Led by Sectary General Li Xikui of CPAFFC, the young cadre delegation visited Tokyo, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Kanagawa etc. in Japan from 8th to 12th July. During the visit, the delegation paid an official visits to president of Japan International Cooperation Center Ms. Yamato Sachiko, mayor of Hitachinaka, Ibaraki County Oya Akira and Hitachinaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry and had a friendly pragmatic exchange with young entrepreneur of the chamber. Delegation also paid a inspection visit to Ibaraki state-operated Hitachi Coastal Park, Kouta Shouten, Kurozawa Soy Sauce Store, Romantic Village of Utsunomiya, Tochigi, Isogo Coal-fired thermal Power Station of Yokohama, Kanagawa, in order to get a comprehensive understanding of Japanese local administration, special industries, modern agriculture, civil support toward economic development, use of state-owned land, energy conservation and environment protection etc. and to seek to establish contact with local administration and promote cooperation, thus accomplishing the planned goals of this visit. Delegation members said, they have gained a more visualized and deeper feeling about well-developed industry technologies, advanced management ideas, insistent artisan spirit and beautiful natural environment of Japan after the visit. Their international view has been broadened and developing idea is also innovatively upgraded. All members are willing to take this visit as a chance to contact with Japanese local administrations in relevant fields, strengthen dialogue, discuss cooperation, work hand in hand to create a bright future of mutual benefit and win-win situation and make new contributions to China-Japan friendliness. Photographed by Wang Lei

At the invitation of CPAFFC, Mr. KIM SEONG IN，Communication Director of Korea Foundation（KF）led a delegation of 120 Korean Youth Friendship Ambassadors to visit China from July 7 to 11. The delegation paid a successful visit to Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (GZAR), where they went to universities and high-tech districts, got a better understanding of Chinese history and culture as well as the knowledge of the development and progress of modern technology. Mme. Tang Ruimin, Deputy Inspector of the Asian and African Affairs Department attended the welcome ceremony and made a speech. She said China and Korea are friendly neighbors and the two peoples enjoy time-honored friendly exchanges. The China-ROK friendship and the future of bilateral ties should be inherited and created by the youth from two countries.  Mr. KIM SEONG IN indicated that Korea and China have kept good communication relationship since the diplomatic ties was established in 1992. The two sides will build a more mature and future-oriented strategic cooperative partnership with expanding people-to-people exchanges at all levels and enhancing the youth communication. He hoped to continue to join hands with CPAFFC to co-organize the Korean Youth Friendship Ambassadors Program, so as to build a solider foundation Korea-China friendship.  The Korean Youth Friendship Ambassadors Program was co-hosted by CPAFFC and KF in 2009. So far, thousands of youth from two sides took part in the program. Group photo of guests at opening ceremony Deputy inspector Mme. Tang Ruimin made a speech at opening ceremony Group photo of delegation at opening ceremony Delegation attended the lecture of H.E. Jang Ha-Sung (Korean ambassador to China) at Guangxi University  Delegation visited Guangxi Normal University  Delegation visited Guilin School of Deaf-Mutes Korean youth experienced traditional Zhuang Medicine Photographed by Liu Lu

