On the evening of September 24th, the Tang Xianzu Drama Festival & International Drama Exchange Month saw a grand opening in the city of Fuzhou, Jinagxi province, which was organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, China Dramatists Association and Jiangxi Provincial People's Government. Wang Zhengwei, vice chairman of the CPPCC, Yao Zengke, deputy secretary of the Jiangxi Provincial Committee of the CPC, Hu Sishe, vice president of the CPAFFC, Gu Liqun, deputy secretary of the Party Committee of the Chinese Dramatists Association, Xiao Yi, secretary of the Fuzhou Municipal Party Committee, Gahru, Minister Counselor of the Spanish Embassy to China and Karen Maddocks, British Consul General in Guangzhou attended the opening ceremony. Besides, British ambassador to China Barbara Woodward sent a special video address. Abdullah Miguel, Ambassador of the Republic of Djibouti to China, Consul Generals of Singapore, Thailand and Philippines in Xiamen, delegations of foreign sister cities from Shakespeare's hometown of British Stratford District, Cervantes' hometown of Arkara city in Spain and Lusaka Province in Zambia as well as Chinese and foreign scholars engaged in the study of Tang Xianzu, Shakespeare and Cervantes. Representatives of social organizations and delegates from all walks of life also attended the opening ceremony.  Wang Zhengwei, vice chairman of the CPPCC, remarked that Tang Xianzu is a great litterateur, dramatist and thinker in the Ming Dynasty, whose representative works are collectively known as the "Four Dreams of Linchuan", including The Peony Pavilion, The Purple Hairpin, Nanke Dream and Handan Dream. Particularly, The Peony Pavilion plays an overriding role in the history of Chinese and world literature. The “Four Dreams of Linchuan” is the mainstay of its era and a milestone with far-reaching implications on the development of the Chinese theatrical art, and it is thus hailed as a classic in China's theatrical and literary history. Four centuries later today, the artistic charm of Tang Xianzu's plays is still able to transcend time and nourish our souls. With the increasingly frequent and depended international cultural exchanges, Tang Xianzu's theatrical artistic achievements have evolved into a "common culture", shared by the whole world. The reason why we held such events to celebrate the Tang Xianzu Drama Festival & International Drama Exchange Month in Fuzhou and invited Chinese and foreign theatrical artists from around the world to convene here is that we not only pay a tribute to the classic theatrical master Tang Xianzu and his "Four Dreams of Linchuan", but also built a favorable platform for the exchanges between Chinese and foreign theatrical cultures. Hu Sishe, vice president of the CPAFFC, noted in his speech that in 2014, President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the College of Europe and proposed to build a bridge of common prosperity among civilizations, in an effort to connect the two great civilizations of China and Europe and let the flowers of varying human civilizations bloom. On October 21, 2015, President Xi Jinping delivered another speech at the City Hall of London Corporation, saying that Tang Xianzu and Shakespeare were contemporaries and both died in 1616; next year would mark the 400th anniversary of their deaths, so China and Britain could jointly commemorate these two literary giants, in order to promote exchanges between our two peoples and deepen mutual understanding. To that end, in April 2016, the CPAFFC and the Jiangxi Provincial People's Government successfully held a symposium themed "Jointly Commemorating the 400th Anniversary of the Death of Shakespeare and Tang Xianzu" in the UK, bringing these two masters together through "time and space". In September of the same year, they also jointly organized such an event "Jointly Commemorating the 400th Anniversary of the Death of Tang Xianzu, Shakespeare and Cervantes", which stirred up vehement social repercussions and was the first time to commemorate such three world literary masters together. It is of great significance for us today to gather here again in Fuzhou and celebrate the Tang Xianzu Drama Festival & International Drama Exchange Month; together we rambled and enjoy ourselves in Tang Xianzu's "Four Dreams of Linchuan", sapping the distinctive glamor of Chinese theatrical cultures. Ambassador Barbara Woodward said in her video address that when President Xi Jinping paid a historic visit to the UK in late October 2015, the leaders of the two countries reached a consensus, thus ushering in the golden age for the China-British relations. It was in this visit that President Xi Jinping proposed Britain and China jointly commemorate the 400th anniversary of the death of Tang Xianzu and Shakespeare, two world literary giants. In 2016, our two countries hosted a host of commemorative events in Fuzhou, Shanghai, Stratford and among other cities, which further propelled the exchanges between our two peoples and deepened our mutual understanding. I wish this year's events themed Chinese and foreign theatrical exchanges a complete success! With the conclusion of the opening ceremony, grand theatrical performances and interactive parades were held, with tens of thousands of audiences actively participating, which was spectacular. More than 20 state media outlets, over 30 foreign ones and 20 more provincial ones made their reports. The most mesmerizing and phenomenal performances were live broadcast to audiences both at home and abroad via ten media such as the People Live, Xinhua News Agency Live Cloud, Phoenix News and Today's Headlines and other live streaming platforms.       The event was hosted by the Fuzhou Municipal People's Government, the Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Department, the Jiangxi Provincial Foreign Affairs and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office and the Jiangxi Dramatists Association, which would last until the mid-to-end of November. The event mainly included: Tang Xianzu Drama Festival & International Drama Exchange Month and Drama Fiesta , The 2nd International Forum on Cultural Heritage and Innovation, International Theatrical Exchanges and Performances (UK TNT Troupe, the National Theatre of Albania, Japan Shiki Theater Company and other nine foreign troupes as well as China National Peking Opera Company, Zhejiang Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe, Jiangxi Gan Opera Theater and other ten domestic theaters), serial public cultural activities (Recitation Competition of Tang Xianzu's Poetry, Opera Broadcast Gymnastics Competition, Dramas into Schools, Shows Themed Fuzhou's Intangible Cultural Heritages, Competitions of Classic Arias in Tang Xianzu's Operas and Selection the Most Beautiful Du Liniang and Liu Mengmei among public cultural events), all of which aimed to bolster cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries, make the Chinese story and our friendly voices well heard across the world.

