Chinese People''s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) had organized and dispatched Chongqing Children Troupe in total of 26 members to take part in the VII international Children Festival of Folk Choreography "Barvinkove KruZhalo" in Vinnytsya, Ukraine. As the only delegation from eastern countries, our young dancers made a full demonstration of Chinese children''s vigor and vitality as well as the rich artistic expression of Chinese folk choreography, thus enjoyed a big applause from the local audience and other delegations. During the stay in Vinnytsya, Mr.Vladimir Grossman, the city mayor, met all members of our delegation. It was the forth time since our first participation in 2008. Over the past four years, CPAFFC sent children''s art troupes from the city of Tianjin, Xiamen, Xuzhou and Chongqing to join the festival consecutively. It is hoped that by participation in the festival, we could help Ukraine people to gain fresh impression on a real China through learning its various regional cultural characteristics and the graceful demeanor of its young generation.

At the invitation of CPAFFC, a 9-member delegation headed by Mr. Kemal Baytas, Chairman of Turkish-Chinese Friendship Association, paid a visit to China from 4-11 May 2012, on the purpose of further promoting the exchanges between Chinese and Turkish local governments as well as deepening cooperation between CPAFFC and Turkish-Chinese Friendship Association. During the delegation’s stay in Beijing, H.E. Madame Gu Xiulian, Advisor to CPAFFC, held a breakfast banquet for the delegation. H.E. Mr. Chen Haosu, former President of CPAFFC held a welcome dinner for the delegation, attended by Mr. Feng Zuoku, Vice President of CPAFFC, Ms. Lin Yi, Secretary General of CPAFFC and H.E. Mr. Murat Salim Esenli, Turkish Ambassador in China. In Zhejiang Province, H.E. Madame Li Xiaolin, President of CPAFFC, met with the delegation after participating in the China-Middle Asia Cooperation Forum. H.E. Mr. Li Qiang, Vice Secretary of CPC Zhejiang Committee and President of Zhejiang Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Affairs met with and held banquet for the delegation. In Guangdong Province, Mr. Wang Shitong, Vice President of Guangdong Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sun Huaizhong, Vice President of Shenzhen Municipal People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Affairs and Mr. Li Gang, Deputy Director of Guangzhou Panyu District Foreign Affairs Office respectively met with and held banquets for the Turkish delegation.

At the invitation of the Association for Indonesia-China Economic, Social and Cultural Cooperation(AICESCC) and Brunei-China Friendship Association(BCFA), the CPAFFC delegation, composed by Vice President Feng Zuoku as the head of delegation and Mr. Wang Jinshan, Vice President of China-ASEAN Association as the advisor of the delegation and other 29 delegates, paid a friendly visit to Indonesia and Brunei from April 20th to 27th,2012. Then, at the invitation of the Ministry of State Administration and Territorial Management of Timor Leste, Mr. Feng and his work team visited Timor Leste  from April 28th to May 2nd 2012 as the first delegation to Timor Leste dispatched by CPAFFC.      

