On September 13, 2024, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), in collaboration with the Brazilian Embassy in China, hosted a reception in Beijing to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng attended the event. President Yang Wanming of the CPAFFC and Brazilian Ambassador to China Marcos Galvao, delivered speeches at the reception. The event was attended by approximately 120 people, including officials from relevant Chinese government departments such as the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce, and the China International Development Cooperation Agency, as well as Brazilian diplomats, business leaders, and representatives of Brazilian students in China. CPAFFC Vice President Shen Xin presided over the reception.In his remarks, President Yang highlighted that over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, strategic mutual trust between China and Brazil has steadily grown, practical cooperation has expanded, international collaboration has deepened, and people-to-people exchanges have flourished. On August 15 of this year, Presidents Xi Jinping and Brazil President Lula da Silva exchanged congratulatory messages to commemorate the 50th anniversary of relations, emphasizing that both sides should take this milestone as a new starting point to infuse China-Brazil relations with new meaning for the modern era and to elevate the comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights. President Yang expressed the CPAFFC’s commitment to working closely with all sectors in Brazil, in line with the important consensus reached by both heads of state, to strengthen communication, deepen people-to-people ties, and together create a new “golden 50 years” in China-Brazil relations.Ambassador Galvao remarked that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1974, China and Brazil have forged a valuable partnership based on mutual respect and understanding, thanks to the personal engagement and joint efforts of successive leaders from both countries. He reiterated Brazil’s commitment to further deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership and expanding cooperation in various fields, to the benefit of both nations’ peoples.During the reception, artists from China and Brazil performed vibrant cultural programs, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere among the attendees.

On September 10, 2024, President Yang Wanming met with Yuji Miyamoto, the newly appointed President of the Japan-China Friendship Center, and his delegation at the CPAFFC.President Yang congratulated Miyamoto on his new position and praised his long-standing contributions to promoting exchanges across various sectors between China and Japan. He expressed hope that under Miyamoto’s leadership, the Japan-China Friendship Center would further enhance people-to-people friendship between the two countries.President Yang emphasized that China-Japan relations are at a critical stage of improvement and development. He urged both sides to take the important consensus reached by their leaders as a guide, broaden exchange channels, strengthen communication and cooperation, and solidify the public foundation for the continued improvement and development of bilateral relations.Miyamoto expressed gratitude for the strong support from President Yang and the CPAFFC. He noted that the importance of enhancing people-to-people exchanges between the two countries has become increasingly prominent in the current international context. He pledged to lead the Center in carrying forward the tradition of friendship, actively planning and taking action to promote exchanges among parliamentarians, think tanks, youth, and local communities, thereby contributing to the improvement and development of China-Japan relations.Invited by the CPAFFC, Miyamoto and his delegation visited China from September 9 to 13. Huang Xingyuan, the Chinese Representative Director of the Japan-China Friendship Center, and Director-General Cheng Haibo and Deputy Director-General Zhang Xiaoping of the Department of East Asian Affairs were present during the meeting.

On September 11, 2024, President Yang Wanming met with Ms. Jiang Yida, the newly appointed Chairman of Swire (China) Limited, at the CPAFFC. Both sides exchanged views on promoting people-to-people exchanges and other areas of mutual interest.President Yang congratulated Ms. Jiang on her new role and commended Swire Group for its long-term commitment to development in China, its active role in promoting cultural exchanges, and its support for China’s rural revitalization efforts. He expressed the CPAFFC’s willingness to collaborate with Swire Group to build platforms and pool resources, enhancing exchanges and cooperation between China and the UK in areas such as trade, youth engagement, culture, and sports.Ms. Jiang thanked the CPAFFC for its strong support and provided an overview of Swire Group’s investment and development plans in China, as well as its corporate social responsibility initiatives. She expressed confidence in the Chinese market and reaffirmed the Swire’s commitment to deepening its presence in China, playing an active role in telling China’s story and fostering mutual understanding between the peoples of China and the UK.Deng Lan, Director-General of the Research Center for People-to-People Diplomacy, participated in the meeting.

