On November 24, the China-Republic of Korea (ROK) Affinity Cultural Festival themed on "Korean Traditional Culture and Kashgar Charms", took place in Suwon, ROK. The event was co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Korea China Association for Cultural Exchange. Attendees included Yang Wanming, President of the CPAFFC; Shen Xiaogang, Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in the ROK; Qu Huan, Head of the Korea China Association for Cultural Exchange; Lee Hee-sup, Secretary-General of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS); and Master Deyun, Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Dou Xuemei, Director of the Publicity Department of Kashgar Prefecture of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of the Communist Party of China, led an economic, trade and cultural delegation participated in relevant activities. The event attracted approximately 200 participants from political, economic, cultural, and other sectors in the ROK.President Yang Wanming welcomed and thanked the guests for their attendance. He highlighted that China and the ROK are both part of the Asian cultural circle, sharing deep cultural and value-based affinities that serve as a bond between the two peoples. Yang emphasized that cultural exchanges act as a bridge for heart-to-heart communication, playing a critical role in enhancing mutual understanding and friendship. He noted the unique opportunity presented by inviting the Kashgar Prefecture of China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to the ROK. Kashgar’s delegation performed songs and dances with distinctive ethnic characteristics and showcased intangible cultural heritage products, fostering an appreciation of China's diverse cultural traditions. Yang expressed hope that such cultural collaborations would serve as a platform for people-to-people connectivity and friendly exchanges, further strengthening mutual learning between civilizations and advancing people-to-people relations between China and the ROK.Yang also praised the Korea China Association for Cultural Exchange for its long-standing contributions to fostering China-ROK friendship and strengthening people-to-people bonds. He expressed his commitment to deepening future cooperation with the organization, proposing the joint building of bridges for people-to-people exchanges, pragmatic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and youth friendship. Additionally, Yang acknowledged the support provided by the TCS in institutionalizing cooperation among China, Japan, and the ROK. He introduced the role of the CPAFFC in facilitating local government cooperation among the three nations and extended an invitation to Secretary-General Lee Hee-sup to lead a delegation to the 26th China-Japan-ROK Friendship Cities Exchange Conference, which will be held next year in Yancheng, Jiangsu, China.Qu Huan expressed her gratitude to President Yang and his delegation for attending the event. She reaffirmed the organization's commitment to maintaining close cooperation with the CPAFFC and vowed to deepen exchanges and cooperation in economy, people-to-people exchanges, Buddhism, and youth engagement. Qu emphasized the importance of contributing people's efforts to foster mutual understanding, friendship, and trust between the peoples of the two countries.During the festival, the Korean side showcased traditional Korean folk music and dance, calligraphy, the tea ceremony, and other culture highlights. Meanwhile, the Chinese delegation displayed landscape and cultural photographs as well as intangible cultural heritage products from Kashgar. Performers from the Kashgar Song and Dance Troupe presented captivating songs and dances that reflected the region's ethnic characteristics. The event culminated with performers from both sides singing the Chinese song Friends alongside the audience, symbolizing the unity and shared aspirations of the two nations. 

On November 19, the China International Friendship Cities Conference 2024 concluded in Kunming, Yunnan Province. Centered on the theme of "Common Prosperity, Shared Future", the conference brought together more than 700 participants, including representatives from 66 provinces, states, and 125 cities in 41 countries, along with 66 local government organizations or friendship organizations, experts, and business leaders.This year's conference was co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the China International Friendship Cities Association (CIFCA), and the People's Government of Yunnan Province. The China International Friendship Cities Conference is recognized as the largest and highest-level institutional event in China related to sister-city cooperation. Since its inception in 2008, it has been held seven times in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Wuhan, and now Kunming.What is the significance of this conference? How do sister-city exchanges contribute to relations between China and the world, as well as to social and economic development? What steps will China take to further promote and develop sister-city relations? On November 20, Yang Wanming, President of the CPAFFC, provided written responses during an exclusive interview with The Paper (www.thepaper.cn).Yang Wanming highlighted that over the past five decades, the CPAFFC has worked closely with local governments at all levels in China to actively and persistently promote exchanges and cooperation with sister cities worldwide. These efforts have yielded remarkable and tangible results. He noted that sister-city exchanges have built bridges of friendship among people, created a "through train" for economic and trade cooperation, paved "a road to happiness" that benefits the well-being of the people, and introduced innovative models for regional cooperation.According to Yang, this year's conference underscored the critical role of international friendship cities work in fostering regional economic integration, driving local economic and social advancement, and enhancing the people's well-being. Yang emphasized that both the theme forum and the four parallel forums—focused on smart cities, green development, cultural heritage preservation, and transport connectivity—address issues of global concern. These discussions showcased the practical value of sister-city cooperation in tackling some of the most pressing challenges of our time. Furthermore, the conference served as an opportunity to reconnect international counterparts whose ties had been interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic while simultaneously establishing new channels for collaboration between local governments and friendly organizations. Yang noted that there was a unanimous commitment among participants to leverage the conference as a platform for broadening and deepening cooperation.Yang Wanming also emphasized that the vital importance of people-to-people and cultural exchanges, particularly among younger generation. He said that fostering mutual understanding and establishing bonds of friendship among the young people is crucial for consolidating the popular support needed to strengthen state-to-state relations. Yang called for more diverse and inclusive exchange programs between Chinese and foreign youth. By encouraging increased communication and dialogue among the young people from different countries, these programs can help build trust and understanding across cultures. He expressed hope that these initiatives would inject youthful vitality into sister-city collaborations, ensuring that the great cause of people-to-people friendship is carried forward by future generationsThe following is the full transcript of the interview:Sister City Exchanges Build a Bridge of Friendship among the Peoplewww.thepaper.cn: The China International Friendship Cities Conference 2024 has concluded. What do you think of the outcomes achieved at the conference?Yang Wanming: International sister cities are a vital channel for enhancing people-to-people friendship, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, and promoting mutual learning among civilizations. President Xi Jinping attaches great importance to the work of international sister cities. He has emphasized that activities involving international sister cities have become an integral part of bilateral relations between China and relevant countries. He has also stressed the need to strengthen the work related to international sister cities, improve communication between Chinese and foreign local governments, and achieve mutually beneficial cooperation through sharing resources and drawing on complementary strengths.Co-hosted by the CPAFFC and the CIFCA, the China International Friendship Cities Conference is the largest and highest-level institutional conference related to sister cities in China. Held every two years in principle, the conference has convened six sessions since its inception in 2008, with previous editions held in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Chongqing, and Wuhan.This year's conference stands out in several ways, particularly in terms of timing, location, theme, scale, and outcomes:In terms of timing, due to the impact of COVID-19, the 7th edition, originally scheduled for 2020, was postponed until this year. This makes it the first international friendship cities conference to take place since the outbreak of the pandemic.  Additionally, 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 70th anniversary of the founding of the CPAFFC, making this a particular significant year for us.The decision to hold the conference in Kunming, Yunnan Province was driven by their unique geographical advantages and outstanding achievements in fostering international sister-city relationships. Notably, from November 6 to 7, Kunming also hosted the Eighth Greater Mekong Subregion Summit, underscoring its strategic importance. This year's conference highlights the critical role of international friendship cities in promoting regional economic integration, advancing regional economic and social development, and enhancing people's well-being. Gathering with friends from all around the world in Kunming, known as the "Spring City", in early winter reflects the vitality and prosperity of international sister-city cooperation.The theme of this year's conference, "Common Prosperity, Shared Future", was both timely and relevant. In addition to the opening ceremony and the theme forum, the conference featured four parallel forums, namely, "Technological Innovation Helps Build Smart Cities", "Urban Green Development Benefits People’s Livelihood", "Guarding and Inheriting the City's Historical and Cultural Roots", and "Transportation Interconnection Builds a Community of Urban Destiny". These are issues of widespread concern in the international community, holding significant appeal for guests from all over the world. Nearly 60 Chinese and foreign guests enthusiastically delivered speeches across various sessions, offering valuable insights into fostering exchanges and mutual learning, building consensus for cooperation, improving people's wellbeing, and achieving mutually beneficial outcomes between Chinese and foreign local governments.As to the scale, over 700 participants attended the conference. Among them were 37 provincial and ministerial-level leaders, 74 mayors and deputy mayors, representatives from 66 provinces and states, 125 cities, and 63 local government organizations and friendly organizations across 41 countries spanning five continents, experts, scholars, business leaders, and media representatives. The United States, Japan, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand were well-represented at the conference. Also in attendance were representatives of some foreign local governments that have not yet established sister cities with China, but demonstrate great potential for cooperation and a strong will to do so. This underscores the broad reach, strong representation, and high appeal of China's international sister-city efforts.The outcomes of this year's conference were equally remarkable. Highlights include 16 agreements signed to establish new sister city/province relationships and cooperation projects between Chinese and foreign cities. An increase of 483 sister-city partnerships since the last conference in 2018, bringing the total number of China's international sister-city relationships to 3,054 pairs. To further motivate Chinese and foreign local governments to carry out international sister-city exchanges, we selected 20 Chinese provinces and cities that have performed well in work related to international friendship cities and 40 foreign provinces, states, and cities that have actively engaged in exchanges and cooperation with China's sister cities. They were respectively awarded the International Friendship City Award for Outstanding Contribution, and the Friendship City Award for Outstanding Partnership with China. The release of the Kunming Initiative, calling on sister cities and local governments of all countries worldwide to strengthen solidarity and mutual assistance, and deepen exchanges and cooperation. The conference also served as a platform for many counterparts to resume ties disrupted by COVID-19 and establish new channels of communication between local governments and friendly organizations. Participants universally agreed that this conference was timely and expressed a commitment to relying on this platform to broaden and deepen cooperation continuously.www.thepaper.cn: In your opinion, what role do sister city exchanges play in fostering local economic and social development, and what has been their impact?Yang Wanming: The CPAFFC has the critical responsibility of guiding, coordinating, managing, and facilitating the establishment and development of sister-city relationships between China and foreign countries. As of now, 3,046 pairs of sister provinces/states and sister cities have been established with 602 provinces/states and 1,867 cities in 147 countries, forming an expansive circle of friends across five continents. Over the past half-century, we have worked closely with local governments at all levels in China to actively engage in in-depth exchanges and cooperation with sister cities worldwide, achieving remarkable and fruitful results.Sister city exchanges have built a bridge of friendship among peoples through a variety of community-centered exchange activities. Sister cities in China and abroad have been enhancing mutual understanding and friendship among different peoples through a rich tapestry of friendly exchange events close to the people. They include mutual visits by residents, cultural performances, sports competitions, summer camps for young people, language and culture classes, and border residents' gala. Most importantly, in response to sudden disasters, Chinese and foreign sister cities have supported and helped each other, leaving a touching chapter of standing together through thick and thin.Sister city exchanges have created a "through train" for economic and trade cooperation. Chinese and foreign sister cities have worked to strengthen industrial complementarity and resource sharing, organize distinctive trade and investment events, and establish platforms for high-level opening up, such as pilot free trade zones. They have collaborated to develop cross-border corridors, industrial parks, logistics parks, manufacturing bases, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) demonstration zones. Besides, they have developed a tightly woven network