The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlement Program (UN-HABITAT) in Kenya staged the premiere of the film Nine-Mile Fragrance depicting the Wenchuan earthquake relief efforts. The film, showing the unique culture of the Qiang ethnic group and the great spirit of love of the Chinese people in their earthquake relief work, left a deep impression on the African audience. The January 12 premiere was the first time a Chinese film had been shown in the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON). The screening of the film, jointly produced by the CPAFFC, the Publicity Department of the CPC Gansu Provincial Committee, the CPC Longnan Municipal Committee and the Longnan Municipal Government, was held in the First Conference Hall of UNON presided over by Peter Mutie, CEO of the Kenya Film Commission. Liu Guangyuan, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Sahle-Work Zewede, UNON Director-General, and Dr. Joan Clos, UN Undersecretary General and Executive Director of the UN-HABITAT, delivered speeches to about 400 people present, including UNON officials and members of the Kenyan government, foreign diplomats in Kenya, representatives of Chinese enterprises and the Chinese community in Kenya, Kenyan teachers and students. Also present were the film’s director, Wang Xingjun, and leading actress Yu Na. Liu Qian, Acting Secretary General of the Chinese-African People’s Friendship Association (CAPFA), read out the message of congratulations sent by CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin in which she extended congratulations on the premiere and hoped the film would help more Africans know that the Wenchuan earthquake had not only brought disaster, but had also stimulated the staunch, unyielding spirit of the Chinese people. She wished great development of Sino-African friendship. Ambassador Liu said in his speech: “The film vividly portrays the traditional culture of the Chinese minority ethnic groups and the essential meaning of the saying:“A friend in need is a friend indeed”. It also serves as a spiritual gift to the people of different cultures all over the world. Cultural exchange is a unique avenue for the meeting of minds, interaction of feelings and a bridge of friendship between different countries. Both China and Africa have their own brilliant cultures in which all take great pride. More and more Africans have become interested in China. It is the best time for Chinese culture to come to Africa.” Ambassador Liu expressed the belief that there would be more Chinese films and art performances in Africa and more would be jointly produced as the result of closer exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and African artists. In their remarks, Director General Sahle-Work Zewede and Executive Director Clos warmly congratulated the film’s successful premiere at the UNON. They said it told a beautiful love story and showed how people help each other when facing disasters, which is very moving and encouraging, and positive for China-Africa cultural exchanges. They noted that culture is an important channel for mutual assistance and benefit between peoples and the UNON hall was not only a venue for political conferences, but also a platform for various cultural events. The United Nations was always open to high-quality events of cultural exchanges and cooperation. The audience gave warm response to the film. Jasmine, a student at the Kenya Confucius Institute, said, “It’s so wonderful. I am very glad to see the film and through such a simple and direct way to know about the profound culture of the Chinese Qiang ethnic group. ” Executive Director Clos said the film tried to expound to the world the importance of cultural preservation. It was a good film with beautiful songs, and a gift to the people of the world that would have great influence. The Chinese government’s efforts to preserve cultures of ethnic groups, particularly Qiang culture, and the Chinese people’s spirit of helping and assisting each other in times of need left a deep impression. Sahle-Work Zewede said: “The film is very significant for preservation of culture. The ideas expressed are very important to the preservation of not only Chinese culture but also the cultures of other countries in the world. The film teaches us an important lesson.” Ruth Baru, a Kenyan journalist, praised the film, saying, he could see the great love the Chinese people possessed and showed in helping each other confront disaster. Ambassador Liu said: “We try to communicate with others and show Chinese people’s pursuit of love and happiness through films. It can enhance understanding between the people of China, Africa and the world at large and promote our friendship.”    Background The film Nine-Mile Fragrance tells a heart-warming love story set in a Qiang village in Western China when the catastrophic earthquake occurred on May 12, 2008. It vividly portrays the unique customs and culture of the Qiang ethnic group and praises people’s heroic deeds in the earthquake relief efforts and the great achievements made by the people of various ethnic groups under the leadership of the Chinese government in rebuilding their home. The production crew went to Li County of Aba Prefecture, Wenchuan and Danba of Ganzi Prefecture to shoot scenes. The film adopted Qiang traditional music, songs and dances with rich local flavor and geographic features including the dance at a sacrificial ceremony, Guozhuang dance as well as Qiang flutes and original folk songs such as Asking Bunkers, Sister Erma, The Mother’s Red Belt, etc. It gives the audience a chance to appreciate the vast and miraculous land in Western China.

The delegation of the China-Latin America and Caribbean Friendship Association (CLACFA) led by President Cheng Siwei, former Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, paid a goodwill visit to Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados in early March. The tour, March 1 to 13, was at the invitation of the Brazil-China Friendship Association (BCFA), the Trinidad and Tobago-China Friendship Association (TTCFA) and the Barbados-China Friendship Association. Brazil and China are both rising developing countries with many common and complementary factors that offer broad prospects for future cooperation. In Sao Paulo, the biggest city, the delegation met with Flexa Ribeiro, Honorary President of the newly established BCFA, William Wu, its President, and other friendly personages. Speaking at a welcoming reception, President Cheng said China and Brazil enjoyed traditional friendship. Both had become known as BRICS member countries with bright prospects of friendly cooperation. He hoped the BCFA could act as a bridge for various exchanges in politics, economy and trade, and culture. In Trinidad and Tobago, Speaker of the House of Representatives Wade Mark met the delegation and had a warm and friendly talk. President Cheng observed that, though China and Trinidad and Tobago differed in culture and social system, the two countries held similar views on world peace and development, combating terrorism, democracy and freedom, etc., all providing an important base for the development of friendship. He noted that the two countries were very complementary so that economic cooperation was rapidly progressing and that the Trinidad and Tobago National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) constructed with Chinese aid was a symbol of the friendship between the two countries. Both had a long history and splendid culture heritage, and this created vast space for development of cultural exchanges. The delegation met with Lee Sing, Mayor of Port of Spain, the capital, and attended a working luncheon at the city hall. During the stay in Barbados, President Cheng visited the Foreign Ministry, made a speech on China’s economy at the Central Bank of Barbados, and toured the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies. 