On July 10, co-hosted by CPAFFC, Chinese Embassy in Mongolia, Foreign Ministry of Mongolia and Mongolia-China Friendship Association, the Commemorative Conference on the 70th Anniversary of China-Mongolia Diplomatic Ties and Conferring Ceremony of China-Mongolia Friendship Award was held in Ulaanbaatar. H. E. Mr.Wang Qishan, Vice President of China, who was on a friendly visit to Mongolia, H. E. Mr. Enkhtuvshin, Vice Prime Minister of Mongolia attended the event and delivered the speech respectively. Vice President Wang Qishan conferred the medals and certificates of China-Mongolia Friendship Award to 4 Mongolian awardees. Over 200 guests in the fields of political, economic, cultural, media and public sectors from two countries were present. President Li Xiaolin of CPAFFC hosted the event. In his speech, Vice President Wang firstly, on behalf of the Chinese government, paid tribute and sent gratitude to personages from both countries in all walks of life who have cared and supported the China-Mongolia relations development for a long time. Vice President Wang said that China and Mongolia are good neighbors, good friends and good partners connected by mountains and rivers. The bilateral relations development is benefited by the careful cultivation and strategic guidance by the two countries’ leaders from generations, the joint promotion by friends in each social sectors with good neighborhood and friendship in mind, and the mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation in each field. Vice President Wang said that on the new historic starting point of 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the two sides should make concerted efforts to continuously enhance the political trust, deepen the synergy of OBOR and “Developing Road”of Mongolia, strengthen the people-to-people exchanges and jointly build the China-Mongolia community of shared future. Vice Prime Minister Enkhtuvshin said in his speech that Mongolia and China are close neighbors with traditional friendship. Mongolia is one of the earliest countries to recognize and develop friendly and cooperative relations with the P.R.China. In the past 70 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, although there are different phases in history, the bilateral relations development have always been oriented to the friendly direction. Enkhtuvshin emphasized that to develop the friendly and cooperative relations with China is the priority of Mongolia’s foreign diplomacy and Mongolia is appreciated for the long-term support and aid from China. Enkhtuvshin said that Mongolia firmly support the OBOR initiative and would enhance the synergy of the Developing Road with OBOR, expand the cooperation in bilateral, multilateral fields as well as in the framework of UN, deepen the public exchanges thus to further the development of Mongolia-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Relations. On the ceremony, Vice President Wang Qishan conferred the medals and certificates to the 4 awardees from Mongolia, namely, Mr. Batsukh, former Mongolian Ambassador to China and Chairman of Mongolia-China Friendship Association, Mr. Sukhbaatar, former Mongolian Ambassador to China and Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Democratic Party, Mr. Chimidtseye, Mongolian president of Confucius Institute in Mongolia National University and Executive Chairman of Mongolia-China Friendship Association, Mr. Baatarkhuu, president of Mongolia Research Association on Chinese History and Culture and famous Mongolian sinologist. The China-Mongolia Friendship Award is set up by CPAFFC to honor the personages who have made long-term contribution and outstanding achievements in developing the bilateral relations and promoting the exchanges and cooperation. photographed by Peoples' Daily in Mongolia

On July 8, Vice President Xie Yuan Meets with Mr. Igal Amedi, Chairman of the Israeli Council of Culture and Art. Ms. Efrat Perri, Press Officer of the Israeli Embassy in China and Ms. Han Xue, representative of Department of Culture & Academic Affairs of the Israeli Embassy in China attended the meeting. Mr. Ji Wei and Ms. Jia Ling, who are Deputy Director-Generals of the Cultural Exchange Department of CPAFFC were also present at the meeting.  Vice President Xie Yuan briefly introduced the work of CPAFFC and emphasized recent cultural exchanges and cooperation between CPAFFC and Israel. He mentioned that great similarity exits between CPAFFC and the Israeli Council of Culture and Arts since both have the function of promoting cultural exchanges and cooperation with foreign countries. In the near future, we can facilitate our cooperation in cultural exchanges by signing a MOU as soon as possible.  Mr. Amedi extended his thanks to the meetings with President Li Xiaolin and Vice President Xie Yuan. He expounded functions of the Israeli Council of Culture and Art and noted that China is one of the important partners to Israel. Cultural exchanges and cooperation can further deepen friendship between the 2 peoples as well as the two countries.     Before the visit, Mr. Amedi visited the exhibition on the history of CPAFFC for better understanding of CPAFFC’s history and the achievements of People-to-People Diplomacy.   Photographed by Sun Yajing