On September 9, 2024, President Yang Wanming received Francisco J. Riberas, President of the Spain China Council Foundation and his delegation in Beijing.President Yang stated that the Spain China Council Foundation is an important partner of the CPAFFC in Spain. He highlighted their joint efforts in hosting the China-Spain Forum, which has made significant contributions to the sound and stable development of bilateral relations. He noted that the attendance of Vice Premier Liu Guozhong and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at the opening ceremony of the 9th China-Spain Forum exemplifies the high regard both governments have for the forum mechanism and the promotion of people-to-people ties. He expressed the CPAFFC’s commitment to work hand in hand with the Spain China Council Foundation to effectively implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of both countries and the outcomes of the 9th China-Spain Forum. Together, they aim to continuously improve the forum mechanism, promote its sustainable development, and make relentless efforts to facilitate practical cooperation and people-to-people understanding between the two nations.President Riberas spoke highly of China-Spain relations and expressed his delight at the successful revival of the China-Spain Forum in collaboration with the CPAFFC. He thanked the Chinese side for the considerable efforts made in organizing this forum. He noted that this forum is high-level and wide-ranging, playing a significant role in deepening friendship and expanding cooperation between the two sides. Francisco J. Riberas emphasized that China’s high-quality development presents an opportunity, rather than a challenge, for Spain and European countries in their green transformation. The Spain China Council Foundation is eager to take this forum as a new starting point to promote exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in local governance, economic and trade, and cultural exchanges, thereby building more consensus and strength for the friendship between the two nations.Vice President Jiang Jiang of the CPAFFC and Secretary General Moreno of the Spain China Council Foundation were present during the meeting.

Since its establishment in 2003, the China-Spain Forum has successfully held eight meetings, with the strong support of the governments of both countries. Representatives from a wide range of sectors have engaged in high-level exchanges through the forum, significantly contributing to the deepening of friendly cooperation between China and Spain.On September 9, 2024, the 9th meeting of the China-Spain Forum was held in Beijing, with Vice Premier Liu Guozhong of China and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of Spain jointly attending the opening ceremony. Participants included representatives from relevant government departments, provincial and municipal leaders, as well as executives from businesses, universities, think tanks, media, and youth organizations. The discussions centered around the theme “Towards the Next 50 Years of Spain-China Relations: Working Together to Create a Sustainable Future”, with both sides engaging in dialogue on topics such as local cooperation, cultural exchanges, and sustainable development, leading to a broad consensus.Both sides agreed that close high-level interactions between China and Spain are the fundamental guarantee for the continuous development of bilateral relations and the successful hosting of the China-Spain Forum. During President Xi Jinping’s visit to Spain in 2018, both countries jointly issued the Joint Declaration on Strengthening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the People’s Republic of China and the Kingdom of Spain, which positively evaluated the significant role of the China-Spain Forum in enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of both countries, reflecting the high level of the forum and both sides’ commitment to its mechanism.Both parties affirmed that China-Spain friendly cooperation is continuously revitalizing in the new era. In the current international context, the close relationship between China and Spain benefits not only the two nations but also plays an important role in global peace, stability, and prosperity.The attending representatives proposed the following initiatives:I. Deepen Sub-national Exchanges: Continuously strengthen the bonds of common interest between China and Spain. This involves exploring mechanisms for sub-national cooperation, promoting more provinces and cities to establish sister-city relationships, and building complementary and mutually beneficial sister-city relationships. The aim is to create dynamic interactions from the central to local levels of government.II. Enhance People-to-People Exchanges: Continuously solidify the public foundation of China-Spain friendship. Both sides should respect cultural diversity and advocate for inclusiveness between civilizations, actively facilitating exchanges in culture, arts, tourism, education, language, and think tanks, thereby promoting mutual understanding and fostering dialogue between civilizations.III. Promote Sustainable Development: Continuously enrich the substance of mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Spain. This includes expanding cooperation in new areas such as green energy and the digital economy, providing a fair and equitable business environment for enterprises from both sides, and encouraging more businesses to engage in bilateral investment to support green transformation and foster high-quality development.The attending representatives expressed gratitude to both nations for their significant efforts in successfully organizing the 9th meeting of the China-Spain Forum and unanimously agreed to continue exploring innovative approaches for better development of the forum.It was decided that the 10th meeting of the China-Spain Forum would be held in Spain.