for economic and trade cooperation and jointly fostered new growth areas for cooperation in fields such as healthcare, green development, digitalization, and innovation. They have also advanced industrial integration, interconnected development and shared benefits. These efforts have significantly bolstered regional economic growth and contributed to building an open and inclusive global economy.Sister city exchanges have paved "a road to happiness" benefiting the well-being of the people by exploring innovative ways of achieving common development and implementing new cooperation projects that directly benefit the public. Chinese and foreign sister cities have actively shared experiences and insights in areas such as sustainable development, smart city, digital governance, environmental protection, and addressing challenges related to population aging. A range of projects focused on improving livelihoods have been implemented, including free medical services, education cooperation, vocational training, technology promotion, poverty reduction, and agricultural development. Platforms such as Juncao Technology Aassistance, Luban Workshops, and Brightness Action have become signature initiatives, providing tangible benefits to local people.Sister city exchanges have also paved the way for innovative models for regional cooperation. Yunnan, one of the provinces with the most neighboring countries and the longest land border in China, serves as an important gateway to South and Southeast Asia. This unique geographical advantage was one of the key reasons why Kunming was chosen as the host city for this year's conference. As one of the major outcomes of this conference, Kunming will, in partnership with relevant domestic and foreign cities along the China-Laos Railway, initiate the establishment of the China-Laos Railway City Alliance. Dialogue and cooperation mechanisms among cities, think tanks, and enterprises will be put in place to strengthen cooperation in infrastructure, trade, and investment between cities and explore new approaches to boost regional economic cooperation.Building a Circle of Friends and a Partner Network for People-to-People Diplomacywww.thepaper.cn: What role has the CPAFFC played in stepping up exchanges and cooperation between the peoples of China and other countries?Yang Wanming: People-to-people diplomacy serves as the bedrock for strengthening people's friendship and promoting the development of national relations. Over the past 70 years, the CPAFFC, as a national people's organization dedicated to people-to-people diplomacy, has adhered to the principles of "friendship, cooperation, peace, and development". It has worked to cultivate people-to-people ties, build bridges to enhance national relations, and facilitate international cooperation. Throughout its history, the CPAFFC has aligned itself with the aspirations of the people, the nation, and the world.Over the past seven decades, the CPAFFC has remained true to its original aspiration of fostering international friendship. It has established friendly exchanges and cooperative relationships with over 400 organizations and institutions across more than 150 countries. Moreover, it has fostered over 3,000 sister city (province/state) partnerships between China and 140 countries, creating a vast network of friends and partners spanning five continents. The CPAFFC has played a key role as a conduit for people-to-people diplomacy, conducting extensive people-to-people exchanges on multiple fronts, at different levels, in various areas and of multiple dimensions.Over the past seven decades, the CPAFFC has also been committed itself to mutually beneficial cooperation. It has mobilized resources from international sister cities, multinational corporations, and friendly organizations to build mechanisms between local and civil exchanges between China and other countries. Through this platform, it has promoted pragmatic cooperation in sectors such as trade, education, science and technology, culture, ecology, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and human resource training. The CPAFFC has also actively participated in international efforts to combat COVID-19, ensuring that the benefits of development are shared globally.Over the past seven decades, the CPAFFC has utilized people-to-people exchanges to introduce Chinese culture to the world and facilitate exchange and mutual learning among civilizations. Through a variety of artistic forms, including music, dance, drama, and acrobatics, it has organized popular events such as food festivals, dragon boat races, summer camps, and grand gatherings to give the people of all countries a stronger sense of fulfillment and engagement and increase mutual understanding and friendship between Chinese and foreign people.www.thepaper.cn: The younger generation is playing an increasingly prominent role in sister-city cooperation. How does the CPAFFC encourage and support the younger generation in contributing to the cause of friendship between China and foreign countries?Yang Wanming: Youth are the most dynamic and enterprising group in any society. With their open and active mind, they are more willing to try new things and accept new ideas. They represent hope and the future. Youth exchanges serve as a strong impetus for state-to-state relations. President Xi Jinping has often emphasized that the future of state-to-state relations lies with the youth. During his overseas visits, President Xi Jinping visited universities, middle schools and elementary schools, exchanged letters and interacted frequently with teachers and students, and encouraged young people in all countries to learn Chinese and understand China, sowing the seeds of friendship. The story of his enduring friendship with an old friend in the State of Iowa, the United States when he was a young man is enduring and widely told, leaving us with profound insights.Since the beginning of this year, President Xi Jinping has sent a congratulatory letter to the Bond with Kuliang: 2024 China-U.S. Youth Festival and extended a message to the "Shared Journey of Friendship" US Youth Exchange Delegation. First Lady Peng Liyuan also attended the China-U.S. Teenager Cultural and Sports Exchange Event, "Shared Journey for China-U.S. Friendship", which has further strengthened ties between the young people of the two countries. These efforts have inspired the youth to take an active role in fostering understanding and building relationships.People-to-people exchanges are vital for younger generations to understand one another and forge bonds of friendship. By promoting communication and dialogue among the youth from different countries, the CPAFFC aims to increase mutual understanding and trust, thus consolidating the popular support necessary for the long-term development of state-to-state relations. To this end, the CPAFFC will proactively mobilize the resources of sister cities and vigorously carry out exchanges between Chinese and foreign youth. Next year, the CPAFFC will work with relevant Chinese and foreign local governments to jointly organize the Bond with Kuliang: China-U.S. Youth Festival Series Activities, the Youth of Russia and China Walking the Road of Friendship, the Conference of the Junior High School Students Table Tennis Friendship Competition Between China and Japan Friendly Exchange Cities, the China-Africa Future Leaders' Dialogue, the ASEAN-China Youth Leaders Exchange Festival and other institutional activities. It is hoped that a wide range of exchange programs between Chinese and foreign youth will be carried out in various forms to inject youthful vigor into sister-city cooperation and ensure that the great cause of people-to-people friendship will be passed on from generation to generation.