On September 18 and 19, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and Vereniging Nederland-China (VNC) co-hosted China Netherlands Friendship Cities Conference in Hague. The theme of the conference is Wide consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits: The All-Round Local Cooperation between The Netherlands and China in the Framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. About 300 representatives from local government, institutes and enterprises of both sides attended the conference. This year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between The Netherlands and China, 40th anniversary of VNC and 10th anniversary of the Province of Zuid-Holland and Hebei. On such occasion, the conference gained great support from Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vereniging van Nederlandse Gemeenten (VNG), Zuid-Holland, Hague Municipal Government and Chinese Embassy.  King’s Commissioner in Zuid-Holland, Governor Jaap Smit delivered a welcome speech. Vice President Song Jingwu of CPAFFC, Secretary General Ms. Yoka Brandt of Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Wu Ken from Chinese Embassy and Madame Wuyunqimuge, Former Vice Chairwoman of standing committee of NPC delivered opening speeches. The local authorities from both sides joined the interactive panels to discuss the past, present and future of government cooperation, and new measures to promote new provincial and municipal relation as well as a new foundation for local cultural and economic cooperation. The conference approached topics on sustainable urbanization, agriculture and food safety, going global, life science and health, education and cultural differences with six parallel sessions. President Hank Cool of VNC and Vice President Song Jingwu delivered closing speeches, followed by a banquet in Hague museum. The second day fell on Prince Day celebration parade, King and Queen of Netherlands with a royal procession moved from Noordeinde Palace to the Ridderzaal in Hague, and delivered speech to all citizens. Invited to join the celebration, the attendances of conferences afterwards visited Dutch enterprises. By far there are 29 pairs of friendly cities between China the Netherlands.                

At the invitation of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), a 12-person delegation led by Governor Bruce Rauner of Illinois of the United States visited China from September 14 to 17, 2017. Xu Kuangdi, president of China-US People’s Friendship Association and vice chairman of the 10th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Che Jun, party secretary of Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, Zhang Endi, vice chairman of Shanghai Municipal CPPCC and Zou Xiaodong, secretary of the Party Committee of Zhejiang University, met with the delegation respectively in China. The delegation also visited Zhejiang University, met with representatives of Bank of China, Wanxiang Group, Caterpillar etc.; signed an MOU between Wanxiang Group Corporation and the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois; attended China-US Investment Cooperation Symposium co-hosted by CPAFFC and China Investment Corporation, having a group discussion with more than 40 Chinese institutions and companies from fields of finance, agriculture, food processing, medical and health care, energy, manufacture, logistic and retail etc. Governor Rauner said that this fruitful visit to China was his first official visit to foreign countries since he took office. Illinois would like to deepen the exchanges and cooperation with China in economy, trade and education, strengthen friendship and achieve mutual development.

