On July 17, “the 7th China-Japan-ROK Youth Arts Exchange Exhibition” successfully opened at the Arts and Crafts Museum in Changchun, Jilin Province, which is jointly hosted by the CPAFFC, the Suzu City Japan-China Friendship Association and the Kimcheou Fine Arts Association of the Republic of Korea, with the Jilin Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries organizing the event. The exhibition, from July 17 to July 23, is composed of more than 240 pieces of outstanding calligraphy and painting works of Chinese, Japanese and Korean primary and middle school students, with the theme of peace, cooperation and the silk road.   Vice President Hu Sishe gave awards to representatives of prize winners At the opening ceremony, Vice President Hu Sishe of the CPAFFC, Director General Wang Zhiwei of Foreign Affairs Office of Jilin Province (also the President of Jilin Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries), President Sambai Michizo of Suzu City Japan-China Friendship Association, Speaker Akasaka Toshiaki of Suzu Municipal Congress and President Kim Young Sic of the Kimcheou Fine Arts Association of the ROK gave speeches and awarded representatives of prize winners. More than 200 teacher and student representatives from Changchun primary and middle schools have attended the ceremony and visited the exhibition. Changchun primary students also played zheng, wrote calligraphy on site, performed the technique of printing and dyeing, among other interactive performances.   Vice President Hu Sishe took a group photo with three countries’ representatives of prize winners In his speech, Vice President Hu Sishe pointed out, “Art is the bridge that connects people’s thoughts and the bond that builds friendship. Through works of calligraphy and painting, the youth from China, Japan and ROK showed different cultural customs and ways of living of the three countries as well as expressed their common cordial feelings and colorful dreams. By this kind of friendly exchanges, the CPAFFC wishes to enhance mutual understanding and trust among people of the three countries, especially among the youth, and make efforts for Northeast Asia’s peace and stability, prosperity and development.”   Vice President Hu Sishe visited the exhibition with Director General Wang Zhiwei of Foreign Affairs Office of Jilin Province “China-Japan-ROK Youth Art Exchange Exhibition” is an exhibition series initiated in 2011 by the CPAFFC, which aims to promote cultural exchanges among the youth of the three countries, cultivate friendly relations, promote mutual understanding as well as build a platform for exchanges and cooperation at the local government level. The exhibition is held annually among the three counties in rotation, with previous events held in Wuhan, China (2011), Kim Chou, ROK (2012, 2015), Suzu, Japan (2013, 2016) and Chengdu, China (2014). All have been well received.    Exhibition site   Changchun primary students performed the technique of printing and dyeing on site

On July 20, the CPAFFC Vice President Mme. Lin Yi met with Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, Chairman of the Daily Sun and former Governor of Abia State of Nigeria. Mme. Lin Yi said that Chairman, as a good friend of China and an old friend of the CPAFFC as well, has actively promoted China-Nigeria economic and trade relations for years in manufacturing, agriculture etc. She also introduced the CPAFFC’s recent exchanges with Nigeria, especially the local government cooperation, and hoped to work with the Chairman to deepen cooperation in areas such as local exchanges and media between China and Nigeria.  Dr. Kalu recalled with delight his first visit to China at the invitation of the CPAFFC 16 years ago when he was the Governor of Abia State. He spoke highly of the CPAFFC’s commitment to enhancing China-Africa people-to-people friendship, and said that he is willing to facilitate the establishment of friendship organizations with China, which will focus on economic and trade cooperation, so as to contribute more to strengthening Nigeria-China pragmatic cooperation in agriculture and other areas together with the CPAFFC.

Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Mrs. Patricia Rodriguez,  new Costa Rica  Ambassador to China on July 18, 2017. Vice Presidnt Xie Yuan welcomed Ambassador Patricia Rodriguez to her new post in China and expressed that CPAFFC attached great importance to the development of the bilateral relations. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Costa Rica. CPAFFC would keep close contact with Costa Rica Embassy in China to commonly hold the celebration activities. Ambassador Patricia Rodriguez said that she served as one of leading members in Costa Rica and China Friendship Association before, and has been promoting the friendship of the two peoples. Moreover, she had ever further studied in China for several times and had written some books about China. Costa Rica Embassy in China will actively assist CPAFFC to organize some relevant celebration activities. Mr. Ji Yongjun, Deputy Director-General of Department of American and Oceania Affairs of CPAFFC attended the meeting.

The CPAFFC, the People’s Government of Xing County and OSI signed an MOU on Poverty Reduction on July 17 in Xing County, Shanxi Province. Associate Counsel Xu Fenghua of CPAFFC, Party Secretary Liang Zhifeng of Xing County, Secretary General Xi Wanghua of Shan Xi Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Senior Vice President Brent Afman of OSI attended and addressed the signing ceremony. The signing of the MOU marked another solid step in the poverty reduction efforts and a good start. All parties expressed positive expectations for the cooperation, wishing to make joint efforts to carry out the poverty reduction program. In the year to come, OSI, with its pioneering production techniques, quality management system, and its expertise in farming and food industry, will provide quality management system training and exchanges, student nutrition meals, egg-washer donation, raw material supplier development and student care plan to help local people out of poverty, adding new momentum to the development of local economy.

On July 14th, Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met in Beijing with Mr. IWAO OKAMOTO, the former President and Consultant of Japan-China Economic Association (JCEA), and Mr. TADASHI IZAWA, Newly-appointed President of JCEA. Vice President Song Jingwu spoke highly of the efforts JCEA had made for many years on pushing the bilateral ties in economy and trade for improvement and maintaining the healthy and stable development relations. Vice President Song said, this year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations, next year will mark the 40th anniversary of the Conclusion of A Treaty of Peace and Friendship. The bilateral relations would confront with important opportunities to further improvement and development. Therefore, CPAFFC and CJFA (China and Japan Friendship Association) are willing to work with JCEA to catch the opportunities to deepen the exchanges and cooperation of the two countries in economy and trade , enhance the mutual understanding and friendship among the two peoples, so as to commonly improve the cause of Sino-Japanese friendship. IWAO OKAMOTO expressed that JCEA would engage in the development of the cause of Sino-Japanese friendship as before. He will continue to make efforts on promoting the bilateral relations in the future. New President TADASHI IZAWA said, he would like to inherit the fine tradition of JCEA and actively develop the exchanges and cooperation in economy and trade between China and Japan as well as make his contributions to improve the bilateral relations.

  Mr. Tang Jiaxuan, President of China-Japan Friendship Association (CJFA) met in Beijing with Japanese Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren) delegation led by Mr. MATSUSHITA MASAYUKI, Vice President of Kankeiren and Vice President of Panasonic on July 13. Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Mr. Yuan Mindao, Director-General of Department of Japanese Affairs of CPAFFC, attended the meeting. President Tang welcomed Kankeiren delegation to China and spoke highly of the valuable contributions it had made as one of the most important economic organizations in Kansai region to working for the cause of Sino-Japanese friendship, promoting the exchanges and cooperation of the two countries in economy and trade as well as maintaining healthy and stable development of bilateral relations for many years. President Tang said, the cooperation in economy and trade between China and Japan will face new opportunities with the current bilateral relations being improved increasingly. Chinese President Xi Jinping met at request in G20 Hamburg Summit with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan. Both sides reached consensus on developing Sino-Japanese relations. Prime Minister Abe also expressed the willingness to develop cooperation with China within the “Belt and Road” framework and expected Japanese economic circles including Kankeiren to catch the opportunities to actively take part in the construction of the “Belt and Road” , so as to make  contributions to further deepening the exchanges and cooperation in economy, trade, and push the bilateral relations for improvement. Vice President MATSUSHITA MASAYUKI said, Kankeiren attaches great importance to the exchanges and cooperation in economy and trade with China. Since 2015, Kankeiren had held Japan and China entrepreneurs exchange conferences with CJFA for 3 consecutive years, and yesterday the third entrepreneur conference was held in Shanghai successfully. The entrepreneurs from the two countries held a pragmatic discussion on the topics of health and beauty, city travel and etc., which achieved good results. There is a long and deep historic origin between Kansai region and China, which also have close economic contact. Therefore, Kansai economic circle will continue to carry forward the tradition, develop various  activities of friendly exchanges with China, actively support the construction of the “Belt and Road”, increasingly deepen the exchange and cooperation of the two countries in economy and trade, so as to improve the bilateral relations.

