From May 8 to 10, at the invitation of the Russia-China Friendship Association (RCFA), Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), led a delegation to visit Moscow and Volgograd, Russia, to attend the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory in the Great Patriotic War. During the visit, Yang Wanming met with Ivan Melnikov, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma and Chairman of the RCFA; Galina Kulikova, First Deputy Chairperson of the RCFA and Recipient of China's Friendship Medal; Sergey Gavrilov, Deputy Chairman of the RCFA, Member of the State Duma of Russia, and Chairman of the Russia-China MP Friendship Group of the Russian National Duma; Kirill Babaev, Deputy Chairman of the RCFA and Director of the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Anna Pisemskaya, Deputy Governor of the Volgograd region; Alexander Korotkov, Chairman of the RCFA Volgograd Branch and Rector of Volgograd State Socio-Pedagogical University (VSSPU); and Yury Starovatykh, former Mayor of Volgograd and Chair of the Volgograd Branch of the Russian Peace Foundation. He also attended the friendship pine tree planting event with activists of the RCFA and university students from both countries.(Attending the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory in the Great Patriotic War)(Meeting with Ivan Melnikov, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma and Chairman of the RCFA)During the meetings, Yang Wanming stated that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin, the depth, breadth, and resilience of China-Russia relations have continued to grow. The two countries have found a new path of state-to-state interactions between neighboring major countries, which features permanent good-neighborly friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation.This is the 11th visit to Russia by President Xi Jinping since becoming president. The two countries signed the Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation on Further Deepening the China-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Coordination for the New Era on the Occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War and the Founding of the United Nations, which charts the course for the future development of China-Russia relations. Yang Wanming noted that 80 years ago, China and the Soviet Union were respectively the main battlefields in Asia and Europe during the World War II. The Chinese and Russian peoples fought shoulder to shoulder with a common hatred of the enemy, forging a profound friendship with their blood and lives, which has become an inexhaustible source of China-Russia friendship for generations to come.Currently, the rise of unilateralism and hegemonic and bullying practices in the international community is seriously impacting the world order. The independent, mature and resilient China-Russia relationship not only brings great benefits to the two peoples but also makes important contributions to maintaining global strategic stability, upholding international fairness and justice, guiding the world to safeguard the post-war international order, promoting a multipolar world, and facilitating the restructuring of the international political landscape.(Meeting with Anna Pisemskaya, Deputy Governor of the Volgograd region)Yang Wanming emphasized that people-to-people friendship has laid a solid foundation of public support for China-Russia relations and has always been an important pillar driving the forward development of bilateral relations. Subnational cooperation is an important component of China-Russia relations. Local governments of the two countries have actively engaged in dialogue and exchanges within the framework of multilateral platforms such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and have made solid progress in advancing pragmatic cooperation. The CPAFFC is willing to work closely with all sectors in Russia to strengthen people-to-people exchanges, enhance mutual understanding and friendship, fully tap the potential of subnational cooperation, and add new luster to the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era. In his remarks at the friendship pine tree planting event with activists of the RCFA and university students from China and Russia held at VSSPU, Yang Wanming expressed his hopes for the youth of both countries to carry forward the spirit of the generations-long China-Russia friendship, nourish the tree of China-Russia friendship with the power of youth, and let the traditional friendship between the two countries be passed down from generation to generation. (Laying wreaths at the Eternal Flame in the Hall of Military Glory on Mamayev Kurgan in Volgograd and at the grave of Soviet Marshal Vasily Chuikov, and planting friendship pines with Anna Pisemskaya, Deputy Governor of the Volgograd region, activists of the RCFA, and university students from China and Russia at VSSPU)The Russian side stated that on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War, President Xi Jinping's visit to Russia at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin and his attendance at the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory in the Great Patriotic War are of great and lofty historical significance. The visit once again demonstrated the unprecedentedly high level of mutual trust, mutual understanding, and mutual support in today's Russia-China relations. They believed that this visit would inject new impetus into the development of the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era and give a strong boost to the international order that is more just and equitable. People-to-people friendship is the driving force behind the development of Russia-China relations. The RCFA and its local branches are willing to maintain close exchanges with the CPAFFC, work together to enhance mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries, and pool their strengths to deepen Russia-China relations.During the visit, the delegation also laid wreaths at the Eternal Flame in the Hall of Military Glory on Mamayev Kurgan in Volgograd and at the grave of Soviet Marshal Vasily Chuikov to commemorate the martyrs and heroes who sacrificed their lives in the Battle of Stalingrad.

