CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin met in Hiroshima with HIDEHIKO YUZAKI，Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture, on November 17th, during her visit to Japan. President Li Xiaolin said that, over seventy years ago, Hiroshima Prefecture suffered from the atomic bombing and the people bore the torment brought by the war. After the war, the people in Hiroshima Prefecture rebuilt their beautiful homeland on the basis of adhering to peace and development. What we should learn from the history is that peace and friendship should be a goal to pursuit for the people of the world. The local exchange is an important part for the China and Japan relations. President Li hoped that Hiroshima Prefecture could further strengthen the friendly exchanges with Chinese provinces and cities, so as to enhance the mutual understanding and friendship of the two peoples and make efforts to promote healthy, stable development of the Sino-Japanese relations. HIDEHIKO YUZAKI said that since the establishment of  the friendly provinces/counties relations in 1984, Hiroshima Prefecture and Sichuan Province developed fruitful exchanges and cooperation in various fields, which improved their relationship. He also expressed that Hiroshima Prefecture is willing to deepen the friendly exchanges and mutual benefit cooperation with Sichuan Province in the fields of culture, environmental protection, youth and etc.，which could benefit the two peoples. Mr. Li Tianran, Consul-General of Chinese Consulate-General in Osaka, Mr. Yuan Mindao, the Director-General of the Department of Japanese Affairs of CPAFFC and the Secretary-General of the China-Japan Friendship Association, attended the meeting.

On Nov. 14, President Li Xiaolin had a meeting with Speaker Anthony Rendon and the delegation he led. President Li briefed about the chief goal of the CPAFFC which focuses on promoting the world peace and one of its main tasks to facilitate subnational exchanges and cooperation for China with other countries of the world. She highly commended the State of California as one of the most active US states in developing relationship with China and the significant role the State has played in the regard. She also expressed the wishes that Speaker Rendon, other California state legislators and friends in the delegation will continue to attach importance to expanding and enriching the ties between China and California.  Speaker Rendon said he has already learned of the high reputation and influences the CPAFFC has enjoyed overseas. In this first trip he has made to China, he hoped to help seek opportunities of cooperation in film industry, culture and new energy for California with China. He and his colleagues will play active roles in the exchanges and cooperation between California and China. 

On November 10th, CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin met in Chongqing with Japanese Former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama who was attending China International Friendship Cities Conference 2016. President Li Xiaolin extended warm welcome to Yukio Hatoyama and introduced the general situation about the conference. She expressed that the exchanges and cooperation among countries and regions in the world including China and Japan could be promoted through this conference. Yukio Hatoyama thanked President Li for taking her time to meet him. It was a pleasure for him to arrive in Chongqing, the important city in the west of China, and attend the China International Friendship Cities Conference 2016. Yukio Hatoyama said that Chongqing, as a municipality directly under the central government, has developed into an important city in China’s inland areas. It will play an important role in the Belt and Road strategic. China International Friendship Cities Conference 2016 held in Chongqing this time could promote the exchanges among the various countries and cities, enhance the friendly relations and implement the cooperation programs as well as promote common development.

On October 21, President Li Xiaolin met with Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson who is heading a trade mission to China. President Li Xiaolin welcomed Governor’s visit and introduced the important role the CPAFFC plays in promoting China's sub-national and people-to-people friendship and exchanges with the U.S. and other countries of the world. She spoke highly of Governor Hutchinson’s annual visit to China since he took office last year which have landed a number of cooperative results and made positive contributions to pragmatic  cooperation between China and the State of Arkansas.  Governor Hutchinson said he attaches great importance to the U.S.-China relationship and believes that the bilateral cooperation is of huge potential. This trip was very successful and has achieved many pragmatic results which are vital to pushing forward Arkansas-China exchanges. 

CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin met in Beijing with Mr. BABA YOSHIHISA, President of the Soka University and his delegation on October 21st. President Li Xiaolin welcomed BABA YOSHIHISA to visit China and conveyed her greetings to Mr. IKEDA DAISAKU,the founder of the Soka University. President Li said, the current China-Japan relations are generally improved, but they are sensitive and fragile. Cooperation will benefit them both, while conflict will only cause losses. Next year will mark the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan relations, and the bilateral ties will face important opportunities to further improve. We will develop more friendly exchange activities on the basis of common cultural foundation and also resonance produced among the two peoples such as dance drama Red Ibis and the exhibition of the Chinese Characters: A Legacy and Marvel Perfected Over Three Millennia and actively engage in the improvement of the bilateral relations. CPAFFC has been keeping close exchanges and cooperation relations with Soka Gakkai and the Soka University. President Li hoped that, the Soka University could continue to inherit Mr. IKEDA DAISAKU’s spirit of Sino-Japanese friendship and bring up more personages know about China and be friendly with China. President BABA YOSHIHISA conveyed Soka Gakkai, Honorary President IKEDA DAISAKU’s greetings to President Li Xiaolin. President BABA YOSHIHISA said that, Honorary President IKEDA DAISAKU often requires the Soka University’s teachers and students to learn history, review history and cherish peace and stresses it. The Soka University pays attention to the exchanges with China and is willing to continue making efforts to train the talented persons of Sino-Japanese friendship and further strengthen the exchanges and cooperation in the education sector between China and Japan. Honorary President IKEDA DAISAKU sincerely hoped that the youth of the two countries could develop mutual understanding and learn each other and commonly create a better future for peace and happiness.

President Li Xiaolin met in Beijing with Mr. KAWAKATSU HEITA, Governor of SHIZUOKA PROVINCE, Japan, on October 20th.  President Li welcomed the delegation led by Governor KAWAKATSU HEITA to visit China and admired him for concerning about China and Japan relations for a long time and always attaching importance to develop friendly exchanges and cooperation with China. President Li said that China and Japan are close neighbors. Cooperation will benefit both, while conflict will only cause losses. The current bilateral relations are in the crucial period of being improved and developed. Therefore, in the fundamental interests of the two peoples and two countries, both sides should rebuild mutual respect and belief of the two peoples. Thus it can propel bilateral relations back on  the track of normal development. The two countries have a huge cooperative potential in the fields of tourism, sightseeing, energy saving, environmental protection and etc. In particular, the basis of the exchange and cooperation between the local governments and people of the two countries is solid. Next year will be the 45th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations of China and Japan. CPAFFC will plan to hold a series of commemorations and hope to constantly shorten the distance between the hearts of the two peoples and make efforts on improving the bilateral relations through developing exchanges in more fields such as cultural, sports, youth and etc.. Governor KAWAKATSU HEITA thanked President Li for taking her time to meet him and expressed appreciation for the great support and assistance given by CPAFFC for developing exchanges and cooperation with SHIZUOKA PROVINCE. Governor KAWAKATSU HEITA said that, SHIZUOKA PROVINCE pays high attention to the relations developed with China, keeps a good relationship with counterpart cities, Zhejiang Province and Shanghai, and further develops pragmatic exchanges and cooperation, which are never interrupted even if in the difficult time of the Sino-Japanese relations. Governor KAWAKATSU HEITA is willing to further strengthen the exchanges in various fields between SHIZUOKA PROVINCE and China in the future and welcomes more Chinese tourists to visit SHIZUOKA PROVINCE. 

President Li Xiaolin met with Mr. Andrew Liveris, Chairman and CEO of Dow Chemical on October 19. The two sides have extensively exchanged views on agriculture, food safety, China-US cooperation, the US Presidential Election and other issues of common concerns. Mr. Liveris gave his new bestselling book on sustainable development to President Li as a gift. The meeting went on in a relaxed and happy atmosphere. Dow Chemical has been supported and engaged in the Rainbow Bridge Project launched by CPAFFC for a long time. Mr. Andrew Liveris became a member of the Global CEO Council in 2013.