From November 18 to 19, Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), held meetings in Kunming with several distinguished foreign guests attending the China International Friendship Cities Conference 2024. Benjamin Kabikira, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works of Zimbabwe; Khamraev Oybek Nematovich, Deputy Governor of Samarkand Region of Uzbekistan; Lee Brammer, Mayor of Cavendish, Canada; Nakagawa Motonobu, Mayor of Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Japan; Grant Smith, President of the Global Cities New Zealand and Mayor of Palmerston North, New Zealand; A.Amartuvshin, Deputy Mayor of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; Carol Robertson Lopez, Chair Emeritus of Sister Cities International; and Andrei Maximov, Director General of All-Russian Union of Cities. All of them came to China for the China International Friendship Cities Conference 2024.During the conference, President Yang Wanming also had talks with many foreign guests. Among them were Bunchan Sivongphan, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Governor of Xieng Khouang Province of Laos; Viengsavanh Siphandone, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Governor of Luang Namtha Province of Laos; Maurizio Rasero, Governor of Asti Province and Mayor of the Asti City of Italy; U Bo Htay, Mayor of Yangon, Myanmar; Emil Drăghici, President of the Association of Communes of Romania and Mayor of Vulcana-Băi, Dâmbovița County, Romania; and Fabrizio Santoni, Secretary General of the Parliament of Rome, Italy.President Yang Wanming Meets with Deputy Minister Benjamin Kabikira of Local Government and Public Works of ZimbabwePresident Yang Wanming Meets with Deputy Governor Khamraev Oybek Nematovich of Samarkand Region of UzbekistanYang Wanming welcomed the guests from different countries who visited China for China International Friendship Cities Conference 2024 upon invitation. He highly appreciated the importance the foreign side attaches to friendly relations with China and the contribution it has long made to the development of such friendly relations and the strengthening of subnational cooperation between China and foreign countries. He congratulated the foreign provinces, states and cities on receiving the Friendship City Award for Outstanding Partnership with China and encouraged them to continue to play an exemplary role in further building up popular support for the development of bilateral relations.President Yang Wanming Meets with Mayor Lee Brammer of Cavendish, CanadaPresident Yang Wanming Meets with Mayor of Nara City Nakagawa MotonobuYang Wanming emphasized the CPAFFC's dedication to better coordinating the work of international sister cities. He noted that the CPAFFC will support countries in strengthening cooperation with relevant Chinese provinces and cities, drive more Chinese and foreign provinces and cities with significant cooperation potential and strong willingness to establish sister city/province relationships, build bridges for cooperation in key areas, including economy and trade, culture, education, tourism, youth exchanges, and facilitate foreign parties in holding promotional activities in China. Yang further highlighted that the CPAFFC stands ready to work with all parties to fully leverage the China International Friendship Cities Conference as a pivotal platform. By playing the unique role of people-to-people diplomacy, the CPAFFC seeks to further deepen friendship, strengthen mutual learning, expand cooperation for common development, and contribute subnational and people's efforts to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.President Yang Meets with Grant Smith, President of the Global Cities New Zealand and Mayor of Palmerston NorthPresident Yang Meets with A.Amartuvshin, Deputy Mayor of Ulaanbaatar, MongoliaForeign guests expressed their sincere gratitude to the CPAFFC for its warm invitation and extended congratulations on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the CPAFFC. They acknowledged the fundamental role of international sister city relations in advancing state-to-state relations and praised the scale and outcomes of this year's China International Friendship Cities Conference. Many foreign representatives expressed a strong willingness to enhance cooperation with China, promote local economic and social development, improve people's well-being, and actively participate in bilateral and multilateral activities organized by the CPAFFC. Several guests hoped to take this conference as an opportunity to establish more sister city (province and state) relations with China and extended invitations to President Yang Wanming to visit their countries when appropriate.President Yang Wanming Meets with Carol Robertson Lopez, Chair Emeritus of Sister Cities InternationalPresident Yang Wanming Meets with Andrei Maximov, Director General of the All-Russian Union of Cities (2nd from left), Anna Diu, Member of the Auditing Committee of the All-Russian Union of Cities and Chairman of the Syktyvkar City Council, Komi Republic, Russia (1st from left), and Vyacheslav Gavrilov, Deputy Mayor of Yaroslavl City, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia (1st from right)CPAFFC Vice President Yuan Mindao, Vice President Yan Dong, Secretary-General Sun Xueqing, and heads of relevant CPAFFC departments as well as foreign affairs offices (friendship associations) of relevant provinces and cities in China attended the meeting.

On November 19, 2024, the China International Friendship Cities Conference 2024 concluded in Kunming, the capital of Southwest China's Yunnan Province. At the closing ceremony, the conference presented the International Friendship City Award for Outstanding Contribution to 20 Chinese provinces and cities, and the Friendship City Award for Outstanding Partnership with China to 40 foreign provinces, states and municipalities. Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the China International Friendship Cities Association (CIFCA); Liu Hongjian, Member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Yunnan Provincial Committee and Secretary of the CPC Kunming Municipal Committee; Wang Hao, Vice Governor of Yunnan Province; and Yan Dong, Vice President of the CPAFFC, attended the event and presented awards to the representatives of the winning local governments. Wang Jinfu, Vice Governor of Fujian Province; Vu Van Cai, Standing Vice Chairman of the Lao Cai Provincial People's Council, Vietnam; Yakup Paydulla, Mayor of Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region; and Artyom Molchanov, Mayor of Yaroslavl, Russia, delivered speeches as representatives of the award-winning provinces and cities.Following the award ceremony, a signing ceremony was held, during which 32 Chinese and foreign local governments, institutions, and enterprises signed 15 cooperation agreements in the fields of sister-city relationships, personnel training, think tank exchanges, economic and trade cooperation, and connectivity. Ten cities in China and Laos signed a memorandum of cooperation of the China-Laos Railway city alliance. At this conference, eight agreements for establishing sister city (province/state) relationships between China and foreign cities were signed. China now has 3,054 sister city (province and state) relationships with 147 countries worldwide.The conference also issued the Kunming Initiative, representing an important consensus reached by all parties participating in the meeting in line with the trend of the times, i.e. peace, development, and mutually beneficial cooperation. The Initiative called on sister cities worldwide to strengthen solidarity and mutual assistance, deepen exchanges and cooperation, and build a better future together. CPAFFC Vice President Yan Dong delivered closing remarks.The Chinese provinces and cities that received the International Friendship City Award for Outstanding Contribution are: Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Fujian, Shandong, Guangdong, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Hohhot, Shenyang, Harbin, Hangzhou, Fuzhou, Nanchang, Wuhan, Urumqi, Chengdu, and Kunming.The foreign provinces, states and cities that have won the Friendship City Award for Outstanding Partnership with China are: New South Wales in Australia, Minsk in Belarus, Biobío Region in Chile, Bavaria and Lower Saxony, Germany, West Java Province in Indonesia, Miyagi Prefecture and Niigata Prefecture, Japan, North Kazakhstan Oblast in Kazakhstan, Gyeonggi Province, Gyeongsangbuk Province, and Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, Republic of Korea (ROK), Issyk-Kul Oblast in Kyrgyzstan, Vientiane City and Namtha Province, Laos, Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia, Prachuap Province in Thailand, Iowa and Oregon, the United States, Samarkand in Uzbekistan, Hanoi City and Lao Cai Province in Vietnam, Duisburg and Neustadt, Germany, Asti in Italy, Kagoshima, Kobe, Nara, and Osaka, Japan, Yeongcheon in the ROK, Tokha in Nepal, Christchurch in New Zealand, Stavanger in Norway, Hunza in Pakistan, Yaroslavl in Russia, Sarah Baartman District Municipality in South Africa, Barcelona in Spain, Long Beach and St. Louis, USA, and Mong Cai, Vietnam.