On May 7, Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with the delegation led by Heinz Johannes Bierbaum, Chair of the Executive Board of the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung, and Cornelia Hildebrandt, President of the foundation Transform! Europe, at the CPAFFC.Yang Wanming stated that China attaches great importance to its relations with Germany. On May 6, President Xi Jinping pointed out in a congratulatory message to Friedrich Merz on his election as German Chancellor that as the world's second- and third-largest economies and two major countries with global influence, China and Germany should follow the trend of history, uphold fairness and justice, deepen exchanges and mutual learning, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, work together to weather storms and tempests, enhance the wellbeing of the two peoples, and jointly promote an equitable and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. Additionally, Yang noted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union (EU). Yesterday, President Xi Jinping, in his congratulatory messages to President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, pointed out that China and the EU are comprehensive strategic partners, as well as two major forces for building a multipolar world, two major markets supporting globalization, and two major civilizations championing diversity. Over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two sides have maintained close exchanges at all levels and across various fields, yielding fruitful outcomes in dialogue and cooperation. People-to-people and cultural exchanges have flourished, and multilateral coordination has delivered solid results. China-EU relations have grown into one of the most influential bilateral relationships in the world, making important contributions to enhancing the wellbeing of the people of China and Europe and promoting peace and development in the world.Yang Wanming spoke positively of the roles played by the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung and the Transform! Europe in advancing the sound and steady growth of China-Germany and China-EU relations. He expressed the CPAFFC's willingness to work with the two institutions, guided by the important consensus reached by the leaders, to expand exchanges and dialogues, deepen pragmatic cooperation, build more bridges of people-to-people exchanges, practical cooperation, cultural exchanges, and youth friendship between China and Germany, as well as between China and the EU, and contribute to the sustained advancement of China-Germany and China-EU relations.Heinz Johannes Bierbaum and Cornelia Hildebrandt highly praised China's remarkable achievements in economic and social development, emphasizing the importance of Germany-China and EU-China cooperation. They appreciated the positive contributions the CPAFFC has made to promoting people-to-people friendship and mutual understanding between China and Germany, as well as between China and the EU. They expressed the willingness to work closely with the CPAFFC, actively build communication platforms, and present a true China to all sectors of society in Germany and Europe in an objective way. Furthermore, they will facilitate exchanges and interactions across all sectors between Germany and China, as well as between Europe and China, increase mutual understanding on the basis of mutual respect to get mutual perceptions right, and make unremitting efforts to ensure that China-Germany and China-EU relations develop in the right direction.Jiang Jiang, Vice President of the CPAFFC, attended the meeting.

On April 28, Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with the delegation from the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' Union (JCFPU) headed by its Chairman and Secretary-General of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party Moriyama Hiroshi, at the CPAFFC.Yang Wanming extended a warm welcome to Moriyama Hiroshi and the JCFPU delegation, which consisted of 14 cross-party parliamentarians from Japan's National Diet. He commended the JCFPU for its active commitment to improving and developing bilateral relations, noting that China-Japan relations are currently at a crucial juncture of improvement and development. In November last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru in Lima, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to comprehensively advancing the strategic and mutually beneficial relations between China and Japan and building a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship that meets the requirements of the new era. Under the political guidance of the leaders of the two countries, positive interactions have taken place, adding new dimensions to the strategic and mutually beneficial relations in politics, economy, culture and other fields. Yang expressed the hope that both sides would abide by the principles established in the four political documents between the two countries and safeguard the hard-won momentum of improvement and development in bilateral relations in the spirit of taking history as a mirror and letting it guide the future.Yang Wanming stated that the CPAFFC stands ready to work with the JCFPU to follow through on the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, further strengthen exchanges, deepen pragmatic cooperation, expand dialogues, enhance mutual understanding, cement public support, and move forward the strategic and mutually beneficial China-Japan relations in the right direction.Moriyama Hiroshi spoke highly of the positive contributions made by the CPAFFC to furthering Japan-China friendship. He noted that the leaders of the two countries have reaffirmed the general direction of comprehensively advancing the strategic and mutually beneficial relations. The JCFPU will leverage its own strength to deepen political mutual trust between the two sides, facilitate subnational exchanges, and strengthen personnel exchanges. In particular, it will work to encourage visits to China by young Japanese parliamentarians and female parliamentarians, contributing its share to building a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship that meets the requirements of the new era.Cheng Yonghua, Executive Vice President of the China-Japan Friendship Association, Yuan Mindao, Vice President of the CPAFFC, and Kanasugi Kenji, Japanese Ambassador to China also attended the meeting.

