On October 17, 2024, Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Michael Hart, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China), and his delegation at the CPAFFC. The two sides engaged in candid and friendly discussions on topics including China-US people-to-people exchanges and pragmatic cooperation between their respective business communities.Yang Wanming welcomed Michael Hart and expressed gratitude to AmCham China for its longstanding support for China-US friendly people-to-people exchanges. He emphasized that people-to-people friendship is a fundamental prerequisite for achieving mutually beneficial cooperation. Yang highlighted the CPAFFC's ongoing commitment to facilitating and strengthening such exchanges and practical cooperation. He expressed hope that AmCham China and its member companies would continue to collaborate with the CPAFFC to deepen understanding and friendship between the Chinese and American peoples. Yang further noted that China is advancing high-quality economic development through a new phase of high-standard opening-up. He encouraged American businesses operating in China to recognize the resilience of China's economy and the potential of its market, to maintain confidence in China, increase investment, and seize new opportunities created by Chinese modernization.Michael Hart praised the CPAFFC for its remarkable contributions over the past 70 years in fostering international friendships and promoting understanding between China and the world since its establishment. He stressed the importance of strengthening people-to-people dialogue, particularly in the current global context, and reiterated AmCham China's readiness to support and participate in CPAFFC-led projects aimed at enhancing U.S.-China exchanges and cooperation. Hart also presented the chamber's 2024 American Business in China White Paper to President Yang.CPAFFC Vice President Shen Xin also attended the meeting.

On October 12, the 15th Annual Meeting of the China-Iran Friendship Associations was convened in Beijing, under the theme “Contributing Civil Forces to the High-Quality Development of China-Iran Friendly Cooperation”. The opening ceremony was attended by Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC); Boroujerdi, Chairman of the Iran-China Friendship Association; and Mohsen Bakhtiar, Iranian Ambassador to China. Approximately 70 participants were present, including representatives from local friendship associations across many Chinese provinces and cities, relevant enterprises, media, and members of the visiting delegation from the Iran-China Friendship Association, along with Iranian expatriates and students in China.President Yang Wanming welcomed the delegation from the Iran-China Friendship Association to China for the China International Friendship Conference and the 70th Anniversary Celebration of CPAFFC. He emphasized that China views its relationship with Iran from a strategic and long-term perspective. In his congratulatory message to Iran’s President-elect Ebrahim Raisi, President Xi Jinping expressed China’s willingness to work with Iran to guide the comprehensive strategic partnership towards deeper and broader horizons.President Yang put forward three suggestions to further strengthen the annual meeting’s role as a bridge and consolidate its mechanisms: actively promote subnational cooperation to broaden the scope of exchanges; strive to enhance pragmatic cooperation to deepen collaborative efforts; and focus on youth exchanges to strengthen the foundation of friendship. He highlighted that these initiatives would help transform the annual meeting into a platform for enhancing communication, sharing experiences, generating ideas, and fostering cooperation. This would enable civil forces to play a crucial role in ensuring the steady and long-term development of China-Iran relations, yielding substantial outcomes.Chairman Boroujerdi noted that this year’s meeting coincided with the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 70th anniversary of the CPAFFC, adding special significance to the event. He congratulated China on its impressive achievements in economic and social development, and emphasized that both China and Iran are ancient civilizations with a long-standing friendship. The Iran-China Friendship Association is committed to close collaboration with its Chinese counterparts to continuously promote traditional friendship and advance pragmatic cooperation across various fields, benefiting both nations and their peoples.Ambassador Bakhtiar praised the important role of civil organizations, including the friendship associations of both countries, in enhancing mutual understanding, fostering friendship, promoting mutually beneficial cooperation, and maintaining global peace. He noted that various sectors in Iran highly value relations with China and are eager to collaborate more closely under the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. Such efforts would deepen China-Iran relations and contribute to peace and stability worldwide.Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on two key topics: promoting pragmatic cooperation between China and Iran and deepening cultural exchanges. They reached a broad consensus on strengthening cooperation across civil society, subnational partnerships, and youth engagement.At the conclusion of the meeting, President Yang Wanming and Chairman Boroujerdi signed the Memorandum of the 15th Annual Meeting of the China-Iran Friendship Associations.

