Jointly organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and German-Chinese Friendship Association in Mannheim/Rhein-Neckar, Germany, the Fifth Chinese-German U-16 Football Friendship Tournament was successfully held in Mannheim and Worms, Germany from 1. July to 2. July 2017. Leading by vice resident of CPAFFC Mr. Song Jingwu ,the Chinese delegation attended the Tournament. Four Chinese teams including Muslim Middle School Shenyang, Second Middle School Xiamen, FC Yanbian Fude and Qingdao Huangdao District and six German teams including FC Walderhof Mannheim, FC Womatia Worms, FA Baden select and Bergstrasse Select, etc. competed in the field. Eventually the U-16 team from FC Walderhof Mannheim won the championship of the Tournament. Xiamen Second Middle School was the only Chinese team entering the semi-finals of the Tournament, who was edged out with a final score of 0:1 by his German rival.  Peter Kurz, Mayer of Mannheim, Klaus Schlappner, the first foreign Chief Coach of the Chinese national football team, Ronny Zimmermann, Vice President of German Football Association etc. as well as the Chinese delegation attended and co-watched the games and the prize-presentation ceremony. The Tournament was initiated by Felix Kurz, President of German-Chinese Friendship Association in Mannheim/Rhein-Neckar, Klaus Schlappner and Norbert Egger, the former Vice Mayer of Mannheim, aiming to promote the Chinese-German Football exchange in youth and to create a communication Platform for youth in both countries, which has been held successfully for five times since 2012. According to incomplete statistics, near a thousand youth from over 20 schools in more than 40 cities both in China and in Germany have taken part in this Tournament.

On June 30, the Exhibition of “Memories from China: David Iancu, Bucur and Gisela Clejan” was held in Romania by CPAFFC, China-Romania Friendship Association, Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Shanghai Soong Ching-Ling Mausoleum, Chinese Embassy in Romania, Romanian-Chinese House. CPAFFC Vice President Song Jingwu, Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong, Vice President of Romanian-Chinese House Ambassador Ioan Donca, Procurator General of Romania Augustin Laz?r, State Secretary of Ministry of Culture of Romania Alexandru Oprean attended the opening ceremony.   Vice President Song Jingwu Giving a Speech Vice President Song Jingwu said in the opening remarks that this exhibition aimed to promote the internationalism of the Romanian doctors, to deepen the traditional friendship between the two peoples and to enhance win-win cooperation between China and Romania in the new era.   Chinese Ambassador to Romania Giving a Speech Romanian guests all spoke highly of the exhibition in the speeches. State Secretary Alexandru Oprean said that the exhibition evoked the common values and view of history of the two peoples and was a significant program for promotion of world peace. About 150 Chinese and Romanian guests from all walks of life attended the opening ceremony, and the story was covered by Romanian mainstream media, including an interview of Vice President Song Jingwu by National Television of Romania. David Iancu, Bucur and Gisela Clejan came to China with the International Medical Corps during Chinese People’s war against Japanese aggression and made tremendous contribution. Gisela Clejan sacrificed her life in China due to severe injuries. The three heroes of internationalism have become the symbolic figures of the friendship between China and Romania. State Secretary of Ministry of Culture of Romania Giving a Speech Vice President of Romanian-Chinese House Giving a Speech  Participants of the Opening Ceremony Vice President Song Jingwu Giving an Interview

On June 27th, the CPAFFC Vice President Lin Yi met with H.E. Mr. Dhia Khaled, New Ambassador of Tunisia to China. Vice President Lin Yi welcomed Ambassador Khaled to take his new post in China and introduced the cooperation between the CPAFFC and Arab Countries during the recent years. She said the CPAFFC is willing to strengthen its ties with the embassy to promote bilateral friendship exchanges in various fields of culture, tourism and etc. H.E. Mr.Khaled thanked Madam Lin for the meeting and said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Tunisia, bilateral friendship relations and cooperation between the two countries had developed smoothly. The Tunisian society is stable at present and it is willing to continuously strengthen its cooperation with China. Tunisia supports “The Belt and Road” initiative proposed by China and welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in Tunisia and take advantages of excellent geographical location and convenient trade environment of Tunisia to develop the markets in Europe, Africa and Arab Countries. The embassy regards the CPAFFC as an important partner and hopes to work closely with the CPAFFC to promote the friendship exchanges between Chinese and Tunisian peoples through joint efforts.

