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 UBS Optimus Foundation on August 17th, 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 8 overseas nongovernmental organizations with UBS Optimus Foundation being the 8th one. Wei Wei, the chief representative of Beijing Office of UBS Optimus Foundation, said, “we are very grateful for the great help CPAFFC offered on setting up Beijing Office. UBS Optimus Foundation will fund more projects under the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Administration of Activities of Overseas Nongovernmental Organizations in the Mainland of China to promote the development of underprivileged children and children in difficulty, and make more contributions to Chinese philanthropy.”

The Fourth World Youth Parliament was held in Beijing by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and Fernando Rielo foundation from August 7 to 9, 2017. It is the first time to hold in Asia for the parliament. About a hundred of youth representing fourteen countries including China, Spain, America, India, Ecuador and etc. had a discussion and communication to each other about rich topics. Vice President Song Jingwu attended the parliament and delivered a speech on August 9. The special lecture on “Belt and Road” was also held in the parliament. The organizing committee announced that the fifth parliament will be held in Spain in 2020.    

Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Japan WuShu TaiJiQuan Federation delegation led by Vice President Okazaki Yutaka on August 8th. Mr. Cheng Haibo, Deputy Director-General of Department of Japanese Affairs of CPAFFC, attended the meeting. Vice President Song extended welcome to the delegation and said, this year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations. The people-to-people friendly exchange activities of the two countries were held one by one during this time, such as, as soon as the Conference of the Junior High School Students Table Tennis Friendship Competition Between China and Japan Friendly Exchange Cities came to an end, the friends from Japan WuShu TaiJiQuan field visited China. They hoped to promote the Sino-Japanese friendship from generation to generation through developing various exchanges activities. Vice President Okazaki Yutaka, Specialist Director Kawasaki Masao thanked Vice President Song for taking time to meet them and introduced the Federation will plan to promote the cooperation and exchange of WuShu TaiJiQuan between China and Japan. They hoped to take the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations in this year and the 40th anniversary of Conclusion of a Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan in next year as opportunities to further improve the bilateral relations.

On August 7,  President Li Xiaolin  of Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and National Conference of State Legislatures(NCSL) President  Senator Dan Blue of North Carolina signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Promoting Friendly Exchanges between CPAFFC and NCSL in Boston. Counselor Xu Min from Chinese Embassy, Deputy Consul General Zhao Yumin from Chinese Consulate General in New York, NCSL  President-elect Senator Deb Peters of South Dakota, NCSL Vice President Senator Toi Hutchinson of Illinois and other 40 Chinese and American guests witnessed the signing ceremony. President Li Xiaolin addressed that, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of exchanges between CPAFFC and NCSL,  CPAFFC was delighted to sign the MOU aimed at strengthening the collaborations with NCSL. Over the past two decades, the two organizations made positive contributions to promoting bilateral cooperation in legislature, education, economy and trade and other fields. In the next 20 years, we look forward to expanding our cooperation continuously and bring about more pragmatic results of extensity and depth. President Blue remarked that NCSL treasures the tremendous relations with CPAFFC and appreciates the great support and help CPAFFC extended to NCSL delegations to China. He hoped that the two organizations will continue to learn from each other and further deepen their cooperative relations. At the invitation of NCSL, President Li attended the NCSL 2017 Summit in Boston. During her visit, she had meetings with the NCSL leadership and President Stephen Lakis of State Legislative Leaders Foundation (SLLF)，attended the Reunion participated by US state legislators who joined the NCSL China trips.  

Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Mr. Friedrich Stift, new Austria Ambassador to China on August 3rd. Vice President Song Jingwu congratulated Ambassador Friedrich Stift on taking his new post and had a discussion with him on developing pragmatic cooperation of the two countries, strengthening local exchanges and etc.. Ambassador Friedrich Stift happily recalled the experience he had worked in Beijing thirteen years ago and appreciated the great results China had achieved during the 40 years’ reform and opening up. Ambassador Friedrich Stift also expressed that Austria Embassy in China would continue to give support in the people-to-people diplomacy between China and Austria. Mr. Lv Hongwei, Deputy Director-General of Department of European and Asian Affairs of CPAFFC, attended the meeting.