On October 10, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) held a ceremony in Beijing to confer the honorary title of “Friendship Ambassador”. President Yang Wanming presented medals and certificates to Ante Simonic, former Vice Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, President of Croatian-Chinese Friendship Society Rijeka (HKDPR), and Marcelo Muñoz, Chairman of the “Know China Lecture Hall” (Zhihua Jiangtang) in Spain, and delivered a speech. Vice President Jiang Jiang presided over the ceremony.President Yang congratulated Simonic and Muñoz on receiving the honorary title of “Friendship Ambassador” and fondly recalled their touching efforts to promote friendship between the peoples of China and Croatia, and China and Spain, respectively. He emphasized that it is thanks to a group of friends in Europe, like Simonic and Muñoz, who have steadfastly upheld the belief in generational friendship and dedicated themselves to the cause of China-Europe friendship, that the foundation of people-to-people ties between China and Europe is so strong today. Their efforts have led to frequent exchanges, continuous interaction, and dynamic cooperation, injecting a steady stream of vitality into China-Europe relations.President Yang stated that the future of China-Europe friendship requires joint efforts, and he earnestly looks forward to more individuals of insight in Europe actively engaging in the cause of China-Europe friendship. He expressed his hope that European friends of China, including Simonic and Muñoz, will take the China International Friendship Conference as a new starting point, and work tirelessly towards building a community with a shared future for mankind, jointly writing a new, vibrant chapter in China-Europe relations.Simonic and Muñoz expressed their congratulations on the 70th anniversary of the CPAFFC and their heartfelt gratitude for being honored with the title of “Friendship Ambassador” at this significant moment. They pledged to use this recognition as motivation to share China’s latest development concepts and remarkable achievements with their countries, thereby strengthening mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples, and contributing to the continuous development of bilateral and China-Europe relations.The honorary title of “Friendship Ambassador” was established by the CPAFFC in 1990 to recognize international friends who have made outstanding contributions to the cause of friendship between China and other countries.

On October 13, Yang Wanming, Secretary of the Leading Party Members Group and President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), led a delegation to visit Xiongan New Area. The delegation toured key sites including the Comprehensive Service Center in the Start-up Area, the East-West Axis Dispatch and Command Center, Yannan Dike of Baiyangdian, the construction site in Rongdong District, and the Xiongan Planning Exhibition Center to gain a firsthand understanding of the planning and development progress in Xiongan New Area. Zhang Guohua, Chairman of the Hebei Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Member of the Standing Committee of the Hebei Provincial Party Committee, and Secretary of the Party Working Committee and the Director of the Administrative Committee of Xiongan New Area, along with Wu Bo, Deputy Secretary of the Party Working Committee, Executive Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of Xiongan New Area, Party Secretary and Chairman of Xiongan Group, participated in related activities. Wang Jianfeng, Party Secretary and Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Hebei Province, and President of the Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and Wang Jiping, Deputy Director of the Hebei Provincial Xiongan New Area Office and a member of the Party Working Committee of Xiongan New Area, accompanied the delegation during the visit.Officials from Xiongan New Area highlighted that the establishment of Xiongan is a major strategic decision by the CPC Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, as part of the broader effort to advance coordinated development in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Currently, Xiongan New Area is actively implementing the key directives from President Xi’s important speeches, focusing on its primary role as a centralized location for relieving Beijing of its non-capital functions. The area is balancing large-scale construction with the integration of these functions, achieving significant progress in various phases. A modern city is emerging, growing robustly. The CPAFFC, as the main channel for people-to-people diplomacy in China, has played a vital role in strengthening friendship between the people of China and other nations, promoting international cooperation, maintaining world peace, and facilitating shared development. Officials expressed their gratitude for the continuous support and assistance from the CPAFFC towards the construction and development of Xiongan. They look forward to further support from the CPAFFC in promoting Xiongan’s international engagement, helping to accelerate the building of Xiongan as a pioneer of open development and elevating its level of internationalization.Yang Wanming highly commended the achievements in the planning and development of Xiongan New Area, stating that advancing the New Journey of National Rejuvenation and Building a Strong Country through Chinese modernization is the central task of the Party and the nation on this new journey. Xiongan New Area is striving to become a national model for high-quality development in the new era, with its future city framework already taking shape and demonstrating significant development potential. This reflects the bright prospects of Chinese modernization. The CPAFFC will further leverage its resource advantages to fully support Xiongan’s people-to-people diplomacy, aiding the construction of Xiongan’s international cooperation network. Through various channels and platforms, the CPAFFC aims to share the story of Xiongan, providing the international community with a genuine, comprehensive, and multi-dimensional understanding of the rich implications of Chinese modernization.The visit was also attended by Shen Xin, Vice President of the CPAFFC; Sun Xueqing, Secretary-General of the CPAFFC; and representatives from the CPAFFC General Office, the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Hebei Province, and the Party and Government Office of Xiongan New Area.