On November 18, Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Hatoyama Yukio, former Prime Minister of Japan and President of the East Asian Community Institute (EACI), along with his wife, who came to China to attend the China International Friendship Cities Conference 2024, in Kunming, Yunnan Province.Yang Wanming welcomed Hatoyama Yukio and his wife to the conference and extended his congratulations on the recent election of Hatoyama's son, Hatoyama Kiichiro, as a member of the House of Representatives of the National Diet of Japan. Yang emphasized that China and Japan are important neighbors whose relationship is vital to both nations' fundamental interests and to peace, stability, and prosperity in Asia and the world. He noted that three days prior, during the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima, Peru, President Xi Jinping met with Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru. The two leaders agreed to maintain high-level exchanges, utilize dialogue mechanisms in areas such as the economy and culture, and work toward implementing the consensus on Japan's discharge of nuclear-contaminated water from Fukushima. President Xi stressed the importance of deepening people-to-people, cultural, and subnational exchanges, to enhance mutual understanding, especially among the younger generation. This meeting, Yang said, has charted a clear course for advancing people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.Yang expressed his readiness to work closely with Hatoyama Yukio and friendly forces across various sectors of Japanese society. He emphasized the importance of adhering to the consensus reached by the two nations' leaders and strengthening cooperation in subnational entities, young people and think tanks, and builds more bridges for people-to-people exchanges, youth engagement, and think tank collaboration. Yang also highlighted the need to build more bridges for people-to-people exchanges, practical cooperation, cultural interactions, and youth friendships. Additionally, Yang underscored the value of parliamentarian exchanges, particularly with young Japanese legislators, inviting them to visit China to foster political mutual trust and strengthen ties.Hatoyama Yukio thanked the CPAFFC for inviting him to China to participate in both the China International Friendship Conference and Events Marking the 70th Anniversary of the CPAFFC and the China International Friendship Cities Conference 2024. He also extended his congratulations to the CPAFFC on its 70th anniversary. Hatoyama noted that in today's world, which is marked by antagonism and insecurity, the conference held in Kunming themed "Common Prosperity, Shared Future" is timely and of profound significance. He stressed that as international relations grow increasingly complex, it is critical to meet in person, engage in constructive dialogue, and work together to build bridges of friendship. Hatoyama praised the recent meeting between the leaders of Japan and China in Lima, calling it a significant step forward for bilateral relations. Hatoyama also expressed the EACI's commitment, as well as his personal willingness, to strengthen ties with the CPAFFC. He highlighted his desire to deepen and expand cooperation between the two nations in areas such as parliamentarian exchanges, subnational collaborations, youth engagement, and think tank cooperation. He affirmed his dedication to contributing to the sustainable improvement and development of Japan-China relations.CPAFFC Vice President Yuan Mindao, Director-General Zhu Dan of the Department of East Asian Affairs, and Deputy Director-General Sun Liang of the General Office accompanied Yang during the meeting.

On November 18, Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Anouphap Tounalom, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council of Vientiane, Laos, who came to China to attend the China International Friendship Cities Conference 2024 in Kunming, Yunnan Province.Yang Wanming welcomed Anouphap Tounalom and his delegation to the China International Friendship Cities Conference 2024 and congratulated Vientiane for winning the Friendship City Award for Outstanding Partnership with China. In his remarks, Yang noted that in October 2024, General Secretary and President Xi Jinping met with Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos. The two sides reached important consensus on deepening the China-Laos comprehensive strategic cooperation and making concrete and sound progress in building a China-Laos community with a shared future. Yang emphasized that the key to implementing the consensus reached by the leaders of both parties and countries lies in fostering practical cooperation across various sectors, consistently delivering visible and tangible benefits to the peoples of both nations. He referenced the Eighth Greater Mekong Subregion Summit, held recently in Kunming, where critical agreements were reached on openness and cooperation, innovation, and infrastructure development. The subregional economic integration fostered by such initiatives has provided significant momentum for the economic and social development of both China and Laos. Yang expressed his readiness to collaborate with all sectors in Laos to actively implement the consensus reached by the top leaders of both nations. He reaffirmed the CPAFFC's role as the leading organization of the China-ASEAN Year of People-to-People Exchanges and highlighted the importance of platforms such as the RCEP Local Governments and Friendship Cities Cooperation (Huangshan) Forum, and the Forum on Lancang-Mekong Local Government Cooperation. These initiatives aim to strengthen subregional economic integration and foster bilateral cooperation across diverse fields through people-to-people friendship and subnational cooperation. Yang emphasized the importance of translating these efforts into concrete actions that contribute to the realization of a China-Laos community with a shared future.In his response, Anouphap Tounalom extended his gratitude to the Chinese side for the generous invitation and thoughtful arrangements. He acknowledged that Laos-China relations is currently at its best in history, with steady progress in the depth and breadth of bilateral cooperation. He noted the fruitful outcomes of collaboration in fields such as agriculture, infrastructure, culture, and tourism, which have significantly benefited both nations. Looking to the future, Anouphap highlighted the even prospects for cooperation between the two countries. He emphasized that subnational cooperation serves as a driving force for state-to-state relations and reiterated Laos' commitment to working closely with China to further advance the sustainable and continuous development of bilateral relations.Yuan Mindao, Vice President of the CPAFFC; Zhu Dan, Director-General of the Department of East Asian Affairs of the CPAFFC; and Phoukham Saisomphou, Standing Member of Vientiane Municipal Party Committee and Director of the Municipal People's Government Office, attended the meeting.