From April 20 to 25, Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), led a delegation to visit Cleveland, Ohio; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Des Moines, Iowa in the United States (US). He attended the 40th Anniversary Commemoration of President Xi Jinping's Historic 1985 Visit to Iowa, hosted by the Iowa Sister State Friendship Committee in Des Moines.President Yang Wanming and Zhao Xinhai, Vice Governor of Hebei Province, delivered speeches at the commemorative event, respectively. Wang Baodong, Chinese Consul General in Chicago; Li Xiang, Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in the US; representatives from the governments of Shijiazhuang City and Zhengding County; Terry Edward Branstad, Founder of the US-China Green Institute and former US Ambassador to China; Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, President Emeritus of the World Food Prize Foundation; Grant Kimberley, Chairman of the Iowa Sister State Friendship Committee; and Sherill Whisenand, Chair of the Greater Des Moines Sister Cities Commission, among over 150 Chinese and American personalities from various sectors, attended the event.(Attending the 40th Anniversary Commemoration of President Xi Jinping's Historic 1985 Visit to Iowa)In his speech, President Yang Wanming stated that 40 years ago, President Xi Jinping led a delegation to visit Iowa for the first time, sowing the seeds of friendship. Over the past four decades, under President Xi Jinping's long-standing personal care and support, subnational and people-to-people exchanges between China and the US, represented by Hebei and Iowa, have yielded fruitful outcomes. President Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized that the hope of the China-US relationship lies in the people, its foundation is in our societies, its future depends on the youth, and its vitality comes from exchanges at subnational levels. We should follow the friendly path pioneered by President Xi Jinping, continuously write new stories of mutual understanding between the two peoples, explore new dimensions of pragmatic cooperation, and compose a new chapter in the cause of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples.Zhao Xinhai noted that the friendly relationship between Hebei and Iowa has developed under the meticulous care of President Xi Jinping. Over the past 40 years, their friendly and pragmatic exchanges have steadily deepened, and the profound friendship between the peoples of the two places has stood the test of time, becoming a model of pragmatic cooperation at the subnational level between China and the US. Hebei will continue to strengthen friendly exchanges with Iowa, boost mutually beneficial cooperation, and jointly write a new chapter of friendly exchanges between the peoples of the two countries and the two places in the new era.Friendly personages from Iowa, such as Luca Berrone, Sarah Lande, Terry Edward Branstad, and Kenneth Quinn, fondly recalled the heartwarming scenes of President Xi Jinping's visits to Iowa in 1985 and 2012 during the commemorative event. Youth representatives from Hebei and Iowa shared their unforgettable experiences of mutual exchanges and visits. They unanimously expressed that the high attention and valuable support of President Xi Jinping for the cause of enhancing the friendship between the Chinese and American peoples are touching and admirable. They look forward to taking this commemorative event as an opportunity to continue strengthening exchanges and cooperation in areas such as sister cities, youth, and culture, and work together to create wonderful new stories of friendly exchanges between the peoples of the two countries.During the event, youth representatives from Hebei and Iowa jointly presented a cultural performance. The event also featured diverse supporting activities, including a youth exchange photo exhibition and an intangible cultural heritage exhibition, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere on-site. Prior to the event, Yang met with President Xi Jinping's old friends in Iowa and friendly personages from all sectors of society. After the event, the Iowa Sister State Friendship Committee hosted a welcome banquet, attended by nearly 200 representatives from all sectors.During his