Forging Ahead to Deepen People-to-People Friendship and Promote the Building of a Community with a Shared Future for MankindYang Wanming, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC)On October 11, the China International Friendship Conference and the 70th Anniversary Celebration of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) were held in Beijing. President Xi Jinping met with the foreign guests attending the event and delivered an important speech, emphasizing the crucial role of people-to-people friendship in promoting world peace and development. He profoundly elaborated on China’s proposal for leveraging the unique role of people-to-people diplomacy under new circumstances, advocating for the spirit of “Shared Prosperity and Solidarity on a Global Scale”, the principle of mutual benefit, and an attitude of openness and inclusiveness to jointly promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, attended the commemorative conference and welcome banquet, respectively, and delivered speeches. Over 300 international friends from nearly 100 countries and regions participated in the event, engaging in discussions under the theme of “Deepening People-to-People Friendship and Promoting the Building of a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind”, which fostered meaningful exchanges and consolidated wisdom and strength to build a better world through people-to-people cooperation.In his important speech, President Xi emphasized that people-to-people friendship is the foundation for stable and enduring international relations, the inexhaustible driving force for promoting world peace and development, and the basic prerequisite for achieving mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. 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 engaged in people-to-people diplomacy, has adhered to the principles of “Friendship, Cooperation, Peace, and Development”. It has endeavored to cultivate people-to-people ties, build bridges to enhance national relations, and facilitate international cooperation, consistently walking alongside the people, the nation, and the world.Seventy years of unwavering commitment to peace and development. From its early days, when it played the unique role of “civilian-led diplomacy, promoting official ties through people-to-people contacts”, to the celebrated success stories of “Ping-Pong Diplomacy” and “Ballet Diplomacy”, the CPAFFC has actively contributed to the nation’s diplomatic efforts. During the reform and opening-up period, it embraced the era’s themes of peace and development, vigorously promoting exchanges between Chinese and international communities. In the new era, it has facilitated comprehensive, multi-level, and cross-sectoral people-to-people diplomacy, contributing to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. The CPAFFC continues to serve as a main conduit for people-to-people diplomacy, committed to the pursuit of global peace and development.Seventy years of upholding original aspirations, building international friendships. The CPAFFC has never forgotten its old friends while continuously making new ones. It has established friendly exchanges and cooperative relationships with over 400 organizations and institutions across more than 150 countries and regions, fostering more than 3,000 sister city (province/state) partnerships between China and over 140 countries and regions, thereby building a global network of friends and partners spanning five continents. The association has tirelessly worked to enhance people-to-people ties and support national relations, reinforcing the friendship between China and countries worldwide.Seventy years of practical cooperation, driving concrete results. The CPAFFC adheres to a people-centered approach, mobilizing resources from international sister cities, multinational corporations, and friendly organizations to build mechanisms for local and civil exchanges between China and foreign countries. It has promoted pragmatic cooperation in various sectors, including trade, education, science and technology, culture, ecology, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and human resource training. Additionally, it has played a proactive role in international cooperation to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, striving to ensure that the fruits of development benefit people worldwide.Seventy years of dedicated effort, promoting connectivity between peoples. Focusing on the general public, grassroots communities, and the future, the CPAFFC has employed diverse artistic forms, including music, dance, drama, and acrobatics, to introduce Chinese culture to the world, fostering cultural exchange and mutual learning. It has also organized popular events such as food festivals, dragon boat races, summer camps, and grand gatherings to boost public participation and engagement. By actively promoting exchanges between Chinese and foreign youths, the CPAFFC seeks to ensure the continuity of the noble cause of people-to-people friendship, bringing people closer and fostering mutual understanding across borders.The 70-year history of the CPAFFC vividly demonstrates the powerful role of people-to-people friendship in promoting global peace and development, and the significant position of people-to-people diplomacy in the framework of overall national diplomacy. At present, the world is experiencing unprecedented changes, transformations of the times, and shifts in history. However, the interconnectedness of countries’ interests and the shared destiny of humankind remain unchanged. People across the world still yearn for peace, development, cooperation, and win-win outcomes. President Xi has emphasized that the people are the creators of history, and building a community with a shared future for mankind represents the future of all people across the globe. We will continue to join hands with friends worldwide, aligning our efforts with the interests of all and the hearts of the people, advancing the great cause of people-to-people friendship towards the noble goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind.- As we move forward, we will work with friends from all nations to build more bridges for people-to-people exchanges, leveraging the channels of friendly organizations, maintaining ties with old friends, and making new ones. This will enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the people of China and other countries, further solidifying the social and public foundation of China’s international friendships.- As we move forward, we will work with friends from all nations to build more bridges for pragmatic cooperation, fully leveraging the cooperative platforms of international sister cities, and mobilizing resources and strengths from various sectors both domestically and internationally. We will continuously innovate cooperation methods, expand areas of collaboration, and improve effectiveness, ensuring that local and sister city partnerships deliver greater benefits to people around the world.- As we move forward, we will work with friends from all nations to build more bridges for cultural exchanges, fully utilizing culture as a conduit for communication and a bond of friendship. We will promote diverse, in-depth, and multi-dimensional cultural exchanges to foster mutual understanding and resonance between peoples, enhancing connectivity between peoples.- As we move forward, we will work with friends from all nations to build more youth-friendly bridges, fully recognizing the foundational and long-term role that youth engagement plays in developing relations between nations. We will invite more foreign youths to visit China and encourage more Chinese youths to explore the world, striving to nurture the next generation of future leaders for the cause of people-to-people friendship.“A partnership forged with the right approach defies distance”. We firmly believe that as long as people treat each other with sincerity and connect heart-to-heart, we will forge a path of shared progress, mutual understanding, and win-win cooperation. Together, we will stride towards a brighter future, building a community with a shared future for mankind.

(Xiongan New Area, Hebei, October 12, 2024)Dear friends,It is a great pleasure to gather with you here in Xiongan New Area, where we can feel the vibrant energy of China’s “City of the Future”. First, on behalf of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Hebei Provincial Party Committee and the provincial government for their meticulous organization and thoughtful arrangements for today’s event. I also extend a warm welcome and heartfelt greetings to all our distinguished guests and friends visiting Xiongan.The China International Friendship Conference and the 70th Anniversary Celebration of CPAFFC mark a significant milestone in the history of the CPAFFC and a grand gathering for the cause of people-to-people friendship between China and other nations. With the enthusiastic participation and strong support of friends from nearly 100 countries and regions, this event is now drawing to a successful close. Our international friends have engaged in in-depth exchanges, mutual learning, and collaboration under the theme of “Deepening People-to-People Friendship and Promoting the Building of a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind”, achieving many positive results in a warm, friendly, and festive atmosphere.First, we have further consolidated the international consensus on building a community with a shared future for mankind. This vision represents the future of all people around the world. During his recent meeting with all of you, President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech, offering a profound explanation of China’s vision for the unique role of people-to-people diplomacy under new circumstances, deepening international friendship, and advancing the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. His remarks resonated deeply with friends from around the world. We look forward to working together with friends from all nations, leveraging the unique strengths of people-to-people diplomacy to foster friendship between peoples, promote pragmatic international cooperation, and build confidence in the cause of global peace, development, and progress. Let us navigate this path of mutual support, cooperation, inclusiveness, and shared prosperity, contributing our collective wisdom and strength to the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.Second, we have gained a deeper understanding of the many facets of Chinese modernization. Advancing the New Journey of National Rejuvenation and Building a Strong Country through Chinese modernization is the central task of the Communist Party of China and the nation on this new journey. Recently, the 20th CPC Central Committee’s Third Plenary Session set out a comprehensive plan to further deepen reform and advance Chinese modernization. During this event, we arranged visits to the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiongan New Area, providing our international friends with an opportunity to witness firsthand the model of high-quality urban development in China and the promising prospects of Chinese modernization. We warmly welcome more foreign friends to actively engage in this process of Chinese modernization, working together to promote world modernization characterized by peace, development, mutual benefit, and shared prosperity, ultimately bringing greater benefits to people across the world.Third, we have gathered even greater civil forces to support the cause of friendship between the peoples of China and other nations. More than 300 international friends from nearly 100 countries and regions have traveled great distances to be here, crossing mountains and seas, all in the name of friendship and the noble cause of people-to-people exchanges. This dedication has deeply moved and inspired us. We will continue to uphold our commitment to friendship, uniting civil forces to build more bridges for people-to-people exchanges, pragmatic cooperation, cultural engagement, and youth friendship, fostering deeper understanding and closer bonds among peoples. We eagerly anticipate and warmly welcome more individuals of insight from around the world to join this great cause of people-to-people friendship, building bridges of friendship and connecting hearts, so that together we can create a better world for future generations.Our time together is brief, but the friendships we have forged will endure. In just a few short days, we have shared many heartwarming moments and touching memories. Through your actions, you have shown that you were, are, and will continue to be friends of the Chinese people!Dear friends, your long journeys to be here fill us with gratitude; your sincere wishes inspire us greatly; and your deep bonds of friendship will remain in our hearts forever! As the song “Auld Lang Syne” goes, “Let us sing with one voice, to everlasting friendship. Let us hold hands closely, and never forget our bond. Let us raise our glasses high, to friendships that will last forever”.Thank you!

On October 12, the “Xiongan Night” reception, part of the China International Friendship Conference and the 70th Anniversary Celebration of CPAFFC, was held in Xiongan New Area. Wang Zhengpu, Governor of Hebei Province, and Yang Wanming, President of the CPAFFC, attended and delivered speeches.Governor Wang extended a warm welcome to the distinguished guests and offered sincere congratulations on the 70th anniversary of the CPAFFC. He remarked that people-to-people friendship is the foundation for stable and enduring international relations. During a recent meeting with foreign guests attending the China International Friendship Conference and the 70th Anniversary Celebration of CPAFFC, President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech, highlighting the need to enhance people-to-people friendship from the perspective of building a community with a shared future for mankind. Wang emphasized that China is committed to working together with friends from around the world to deepen mutual understanding, promote collaboration, and contribute positively to global peace and development. He highlighted Hebei’s unique geographic position, rich cultural heritage, scenic landscapes, and abundant resources, expressing hope that guests would appreciate the natural, cultural, and developmental beauty of Hebei during their visit. He encouraged them to share the stories of Xiongan and Hebei with more people, fostering a shared vision for a better future.In his speech, President Yang Wanming noted that during the recent collective meeting, President Xi Jinping delivered an important address, offering a profound explanation of China’s vision for leveraging people-to-people diplomacy under new circumstances, deepening international friendship, and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Yang remarked that this resonated deeply with friends from around the world. He expressed hope to work alongside international partners to fully utilize the unique role of people-to-people diplomacy in fostering friendship between peoples and advancing pragmatic international cooperation. He called for collective wisdom and efforts to contribute to building a community with a shared future for mankind. Yang also welcomed more international friends to actively participate in the process of Chinese modernization, striving together for a peaceful, cooperative, and prosperous world modernization that benefits all nations.Princess Pilolevu Tuita of the Kingdom of Tonga and Luca Berrone, Director of the Iowa Friendship Committee, delivered speeches, stating that the CPAFFC is an important platform for promoting people-to-people diplomacy. They expressed their expectation that the CPAFFC would continue to play a role in enhancing global friendship and bridging divides. During their visit to Xiongan New Area, they were deeply impressed by its vibrancy and charm. They noted Hebe’s rich resources and vast development potential, and expressed hope to further strengthen friendly exchanges and cooperation across various fields with Hebei, promoting mutual development.Chinese and foreign guests also watched performances showcasing Hebei’s intangible cultural heritage.The event was attended by Zhang Guohua and Jin Hui, leaders from Hebei Province, Zhu Haowen, Secretary-General of the Provincial Government, as well as former foreign political leaders, heads of international friendship organizations, and representatives of friendly individuals.