The 40th anniversary of the establishment of ambassadorial relations between China and the UK fell on March 13. On the evening of March 20, people gathered in the brightly-lit Peace Palace of the CPAFFC at a reception to celebrate the occasion, which began with a performance of the Harrow Girls’ Choir from Harrow School in Beijing. The UK recognized the People’s Republic of China on January 6, 1950, the first major Western country to do so. On June 17, 1954, the two countries exchanged diplomatic representatives. Finally, in 1972, they upgraded relations to the ambassadorial level. Over the past four decades, China and the UK have seen steady development of their political relations. They have established a comprehensive strategic partnership and a range of structured dialogues including the annual Prime Ministers’ Meeting, and have maintained close communication and coordination on major world issues. They enjoy fast growth of trade and economic cooperation. In 2011, bilateral trade volume reached US$ 58.7 billion. The UK is China’s third largest trade partner within the EU; in the opposite direction, China ranks third after European Union and the United States. People-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries have deepened. Now, over one million Chinese and British nationals visit, study, work or live in each other’s country each year. Chinese students studying in the UK have reached 120,000. With a theme of“40 Years Young”, the reception was co-sponsored by the CPAFFC and the British Embassy in China. Vice Foreign Minister Xie Hangsheng was present. CPAFFC Vice President Li Jianping and British Ambassador to China James Sebastian Wood made speeches. Specially invited were people engaged in youth exchange programs, as well as young people. Chinese scholars who had studied in the UK and university students majoring in English met British students studying in China at the reception. Together they celebrated this important day in bilateral relations and took advantage of the occasion to increase understanding, make friends and share experiences. Among the 200 people at the reception were former Chinese ambassadors to Britain Ma Zhengang, Jiang Enzhu and Ma Yuzhen, representatives from the foreign, education and cultural ministries, the All-China Youth Federation, the General Administration of Sport of China, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the China Institute of International Studies, diplomats of the British Embassy, representatives from the China-Britain Business Council and other British organizations in China.

On February 22, Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang met with IBM President and CEO Virginia M. Rometty and her party in Beijing. CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin and Assistant Foreign Minister Zhang Kunsheng were also present. The two sides had a candid discussion on the overall China-U.S. relationship, bilateral economic and trade relations, China’s social and economic development and the international situation. Vice Premier Zhang extended his congratulations to Ms Rometty on taking up her position as President and CEO early this year. He said that, with concerted efforts by both sides, overall relations between the two countries would generally maintain good, positive momentum. Particularly, during President Hu Jintao’s visit to the United States in January 2011, the two heads of state had reached an important consensus on building a cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and benefit, laying a solid foundation. Recently, invited by US Vice President Joe Biden, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping had paid a successful visit to the United States through which the two sides had enhanced mutual understanding and trust, further expanded practical cooperation in all fields and reached an important consensus on accelerating building a strong bilateral cooperative partnership. This was of great significance for maintaining a continuous, healthy and steady development of bilateral relations for a long time to come. The politicians and entrepreneurs of both countries were fully aware of the importance of bilateral cooperation. However, there were always some politicians in the United States who like to exploit such issues as the Renminbi exchange rate, Tibet, etc. to create obstacles to the development of relations. Although an irritant, they would not hinder healthy development of the bilateral relationship. China was now implementing the 12th Five-Year Plan and endeavoring to readjust economic structure and expand domestic demand. The United States was also accelerating its economic restructuring and enhancing efforts to implement a “Plan to Double U.S. Exports” and the“Select USA”initiative. These provided a vast space for the two countries to cooperate in the fields of trade, investment, new and clean energy and newly emerging industries. China’s ongoing process of industrialization, urbanization and agricultural modernization would generate huge market demand. The growth and internationalization of Chinese enterprises would also accelerate the soaring demand for FDI. By 2015, the scale of China’s domestic consumer market would reach 31 trillion RMB. In the coming five years, China would import commodities worth over US$8 trillion, among which imports of high-tech products would form an important part. In the coming decade, China’s external investments would reach US$1 trillion. Facing this rare historic opportunity, China and the United States should join hands and further tap the potential for bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation to create a new situation in bilateral economic cooperation.  Ms. Rometty expressed her thanks to Vice Premier Zhang for meeting her and her party. China’s economic growth benefited not only itself but also the whole world. It was a mode of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. This was her first visit to Asia since she assumed the post of IBM CEO. China played an important role in IBM’s global business development. For years, the company had dedicated itself to research and innovation, attached great importance to personnel training and helped Chinese enterprises achieve better transformation and upgrading. IBM had shifted to China its headquarters for business in more than 140 countries and regions except for the developed countries. It was now actively planning to move the innovation center for energy and automobile industries to China. The company’s robust business growth in China not only expanded American exports to China and increased employment opportunities for both countries, but also boosted bilateral cooperation and promoted the overall bilateral relationship. Vice Premier Zhang expressed his appreciation of IBM for its contribution to the development of bilateral relations. He said its 20-year successful business operation in China should be attributed to its correct understanding of the country. The continuous spread of the international financial crisis, particularly aggravation of the European sovereignty debt crisis, had had great impact on global economic recovery and stability of international finance. In West Asia and North Africa, regime change in some countries had triggered social instability. The situation in Iran was grave due to much saber rattling, affecting international oil supply and security. Against such a backdrop, China and the United States, the two largest economies in the Asia-Pacific region, and indeed the world, needed to uphold the spirit of cooperation, reduce frictions and prevent politicization of differences between them. The two countries should use bilateral channels as well as multilateral platforms such as the G20 to strengthen coordination in macro-economic policies, give full play to the capacity of the two engines of global economic development and promote vigorous and sustainable economic growth of not only themselves but also the rest of the world. Vice Premier Zhang hoped that IBM, as a global transnational enterprise and China’s old friend, would make its contribution in this aspect and promote cooperation between enterprises of China, the United States and the rest of the world so as to tide over the current economic difficulties together.   