On November 18, Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Emmanuel Sinzohagera, President of the Senate of Burundi, who came to China to attend the China International Friendship Cities Conference 2024 in Kunming, Yunnan Province. They engaged in an in-depth exchange of views on China-Burundi relations, people-to-people friendship, and subnational cooperation, and reached positive consensus.Yang Wanming welcomed Emmanuel Sinzohagera to the conference and commended the Burundian government for its strong commitment to relations with China and its firm adherence to the one-China policy. Yang described China and Burundi as all-weather friends who have shared good and challenging times together and as trusted partners in their shared pursuit of common development. He highlighted that, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China and Burundi have maintained high-level development of bilateral relations, built strong political mutual trust, achieved remarkable results in various fields of cooperation, and maintained close coordination in international affairs, making their partnership a model of South-South cooperation. Yang emphasized the CPAFFC's willingness to actively serve as a bridge to promote the establishment of more sister-city partnerships between China and Burundi. He expressed a commitment to deepening exchanges and cooperation in areas such as economics, culture, and youth engagement. Additionally, he invited the Burundian side to participate in institutional activities organized by the CPAFFC, including the Legislators Forum for Friendly Exchanges and the China-Africa Future Leaders' Dialogue.Emmanuel Sinzohagera congratulated on the successful convening of the conference and expressed his sincere gratitude for the warm reception provided by the Chinese side. He reiterated Burundi's unwavering adherence to the one-China policy and reaffirmed its long-standing support for China in safeguarding its core interests. Sinzohagera highly praised the important role played by the CPAFFC in fostering people-to-people friendship and advancing subnational cooperation. He expressed his intention to work closely with the CPAFFC to facilitate the establishment of sister-city and sister-province partnerships between all Burundian provincial-level administrative regions (following the administrative division reform) and Chinese provinces and municipalities. He also emphasized Burundi's willingness to strengthen practical cooperation with China in key areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, and mining. These efforts, he noted, would support the goal of common development and contribute positively to the deepening of bilateral relations between the two countries.CPAFFC Vice President Yan Dong and Director-General of the Department of Asian and African Affairs Ji Yongjun accompanied Yang Wanming at the meeting.

On November 18, the China International Friendship Cities Conference 2024 officially opened in Kunming, the capital of Southwest China's Yunnan Province. The event was co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the China International Friendship Cities Association (CIFCA), and the People's Government of Yunnan Province, and organized by the People's Government of Kunming Municipality. The theme of the conference is "Common Prosperity, Shared Future". Peng Qinghua, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. Wang Ning, Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Yunnan Provincial Committee; Wang Yubo, Governor of Yunnan Province; Yang Wanming, President of the CPAFFC and the CIFCA; Emmanuel Sinzohagera, President of the Senate of Burundi; Anouphap Tounalom, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council of Vientiane; and Hatoyama Yukio, former Prime Minister of Japan, attended the ceremony.Peng Qinghua emphasized the critical role of international sister cities in advancing subnational cooperation, strengthening people-to-people friendship, and promoting mutual learning among civilizations. He urged sister cities from China and abroad to seize new opportunities for openness and cooperation, drive innovative development, explore new cooperation projects that benefit the people, write a new chapter of mutual learning among civilizations, and contribute to world peace, stability and prosperity.Wang Ning highlighted Yunnan's tradition of openness and inclusiveness, noting the province's long-standing history of friendly exchanges and its role as a platform for mutually beneficial cooperation. He reaffirmed Yunnan's commitment to implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and expressed its determination to work with sister cities worldwide under the guidance of the CPAFFC to renew traditional friendship through close exchanges, achieve win-win development through pragmatic cooperation, foster shared progress through mutual learning, and advance modernization together.Yang Wanming praised the contributions of Chinese and foreign sister cities, highlighting their success in building bridges of people-to-people friendship, creating direct channels for economic and trade cooperation, and paving "a road to happiness" for the benefit of the people. He pledged that the CPAFFC would continue its efforts to enhance people-to-people exchanges to foster closer people-to-people ties, deepen practical cooperation to achieve mutual benefit; strengthen cultural exchanges to promote harmonious coexistence, and expand youth exchanges to build enduring friendships between future generations.Emmanuel Sinzohagera noted that this year's conference, which focused on issues such as technological innovation, green development, cultural heritage, and connectivity, has provided us with a valuable platform for exchange and sharing of experiences. He reaffirmed Burundi's firm commitment to the one-China principle and expressed that it is willing to establish more sister province/city relationships with China while exploring new cooperation models to achieve common development and prosperity.Anouphap Tounalom highlighted the progress made in Laos-China cooperation, driven by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). He pointed to the Laos-China Railway as a transformative project that has boosted economic and social development and improved the well-being of people in the provinces and cities along the route and across Southeast Asia. Anouphap expressed Laos' readiness to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation among international sister cities in a wide range of fields, such as economy, trade, investment, tourism, and education.Hatoyama Yukio emphasized the importance of maintaining a spirit of brotherhood, mutual respect, understanding, and support, whether among individuals, cities, or nations. He argued that in today's complex international environment, face-to-face exchanges and open, constructive dialogue are critical to building bridges of friendship and advancing the creation of a community with a shared future for mankind.The conference attracted over 700 participants, including 37 provincial and ministerial leaders, 74 mayors and deputy mayors from 41 countries across five continents, representatives from 66 provinces, 125 cities, and 63 local government and friendship organizations, as well as experts, scholars, business representatives, and members of the media.Following the opening ceremony, a theme forum centered on "Common Prosperity, Shared Future" was held. Speakers included Liu Hongjian, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Yunnan Provincial Committee and Secretary of the CPC Kunming Municipal Committee; Lee Sari, Deputy Governor of Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey Province; Maurizio Rasero, Governor of Asti Province of Italy; Grant Smith, President of the Global Cities New Zealand; Carol Robertson Lopez, Chair Emeritus of Sister Cities International; and Benjamin Kabikira, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works of Zimbabwe. These speakers shared insights and best practices in urban governance, economic development, people-to-people exchanges, and international cooperation. At four parallel forums, over 40 Chinese and international speakers addressed topics including "Technological Innovation Helps Build Smart Cities", "Urban Green Development Benefits People’s Livelihood", "Guarding and Inheriting the City's Historical and Cultural Roots", and "Transportation Interconnection Builds a Community of Urban Destiny". The forums provided a platform for participants to exchange ideas and make suggestions to promote exchanges and mutual learning, build consensus for deeper cooperation, improve people's welfare, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results for local governments in China and abroad.