On July 12th , hosted by CPAFFC, CIFCA and Chengdu Municipal People’s Government, undertaken by Chengdu Foreign Affairs Office, 2017 BRICS Friendship Cities and Local Governments Cooperation Forum was successfully held in Chengdu. Mr. Wang Jiarui, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC, Madame Li Xiaolin, President of CPAFFC and CIFCA, Mr. Deng Chuan, Vice Chairman of the Sichuan Committee of CPPCC, Mr. Luo Qiang, Mayor of Chengdu, Mr. Tang Chuanping, Chairman of CPPCC Chengdu Committee, Mr. Des Van Rooyen, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs of South Africa, Mr. Luciano Nunes Santos Filho, President of UNALE, Mr. Shipilov Aleksei, First Deputy Governor of Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomus Okrug-Ugra of Russia, Madam I Kundan, Additional Municipal Commissioner of Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai of India, etc. attended the forum and delivered speeches respectively. Mr. Wang Jiarui pointed out that the Communist Party of China and Chinese government attach great importance to the cooperation among local governments, especially friendship cities of BRICS countries. On July 7th, President Xi Jinping presided over the BRICS Leaders’ Informal Meeting on the margins of the G20 Summit in Hamburg, reaffirming China’s intention and unchanging stand of highly valuing its cooperation with BRICS countries. The overall situation of the present world is still complicated and fraught with uncertainty. Developing countries have a common goal of national stability and people’s happiness. China has always been adhering to the principle of friendship with foreign countries. We hope that on the basis of mutual understanding, the BRICS countries will uphold the concept of openness, inclusiveness, mutual benefit and cooperation, and achieve higher cooperation at the Xiamen Summit in September. Madam Li Xiaolin said that, with the increasingly close ties among BRICS countries, the BRICS Friendship Cities and Local Governments Cooperation Forum has become an important content of BRICS cooperation. Being responsible for the coordination and management of Chinese friendship cities, CPAFFC and CIFCA have worked together with friendly organizations and personnel from BRICS countries and made gratifying accomplishments in cooperation at the local and regional level. As a representative of emerging countries in transition, the BRICS countries have already formed a community of common destiny. There still leaves great space and potential for the development of friendship cities among the five countries. The forum is expected to serve as a bridge of exchange and mutual learning for cities and local governments of BRICS countries to seize opportunities and meet changes together. About 200 delegates, including around 100 ministers, state governors, mayors, heads of local organizations from the four other BRICS countries, and over 100 Chinese local leaders and representatives, experts and scholars, as well as entrepreneurs from 17 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions attended the forum. As one of the series of activities of the BRICS Xiamen Summit, the forum is concentrated on the theme of “Interconnected Development, Joint Innovation and Shared Benefits”. Top Talk among leaders of provinces and cities, as well as theme forums on “Urban Internationalization: Opportunity and Challenge” and “Education Exchange: Mechanism Innovation and Resource Sharing” were held. Also, the “Chengdu Initiative” was issued. The BRICS Friendship Cities and Local Governments Cooperation Forum was a mechanism aimed to promote exchanges and cooperation at the local and regional level among BRICS countries, initiated by CPAFFC and CIFCA when China held the BRICS Presidency in 2011. It is held every year by the BRICS Presidency and embraces its second time to be held by China this year.      

