From Aug 6 to 11, the 4th ASEAN-China Youth Cultural Exchange Festival (ACYCEF), co-hosted by CPAFFC, China-ASEAN Association (CAA) and the China National Committee for the Well-being of Youth (CNCWBY), was held at Xi’an, Shaanxi. H.E. Madam Gu Xiulian, President of CAA and President of CNCWBY, Vice President Lin Yi of CPAFFC, Vice President Liu Yazhi of the Standing Committee of CNCWBY and Vice President Zhang Jianguo of Shaanxi Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries attended the festival. About 230 young representatives from Chinese mainland, Taiwan as well as ASEAN countries took part in the activity. Mme. Gu Xiulian made a speech on the  Gala Nightu This Festival is one of the celebration activities marking the 25th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue relations. Through the visits and exchanges, the Chinese and ASEAN teenagers enhanced their mutual understanding and built their friendship. A traditional style welcome ceremony at the South Gate of ancient Xi’an city was organized by the Xi’an Municipal government. The young delegates felt like returning to the heydays in the Tang dynasty. At the China-ASEAN Youth Cultural Gala Night of Friendship, the folk performances of ASEAN countries and Taiwanese echoed with Shaanxi opera, pushing the Festival to the climax. As Mme. Gu said in the speech before the performance, Xi’an, the provincial capital of Shaanxi, is the birthplace of the Chinese nation, the cradle of Chinese civilization and the starting point of the ancient Silk Road. It is of great significance that we are standing at the starting point of this Road to hold the 4th ACYCEF. It will further build the friendly atmosphere and pass on the traditional friendship. Since 2013, ACYCEF has become a brand-name project of China-ASEAN youth exchanges by CPAFFC. So far, around a thousand Chinese and ASEAN teenagers have participated in it. Chinese Kung-fu  Cambodian Dance

On August 9th, vice president Hu Sishe met with C. Rajasekhar, director general of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). They made in-depth discussions on co-hosting the Second International Conference of Indologists this year and other cultural exchanges between the two countries.  Mr. Hu pointed out that the cultural exchanges between the two countries date back to ancient times. One of the most famous examples of such exchanges is that Xuan Zang, an eminent monk of Chinese Tang Dynasty, brought back Buddhist script ures to China despite all those tribulations and risks. The modern times witness more frequent and more fruitful cultural exchanges between the two countries. There are similarities as well as differences between the two countries. We should learn from and compensate each other. The Second International Conference of Indologists offers a good opportunity for scholars from the two countries to strengthen academic exchanges. Mr. C. Rajasekhar, director general of ICCR spoke highly of the efforts made by CPAFFC in promoting Sino-Indian cultural exchanges. He believed that the upcoming conference would not only be a good opportunity for scholars to make academic discussions, but also a signal to the world of friendship between the two peoples. Both sides extend their hope for more exchanges in the future so as to further enhance the strategic cooperative partnership between China and India. 

Vice President Xie Yuan met with Vice President Ge Jun of Apple Inc. on August 9th.  Vice President Xie welcome Ge’s visit to the Friendship Association. He introduced some of the organization’s brand projects, including China-U.S. Governors Forum, China-U.S. Relations Conference, China-U.S. Sister Cities Conference, Round-Table Summit of “Global CEO Council”, etc. VP Xie said that both China and the United States should enhance cooperation based on mutual trusts. He hoped that Apple could continue its contribution to supporting China’s development, environmental protection and the philanthropy cause. Ge Jun said that Apple attached great importance to its development in China. As a people-oriented corporation, Apple has been engaging in practicing zero emission in all its production facilities as well as those of its suppliers’. The company is looking forward to enhancing its cooperation and exchanges with the CPAFFC. Apple will play a more important role in environmental protection, culture and education, and the philanthropy cause in order to promote the development of China-U.S. people-to-people diplomacy.

The Sixth Youth Exchange Exhibition on Calligraphy and Paintings of China, Japan and South Korea was held successfully on August 7th in SUZU Municipal Multiple-function hall in Japan. The exhibition was cohosted by CPAFFC, SUZU Japan-China Friendship Association, NOTO-CHO Japan-China Friendship Association, Korean Kimchon Institute of Fine Arts. Around 100 people participated in the opening ceremony and visited the exhibition including Vice director General of cultural exchange department in CPAFFC Mr. Ji Wei, the mayor of SUZU Izumiyamasushiro，president of SUZU Japan-China Friendship Association Sanbaimichizo, and president of Korean Kimchon Institute of Fine Arts Mr. Kim Young Sic. Mr. Ji Wei delivered the congratulation from President Li Xiaolin of CPAFFC on the opening ceremony. Chinese youth art exchange group performed together with the local children. NHK of Ishikawa made reports on the exhibition. 

Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met in Tokyo with Mr. OKAMOTO TAMOTSU, President of Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) on August 6. Vice President Song Jingwu said that the CPAFFC and the CLAIR are the organizations managing and promoting local exchanges in their own county. Although the bilateral relations still confront the sensitive and complex situation, the exchanges of the two countries are still in ascendance. Japan is the first country established the friendship city relations with China. Until now, both countries have set up 250 pairs of friendship cities, which are the largest number for China established with foreign countries. He hoped that CLAIR could develop their advantages and work together with China to further promote the pragmatic cooperation and the youth exchanges of the two countries. He wished the Exchanges Conference of Friendship Cities among China, Japan and Korea to be held in October this year in Okayama Prefecture a complete success and expressed that the Chinese side is willing to make efforts and prepare for the conference. President OKAMOTO TAMOTSU thanked Vice President Song Jingwu for taking time to meet him. President OKAMOTO TAMOTSU also said that under the thoughtful arrangement of CPAFFC, the Exchanges Conference of Friendship Cities among China, Japan and Korea held in Yi Wu, Zhejiang province last year achieved a complete success, which deepened the pragmatic cooperation among the three countries in various sectors. Okayama Prefecture is actively preparing the Conference to be held in October this year. He hoped to receive great support from CPAFFC, so as to hold a successful conference.

The 2016 China Africa Youth Gala, hosted by the CPAFFC, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League and organized by the Guangdong People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, Communist Youth League Committee of Guangdong Province and Guangdong Youth Federation,  successfully concluded in Guangzhou on August 5, 2016. During the four-day event, nearly 200 youth representatives from all walks of life from 18 African countries carried out various exchanges with their Guangdong counterparts in economy and trade, culture and social services, which further enhanced China-Africa youth friendship. During the Gala, Chinese and African youth representatives attended the China Africa Startup Forum with the theme of "Young Start-ups create the Future" and exchanged views with the volunteers of Guangzhou youth volunteer service center. They also visited the high-tech enterprises in Shenzhen like Huawei, enjoyed the lion dance and martial arts performance in Foshan and co-hosted the gala in the Canton Tower.

In the name of China-Russia Friendship Association (CRFA), the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) held a symposium of  Russian main-stream media journalists and CRFA’s experts, scholars and media representatives studying on Russia on August 5th. Mrs. Hu Chunmei, the Associated Counsel of the Department of European and Asian Affairs of CPAFFC and Secretary- General of CRFA, made a brief introduction of the work about Russia done by CPAFFC and CRFA in recent years to the delegation The representatives from the both sides made a discussion on the current international situation, China-Russia relations, media exchanges and etc.. At the invitation of the Embassy of China in Russia, the Russian main-stream journalist delegation visited China. It was made up of many Russian media representatives including the Information Telegraphic Agency of Russia-TASS, "Russia Today" TV, "The Voice of Russia" and other Russian media journalists. The aim of the special symposium holding for the  journalists was to actively cooperate with “the Exchange Year of China and Russia Media”and promote the coordination between the two countries’ medias. The representatives from the Chinese academy and media circles attended the symposium, including Institute of  European, Central Asian Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Department for European-Central Asian Studies of China Institute of International Studies, Euro-Asian Social Development Research Institute, Development Research Center, the State Council of China, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, Department of Russia Studies of China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, CCTV-RU, China Pictorial and etc..