Recently, a reception marking the China International Friendship Conference and the 70th Anniversary Celebration of CPAFFC was held at the Grand Canal Museum of Beijing. Yin Li, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee, delivered a speech, while the event was hosted by Yin Yong, Deputy Secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee and Mayor of Beijing. Li Xiuling, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Beijing Municipal People’s Congress, Wei Xiaodong, Chairman of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and Yang Wanming, President of the CPAFFC, attended the event.In his address, Yin Li expressed profound respect for the international friends who have long been committed to the cause of people-to-people friendship, thanking them for their continuous support and care for Beijing’s development. He noted that, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China has embarked on a development path that suits its national conditions, achieving the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, maintaining rapid economic growth, and long-term social stability, while making significant contributions to global development. At present, the Chinese government is fully committed to advancing Chinese modernization, aiming for a path of peaceful development, deepening reform, promoting high-level opening-up, and fostering mutually beneficial cooperation and shared prosperity. As the capital of China, Beijing boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage, abundant educational, technological, and human resources, and a livable ecological environment. It plays a significant role in driving regional economic development, advancing the high-standard construction of the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center, supporting the development of the Xiong’an New Area in Hebei, and promoting coordinated development across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. After five years of development, the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center has emerged as a thriving new city of the future. Currently, Beijing is striving to be at the forefront of achieving basic socialist modernization, accelerating the construction of an international hub for technological innovation, and establishing itself as a global leader in the digital economy. It aims to build a highland of top talent and create a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized business environment. Yin warmly welcomed friends and organizations from around the world to share in Beijing’s development opportunities, foster practical cooperation across various fields, and work together to achieve high-quality development and a better life.In his remarks, President Yang Wanming emphasized that for the past 70 years, the CPAFFC has adhered to the principles of “Friendship, Cooperation, Peace, and Development”. The CPAFFC has worked tirelessly to deepen people-to-people friendship, build bridges for state-to-state relations, and promote international cooperation, facilitating connections between people to strengthen ties between nations. The theme of this anniversary event, “Deepening People-to-People Friendship and Promoting the Building of a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind”, reflects the unique role of people-to-people diplomacy. It aims to build consensus, gather strength, and contribute wisdom to foster a community with a shared future and create a better world.Danilo Türk, former President of Slovenia, former President of the World Leadership Alliance - Club de Madrid (WLA-CdM), and member of the InterAction Council, also delivered a speech. He praised the CPAFFC as an important platform for people-to-people diplomacy, playing a crucial role in promoting cross-cultural exchanges, enhancing mutual understanding, and building trust. He noted that, amid the complex challenges facing the world today, Beijing’s successful experiences in urbanization, technological innovation, and sustainable development offer valuable lessons for other countries. Türk expressed confidence that Beijing will continue to lead the global trend in urbanization and contribute further wisdom to global cooperation and green development.Prior to the reception, international guests visited the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center to learn about urban planning, construction progress, and the achievements of the “Two Zones” opening-up initiative. They also experienced the historical, cultural, and ecological landscape of the Grand Canal by taking a boat ride and visited the Beijing Performing Arts Centre, the Beijing Library, and the Grand Canal Museum of Beijing. The reception featured a series of captivating cultural performances enjoyed by guests from China and abroad.The event was attended by Zhao Lei, Member of the Standing Committee and Secretary-General of the Beijing Municipal Committee, Wang Jianzhong, Secretary-General of the Standing Committee of the Beijing Municipal People’s Congress, Zeng Jin, Secretary-General of the Beijing Municipal Government, Han Yu, Secretary-General of the Beijing Municipal CPPCC, as well as former political leaders from many countries, heads of international friendship organizations, representatives from foreign institutions, multinational enterprises, and friends of China.