On September 7, 2024, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) held a banquet in Beijing to welcome the visiting Japanese youth delegations, including representatives from the Japan-China Friendship Center Youth Delegation, the Japan-China Cultural Exchange Association University Students Delegation, the Japan Shorinji Kempo Youth Delegation, and the Soka University Delegation. President Yang Wanming attended the banquet and delivered remarks. Vice President Yuan Mindao, Executive Vice President Zhang Qian and Vice President Jiao Yutong of Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and Minister Masato Usui from the Japanese Embassy in China, along with nearly 500 participants from both China and Japan, also attended the event.President Yang welcomed the visiting Japanese youth and commended the ongoing efforts of Japan-China friendship organizations in promoting bilateral friendship, particularly in youth exchanges. He noted that China and Japan are important neighbors with a long history of close exchanges. Currently, China-Japan relations are at a critical stage of improvement and development. Last November, President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio to reaffirm the strategic mutual benefits of their relationship, setting a direction for future efforts to establish constructive and stable relations that meet the requirements of the new era. President Yang expressed the CPAFFC’s willingness to collaborate with Japanese friendship organizations and insightful individuals to actively implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of both countries, vigorously promote friendly exchanges across various fields, especially among youth, and create more platforms and bridges for dialogue to enhance mutual understanding and friendship. He also emphasized the importance of youth from both countries jointly fostering enduring intergenerational friendship and playing an active role in promoting this cause.Leaders of the Japanese delegations, including Sasaki Masafumi, leader of the Japan-China Friendship Center Youth Delegation, Wataya Risa, leader of the Japan-China Cultural Exchange Association University Students Delegation, Sou Yuki, leader of the Japan Shorinji Kempo Youth Delegation, Akiya Yoshihide, leader of the Soka University Delegation, and Minister Masato Usui from the Japanese Embassy in China, each expressed their gratitude for the warm invitation and hospitality extended by the Chinese side. They emphasized the importance of youth exchanges between Japan and China, and encouraged Japanese youth to seize the opportunity to gain deeper insights into Chinese society and culture, forging valuable friendships with their Chinese counterparts. They also expressed hopes that the younger generations of both nations would carry forward the legacy of friendship established by their predecessors, injecting fresh vitality into Japan-China relations.During the banquet, Japanese youth interacted with students from Tsinghua University, the Communication University of China, Beijing Sport University, and Beijing International Studies University. Four Japanese youth representatives shared their experiences and reflections on their visit. The CPAFFC also celebrated the birthdays of delegation members whose birthdays fell during the visit, creating a lively and friendly atmosphere.The youth delegations from four Japan-China friendship organizations were invited under the Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government of Japan and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on Strengthening Youth Exchanges between the governments of China and Japan. They visited Beijing, Shanghai, Liaoning, Shandong, Henan, and Sichuan, to gain firsthand insights into Chinese development and culture.

On September 6, 2024, President Yang Wanming of the CPAFFC met with Vaughn Barber, Chair of the China-Australia Chamber of Commerce (AustCham China), and his delegation. The two sides exchanged views on promoting exchanges and cooperation between China and Australia at the people-to-people, local, and business levels.President Yang emphasized that China-Australia relations hold significant importance for the peace, prosperity, and stability of both countries and the wider world. Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, China-Australia relations have recently shown a positive trend of continuous improvement and development. President Yang noted that both sides should continue to engage in dialogue to enhance mutual understanding, reduce differences, and broaden consensus. The recent successful conclusion of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has systematically outlined measures for further deepening reforms, which will create new opportunities for cooperation with countries worldwide, including Australia. President Yang expressed CPAFFC’s willingness to work closely with AustCham China to promote exchanges and cooperation in the fields of trade, sister-city relations, youth, culture, and other areas, thereby contributing to the development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Australia from both the people-to-people and local levels.Vaughn Barber stated that during Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Australia in June, both sides reaffirmed their support for the comprehensive strategic partnership, which has greatly encouraged the Australian business community. He underscored that enhancing mutual understanding between the peoples of Australia and China is a vital foundation for the sustainable development of bilateral economic relations. AustCham China is honored to establish closer ties with the CPAFFC and is eager to engage in people-to-people exchange and cooperation projects, contributing to the enhancement of mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of China and Australia.Vice President Shen Xin was also present at the meeting.