From November 13 to 17, Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), led a delegation on a friendly visit to Thailand at the invitation of Korn Dabbaransi, President of the Thai-Chinese Friendship Association and former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand. During his visit, Yang met with Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, Minister of Culture, Nirat Pongsitthavorn, Governor of Chiang Mai Province, and Assanee Buranupakorn, Mayor of Chiang Mai Municipality. Yang also held working meetings with President Korn Dabbaransi, Bhokin Bhalakula, President of the Thai-Chinese Culture and Economy Association and former President of the National Assembly of Thailand, and Han Zhiqiang, Chinese Ambassador to Thailand. Additionally, he engaged in talks with Borwornsak Uwanno, Chairman of the Foundation of King Prajadhipok's Institute, and youth representatives. Yang had extensive exchanges of views with figures from Thailand's political, business, and cultural circles on China-Thailand relations, people-to-people friendship, youth exchanges and proposals for celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand next year.During the meeting, Yang Wanming emphasized that China and Thailand share geographical proximity, ancestral ties, and cultural similarities, making them good neighbors, friends, relatives, and partners. Over the past 50 years, China-Thailand relations have maintained stable, sound, and rapid development, creating what Yang described as the "golden 50 years". He highlighted the widespread belief in both countries that "China and Thailand are as close as one family". Yang referred to the historic visit by President Xi Jinping to Thailand in November 2022, during which China and Thailand reached a significant consensus on building a China-Thailand community with a shared future for greater stability, prosperity, and sustainability. This agreement marked the beginning of a new era in bilateral relations.Yang also noted President Xi Jinping's recent meeting with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima, Peru. During the meeting, President Xi reiterated that "China and Thailand remain as close as a family". He emphasized China's readiness to carry forward the traditional friendship between the two countries, achieve greater synergy in development strategies, deepen the exchange of governance experiences, coordinate and promote mutually beneficial cooperation in all sectors, support each other's modernization drives, and make further progress in building the China-Thailand community with a shared future. The year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand, celebrated as the "Golden Jubilee of China-Thailand Friendship". Yang noted that the CPAFFC will collaborate closely with Thai friendship organizations and people from all sectors of society to explore  innovative ways to commemorate this milestone. Yang outlined plans to take advantage of this opportunity to build more platforms and bridges for the two countries in the fields of people-to-people friendship, subnational cooperation, cultural exchanges, culture and tourism promotion, and youth exchanges, strengthen the foundation for the next "golden 50 years" of China-Thailand relations.Wan Muhamad Noor Matha and Anutin Charnvirakul praised the CPAFFC for its positive contributions to strengthening the bilateral friendship and promoting people-to-people friendship. They reiterated that China and Thailand are as close as one family, with the two peoples sharing bonds akin to those of brothers. They noted that the two nations have maintained close and friendly relations across all levels and in various fields. The Thai royal family and government highly value their relationship with China and actively support the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping. In light of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025, the Thai royal family and government plan to enhance bilateral communication through both bilateral and multilateral mechanisms. They aim to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in economy, trade, culture, tourism, and local government while supporting social organizations in both countries to organize more friendly activities for the benefit of their peoples.Nirat Pongsitthavorn and Assanee Buranupakorn expressed their wish to pursue greater practical cooperation with local governments in China. They emphasized their interest in drawing on China's successful experiences in environmental protection and urban governance, deepening sister-city exchanges, increasing economic and trade investments, and fostering greater coordination in the tourism sector.Korn Dabbaransi and Bhokin Bhalakula voiced their willingness to collaborate with the CPAFFC in planning and organizing the event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. They emphasized that these efforts would help lay a solid foundation for strengthening Thai-Chinese people-to-people friendship in the new era.The Thai youth representatives shared the outcomes of their visit to China, expressing admiration for China's advanced development achievements. They conveyed their willingness to learn from China's experience and strive to become heirs of the Thailand-China friendship and promoters of human progress.During the visit, Yang Wanming engaged in extensive discussions with Nantana, Chairman of the Thailand-China Parliamentarians Friendship Group, Kanog, former Chairman of the Thailand-China Parliamentarians Friendship Group, Traisulee Traisoranakul, Secretary to the Minister of Interior, Li Shaozhu, Senior Chairman of Thailand's Charoen Pokphand Group, Chen Shaoyang, Vice President of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Xiao Hanming, Vice President of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and Theparak Leungsuwan, Chairman of the Namyong Group.Yuan Mindao, Vice President of the CPAFFC, accompanied Yang Wanming during the visit.