At the invitation of the Japanese government, the Chinese youth delegation and the Chinese college graduates village official delegation with 187 representatives visited Japan for friendly exchange on August 2. In the evening of August 3, Japan-China Friendship Center (JCFC) held a welcoming reception for the delegations in Tokyo. Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Mr. EDA SATSUKI, President of JCFC, were present and delivered speeches. Vice President Song Jingwu appreciated the Japanese government’s inviting and JCFC’s hospitable reception. After that, he introduced the components of the two delegations and the situation of the exchanges after the delegation arriving in Japan to the guests of the both sides. Vice President Song pointed out that China and Japan are close neighbors linked by a narrow strip of water. Both countries have the history of the friendly exchanges for over 2000 years. He also said that the youth are the future for the two countries’ friendly relations. They should work together to take the responsibility for inheriting and developing the friendly relations of the two countries and make their own contribution to developing the bilateral ties in the new times. CPAFFC and CJFA (China and Japan Friendship Association ) will continue working for the cause of the friendly relations between China and Japan. They will make their own effort to further strengthening the friendly exchanges of the two peoples, especially among the youth, for improving the bilateral ties.   JCFC President EDA SATSUKI said in his speech that China and Japan are close and friendly neighbors. They should discover more points in common to enhance the mutual understanding of the two peoples. The Japanese government extended warm welcome to the delegations and hoped that the delegation members should make more friends with the Japanese, so as to deepen the mutual understanding and trust, and also make their own contribution to improving the feeling of the two peoples and developing the bilateral ties. Mme. Wang wan, counsellor of the Embassy of China in Japan, Mr. SHIKATA NORIYUKI, Deputy Director-General of Asian and Oceania Affairs Bureau of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr. Wang Zhanqi, Deputy Secretary-General of CJFA and Japanese representatives from friendly delegations to China, attended the welcoming reception.

On the morning of August 2, the China-U.S. Internet Eco Innovation Forum, hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and sponsored by U.S. Sino Friendship Association, Internet Eco Research Institute, Le Holdings (Beijing) Co. Ltd was held at the Great Hall of the People. Officials from China and the U.S., including Zhou Wenzhong, vice chairman of Committee of Foreign Affairs of the CPPCC, vice president of the China-U.S. People’s Friendship Association, former vice minister of Foreign Affairs, former Chinese Ambassador to the U.S., President Li Xiaolin of CPAFFC, Vice President Xie Yuan of CPAFFC, Zheng Xinli, former deputy director of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee, John Chiang, California State Treasurer and the Western U.S. Local Officials’ Delegation, as well as business leaders and experts on Internet industry, represented by Liu Hong, co-founder of vice chairman of Le Holdings (Beijing) Co. Ltd participated at the conference, and discussed about the new opportunities brought by Internet Eco Innovation, to bilateral economies and the global economy.  Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong said that as the most developed countries on Internet application, China and the U.S. are major driving forces behind Internet technology advance. Cooperation between the enterprises of the two countries in this area will bring strong impetus to both economies, and vitality to the global economic development and technological innovation.  CPAFFC Vice President Xie Yuan said that this Forum is the first one to incorporate the factor of Internet Eco Innovation into China-U.S. cooperation framework. It is aimed to provide a platform for the local governments, colleges and enterprises for exchange and cooperation, and for Internet practitioners to have comprehensive eco experience.  During the Forum, the attendees had an in-depth discussion on the topics of “Internet Eco-business Ushered in a New Model of China-U.S. Boundary-breaking Innovation” and “Practice and Responsibility of China-U.S. Internet Eco Innovation”. The two sides agreed that Internet Eco Innovation will bring new cooperation opportunities and models for the two countries, and deepen their ties in the areas of Internet, electronic vehicles, and cultural creativity.  

The 2016 China Africa Youth Gala, hosted by the CPAFFC, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League and organized by the Guangdong People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, Communist Youth League Committee of Guangdong Province and Guangdong Youth Federation, was inaugurated in Guangzhou on August 2, 2016. H.E. Mr. He Zhongyou, Vice governor of Guangdong Province, Mme. Lin Yi, Vice President of the CPAFFC and H.E. Mr. Victor Sikonina, Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Madagascar to China attended and addressed the opening ceremony. The Gala aims to implement the Follow-up Actions of the FOCAC Johannesburg Summit in South Africa last December of enhancing China-Africa youth exchanges and hosting the China Africa Youth Gala in different countries in turn. During the four-day event, nearly 200 youth representatives from all walks of life from 18 African countries will carry out exchanges with their Guangdong counterparts in economy and trade, culture and social services. During the Gala, a China Africa Startup Forum with the theme of "Young Start-ups create the Future" and a youth volunteer symposium will be held. The African youth will also visit the community administrative service center and high-tech enterprises in Shenzhen like Huawei, enjoy the lion dance and martial arts performances, and hold a gala with the Chinese youth. In this way, they will be able to learn about Guangdong and China from different perspectives and thus enhance China-Africa traditional friendship.