIRO, President of Japan-China Friendship Association (JCFA), and his delegation on April, 25. President Tang Jiaxuan welcomed NIWA UICHIRO leading a delegation to visit China on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the conclusion of China-Japan treaty of peace and friendship, and appreciated JCFA for adhering to the belief of Sino-Japanese friendship for several decades, extensively developing the friendly activities and continuously making contributions to the cause of the friendship between the two countries. At present, the bilateral relations show a better momentum. President Tang hoped that the friends from JCFA could remain true to their original aspiration and face up to the future, and moreover, continuously advance the various friendly exchanges of the two peoples with practical actions. NIWA UICHIRO said, at present, bilateral relations confront with new development opportunities. JCFA is willing to strengthen the exchanges and cooperation in the fields of the friendly cities, youth, sport and etc. Furthermore, JCFA would like to work together with CJFA to make active efforts on enhancing the national feelings of the two countries and promoting the development of the bilateral ties. Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mme. Zhu Dan and Mr. Cheng Haibo, Deputy Director-Generals of Department of Japanese Affairs of CPAFFC, attended the meeting.       Photographed by Mou Liyi      

The 3rd Urban innovation seminar was co-held by Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Guangzhou People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Asia-pacific Innovation Economic Research Institute of Guangdong in Beijing from April 24 to 25 with the purpose of enlarging the eye scope of Chinese cities for international exchanges, increasing their knowledge to the rules and procedures of international organizations and awards, especially the Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation (Guangzhou Award) and promoting the best practices of urban innovation in the world. Madam Lin Yi, the Vice-president of CPAFFC attended the meeting and delivered a speech. Representatives from 8 cities, including Guangzhou, Harbin, Shenyang, Wuhan, Ji'nan, Nanning, Xiamen and Yiwu, attended the seminar.  The Guangzhou Award is the first international award named after Chinese city. This biannual award solicits urban innovation practices of cities and local governments around globe and its fourth cycle officially kicked off at the beginning of this year. At present, all preparation and accept applications are well underway. The fourth cycle of Guangzhou Award ceremony hosted by CPAFFC, Guangzhou Municipal government, UCLG and Metropolis will be convened this December.           Photographed by Ren Xin and Hong Tianshi  

Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with and hosted a banquet for outgoing Georgian Ambassador to China Aptsiauri on April, 23rd. Vice President Song Jingwu spoke highly of the contributions Ambassador Aptsiauri had made to promoting the cooperation between China and Georgia in various fields during his tenure and great support Ambassador Aptsiauri had given in the friendly exchanges of the peoples of the two countries. Vice President Song also wished Ambassador Aptsiauri success in his new post. Ambassador Aptsiauri reviewed the situation of the bilateral relations, especially the activities CPAFFC organized, during his tenure in China. He also exchanged views with Vice president Song on how to further develop the friendly relations between Georgia and China. Mr.Vasilii Babunashvili, Minister of Georgian Embassy in China, Mr.Kalandia, Senior Counselor of Georgian Embassy in China, attended the meeting.       Photographed by Chen Lei

On April 20th, the Press Conference of “the Chinese Cultural Series Meet China in Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of Karl Marx’s Birth” (shortened as Meet China) was held in Trier, Germany. Meet China is a large-scale cultural exhibition series jointly held by the CPAFFC, General Directorate for Cultural Heritage Rhineland-Palatinate (German: Generaldirektion Kulturelles Erbe, or GDKE) and Federation of German-Chinese Friendship Association (German: Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutscher China-gesellschaften, or ADCG). CPAFFC Vice President Hu Sishe, State Secretary of the Ministry of Science, Lifelong Learning and Culture of Rhineland-Palatinate Dr.Salvatore Barbaro, Director General of GDKE Thomas Metz, Trier City Mayor Wolfram Leibe, official from the Ministry of Science, Lifelong Learning and Culture of Rhineland-Palatinate Dr. Stefanie Hahn, President of ADCG Kurt Karst, together with representatives from IHK Chamber of Industry and Commerce Rheinland-Pfalz as well as Chamber of Trade attended the press conference. The event was moderated by Director General of GDKE Mr. Metz.   Guests Deliver Speeches Vice President Hu stated that we hope this exhibition can present humanity history, natural scenery and local customs with Chinese imprint to our foreign friends, showing the audience a China with openness and inclusiveness, with modernness and prosperity and with harmony between people and nature. Though separated by numerous hills and streams, through the exhibition series our friends can understand China, get closer to China and love China. Dr.Salvatore Barbaro pointed out in his speech, “cultural exchange is an important element of popular understanding. We are glad that our Chinese partners present these exhibitions in the birthday year of Karl Marx in Trier and give visitors diverse perspectives of China.” Trier City Mayor Wolfram Leibe and President of ADCG Kurt Karst deliver speeches as well.  Press Conference on Site Jointly launched by Jiangxi, Beijing, Shandong, Qinghai, Chengdu of Sichuan Province, Baoshan of Yunnan Province and Shaoxing of Zhejiang Province, the Chinese exhibition series is going to be held in Marx’s hometown, Trier from 1, June to 30, September. Journalists from Germany, along with Xinhua News and Huanqiu attended and covered the press conference.   Links: Xinhua News：http://www.xinhuanet.com/world/2018-04/21/c_1122719303.htm?from=singlemessage&isappinstalled=0  German Volksfreund：https://m.volksfreund.de/region/rheinland-pfalz/ausstellungsreihe-in-trier-china-praesentiert-sich-zum-200-geburtstag-von-karl-marx_aid-17648123       Photographed by Liu Jiayun

On April 20, Vice President Lin Yi met H. E. U Tein Sein, Former President of Myanmar, who was on a visit to China at the invitation of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA). Vice President Lin Yi firstly conveyed the greetings by President Li Xiaolin to Former President U Tein Sein and thanked his great support to the people-to-people friendship during the Presidency. She introduced the exchange programs co-hosted by CPAFFC and Myanmar-China Friendship Association(MCFA) and expressed the willingness to make concerted efforts with the Myanmar side to enhance the inter-connectivity between the two peoples in terms of culture, youth and charity fields. U Tein Sein said that Myanmar and China enjoyed time-honored traditional friendship and the leaders of the older generations established deep and profound friendship, which need to be inherited and carried forward by the younger generations. U Tein Sein hoped that the friendship associations from the two countries could continue to cooperate for more people-to-people exchange programs and let the bilateral friendship be deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples. Mme.Ou Boqian, Vice President of CPIFA was present at the meeting.   Photographed by Zhan Xiushuang