President Li Xiaolin met with Smail Debeche, President of the Algeria China Friendship Association (ACFA) on 13 October. President Li welcomed President Debeche to visit China. She said, the CPAFFC has maintained sound cooperation with the ACFA with President Debeche as its leader, and both associations have made positive contribution to the promotion of bilateral people-to-people friendship. As a firm supporter of China, Dr. Debeche has been for long publishing political commentary articles on mainstream Algerian media to reiterate China’s just advocates on regional and international issues, which has greatly raised the image of China in Algeria. This January, President Debeche was conferred the “China Arab Friendship Outstanding Contribution Award”, and had the honor of having a group photo with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This fully demonstrates the importance that China, especially the Chinese leader has attached to enhancing the people-to-people friendly cooperation between China and Arab, as well as our appreciation towards President Debeche’s efforts in promoting the healthy development of Algeria China friendship. Debeche considered being given the “China Arab Friendship Outstanding Contribution Award” and having the opportunity of a group photo taken with President Xi the greatest honor of his life. According to him, China is the first non-Arab country to recognize Algeria, since when bilateral relations have enjoyed sound growth, and the Algeria-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was established in 2014. Our two countries hold same positions on anti-terrorism, international or regional issues. He hoped that China and Algeria could enhance cooperation in all fields, particularly in intensifying China’s investment and transfer of technology to Algeria. Vice President Lin Yi and H.E. Ambassador Ahcène Boukhelfa of Algeria were present at the meeting.

On 12th October, President Li Xiaolin of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met with Lord Powell, member of the House of Lords of the UK Parliament. The two sides have extensively exchanged views on China-UK exchanges  and cooperation, China -UK Regional Leaders Summit, refugees crises in Europe, the US Presidential Election, North Korea’s nuclear issue, world and regional situation, and other issues of common concern to both sides. President Li thanked Lord Powell for his hospitality to the Chinese local leaders attending the Inaugural China-UK Regional Leaders Summit back in March this year. She is ready to work with the UK to deliver more fruitful cooperation under the framework of “Belt and Road” Initiative. Vice President Song briefed him on the history of the CPAFFC and its work in people-to-people diplomacy, local government cooperation, public diplomacy, and public welfare. Lord Powell thanked the CPAFFC for inviting him to visit China and for its considerate arrangements. He expects a bigger role of the CPAFFC in promoting people’s friendly exchanges and cooperation around the world and in safeguarding world peace. CPAFFC’s Deputy Director General of the European and Asian Department, Ms Zhang Ruoning attended the meeting.

The United Nations “Every Woman Every Child” (EWEC) High Level Advisory Group (HLAG) meeting was held on Sept. 20th in UN headquarters in New York. Guests presented included UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, HLAG Co-Chair H.E. Ms. Michelle Bachelet Jeria, President of the Republic of Chile, Alternate co-Chair H.E. Ms. Tarja Halonen, former President of the Republic of Finland and H.E. Mr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, as well as HLAG Members Ms. Helle Thorning-Schmidt, Former Prime Minister of Denmark & CEO of Save the Children, Mr. Anthony Lake, Executive Director of UNICEF & Chair of the H6, Ministers from Canada, Norway, Senegal and UAE, Leadership from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other world renowned foundations, enterprises and international NGOs. President Li Xiaolin attended the meeting and delivered a speech as the only Chinese representative authorized by the Chinese Central Government. President Li congratulated on the upgrading of HLAG into High Level Steering Group (HLSG) in next year. She said that CPAFFC would support EWEC as always by leveraging its rich resources in Chinese localities and international sister cities, to accelerate EWEC processing into local levels in China; meanwhile mobilizing more resources through nearly 500 NGOs which have established cooperative partnership with CPAFFC and the EWEC China Partnership Network to support the EWEC overseas projects. President Li also suggested that members of HLAG should enhance coordination and collaboration to make contribution to the Global Strategy and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Participants all spoke highly of President Li’s speech. The host of the meeting Mr. Kikwete complimented her speech to be “the support from a powerful organization”. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed his gratitude to all members of HLAG in his concluding remarks, for their long-term support to EWEC and the Global Strategy launched by him. He extended his wish that when he left the office, HLAG would keep on advocating all fields to support this cross-industry cross-field international partnership platform, to further the cause of improving the health of women, children and adolescents and implement the SDGs, with the aim of achieving the goal of ending all preventable deaths of women, children and adolescents in 2030. HLAG was established in Jan. 2016, with members including Presidents and Prime Ministers, former high-ranking politicians, leaderships of NGOs, foundations and multinational enterprises. Participants at the meeting reached the consensus to upgrade HLAG into HLSG in 2017, and invite the new UN Secretary General to be the Senior Co-Chair of the Group. HLAG and HLSG will attract the engagement of all walks of life at the highest level to promote the development of EWEC and the Global Strategy. After the meeting, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon launched the Global Financing Fund (GFF), with the goal of raising 33.3 billion dollars to fill in the capital gap for developing the health of women, children and adolescents.