visit, President Yang also separately met with Frank Cownie, Mayor of Des Moines; Mike Matson, Mayor of Davenport; Blaine Griffin, President of the Cleveland City Council; Theresa Kail-Smith, Member of the Pittsburgh City Council; Chuck Keiper, CEO of the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council; Paul Hogle, President of the Cleveland Institute of Music; William Griswold, Director of the Cleveland Museum of Art; Clarissa von Spee, James and Donna Reid Curator of Chinese Art at the Cleveland Museum of Art; Anthony Yen, former Executive Director of the Greater Cleveland Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Su He, current Executive Director; Giuseppe Abrate, Worldwide Group President at Kemin Industries; Rick Kimberley, an Iowa farmer, along with the person in charge of the University of Pittsburgh's Chinese Tradition Scholarship Foundation and representatives from the Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Center. He also attended the signing ceremony celebrating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the sister-city relationship between Shijiazhuang City and Des Moines.(Top: Meeting with Mayor Frank Cownie of Des Moines and attending the signing ceremony celebrating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the sister-city relationship between Shijiazhuang City and Des Moines; Bottom: Meeting with Mayor Mike Matson of Davenport)(Top: Meeting with Blaine Griffin, President of the Cleveland City Council; Bottom: Meeting with Theresa Kail-Smith, Member of the Pittsburgh City Council)During the meetings, President Yang Wanming stated that the CPAFFC attaches great importance to China-US subnational cooperation and cultural exchanges. Over the past 70-plus years since its establishment, the CPAFFC has established multi-level exchange mechanisms between Chinese and US provinces, states, and cities, and organized a wide range of exchange activities with rich contents, playing a positive role in enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of the two countries and promoting subnational exchanges and cooperation. The more difficulties China-US relations face, the more we need to tighten the bonds between the peoples and enhance communication between hearts. The CPAFFC is willing to further strengthen people-to-people friendship with all sectors in the US, enhance subnational cooperation and youth exchanges, increase mutual understanding, expand consensus on cooperation, and promote the steady, sound, and sustainable development of China-US relations.(Top: Meeting with the Kimberley Farm family; Bottom left: Meeting with President Paul Hogle of the Cleveland Institute of Music; Bottom right: Meeting with Director William Griswold of the Cleveland Museum of Art and James and Donna Reid Curator of Chinese Art Clarissa von Spee)US local government and council representatives expressed their willingness to support and continue participating in cooperation mechanisms such as China-US sister cities, deepen practical cooperation between sister cities of the two sides, and enhance the well-being of their peoples. Business community figures stated that trade wars and tariff wars are unsustainable and can lead nowhere, emphasizing that the United States and China should be partners, not competitors. As China's development brings opportunities to the world, they are willing to continue expanding investment in China. Representatives from foundations, universities, and cultural and art institutions expressed their readiness to continue advancing youth exchanges between the two countries, join the initiative of inviting 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs, and constantly increase mutual understanding and friendship between the young generations of the two countries, thereby making active contributions to the improvement and development of China-US relations.

On April 17, Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Zhao Xinhai, Vice Governor of the People's Government of Hebei Province, at the CPAFFC. The two sides conducted in-depth exchanges on topics such as further advancing the province's foreign exchanges and cooperation and pursuing high-quality development of people-to-people diplomacy.Shen Xin, Vice President of the CPAFFC, attended the meeting.

