On April 5th, Vice President Song Jingwu met with Creek Ambassador to China Leonidas Rokanas. Both sides highly valued the progress of the bilateral relations in recent years. Ambassador Leonidas Rokanas appreciated the CPAFFC’s efforts in promoting local exchanges between China and Greece. He said that people to people exchanges is the foundation of bilateral relations, Greek side is willing to strengthen local cooperation between Greece and China through cooperation with the CPAFFC and support the CPAFFC in the preparation of the Reception on the 45th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and Greece and the 2nd Hellenic China Cities Forum. Shen Xin deputy director general of the European Asian Department also attended the meeting.

Mme. Lin Yi, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met on March 30 with Mme. Chen Shuqing, the founder of Thai-Chinese Women Association (TCWA), Mr. Hong Baichuan, Chairman of the Board of the Bangkok College of Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU), and student representatives from training class for Chinese language consisted of high-level entrepreneurs.  Vice President Lin appreciated the efforts Chen Shuqing, Hong Baichuan and her family members had made for a long time on promoting the people-to-people exchanges between China and Thailand. Vice President Lin also spoke highly of the Thai high-level entrepreneurs learning Chinese language and culture, and devoting to the cause of Thai-Chinese friendship. She said that the future for the two countries to cooperate in various fields is broad, especially in economy, trade and humanity. CPAFFC would like to establish cooperative mechanism with the Bangkok College of BLCU to push forward the exchanges in the sectors mentioned above between the two countries. Hong Baichuan expressed, the Belt and Road Initiatives bring development opportunities to Thailand and the countries along the route. As the only organization to train Chinese language and culture for the important members of the government, enterprise senior managers and high-ranking public servants, the Bangkok College of BLCU has broader resources and expects to develop more close cooperation with the Chinese side, so as to make unremitting efforts on promoting the bilateral relations. After meeting, Vice President Lin also answered to the questions raised by the entrepreneur representatives. Both sides exchanged their views on developing cooperation in the fields of the economy, trade, women, youth, traditional herb medicine and etc. between China and Thailand.

On 28th March, H.E. Mr. Arken Imirbaki, Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and the President of the Chinese-Arab Friendship Association (CAFA) attended the 2rd Plenary Meeting of the 3rd Council of the CAFA and its 2017 Reception. In the meeting, The 3rd Council of the CAFA summed up its achievements of promoting friendly exchanges in politics, economy and trade, culture, academy, youth and local government since its establishment and discussed its future work., The Council members from various fields made proposals to promote exchanges of culture and youth to strengthen people-to-people bond between China and Arab Countries. After the Council meeting, the CAFA held the 2017 Reception. H.E. Mr. Abdullah Saad，Head of the Arab Mission in China and Ambassador of Oman and diplomats from Arab countries in China attended the reception. 

A Chinese shadow play troupe, dispatched by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and Qingyang municipal government of China’s northwest Gansu province, visited Québec, Canada from March 14 to 25. They were invited by Culture Shawinigan to attend Passeport pour la Chine, a grand cultural event open to the public from February 23 to April 2. The Chinese artists performed shadow puppetry to the young and adult audience in Shawinigan and Montreal, and were invited to a workshop joined by Canadian artists. When the delegation paid a call on Shawinigan city hall,vice mayor Martin Asslin expressed his warm welcome, and look forward to an increase of cultural and intercity exchanges with China.  The troupe came from Huan County of Qingyang City, known as the hometown of Chinese shadow theatre. The repertoire, including Stealing Magical herbs, Flooding Jinshan Temple, and Havoc in Heaven, gave audience a glimpse of traditional Chinese shadow play accompanied by the ancient Daoqing music. During the 2-day workshop, a couple of Canadian artists communicated with the troupe, having learned the handling techniques and created new puppetry stories.  The ICI Radio Canada, Le Nouvelliste, 92.9 CFUT and other media gave coverage of the theatre tour.  Passeport Pour...is an annual month-long cultural event organized by Culture Shawinigan. Choosing one country as the theme each year, it has been successfully held for 17 editions. Launched on February 23, Passeport pour la Chine consisted spectacles of Tai-chi and shadow play, photo exhibitions and workshops. The Shawinigan government (Ville de Shawinigan) and Chinese Consulate General in Montreal gave support to this event. 