At the invitation of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Mr. Heinz Fischer, President of Austria-China Friendship Association (ACFA) and former President of the Republic of Austria, led a delegation to visit China from September 7th to 17. Mr. Li Yuanchao, Vice President of People’s Republic of China (PRC), met in Beijing with Heinz Fischer on September 7th. Vice President Li Yuanchao said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Austria 46 years ago, the bilateral ties had developed well and the cooperation between the two countries in the fields of economy, trade and humanity had achieved remarkable results. The Chinese side spoke highly of the active support Austria side had given for the construction of The Belt and Road and the cooperation between China and Europe. The Chinese side also hoped that both sides should expand pragmatic cooperation, deepen the friendship of the two peoples and push bilateral relations for improvement with the spirit of mutual respect, equal treatment and win-win cooperation. Heinz Fischer said that Austria paid more attention to the relations with China and was happy to see the prosperity of Chinese development. He is willing to strengthen the cooperation of the two countries in the fields of politics, economy, trade, culture, winter sports and etc.. On September 9th, during their meeting, President Li Xiaolin spoke highly of the Heinz Fischer for insisting on attaching great importance to the relations with China and expressed her willingness to work together with Austria-China Friendship Association to promote the development of the cause of the people-to-people friendship between China and Austria. The delegation also visited Sichuan Province, Chongqing Municipality and Shanghai，and attended China-Austria Enterprises Cooperation Fair in Jieyang, Guangdong Province. Mr. Mitterlehner, former Deputy Prime Minister of Austria and Minister of Economy Ministry, Mr. Commenda, Chief of Staff of Austrian army, accompanied with the delegation.

On September 16th, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mr. Xie Yuan, met with President of One Belt and One Road Association Malaysia, Mr. Datuk Iskandar Sarudin. Group photo of Mr. Xie Yuan and the OBOR Malaysia Delegation Mr. Xie welcomed Mr. Datuk Iskandar Sarudin’s visit to CPAFFC, and introduced CPAFFC’s history, aims and different departments. He said that Malaysia, as an important neighbor to China, has been in close relationship with China from ancient times. As an organization working for people-to-people diplomacy, we have been striving for furthering friendship between China and other countries including Malaysia with cultural exchanges. He believes that the foundation of OBOR Malaysia seized the opportunity of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and will perform well in deepening friendship between the two peoples. Mr. Datuk Iskandar Sarudin, president of One Belt and One Road Association Malaysia said that the Belt and Road Initiative now has expanded from China to the rest of the World with many countries recognition and applause. Also, the Initiative is not limited to the economic field but also covers culture, education, sports, etc. As the former Malaysian Ambassador to China, he hopes that he could continue his contribution to bilateral friendship with the help of this organization after leaving the post of Ambassador.    Exchanging Gifts

In commemoration of the 45th anniversary of establishment of formal diplomatic relations between China and Germany, CPAFFC together with Xi’an People’s government, German Generaldirektion Kulturelles Erbe Rheinland-Pfalz, Wiesbaden-Mainz Germany-China Friendship Association co-hosted the First Session of Dialogue between Chinese and German Historical Cities on Sep.12th and 13th in Mainz, Germany. Mr. Hu Sishe,Vice president of CPAFFC and Mr. Wang Yongkang, Member of the Standing Committee of Shaanxi CPC Central Committee and Party Secretary of Xi’an attended relevant activities. Besides them, many other influential politicians attended the activities, e.g. Mr. Roger Lewentz, the Minister of the Interior and also Chairman of the SPD in Rhineland-Pfalz State; Prof. Dr. Konrad Wolf, State Minister of Culture and Education; Mr. Thomas Metz, Director-General of Generaldirektion Kulturelles Erbe Rheinland-Pfalz; Mr. Michael Ebling, Major Mayor of Mainz; Mr. Kurt Karst, President of Federation of German-China Friendship Association and Mr. Wang Shunqing, Consul General of Chinese Consulate General in Frankfurt. Mr. Hu Sishe, Mr. Wang Yongkang and Minister Prof. Dr. Konrad Wolf delivered speeches on the opening ceremonies of the Dialogue as well as the Exhibition of Replicas of Xi’an Archaeological and Cultural Relics. Reporters from more than 10 German media attended and reported the press conference which was presided by Mr. Hu Sishe and Secretary of State Ministry of Culture.    Mr Roger Lewentz, the Minister of the Interior and  Chairman of the SPD in Rhineland-Rhineland-Pfalz State Delivered a Speech Mr. Hu Sishe, Vice president of CPAFFC Delivered a Speech The Dialogue integrates policy communication between Chinese and German governments and between bilateral relevant agencies as well as experience sharing between academicians and exchanges of folk arts, making itself a comprehensive high-level platform featuring openness. The Dialogue is composed of several parts including Sino-Germany Forum of Historic and Cultural Experts, Cultural Relics, Concert of Northwest-China Style Music, and performances by inheritors of Chinese intangible cultural heritage. Mr. Wang Yongkang, and Prof. Dr. Konrad Wolf at the Exhibition of Replicas of Xi’an Archaeological and Cultural Relics Sino-Germany Forum of Historic and Cultural Experts During the Dialogue, Mr. Hu, on behalf of CPAFFC and Secretary of State Ministry of Culture , on behalf of Generaldirektion Kulturelles Erbe Rheinland-Pfalz signed the agreement of cooperation on a series of cultural activities in commemoration of 200th anniversary of Karl Marx’s death in 2018. Also, Xi’an Museum and Rheinland-Pfalz State Museum signed an agreement of future exchanges.  The Press Conference Presided by Mr. Hu Sishe and Secretary of State Ministry of Culture Activities with Participation of Chinese and German Influencial Figures     Performances by Musicians from Xi'an Song and Dance Troup  Inheritors of Intangible Cultural Heritage Attended Local Art Festival  Mayor of Mainz with Artists from Xi'an in Mainz Multi-cultural Art Festival