On the morning of April 15, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese President Xi Jinping, together with General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) To Lam and President of Viet Nam Luong Cuong, met with representatives attending the Chinese and Vietnamese People's Friendship Meeting at the Hanoi International Convention Center. After the event, President Xi, General Secretary To Lam and President Luong Cuong jointly launched the "red study tours" program.(Launching ceremony of "red study tours" program)Yang Wanming, Secretary of the Leading Party Members Group and President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), attended the launching ceremony of the "red study tours" program, and took an interview with the China Central Television (CCTV).(President Yang Wanming delivers a speech)Yang Wanming extended his sincere thanks to the top leaders of the two parties and two countries for taking the time to attend the Chinese and Vietnamese People's Friendship Meeting. He said that yesterday, General Secretary and President Xi Jinping held a fruitful meeting with General Secretary To Lam and President Luong Cuong and reached new important consensus. Together, they have drawn up a new blueprint for the building of a China-Viet Nam community with a shared future in the new era. The meeting has also provided fundamental guidance and direction for deepening the people-to-people friendship between China and Viet Nam. Yang expressed the CPAFFC's readiness to work with all sectors of China and Viet Nam to implement the new important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries at the people-to-people level, adhere to the guideline of "long-term stability, future orientation, good-neighborly friendship and comprehensive cooperation" and the spirit of "good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners," stay true to the original aspiration of China-Viet Nam friendship, and keep in mind the common mission. Centering on the six overarching goals of "greater political mutual trust, more solid security cooperation, deeper mutually beneficial cooperation, stronger popular support, closer multilateral coordination, and better handling of differences, the CPAFFC will give full play to its role as the main channel of people-to-people diplomacy, forge broader social consensus, and help accelerate the building of a China-Viet Nam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.Yang Wanming emphasized the need to leverage the fundamental role of people-to-people diplomacy, to promote the profound traditional friendship between Viet Nam and China as comrades and brothers, and to be the guardians of common ideals. He stressed the importance of expanding channels for sister-city exchanges to further deepen and solidify subnational cooperation, and to be the practitioners of pragmatic cooperation. He also highlighted the necessity of holding diverse people-to-people friendship activities that are heartwarming, reach the communities and resonate with the public to make the people-to-people bond more broad-based and to be active participants in cultural exchanges. Additionally, Yang underscored the significance of implementing the program for Vietnamese youth to visit China on "red study tours." It aims to guide the younger generations of both countries to inherit and promote the fine traditions of the older generation, to sustain the revolutionary legacy, and to enhance the friendly ties between the youth of the two countries, thus ensuring that they become the inheritors of China-Viet Nam friendship.(Photo with Phan Anh Son)During his visit to Vietnam, Yang Wanming held a working meeting with Phan Anh Son, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations. The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views and reached positive consensus on implementing the new important consensus and the guiding principles of important instructions of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, pooling strength to ensure the success of "red study tours" for Vietnamese youth, breaking new ground in hosting friendly activities such as the China-Viet Nam People's Forum and the China and Viet Nam Border Inhabitants Gala, and continuously deepening the people-to-people friendship between the two countries.

From April 9 to 12, at the invitation of the Laos-China Friendship Association (LCFA), Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), led a delegation to Laos. During the meeting, President Yang met with Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC), and Anouphab Tounalom, Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee, Secretary of the LPRP Vientiane Municipal Committee and President of the Vientiane People's Council. President Yang reminisced with old friends of the Chinese people—Sommad Pholsena, Member of the LPRP Central Committee and Vice Chairman of the Lao National Assembly; Khemmani Pholsena, Minister of the Lao Presidential Office; Sommano Pholsena; and other representatives of the Pholsena family. He also held working talks with Phet Phomphiphak, Lao Minister of Planning and Investment and President of the Laos-China Friendship Association (LCFA); Sinava Souphanouvong, Minister to the Lao Prime Minister's Office; Saysana Sitthiphone, Lao Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment; Bounthueng Douangsavanh, Lao Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce; Kikeo Chanthaboury, Vice President of the Lao Academy of Economic and Social Sciences; Songpeo Maupaseut, former Lao Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism; and other leaders of the LCFA. Together with Siriphone Souphanthong, Vice Governor of Luang Prabang, Yang attended and addressed the China-Laos Seminar on Poverty Alleviation and Common Development, jointly organized by the CPAFFC, the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Luang Prabang, the LCFA, and the Luang Prabang Provincial Government. Extensively engaging with friendly personages from various sectors in Laos, President Yang conveyed the guiding principles of China's Central Conference on Work Related to Neighboring Countries and shared the Chinese theory on fighting poverty as well as the country's experience in poverty eradication. In-depth exchanges were held with all parties on China-Laos relations, people-to-people friendship, practical cooperation and youth exchanges, yielding positive consensus.During the meeting, Yang Wanming said that as socialist comrades and brothers, China and Laos enjoy a friendship that becomes increasingly solid with the passage of time. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, the all-round cooperation between the two sides has achieved fruitful outcomes, and the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future has been deepened and consolidated. All these efforts have brought tangible benefits to the people of the two countries and set a vivid example for building a community with a shared future for mankind. In October last year, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping met with General Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, charting the course and providing fundamental guidance for deepening the building of the China-Laos community with a shared future. A few days ago, the Central Conference on Work Related to Neighboring Countries was successfully held in China. It once again made it clear that China will continue to uphold the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in neighborhood diplomacy, carry out friendly cooperation with neighboring countries, enhance understanding and mutual trust, and achieve common development and rejuvenation.Yang Wanming noted that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the LPRP and the 50th anniversary of the founding of Laos, and next year will usher in the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Laos. At present, the two sides are actively implementing the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries and the new version of the action plan for building a China-Laos community with a shared future, and working toward more outcomes in cooperation in such areas as connectivity, economy, trade and investment, and cultural exchanges. The CPAFFC is willing to work closely with the LCFA and other friendly organizations and all sectors in the two countries to give play to the unique role of people-to-people diplomacy, enrich the China-Laos people-to-people friendship, build more bridges of people-to-people exchanges, practical cooperation, cultural exchanges and youth friendship, and further deepen and substantiate the building of the China-Laos community with a shared future.(Meeting with Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune)Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune spoke highly of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), thanked the CPC, the Chinese government and the Chinese people for their support and assistance to Laos, and highly appreciated the positive role played by the CPAFFC in deepening Laos-China friendship and advancing bilateral relations. He said that Laos and China have achieved fruitful results in the fields of economy, trade and investment, connectivity, cultural exchanges and subnational cooperation, benefiting both Laos and its people. He believed that the Laos-China relations are at their best in history. Laos will never waver in upholding socialism and will deepen exchanges with China across the board under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, so as to boost new progress in the building of the Laos-China community with a shared future.(Meeting with Anouphab Tounalom)According to Anouphab Tounalom, currently, Laos-China relations are operating at a high level, and subnational cooperation holds great potential. Vientiane is willing to actively participate in mechanisms such as the RCEP Local Governments and Friendship Cities Cooperation (Huangshan) Forum and the Forum on Lancang-Mekong Local Government Cooperation hosted by the CPAFFC, and exchange activities among cities along the China-Laos Railway. This aims to further deepen practical cooperation between local governments of the two countries in areas such as connectivity, urban governance, and cultural exchanges at both bilateral and multilateral levels. Phet Phomphiphak expressed continued commitment to advancing the implementation of projects under bilateral and multilateral mechanisms between the two associations. Taking the 65th anniversary of the establishment of Laos-China diplomatic relations next year as an opportunity, he pledged to explore new ways of organizing celebrations and join hands to deepen the friendship between the peoples of Laos and China.(Catching up with the representatives of the Pholsena family)Friends of the Pholsena family fondly recalled the friendship with the older generation of Chinese leaders, especially Premier Zhou Enlai. Sommano Pholsena excitedly recounted his past with President Xi Jinping. Sommad Pholsena and Khemmani Pholsena spoke highly of the important contributions made by the CPAFFC in making friends for the country and carrying forward the friendship between Laos and China. They also thanked the CPAFFC for inviting their family representatives to major events held in China many times. Furthermore, they expressed that they would stay true to their original aspirations and nurture the younger generations of the family in carrying forward the traditional friendship between Laos and China, living up to the profound affection and goodwill shown by the leaders of the CPC and the Chinese government, as well as the Chinese people, toward their family.(Meeting with Siriphone Souphanthong)During the visit, the delegation also took the Lane Xang electric multiple unit (EMU) train for the China-Laos railway and conducted field research on China-Laos cooperation projects such as the China-Laos Railway Operation and Management Center and the Mahosot General Hospital.Wang Chang, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the Chinese Embassy in Laos and Zhang Hequn, Acting Consul General of the Chinese Consulate-General in Luang Prabang, attended the relevant activities.