As 98 years before, Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai wrote a poetry about Arashiyama’s springtime, that “The second time I tour the Hill, on both sides of which grows thickly green pines, Among which cherry trees are interspersed...”. The year 2017 marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations of China and Japan. On March 27, 2017, an opening ceremony of Mr. Zhou Enlai, memorial exhibition was held in Miyako Messe， Kyoto.   At July 1917,Zhou went to Japan  for further studies, when he was 19. During his 2 years of student life in Japan, Young Zhou had deeply enchanted with Japanese landscape and culture, in particular, the nature beauty in Kyoto. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, through his superb wisdom and diplomatic technique, premier Zhou Enlai had taken all effective measures, such as putting people to people exchanges first, and to promote the official decisions. He overcame all sorts of difficulties, and pushed forward the relationship of China and Japan. With all remitting efforts of premier Zhou Enlai, the normalization of diplomatic relations finally realized between China and Japan in 1972. In Japanese’s eyes, premier Zhou is one of the greatest politicians of the modern world, because of his personalities, such as trusted, intelligent and perceptivity. Moreover, premier Zhou was renowned for his contributions of promoting and maintaining the peace and relationship between China and Asian countries. He is also the one who made great contributions to the diplomatic relations establishment and the friendly relationship between China and Japan. The exhibition of the 100th anniversary of Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai’s birth was focused on producing CCTV documentary-100th anniversary of Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai. The exhibition displayed vast precious collections, such as the inscriptions of china and oversea personages, paintings and calligraphy photography works and historical data. Exhibits including the inscriptions and photos from Nakasone Yasuhiro, Norodom Sihanouk, Henry Alfred Kissinger, Ikeda Daisaku, Nikaid Susumu, Tanaka Makiko,Liao Chengzhi, Zhao Puchu, Sun Pinghua, Lin Liyun, Okazaki Kaheita, and other international dignitaries. The famous calligrapher and painter-Guan Shanyue, Ouyang Zhongshi, Shen Peng, Li Duo and Li Qi also created some calligraphy and paintings for premier Zhou. The original photo-《Zhou Enlai in deep throught 》was created by famous Italy photographer Giorgio Lotti, was displayed on this exhibition.  In the exhibition of premier Zhou memorial exhibition, almost all exhibits are original copies, which have great historical value and artistic value. Exhibition was showed in 5 sections. There were notice, fair, honest, love and peace. The exhibition was displayed in Tokyo and Nagano in November 2015 and April 2016, which stirred up wide appreciation among visitors.   

Vice present Hu Sishe met with former Prime Minister of Japan, Mr.Yukio Hatoyama in the afternoon on March 27 in Kyoto, while attending three events including the large-scale relics touring exhibition: A Legacy and Marvel Perfected over Three Millennia, Chinese and Japanese Calligraphy Masterpieces Exhibition, and Memorial Exhibition for Premier Zhou Enlai. At first, Vice President Hu Sishe conveyed President Li Xiaolin’s greetings to Mr.Yukio Hatoyama, and gave sincere appreciation for the support that Mr. Yukio Hatoyama gave to the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC). Also, Mr.Hu Sishe said that China and Japan are geographically close while sharing the culture and history traced from the same origin, which makes the friendship between China and Japan last over 2000 years. This time, while holding activities at Kyoto, a place that connected tightly with Chinese culture, it is no doubt that these events will deepen further cooperation and communication in the cultural sector for China and Japan.   Mr. Hatoyama has always been showing his concern on the cultural exchanges and fusion in the East Asian area. He said that China and Japan share culture that traced from the same origin, in another words, Japanese culture rooted in China. Culture, is one of the most significant topics in this era. We are now living in a society where commercialization and information developed rapidly, it is meaningful for people to discover the depth of culture and the worth of the classics. For these exhibitions held by CPAFFC, it is not only significant for the cultural exchanges between China and Japan, but also significant for showing modern people the beauty of history. Mr. Hatoyama hoped that more excellent exhibitions like these will be held in Japan. While the culture is connecting Japan and China together, there is going to be more cooperation, and less divergence, letting more love and peace blending into the communication between China and Japan.    

On March 27th, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Embassy of Madagascar in Beijing jointly held a reception in celebration of the 45th Anniversary of China-Madagascar Diplomatic Relations. Mr. Qiangba Puncog, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Mr. Hery Rajaonarimampianina, President of Madagascar, attended the reception and delivered speeches respectively. Mme. Li Xiaolin, President of CPAFFC, Mme. Yang Xiaorong, Chinese Ambassador to Madagascar, Major General Yi Shuqiang, Political Commissar of College of Defense Studies, together with about 100 people, including the delegation from Madagascar, diplomats from the Embassy of Madagascar, and representatives from all sectors attended the reception. The reception was hosted by Mme. Lin Yi, Vice-President of CPAFFC. Vice Chairman Qiangba Puncog said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Madagascar 45 years ago, both countries have always been sincere friends and enjoyed equal treatment and mutual respect, shared mutual understanding and support on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns.  China and Madagascar have become true friends, good partners and real brothers. The two sides enjoy fruitful results in bilateral cooperation and profound friendship between the two peoples. At present, the two countries share a lot in the integration of developing strategies and should cherish traditional friendship, enhance political mutual trust, deepen concrete cooperation to promote the comprehensive cooperative partnership for further development. President Hery said that Madagascar and China enjoy a long-standing friendship. The two sides have always showed mutual respect, understanding and trust, upheld the principle of mutual benefit and win-win result, maintained solid and enduring bilateral relations and achieved fruitful outcomes of cooperation in various fields. The assistance for infrastructure construction and the medical team sent by Chinese government bear great significance to the social and economic development of Madagascar. Madagascar supports China’s "Belt and Road" initiative and would like to, together with China, further enhance the bilateral cooperation and bring benefits to the two peoples.  Vice Chairman Qiangba Puncog and President Hery Rajaonarimampianina, Mme. Li Xiaolin and Mme. Béatrice Attalah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Madagascar, unveiled the Commemorative Cover for the establishment of diplomatic relations. The two sides held a brief meeting before the reception.