On June 27th, a reception to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China- Guyana diplomatic relations was held in Beijing. Around 200 personages including Mr. Ma Peihua, Vice Chairman of National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and President of China-Latin America and Caribbean Friendship Association (CLACFA), Mr. Hu Sishe, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Mr. Bayney Karran, Ambassador of Guyana Embassy in China and some of other Ambassadors to China, attended the reception. Before the reception, Vice Chairman Ma Peihua had a brief meeting with Ambassador Karran. Vice President Hu Sishe said in his speech that, Guyana is the first English-speaking country in Caribbean to establish diplomatic relations with China. The peoples of the two countries enjoy profound friendship. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China-Guyana diplomatic relations, which is also the 45th year to deepen the friendship and win-win cooperation. He hoped that both sides should take this year as an opportunity to further push bilateral relations for improvement and carry forward the traditional friendship of the two countries. Mr. Carl Greenidge, the second Guyana Vice President and  Foreign Minister, sent congratulatory video to the reception. He said, the development of Guyana is inseparable from the support and assistance from China. The cooperation in various fields between China and Guyana is pragmatic and effective. Both sides also keep good relationship in international affairs. He hoped that the bilateral relations would achieve greater development in next 45 year.    

On June 23rd , Vice President Xie Yuan met with Donna Walker, First Lady of the State of Alaska, United States and the Honorary President of Alaska Children 's Trust. Vice President Xie Yuan introduced the function of CPAFFC and its work in promoting sister cities relationship and China-US sub-national exchange mechanisms. He also expressed hope for more cooperation between China and Alaska in tourism, energy and other areas. Donna Walker expressed her gratitude for the great hospitality of CPAFFC. She said that this trip brought her better knowledge of China. She would help to facilitate closer exchanges and cooperation between Alaska and China in the future.

On June 22nd, the 2017 China International Taiji·Yoga Conference hosted by China India Friendship Association was held in Langfang, Hebei Province. Madame Lin Yi, Vice President of Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Madame Thekkat，Counselor of the Indian Embassy attended its closing ceremony. Vice President Lin Yi said on the closing ceremony that the essence of Taiji and Yoga is similar, so she hoped Taiji and Yoga could act as the modern bridge for Chinese and Indian cultural exchanges and facilitate the mutual understanding and friendship between our two peoples. Also, she appealed to the audience to actively practice Taiji and Yoga so as to know the two culture better and promote China India friendship. Counselor Thekkat said in her speech that there’s a lot in common between Taiji and Yoga. These two sports could be the bond to connect the people of our countries, thus further enhancing China India cultural exchanges. On the closing ceremony, the champion of 2017 Yoga Anasa Competition, renowned Taiji masters and Yoga delegation from Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga offered wonderful performances.  

On June 21st, the CPAFFC Vice President Lin Yi met with H.E. Mr. Mohamed Al-Mekhlafi, New Ambassador of Yemen to China. Vice President Lin Yi said that China enjoys traditional friendship with Yemen and the Chinese people expect Yemen to restore stability as soon as possible. The CPAFFC is willing to maintain communication and coordination with the embassy to promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the fields of non-governmental organizations and local governments to further deepen the friendly relations between the two peoples. H.E. Mr. Mohamed Al-Mekhlafi thanked Madam Lin for meeting with him and reviewed the development of bilateral friendly relations between Yemen and China. He also introduced the current situation in Yemen. He said that Yemen and China have a long history of friendship and thanked China for its long term assistance and support to Yemen. Both the CPAFFC and the Chinese Arab Friendship Association are organizations with long history. The embassy welcomed both organizations to offer suggestions in various fields to promote the friendship between China and Yemen, and to raise the bilateral relations to a higher level by joint efforts.

  On June 20th, the Third International Day of Yoga Event co-hosted by Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (hereinafter “CPAFFC”) and the Indian Embassy was held at Juyongguan Pass. Madame Lin Yi, Vice President of the CPAFFC, Mr. Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs of India and Mr. Narang，DCM of the Indian Embassy attended the event. Vice President Lin Yi addressed on the event. She said that Yoga is a kind of wholesome sport that could bring people together. It perfectly displays the Chinese and Indian culture as well as China India friendship in a harmonious way by arranging the yoga event on the Great Wall. Minister Singh expressed his pleasure of seeing so many Chinese and Indian yoga practitioners joining the Yoga Day Event, which reveals the friendship between our two countries. DCM Narang said that the Great Wall and Yoga symbolize Chinese and Indian culture respectively. Holding the Yoga Day Event on the Great Wall embodies cultural exchanges between the two sides which will greatly promotes China India friendship and cooperation. In the event, more than a hundred yoga practitioners from China and India performed yoga.