Mr. Tang Jiaxuan, President of China-Japan Friendship Association (CJFA), met in Beijing with congresswoman delegation from Japanese ruling party which was led by Mme. NODA SEIKO, member of House of Representatives and former Secretary General of the Liberal Democratic Party on July 12th. Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Mr. KOICHI ITO， Minister of Japanese Embassy in China, attended the meeting. President Tang expressed that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China and Japan diplomatic relations. Next year will mark the 40th anniversary of the Conclusion of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan. Therefore, the bilateral relations are facing the important opportunities to improve. Recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping held a meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan during the G20 Hamburg Summit and pointed out the general direction of the development of the two countries in the current time and in the future. Both sides should earnestly implement the consensus reached by two heads of states, properly handle relevant sensitive issues, steadily push forward the exchange and cooperation in various fields and make practical efforts to the improvement of bilateral ties. NODA SEIKO said, it is in line with the basic interests of the two peoples and also benefits to the prosperity and stability of Asia and the whole world to develop the friendly bilateral  relations. Japanese side would like to further strengthen the exchange and cooperation with Chinese side in future. She will actively improve the bilateral relations from the female politician’s perspective and power.

On July 11, the South Africa-China Local Government Dialogue, which was co-hosted by the CPAFFC, Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) of South Africa and Chengdu Municipal Government, was successfully held in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Mme. Lin Yi, Vice President of the CPAFFC, Hon. Des Van Rooyen, Minister of COGTA, Mme. Liu Xiaoliu, Vice Mayor of Chengdu Municipal Government and nearly 100 local government representatives from both countries attended the Dialogue. In her remarks, Mme. Lin Yi hoped that through this Dialogue, local governments of China and South Africa can focus on the construction of 'Belt and Road', communicate ideas of cooperation, discuss and explore the areas of cooperation, so as to make the 'Belt and Road' provide a new platform for local government cooperation between the two countries and bring more real benefits to the two peoples. Minister Van Rooyen said that South Africa gives firm support to the resolutions of the FOCAC Johannesburg Summit. He expects the Dialogue can enhance pragmatic cooperation between South African and Chinese cities and advance their joint efforts to address the challenges and opportunities, and facilitate the sharing of experience in urban governance and the establishment of friendship cities between the two countries as well. The theme of this Dialogue is 'Promote OUR Belt & Road through Local Cooperation'. Local government representatives and entrepreneurs from Shandong, Henan, Chongqing, Xiamen and Chengdu held in-depth discussions with South African delegates from South Africa Local Government Association, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal provinces on topics of Local Industrial Matchmaking and Industrial Capacity Cooperation and Youth Employment and Vocational Training. This Dialogue was moderated by Dr. He Wenping, Chief Senior Researcher, Institute of West-Asian and African Studies (IWAAS) of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.  

On July 10th, the CPAFFC Vice President Lin Yi met with Dr. Mohamed Khalil, President of Morocco-China Friendship and Exchanges Association (MCFEA), one of the winners of China-Arab Friendship Outstanding Contribution Awards. Mr. Abdelmalek Lakehayli, Vice-President of Casablanca and Mr. Mohamed Ouaoua, Deputy Chief of Mission and Minister of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in China attended the meeting. Vice President Lin Yi welcomed President Khalil to visit the association and said the CPAFFC would like to strength the communication with the MCFEA and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in China to promote the friendship exchanges in all areas including local governments, culture, tourism and young people between the two countries. President Khalil thanked Vice President Lin Yi for meeting with him and said the MCFEA would like to strength the exchanges and cooperation with the CPAFFC. Next year will be the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Morocco and China and he hopes to take it as an opportunity to make joint efforts to promote Sino-Moroccan people-to-people friendly relations to a new level.