  Vice President Mme. Lin Yi met with H.E. Mr. Crispus Kiyonga, the new ambassador of Uganda to China on 12, September. Mme. Lin Yi welcomed H.E. Mr. Crispus Kiyonga to assume his post in China. She said that the past fifty-five years have witnessed sound development of the China-Uganda relations, as well as close contacts and fruitful cooperation in various areas between the two countries. She introduced the CPAFFC’s exchanges and future plans of cooperation with Uganda and also thanked the embassy for its strong and long-term support to the CPAFFC. She said the CPAFFC would like to keep communication with the embassy, so as to jointly promote exchanges and cooperation in local government, education, culture and other areas. H.E. Mr. Crispus Kiyonga spoke highly of President Xi Jiping’s Up and Out of Poverty and shared his thoughts about developing Uganda-China relations inspired by this book. He said that the embassy pays great attention to its contacts with the Chinese localities and the cultural exchanges between Uganda and China, and will continue to work with the CPAFFC to deepen people-to-people friendship. Mme. Lin Yi and H.E. Mr. Crispus Kiyonga also exchange views on specific programs for cooperation.

A reception to commemorate the 45th anniversary of normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations was held in the Great Hall of the People on September 8th. Mr. Wang Chen, the Vice-Chairman of Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and Secretary-General, attended the reception, and met with the main representatives of the Japanese side before the reception. Mr. Tang Jiaxuan, President of China and Japan Friendship Association (CJFA), Mme. Li Xiaolin, President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and Mr. KONO YOHEI, Former Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan, delivered speeches respectively on the reception. During the meeting, Vice-Chairman Wang Chen extended warm welcome to the Japanese friends and thanked the Japanese friendly personages from all walks of life for actively dedicating to the cause of Sino-Japanese friendship for a long time. He said that, since 45 years ago, what we have learned from the historic experience is that the development of the bilateral relations should stay committed to the principles made from the relevant documents and consensuses between China and Japan, keep to the correct direction of peace and friendship of bilateral ties, the Sino-Japanese relations could develop healthily. Wang Chen said, Chinese side attaches great importance to the Sino-Japanese relations and adheres to promoting the friendly cooperation of the two countries on the basis of the four political documents and the four-point principled consensus. At present, the active exchanges between China and Japan are increasing, but still complicated and sensitive. It is still fragile to improve the bilateral ties. It is hoped that Japan and China can walk towards each other and make common efforts on improving bilateral relations. People-to-people friendship has unique advantage and is fine tradition for the relations between China and Japan. The Japanese friendly organizations with China are the support for the cause of Sino-Japanese friendship. He hoped that the organizations could inherit and carry forward the fine tradition, continuously expand the team and make more contributions to improving the bilateral relations. After meeting, Wang Chen and guests from both countries walked into the conference hall, which got a big round applause. The reception began with the beautiful songs 《Jasmine Flower》, 《Song of Four Seasons》sang by China Broadcast Children's Choir of National Radio and students from Embassy Affiliated Japanese School of Beijing, China. President Tang expressed sincere respect in his speech to Chinese and Japanese personages from all walks of life for them had been adhering to the friendly spirit between China and Japan for a long time and making efforts on improving bilateral relations. He also said, on reviewing the development history of the two countries, it is a correct choice to remain committed to peaceful development, keeping friendship from generation to generation and realizing win-win cooperation for meeting with the common interests of the two countries and the development trend of the times. At present, the bilateral relations faced many important opportunities, but also confronted with unprecedented challenges. Both countries should, on the basis of the four political documents and the four-point principled consensus between China and Japan, and in the spirit of reviewing the history and looking into the future, implement the consensus that China and Japan are cooperation partners, not threat to each other, enhance political strategy of mutual trust and properly control differences and contradiction, so as to push the bilateral relations for improvement and development on a right track. President Li said in her speech that, since the 45th anniversary of normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations, the bilateral ties had achieved great development and obtained some precious experience and inspiration after experiencing difficulties. When reviewing the history, we found