On September 6, 2024, President Yang Wanming of the CPAFFC met with a delegation from the China Medical Board (CMB) in Beijing. The two sides exchanged views on topics of common concern, including promoting cooperation in the medical and health sectors, as well as fostering friendly exchanges between China and the United States.President Yang extended a warm welcome to the delegation and highly praised the significant contributions made by the CMB to the development of China’s healthcare sector. He noted that healthcare is one of the key areas of positive cooperation between China and the United States, playing an important role in enhancing the health and well-being of the peoples of both countries. With China’s ongoing economic growth and evolving demographic trends, there are increasingly broad prospects for cooperation between China and the United States in the medical field. President Yang expressed hope that the delegation, which includes esteemed experts and leading figures from the American medical community, would seize the opportunity of the CMB’s 110th anniversary to innovate and expand healthcare cooperation with China. He further emphasized that the CPAFFC is willing to actively support and assist the CMB in its endeavors to advance cooperation in the healthcare sector.Harvey V. Fineberg, the incoming President of the China Medical Board (CMB) and former President of the National Academy of Medicine, highlighted that the CMB has a well-established foundation for cooperation with China. He emphasized that people-to-people exchanges are crucial for fostering bilateral relations and affirmed that the CMB will continue to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of both countries, while also advancing medical cooperation between China and the United States for the benefit of both nations.Vice President Shen Xin also attended the meeting.

On September 6, 2024, President Yang Wanming of the CPAFFC met with Shakhrat Nuryshev, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to China. The two sides engaged in an in-depth exchange of views on China-Kazakhstan relations and the development of friendly exchanges between the peoples of the two countries.President Yang emphasized that Kazakhstan is a friendly neighbor and a permanent comprehensive strategic partner of China. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, political mutual trust between the two countries has continued to consolidate, and strategic alignment has deepened. The outcomes of pragmatic cooperation have been fruitful, establishing China and Kazakhstan as exemplary neighbors who engage in mutually beneficial and amicable relations. President Yang expressed the CPAFFC’s high regard for fostering people-to-people exchanges and local cooperation with Kazakhstan and affirmed the willingness to work together, seizing President Xi’s successful visit to Kazakhstan as an opportunity to advance mutually beneficial cooperation across various fields. He emphasized the goal of building a China-Kazakhstan community with a shared future, characterized by enduring friendship, high mutual trust, shared interests, and common prosperity.Ambassador Shakhrat Nuryshev extended his congratulations on the 70th anniversary of the CPAFFC and highly commended the CPAFFC’s positive contributions to advancing Kazakhstan-China relations and strengthening people-to-people ties. He expressed Kazakhstan’s willingness to continue close collaboration with the CPAFFC to further promote people-to-people exchanges within the frameworks of China-Central Asia cooperation and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).Hao Zhongwei, Director-General of the Department of European and Asian Affairs, was also present at the meeting.

On September 4, 2024, President Yang Wanming met with Dilma Rousseff, former President of Brazil and current President of the New Development Bank, in Shanghai.President Yang highly commended Ms. Rousseff for her significant contributions to the advancement of China-Brazil relations during her presidency, and noted that the CPAFFC will take the opportunity of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Brazil to further promote exchanges and cooperation between the two countries at both people-to-people and local levels.Ms. Rousseff expressed that the New Development Bank is keen to actively collaborate with the CPAFFC to jointly enhance the livelihoods and economic development of BRICS countries.Vice President Shen Xin was also present at the meeting.