C-47 Dedication Ceremony was held at the Flying Tigers Guilin Heritage Park on March 25, 2017. Vice President Xie Yuan of Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Director General Zhang Jianqing of the Overseas Department of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, Secretary Zhao Leqin of CPC Guilin Municipal Committee, Chairman James Whitehead of the Flying Tigers Historical Organization(FTHO), FTHO President Larry Jobe, FTHO Honorary Chair Florence Fang, U.S. Consul General Charles Bennett to Guangzhou, U.S. Air Force Attache Colonel Mark Swentkofske from the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and General Claire Lee Chennault’s granddaughter Nell Calloway were among the over 300 Chinese and U.S. guests participating in the event. Vice President Xie read the message delivered by Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong, in which she extended her sincere welcome and best wishes to the family of General Claire Lee Chennault, Flying Tiger veterans and their families, members of Flying Tigers Historical Organization and people from all walks of life in the U.S. who have dedicated themselves to China-U.S. friendship. She also offered her warm congratulations on the dedication of the C-47 to Guilin, its last place of residence. She said, this year marks the 45th anniversary of the issuance of the Shanghai Communique. History exemplifies that a sound China-U.S. relationship serves the common good of peoples from both countries and around the world. She also expected more ordinary participants to commit themselves to promoting China-U.S. friendship with enthusiasm for the benefit of peoples of both countries, and peace and prosperity of the whole world. FTHO President Larry Jobe touched the hearts of the audience by narrating every detail of the Hump Flight Reenactment. He said, this flight has three purposes: one, promote friendship and understanding between people and nations; two, honor the people who have saved the world from a brutal enemy; and three, record history so future generations will know what transpired here. He also thanked the CPAFFC and Lingui District Government for their strong supports, hoping the display of the C-47 at the Flying Tigers Guilin Heritage Park will help more people from both China and the U.S. remember the history about China and the U.S. being allies during the World War II. C-47 was the major type of cargo planes used in the Hump Flight by the Flying Tigers in the World War II. The CPAFFC and FTHO started working on the Hump Flight Reenactment in early 2015. In October 2015, the FTHO purchased a C-47 in Australia, which served in the World War II. After restoration, the plane took off from Bathurst, Australia, on August 15, 2016. After making stopovers at airports in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Burma, it finally landed at Guilin Liangjiang Airport on November 19, 2016, drawing a wonderful conclusion to the Reenactment.                                    

On March 25th, Deputy Director-General Zhang Ruoning of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) attended the Opening Ceremony of the Fourth Holland Flowers Tulip Cultural Month held in Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province. President Henk Kool of Friendship Association the Netherlands-China (VNC)，Mr Wang Rong, member of standing committee of Yancheng Municipal committee of the CPC and secretary of the Dafeng district Party committee, and guests from home and abroad attended the event. Deputy Director-General Zhang Ruoning and President Henk Kool unveiled the Sino-Dutch Cultural Exchange Center. In the following press conference, Deputy Director-General Zhang Ruoning delivered a speech and expressed the CPAFFC’s willingness to serve the development strategies of the China’s local governments, and help them conduct multi-tiered friendly exchanges and practical cooperation with foreign countries in various fields and through diverse channels, so as to strengthen people-to-people bond, and realise cultural mutual learning and win-win progress.   

Vice Premier Liu Yandong met with CEO of Save the Children International, former Prime Minister of Denmark Helle Thorning-Schmidt in Zhongnanhai on March 24th. Vice Premier Liu said, promoting the health development for children is the common concern of the international community. China has always attached great importance on this issue. We wish to further the development of the global women’s and children’s health through international collaboration, to make a better life for children all over the world. Helle Thorning-Schmidt visited China at the invitation of CPAFFC. She said that Save the Children International will further develop its work in China. Vice Minister of Minitry of Foreign Affairs Zheng Zeguang and Vice President of CPAFFC Song Jingwu attended the meeting.