On November 11, the 2024 China-Cambodia Sister Cities Conference was held in Siem Reap Province, Northwest Cambodia. The event was co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia, and the Cambodia-China Friendship Association. The conference was themed "Cambodia and China Jointly Write a New Chapter of a Community with a Shared Future". Prominent attendees included Yang Wanming, President of the CPAFFC, Wang Wenbin, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia, Ek Sam Ol, Member of the Permanent Committee of the Cambodian People's Party and President of the Cambodia-China Friendship Association; Huot Hak, Cambodian Minister of Tourism, and Prak Sophoan, Governor of Siem Reap Province, all of whom delivered speeches at the event. The conference brought together more than 200 people, including Yuan Mindao, Vice President of the CPAFFC, representatives from 15 local governments across eight provinces in China, representatives from 12 Chinese-funded enterprise; and leaders from 25 Cambodian provinces, including Mithona Phuthong, Governor of Cambodian Koh Kong Province.In his speech, Yang Wanming stated that China and Cambodia are "iron-clad friends" who have consistently supported each other through both good times and bad and are like brothers who share mutual trust and sincerity. He highlighted that last year, President Xi Jinping held two separate meetings with Cambodian King Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen, during which strategic communication was maintained, and important consensus was reached on advancing the building of a China-Cambodia community with a shared future. Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both nations, the China-Cambodia Diamond Cooperation Framework has been steadily expanded to include six priority areas (including political cooperation, production capacity, agriculture, energy, security, and people-to-people exchanges). Yang emphasized that the China-Cambodia Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership has made solid progress, ushering in a new era characterized by the building of a high-quality, high-level, and high-standard China-Cambodia Community with a Shared Future.This year, being the Cambodia-China People-to-People Exchange Year, the convening of the 2024 China-Cambodia Sister Cities Conference is particularly timely and of far-reaching significance. Yang expressed confidence that through this platform, the sister cities of China and Cambodia would further expand friendly exchanges, promote people-to-people exchanges, and strengthen practical cooperation. Yang also reaffirmed the CPAFFC's commitment to building more bridges of friendly people-to-people exchanges to deepen the friendship between the two nations; building more bridges of practical cooperation to foster mutual benefit and common development; building more bridges for cultural exchanges to enhance mutual understanding; and building more bridges of youth friendship to carry forward the traditional ties while gathering strength to advance the people-to-people friendship and sub-national cooperation between China and Cambodia.Ek Sam Ol welcomed President Yang Wanming and the Chinese delegation, noting that the successful holding of the conference added significant value to the Cambodia-China People-to-People Exchange Year and enriched the foundation of the Cambodia-China Community with a Shared Future. He praised President Xi Jinping's vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, describing it as a blueprint for achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, building China into a modern socialist country, and addressing the common challenges faced by all countries amid unprecedented global changes. Ek Sam Ol expressed hope that the local governments of Cambodia and China would share development experiences, learn from each other, and  strengthen practical cooperation to bring greater benefits to the peoples of both nations. He also reaffirmed the Cambodia-China Friendship Association’s readiness to enhance solidarity and collaboration with the CPAFFC, create more platforms for exchanges, and ensure that the Cambodia-China friendship continues to flourish and is passed down from generation to generation.Huot Hak highlighted that Cambodia and China are geographically close to each other in terms of geography close and share deep ancestral ties, with a long tradition of friendly exchanges. He emphasized that the traditional friendship between the two nations has endured over time and remains vibrant and full of vitality. The Cambodian Government greatly values the role of the Cambodia-China Friendship Association and the CPAFFC in fostering Cambodia-China people-to-people friendship. He expressed his belief that the sister cities conference would inspire both nations to deepen their friendship, expand exchanges, and strengthen subnational cooperation.In his speech at the tourism sub-forum, Ambassador Wang Wenbin remarked that tourism is a powerful engine for economic development and serves as a vital bridge to enhance people-to-people friendship. He expressed confidence that, through the joint efforts of both sides, China-Cambodia tourism cooperation and people-to-people exchanges would become more frequent and ever closer, providing strong support for building a high-quality, high-level, and high-standard China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era.Prak Sophoan noted that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two nations, Cambodia and China have established a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and forged an iron-clad friendship. He praised the flourishing subnational cooperation between Cambodia and China, which has resulted in the establishment of more than 30 pairs of sister cities. Fields such as tourism, agriculture, trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges have yielded fruitful results. Prak Sophoan reiterated Siem Reap's willingness to strengthen collaboration with Chinese local governments, share successful experiences, and  pursue common development.During the conference, participants engaged in in-depth discussions on two main topics, namely, "Strengthening Tourism Cooperation for a Better Future" and "Expanding Friendship Cities Cooperation and Deepening Cultural Exchanges". Seventeen representatives from China's Henan, Shanxi, Hainan, Nanjing, Guilin, Xiangyang, Fuzhou, and Wuxi as well as Cambodia's Sihanoukville and Koh Kong provinces, delivered speeches. They shared their perspectives and proposed suggestions on how to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, effectively utilize local government and sister city cooperation channels, and expand bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, tourism, culture, and youth. Their contributions provided local insights into the building of a China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era. The conference culminated in a broad consensus and yielded several significant outcomes. At the conference, exchange cooperation agreements were signed between the Yungang Academy of China's Shanxi Province and the Authority for the Protection and Safeguarding of Angkor and the Region of Angkor (APSARA National Authority), and between the Wuxi Institute of Technician Jiangsu Province and the Cambodia-China Friendship Polytechnic Institute in Sihanoukville.During the conference, President Yang Wanming held talks with Ek Sam Ol, Huot Hak, and Prak Sophoan, gave interviews to Chinese and Cambodian media, and participated in China-Cambodia cultural and artistic exchange activities.The event featured captivating theatrical performances by Chinese soprano Wang Ying and the Gao Bin Art Troupe, who performed alongside Cambodian artists. A highlight of the cultural exchange was a flash mob performance by Chinese artists at Angkor Wat, further enriching the program and showcasing the vibrant cultural ties between the two nations.