On April 10, the China-Laos Seminar on Poverty Alleviation and Common Development, co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Luang Prabang, the Laos-China Friendship Association (LCFA) and the Luang Prabang Provincial Government, was successfully held in Luang Prabang, Laos.Yang Wanming, President of the CPAFFC, Zhang Hequn, Acting Consul General of the Chinese Consulate-General in Luang Prabang, and Siriphone Souphanthong, Vice Governor of Luang Prabang, attended and addressed the seminar. Bamjan Sapvang, former Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of Laos and Member of the LCFA, attended the event. Nearly 100 people attended the seminar, including representatives from prefectures, cities, counties, towns and villages in Zhejiang, Hunan, Yunnan and other relevant provinces, as well as heads of the five provincial governments of Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Phongsali, Louang Namtha, and Houaphanh in Laos, along with representatives of departments at all levels and enterprises.(Speech by President Yang Wanming)Yang Wanming said that since its founding in 1921, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has remained true to its original aspiration and mission of seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, and has united and led the people to fight for a better life over the decades. In the new era, standing at the strategic height of completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, General Secretary Xi Jinping has put poverty alleviation at the top of his work agenda. He has presented a series of important ideas and proposals, and made some major policy decisions. He has led the CPC and the Chinese government to establish a whole set of effective policies, working mechanisms and systems, forming a Chinese theory on fighting poverty and pioneering a unique Chinese path to poverty reduction. In 2021, President Xi Jinping declared that China had secured a comprehensive victory in the fight against poverty, achieving the poverty alleviation goal of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule. This miracle has made a significant contribution to the cause of global poverty reduction, and has also provided Chinese insight and solutions for the global governance of poverty reduction.Yang Wanming said that China and Laos are socialist comrades and brothers. Poverty alleviation and reduction, a vital part of the exchange of experience in Party building and state governance between China and Laos, is also a priority area of practical cooperation between the two countries. The CPAFFC stands ready to work with people from all sectors of society in Laos to actively implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries and guiding principles of the 2024-2028 action plan between the CPC and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) on building a China-Laos community with a shared future. It will promote China-Laos poverty alleviation experience sharing, exchanges and cooperation at the people-to-people and subnational levels to create more success stories of China-Laos poverty alleviation demonstration cooperation. It will leverage the China-Laos Railway as a golden corridor to advance the process of regional integration. It will give full play to the role of China-Laos sister cities and such mechanisms as the Forum on Lancang-Mekong Local Government Cooperation to strive for new progress in subnational practical cooperation. Additionally, continued efforts will be made to strengthen personnel exchanges at all levels and in various fields, support people-to-people exchanges in border areas, and deepen good-neighborliness and friendship between China and Laos.Zhang Hequn introduced the fruitful cooperation between China and Laos in the field of poverty reduction, especially the Eight Major Aid Projects to Support Laos announced by General Secretary Xi Jinping during his visit to Laos in 2017. He added that China's achievements show that no country or nation is destined to be poor. China can end poverty, so can Laos. China is ready to work with Laos to take development as the fundamental approach to poverty eradication, strengthen policy dialogue and experience sharing on poverty reduction, establish a regular exchange mechanism, continue to deepen cooperation in agriculture, tourism, infrastructure building and vocational skills training, and help Laos shift from direct aid provision to capacity-building assistance.(From left to right: Siriphone Souphanthong, Vice Governor of Luang Prabang, Zhang Hequn, Acting Consul General of the Chinese Consulate-General in Luang Prabang, and Shi Jintong, Alternate Member of the 20th CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Shibadong Village Party Branch, Shuanglong Town, Hunan Province)Siriphone Souphanthong gave a brief introduction to the economic and social development of Luang Prabang and said that the seminar will further promote the implementation of the latest version of the action plan for building a China-Laos community with a shared future signed by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries. Rural development and poverty alleviation are strategic tasks of the LPRP and the Lao government. China's valuable experience in poverty eradication provides important inspiration for Laos. Development-oriented poverty alleviation constitutes not only a key pillar of Laos-China bilateral collaboration but also a focus