On October 10, the 4th Leader’s Meeting of ASEAN-China of People-to-People Friendship Organizations was held in Beijing. President Yang Wanming of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) attended and delivered the keynote speech. Key representatives from people-to-people friendship organizations of the ten ASEAN countries, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, participated and shared their thoughts and suggestions on ASEAN-China people-to-people exchanges. The meeting, themed “Renewing Our Original Aspirations and Moving Forward: Creating the Future of Friendship Together”, facilitated pragmatic and friendly exchanges between the two sides, leading to positive consensus on deepening ASEAN-China people-to-people cooperation.President Yang welcomed the representatives of ASEAN people-to-people friendship organizations to Beijing to attend the China International Friendship Conference and the 70th Anniversary Celebration of CPAFFC. He noted that in 2013, President Xi Jinping proposed the joint construction of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road with ASEAN countries, aimed at building a closer ASEAN-China community with a shared future. In 2021, during the Special Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations, President Xi further advocated for the creation of “five harmonious homes”—a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful, and an amicable home—which received active support from ASEAN nations. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the leaders from both sides, the building of a ASEAN-China community with a shared future has made solid progress and achieved fruitful results, establishing ASEAN-China relations as a model of vitality and success in Asia-Pacific regional cooperation.In his speech, President Yang offered four suggestions for future ASEAN-China people-to-people friendship efforts: uphold the spirit of peace and promote Asian values; advance pragmatic cooperation and expand mutual interests; deepen local and cultural exchanges to strengthen people-to-people ties; and focus on youth exchanges to cultivate successors for the friendship cause. He emphasized that the CPAFFC is committed to working together with ASEAN people-to-people organizations and friends to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. By enhancing practical cooperation across various sectors at the local and civil levels and expanding cultural exchanges, they aim to further solidify the social and public foundation of ASEAN-China friendship. This collaboration will contribute to the joint construction of the “five harmonious homes” and the development of a closer ASEAN-China community with a shared future.Sinnava Souphanouvong, the Minister of the Lao Prime Minister’s Office, the current ASEAN chair, and Vice President of the Laos-China Friendship Association, read out a joint congratulatory letter from the people-to-people friendship organizations of the ten ASEAN countries to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the CPAFFC. Leaders of the ASEAN people-to-people friendship organizations delivered speeches, commending the CPAFFC for its remarkable contributions over the past 70 years to promoting global peace and friendship, especially in strengthening ASEAN-China people-to-people ties. Looking ahead, they expressed a strong willingness to deepen cooperation with the CPAFFC, working together to enhance ASEAN-China friendship and contribute to building a closer ASEAN-China community with a shared future.The meeting concluded with an agreement that the 15th Conference on ASEAN -China People-to-People Friendship will be held in the Philippines in 2025.

On October 10, President Yang Wanming of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met in Beijing with Yevgeny Primakov, Head of the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo), and Galina Kulikova, First Vice President of the Russia-China Friendship Association and recipient of the “Friendship Medal”.President Yang welcomed Yevgeny Primakov and Galina Kulikova to China for the China International Friendship Conference and the 70th Anniversary Celebration of CPAFFC. He commended Rossotrudnichestvo and the Russia-China Friendship Association for their positive contributions to enhancing the friendship between the Chinese and Russian peoples and advancing the development of bilateral relations. President Yang emphasized that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin, the China-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Coordination for a New Era has developed healthily and steadily, with strengthened political mutual trust and fruitful results in pragmatic cooperation. This relationship has set a model for a new type of major-country relations on the international stage. The CPAFFC is committed to working with Rossotrudnichestvo and the Russia-China Friendship Association to leverage the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the hosting of the China-Russia Year of Cultural Exchange as opportunities to further enhance exchanges between people from both countries, deepen people-to-people interactions and subnational cooperation, and strengthen the social foundation for enduring China-Russia friendship.Yevgeny Primakov and Galina Kulikova warmly congratulated the CPAFFC on its 70th anniversary and highly praised its significant role in fostering people-to-people diplomacy, particularly in advancing the cause of China-Russia friendship. They expressed their willingness to collaborate closely with the CPAFFC to actively implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen exchanges and cooperation across various fields, and continuously enrich the substance of China-Russia relations.Vice President Jiang Jiang and Director of the Russian Cultural Center in Beijing, Tatiana Urzhumtseva, were also present at the meeting.