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, representatives gathered in Beijing for a meeting of Leaders of the Chinese and Japanese Nongovernmental Organizations to fully exchange views on further carrying out people-to-people friendly exchanges and cooperation and promoting a long-term steady and healthy development of China-Japan relations under the new situation. The Declaration of Action jointly released declares First, we deem that in the past 40 years since the normalization of diplomatic relations, with the concerted efforts by both sides, China-Japan relationship has witnessed significant development in every field, bringing great benefit to both countries and peoples and making important contributions to peace, stability and prosperity of the Asian-Pacific region and the world at large. We will continue to make full use of the advantages of people-to-people friendship, promote exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in various fields covering politics, economy, culture, education, science and technology, sports, trade unions, women’s affairs, news media, youth and local government and further enrich the contents of the China-Japan strategic relations of mutual benefit. Second, we will, as always, observe the principles set forth in the four political documents including the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement and in the spirit of “taking history as a mirror and looking to the future” enhance mutual political trust, safeguard the overall interests of China-Japan friendship and consolidate the political basis of the bilateral relations. Third, we hold that China and Japan are most important trade partners with strong economic complementarities creating a huge potential in cooperation. Under the current global economic situation, it is most important that the two countries strengthen communication, coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation. We will intensify our efforts to boost practical cooperation in the fields of energy conservation, recycle economy, new energy, new materials and finance, push forward transformation and upgrade of bilateral economic and trade cooperation, foster new growth areas in the economy so as to achieve win-win results and common development. Fourth, the foundation of China-Japan friendship lies among the people. The future of China-Japan friendship relies on youth. We will take the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations and the Year of Exchanges and Friendship Between the Two Peoples as an opportunity to further boost cultural exchanges, particularly friendly exchanges between the youth. We will increase interaction between the two peoples to enhance mutual understanding and friendly sentiments between the two peoples, foster successors to the cause of China-Japan friendship and let the spirit of China-Japan friendship take root in the hearts of the people and pass on from generation to generation. Fifth, we deeply cherish the memory of the older generations of friendly personages of the two countries who have made great contributions to the development of China-Japan relations. We are determined to carry forward their behest and the spirit of China-Japan friendship, advance with the times and strive for opening up new prospects of the cause of China-Japan friendship and achieving the lofty goals of “peaceful coexistence, lasting friendship, mutually beneficial cooperation and common development”. The China-Japan Friendship Association The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries The All-China Federation of Trade Unions The All-China Youth Federation The All-China Women’s Federation The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade The Japan-China Friendship Association The Japanese Council for the Promotion of International Trade The Japan-China Cultural Exchange Association The Dietmen’s League for Japan-China Friendship The Japan-China Association for Economy and Trade The Japan-China Society The Japan-China Friendship Center   

The Fiji-China Friendship Association (FCFA) was founded in Suva on February 3 in a launch ceremony attended by around 100 people from different walks of life and various ethnic groups of Fiji. Dr. Jiko Luveni, Minister for Women, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation, spoke at the ceremony to declare: “Today marks another milestone achievement in the bilateral relationship between Fiji and the People’s Republic of China. This association is the extension of the formal relations between our two countries to include our people in an effort to promote and strengthen understanding, friendship and cooperation through people to people programs and activities.” Chinese Ambassador Huang Yong expressed warm congratulations, saying: “The launch of the Fiji-China Friendship Association comes at a time when our two peoples are trying to expand our friendship and cooperation. It will organize visits, meetings, workshops, art performances to help build ties in various fields, and I believe people from all walks of life will benefit from its activities. The launching of the FCFA opens a new channel in China-Fiji relations. It is a bridge between our two peoples and a catalyst promoting cooperation.” Fiji’s Prime Minister Josaia Vorege Bainimarama, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Inoke Kubuabola, Fiji’s Ambassador to China Commodore Esala Teleni, and President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries Li Xiaolin sent messages of congratulations.