that the development of the bilateral relations is inseparable from the efforts of the generations, which are worth of cherishing and caring. When looking into the future, we found that Sino-Japanese friendship is the general trend of the development and is also expected by the two peoples, and is in line with the interests of the two countries and the two peoples, and is worth of unremitting efforts. Confronting with the new situation of the bilateral relations being improved, we should stay true to your original self and push forward. Moreover, we also should make common efforts on the sublime goals of realizing the friendship of the two peoples from generation to generation. KONO YOHEI expressed in his speech that, since the 45th anniversary of the normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations, the two countries had achieved great development in the exchanges and cooperation in various fields. We could not forget the contributions the predecessors of the two countries had made for realizing the normalization of the bilateral diplomatic relations and promoting the Sino-Japanese friendship. Both sides should take the 45th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, and the 40th anniversary of the conclusion of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan as important opportunities to push the bilateral relations for further improvement. There is an old saying in China which goes, “when you drink from a well, remember the person who dug it.” during the reception, Mme. Zhou Bingde and former Japanese Foreign Minister Mme. TANAKA MAKIKO, the relatives of the leaders of the two countries who ever experienced the establishment of diplomatic relations of the two countries, delivered speeches to express their respect to their ancestors and to inspire descendants. Above 300 people including the leaders from Chinese relevant departments, non-government organizations and leaders from Japanese relevant organizations including seven Japan-China friendship organizations, the friendly personages from all walks of life, the relatives of former Japanese leaders who ever experienced the establishment of diplomatic relations of the two countries, and representatives of Japanese relevant organizations in Beijing, attended the reception. 

On September 8th, Hu Sishe, Vice president of CPAFFC met Kazuto Ito, Executive Representative of the Min-On Concert Association who came for celebrating activities in commemoration of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan. Mr. Hu said that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral diplomatic relations. 45 years ago, the normalization not only opens a new chapter for the 2 countries’ relations but also reopens the gate of people-to-people cultural exchanges. Mr. Hu appreciates very much the continuous efforts made by the Min-On Concert Association for enhancing Sino-Japan relations and promoting bilateral cultural & artistic exchanges. He hopes that the two organizations can step up cooperation so as to make further contribution to better mutual understanding and more solid people-to-people foundation. Mr. Kazuto Ito expressed his thanks for our invitation for him to the relevant commemoration activities. He said that in the past four decades, the Min-On Concert Association has been trying to increase Japanese people’s fondness towards the Chinese, and to enhance the two people’s mutual understanding and mutual trust by organizing performances. Those are concrete actions of the idea of mental exchanges advocated by Premier Zhou Enlai and Daisaku Ikeda, founder of the Min-On Concert Association. Mr. Kazuto Ito looks forward to more sincere cooperation in the future. He believes that we will take the opportunity of the 45th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral diplomatic relations and the 40th anniversary of the conclusion of The Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship so as to make more efforts in enhancing friendship and mutual understanding between the 2 peoples.

The office of overseas NGOs administration of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau issued the registration certificate and the chief representative certificate to Beijing Office of Junior Achievement China on September 5th, 2017. Since the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Administration of Activities of Overseas Nongovernmental Organizations in the Mainland of China came into force, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) has now become the Professional Supervisory Unit (PSU) of 9 overseas nongovernmental organizations with Junior Achievement China being the 9th one. Paul Chou, the chief representative of Beijing Office of Junior Achievement China, said, “On behalf of Junior Achievement China, I want to express our sincere gratitude towards CPAFFC as our hosting agency and partner. With CPAFFC's guidance, we look forward to a future of benefiting more young people in China through economic education and cultural exchange. Inspiring and preparing the young people of China with character and skills to succeed in the global economy is our mission shared by CPAFFC, together we will catalyze the flourishing of volunteerism and philanthropy in China and beyond. ”