At the invitation of Global Fund for City Development-FMDV and UNHCR, Mr. Li Xikui, Secretary-General of CPAFFC and Council President of CFFPD visited France and Switzerland from June 10 to 17. During the visit, the delegation held working meeting with FMDV, attended the UNHCR Annual Consultations with NGOs and held meetings with the Division of External Relations, Regional Bureau for Asia and Pacific, Partnership Sections of UNHCR by reaching a series of cooperation consensus. 

In order to improve the exchange among China, Japan and Republic of Korea, and enhance the understanding of people of three countries, the 3rd Japan-China-Republic of Korea Art Exchanges on Flower Arrangements was held in the China Cultural Center, Tokyo, on 15 June 2017. Mr. Sishe Hu, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mr. Nobuhiro KUME, Chairman of RBA international, Ms Young Aeh Kim, Chairperson of Korea-China Friendship Association of Culture & Economy, Ms.Zhang Mei, the press section information service counselor of Embassy of the People  Republic of China in Japan, Ms. Shi Yongjing, director of China Cultural  Center in Tokyo, Ms Wang Suizhi, former vice President of the Association of Chinese Flower Arrangements Arts, Mrs. Kume, Fumi-So, famous artist of Tsukinowa-Misho-Ryu, Ms.Sangsook Han, vice chairperson of Academic Society of South Korea Flower Art Design and other famous artists from the three countries attended the opening ceremony. In 2015, in order to improve people-to-people communication and art exchanges among Japan-China-Republic of Korea, RBA International, Chinese People Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Korea-China Friendship Association of Culture & Economy made an agreement to hold Art Exchanges on Flower arrangements among those three countries in turn. The 1st and 2nd Art exchanges were held in Beijing and Seoul in last two year, which had highly regarded by social sectors.   The 3rd Japan-China-South Korea Art Exchanges on Flower Arrangements was supported by China Cultural Center in Tokyo, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat. President of Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Li Xiaolin paid close attention to holding this activity. Her congratulatory message mentioned that in order to continue and develop traditional art of ethnic culture, each country should constantly seek for originality and ingenuity by absorbing nourishment from ethnic culture of other countries. She hoped that taking this opportunity of exchange to show the unique charm of art of Flower Arrangements to the nations of the three countries, deepening mutual understanding of the three nations, particularly among young people, thereby contributing to the continued development and prosperity of art of flower arrangements of these three countries.  Zhang Mei, the press section information service counselor of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Japan delivered a speech. In her congratulatory message, She said the neighboring countries, China, Japan and Republic of Korea play a very important role in Asian counties. To deepen the friendship and understanding not only is the trilateral common benefits but also is beneficial for the peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia Pacific and the world. She hoped that taking the opportunity of the 45th anniversary of normalization of diplomatic relation between Japan and the People’s Republic of China in this year as well as the 40th anniversary of Treaty Peace and Friendship between Japan and the People’s Republic of China in next year, it can continuously increase the understanding and friendship between Japan and China, and push forward friendly cooperative relationship. Flower arrangement is very popular with Japan-China-Republic of Korea citizens, therefore, looking forward that art of Flower Arrangements could be of help to deepen friendship and cultural exchanges of the three countries. Mr. Hu Sishe, vice president of CPAFF, indicated that China, Japan and Republic of Korea have a more than 2000 years history of friendly exchanges. As for art exchanges, those three countries have a same strain on history background. So that the art of flower arrangement with those three counties has in common eastern culture and own national patina. Flower arrangement in China, Japan and South Korea has become a new platform and new brand for tripartite cultural exchange in current. While looking forward that art of Flower Arrangements could be of help to deepen friendship and cultural exchanges of the three countries. At the art exchanges in Tokyo, the junior school students from Saitama-ken took part in the flower arrangements and communicated with the artists of flower arrangement. They stated that flower arrangement is one of most significant cultural sample of the East Asian countries. The flower arrangement shows the style of life and the feeling from nature. Meanwhile, flower arrangement is mental training, fertilizes cultural life of people and increases literacy. Finally, they hoped that there would have more friendly communication with neighboring countries through the activity of flower arrangement.