in their subregional partnership. Laos highly appreciates the Chinese government's attention to and support for poverty alleviation cooperation under the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) framework, and thanks China for its robust support and assistance to Laos' cause of poverty alleviation. As good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners, Luang Prabang is willing to deepen cooperation and friendship with Chinese provinces and cities, learn from China's experience in poverty alleviation, and make big strides in poverty reduction.Zheng Xinyou, Vice Mayor of Huzhou City and Executive Vice President of the Huzhou People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; Shi Jintong, Alternate Member of the 20th CPC Central Committee, Member of the 12th CPC Hunan Provincial Committee, Deputy Mayor of Shuanglong Town, and Secretary of the Party Branch and Chief of Shibadong Village, Shuanglong Town; Dong Jun, Deputy Secretary-General of the General Office of the People's Government of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province; Lu Zhou, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture; Yi Yang, Deputy Director of Luang Prabang's Department of  Agriculture and Forest; and Saiyavong Thavixay, Deputy Director of Luang Prabang's Department of Public Works and Transport, respectively shared the experience and achievements of poverty alleviation of their places. With a focus on the idea of targeted poverty alleviation, they fully exchanged views and put forward constructive suggestions on strengthening mutual learning and sharing, deepening practical cooperation, achieving common development, and adding new dimensions to the China-Laos community with a shared future.

On April 8, the "China and Thailand, One-Family Bond" friendly exchange event was successfully held at the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC). Tie Ning, Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress, and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand attended the event.Group photoTie Ning welcomed Princess Sirindhorn's visit to China, asked her to convey President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings and best wishes to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, and highly appreciated her significant contributions to enhancing China-Thailand friendship. Tie Ning said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand and the "Golden Jubilee of China-Thailand Friendship," and China is willing to work with Thailand to achieve new progress in the building of a China-Thailand community with a shared future.Sirindhorn said that she always feels the hospitality and friendship of the Chinese people during her trips to China and she hopes for an enduring friendship between Thailand and China.President Yang Wanming accompanies Princess Sirindhorn to visit the booths.During the event, accompanied by President Yang Wanming, Princess Sirindhorn enjoyed with great interest and personally experienced the intangible cultural heritage exhibitions meticulously prepared by eight provinces and cities, including Beijing, Tianjin, Fujian, Jiangxi, Shandong, Hubei, Guangdong and Sichuan. Artists from the Beijing Dance Academy and some provinces and cities jointly performed dance, folk music, martial arts, opera and other wonderful programs in a warm and friendly atmosphere.At the scene of the event

On April 7, 2025, Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Jean-Paul Mulot, Member of the Parliament of the Hauts-de-France Region, at the CPAFFC. The two sides had in-depth exchanges of views on promoting friendly cooperation between China and the Hauts-de-France Region, and boosting economic, trade and cultural exchanges.Yang Wanming spoke positively of the crucial position of the Hauts-de-France Region in France's economic and social development, and appreciated the region's long-standing commitment to cooperation with China under the leadership of Xavier Bertrand, President of the Hauts-de-France Regional Council. He said that subnational exchanges are a key part of China-France relations. Under the current circumstances, the two countries should strengthen communication and cooperation at all levels, facilitate the establishment of healthy and mutually beneficial cooperative relations, and jointly address global challenges. The CPAFFC is willing to work with the Hauts-de-France Region to further tap the potential of cooperation, advance exchanges in the fields of new energy, digital economy, climate change, culture and education, and inject new impetus into subnational practical cooperation between China and France.Mulot said that the Hauts-de-France Region attaches great importance to the development of relations with China, and enjoys a solid foundation for bilateral economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges. It stands ready to deepen cooperation with the CPAFFC and relevant Chinese provinces and cities in the fields of industrial investment, green energy, and personnel training, expand youth and cultural exchanges, strengthen interactions in terms of enterprises, universities and people-to-people exchanges between the two sides, implement more mutually beneficial projects, and build itself into a model for subnational cooperation between France and China.Hao Zhongwei, Director-General of the Department of European and Asian Affairs of the CPAFFC, was present at the meeting.