On August 1, CPAFFC and Ministry Attached to the Presidency in Charge of Presidential Projects, Land Management and Equipment of Madagascar jointly hosted “The Belt and Road: Conference on Industrial Cooperation” at Antananarivo, capital of Madagascar. Minister Narson Rafidimanana (of the above-mentioned Ministry), ministers in charge of industry, commerce, public works and water, together with Madame Lin Yi, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mr. Chen Xiaolei, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the Chinese Embassy and about 100 other officials and entrepreneurs attended the event. Madame Lin said in her speech that Madagascar possesses advantages and basis for the Belt and Road cooperation.  The comprehensive partnership of cooperation between China and Madagascar has provided a strong guarantee for policy coordination.  Madagascar’s peculiar geographical location and natural environment facilitate connectivity of facilities.  The production potential in Madagascar’s agriculture, manufacturing industry and tourism is conducive to unimpeded trade and financial integration.  Above all, the traditional friendship between Chinese and Malagacy people is a reflection of people-to-people bond. Minister Narson Rafidimanana said in his speech that Madagascar and China share a long history of friendship.  Madagascar is confident in cooperation with China under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.  At the end of 2016, Chinese companies built two roads for the Summit of Francophonie with a breathtaking speed and high quality.  Minister Rafidimanana expressed his hope that Today’s Conference would promote the cross-nation trade between enterprises of Madagascar and China.  He also advised all delegates to implement agreements reached at the Conference through their trade deals. Representatives of the Economic Development Board of Madagascar and Ministry Attached to the Presidency in Charge of Presidential Projects, Land Management and Equipment of Madagascar made introductions on the investment policies and commercial environment of Madagascar.  Representative of China-Africa Development Fund briefed the Conference on the Belt and Road Initiative and proposed investment suggestions.  Chinese entrepreneurs shared their investment experience in Madagascar.  Madame Lin Yi and Minister Narson Rafidimanana signed the MOU of professional training and personnel exchanges in the next five years to be conducted between CPAFFC and Ministry Attached to the Presidency in Charge of Presidential Projects, Land Management and Equipment of Madagascar.      

Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), attended the opening ceremony of “Cuba Va” Exhibition of Photography of Paolo and delivered a speech in National Center for Performing Arts (NCPA ) on July 27th. The exhibition was commonly organized by CPAFFC and NCPA. The series of works took by Cuba famous photographer, Paolo Titolo, reflecting the aggressive and active of Cuban people, were exhibited in NCPA. Above 100 Chinese and Cuban friendly personages from all walks of life including Mr. Chen Xi, Ambassador of Chinese Embassy in Cuba, Mrs. Marina Domenech, Chargé d'affaires of Cuban Embassy in China, Ms. Mariela Castro, daughter of Cuban leader and etc., attended the opening ceremony. Vice President Xie Yuan congratulated the photography exhibition on opening successfully and also spoke highly of the works focusing on people living and full of humanistic care, which indicated Cuban people’s optimism and their positive attitude during fighting against difficulties. He hoped that this exhibition could attract more Chinese people to learn about Cuba and further enhance the traditional friendship of the two peoples. Photographer Paolo expressed his sincere thanks to CPAFFC for launching and organizing the exhibition. He introduced the times and experience of the photos when they were taken. He hoped to exhibit more real and progressive Cuba to the two peoples and continuous deepen the traditional friendship of the two countries by his works.  

Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Mme. Mariela Castro, the daughter of the highest leader of Cuba, Raul, and her family members at the invitation of CPAFFC on July 27th. Vice President Xie Yuan extended his welcome to them and made a brief introduction about the friendly exchange had developed in recent years between CPAFFC and Cuba. Mme. Mariela thanked CPAFFC for warm reception. She expressed that she would learn more about and love China through this visiting to China. Both sides also had a discussion on promoting the exchange and cooperation between China and Cuba in the fields of Chinese medicine, youth education, film, art and etc.. Mr. Ji Yongjun, Deputy Director-General of Department of American and Oceanian Affairs of CPAFFC, attended the meeting.

Mme. Lin Yi, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with United Arab Emirates young ambassadors delegation at the invitation of CPAFFC on July 24th. Vice President Lin Yi extended welcome to the delegation. She expressed that the United Arab Emirates is an important partner of the Belt and Road construction of China. Chinese side attached high importance to the relations developed with the United Arab Emirates. The youth is the future for a country. There are some young elites from various fields in the delegation this time. Vice President Lin hoped that the members could learn more about China through this visiting and bring back the Chinese friendship to the United Arab Emirates as a messenger of the friendly cooperation between China and the United Arab Emirates. All the members of the delegation thanked CPAFFC for kind invitation and considerate arrangement. They would like to learn the experience China had gained in the social development and strengthen the cooperation with China in the future. The program of the United Arab Emirates Young Ambassadors was launched in 2012 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi of the United Arab Emirates. It is also an annual international youth exchange program commonly organized by CPAFFC, General Office of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates. Mr. Mohamed Alshamsi, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the United Arab Emirates Embassy in China, attended the meeting.

Mr. Chen Yuan, Vice-Chairman of National Committee of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and President of China-Russia Friendship Association (CRFA) met with Mr. Mezentsev, Member of Russia Federation Council (RFC) and Chairman of Russia-China Friendship Association (RCFA) on July 24th. President Chen Yuan welcomed Chairman Mezentsev to China and expressed his pleasure to meet Mezentsev again in Beijing after a short time. Chairman Mezentsev thanked President Chen Yuan for taking time to meet him and made a clear introduction on the work RCFA developed recently and next arrangements. Both sides had an in-depth discussion about the preparations for the commemorative activities of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of RCFA and also exchanged their views on further strengthening the local exchanges of the two countries, promoting the cooperation in the fields of tourism, economy, trade and humanity and etc.. Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and CRFA, Mr. Novoselov, Senior Counsellor of Russian Embassy in China, attended the meeting.