From 2nd to 6th July, the delegation of CPAFFC led by vice president Song Jingwu visited Tokyo, Sendai etc. in Japan on the invitation of Soka Gakkai. During the visit, vice president Song met with executive vice president of Soka Gakkai Ikeda Hiromasa, chairman of New Komeito  Yamaguchi Natsuo, former minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Kawanura Takeo, vice governor of Miyaqi Endo Shinya, president of Soka University Tashiro Yasunori, Curator of Tokyo Fuji Art Museum Gokita Akira and executive representative of Min-On Concert Association Ito Kazuto etc. and exchanged views about deepening cooperation relationship with Soka Gakkai and other Japanese organizations and promoting China-Japan friendliness. Vice president Song said, it is the first visit based on the Friendship Exchange Memorandum co-ratified by CPAFFC and Soka Gakkai last year, which has a significant meaning in terms of deepening the exchange and cooperation relationship between CPAFFC and Soka Gakkai. Under the lead of honorary president Ikeda Daisaku, Soka Gakkai has consistently stuck to China-Japan Friendliness and made unremitting efforts and positive contributions to normalization of diplomatic relations, improvement and development of China-Japan relations and exchanges and cooperation in culture and education etc. Leaders of both countries have lately met during the G20 Summit in Osaka and have reached ten consensus about further deepening China-Japan relations, which clears the developing direction of China-Japan relations in the future. With both countries standing at a new historical starting point, CPAFFC is willing to work together with Soka Gakkai and other organizations of friendliness in Japan and co-conduct more and more colorful exchange activities in the fields of culture, sport, teenager etc., thus consistently developing the China-Japan relations towards the right direction.  Vice president Ikeda Hiromasa said, his father, honorary president Ikeda Daisaku has issued an initiative to normalize the Japan-China diplomatic relation as early as 1968. After his first visit in China, Ikeda Daisaku has devoted himself to promoting exchange and cooperation in various fields between Japan and China. It is our mission to develop the tradition and to pass the belief of Japan-China Friendliness to the next generations on the basis of Japan-China Friendliness grounded by our last generation. Soka Gakkai will strengthen the cooperation with CPAFFC and consistently contribute to the deepening of exchanges in every fields between both countries and to greater development of Japan-China relations in the new era. Chairman of the New Komeito Yamaguchi Natsuo said, it has important meaning for consolidating the developing basis of Japan-China relations to keep the frequent high-level exchanges between Japan and China. New Komeito has always worked actively to improve and develop Japan-China relations when Japan-China relations were once in a serious situation. In the present time, there is a great chance to further develop the relations between both countries and New Komeito is willing to continue unremitting efforts to develop Japan-China relations. During the visit, CPAFFC has also signed an intent letter of friendly relations with Japan-China Friendship and Culture Exchange Promotion Association.  

On 4th July 2019, accompanied by Zheng Zeguang, vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, vice chairman of National Committee of CPPCC Mr Zheng Jianbang attended the reception celebrating 45th anniversary of China-Venezuela diplomatic ties in Beijing and met with ambassador of Venezuela Iván Zerpa and exchanged views about bilateral relation development. Vice president Xie Yuan of CPAFFC and ambassador of Venezuela Iván Zerpa made speeches respectively at the celebrating reception。   Vice president Xie Yuan said in his speech, the political mutual trust has continuously deepened since the diplomatic relations between China and Venezuela were established and both countries have consistently supported each other on issues of mutual key interests. It is hoped that both sides can take the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties as a new starting point and work hand in hand to further promote beneficial cooperation in different fields and to make new greater contributions to building a community of a shared future for human.  In the speech, Ambassador Iván Zerpa pointed out, China-Venezuela relations are a model of relations between nations and Venezuela sees China as a important partner and thanks for the resolute support of China on related issues. The cooperation of both sides in various fields has been continuously broadened in recent years and Venezuela will further enhance the all-round cooperation with China. The celebrating reception was co-hosted by CPAFFC, embassy of Venezuela in China, China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development and nearly 100 guests including representatives from Central Military Commission, the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the CPC, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, National Energy Administration, Peoples’ Bank of China, China Development Bank other Chinese relevant departments and venezuelan representatives from different fields in China attended this reception.     Photographed by Zhu Rui

Vice president Xie Yuan met with George Hamilton, president of Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) and his delegation on June 27, 2019. Vice president Xie gave a brief introduction on the major work of CPAFFC in recent years in promoting sub-national cooperation and NGO exchanges between China and other countries. He hoped that CPAFFC and ISC could work together in stepping up the practical cooperation bwteen China and the United States in the area of environmental protection. ISC president George Hamilton said that ISC focuses on sharing the innovative ideas and best practices for countering climate change and achieving sustainable development among countries around the world, and it wishes to strengthen cooperation with CPAFFC in the said areas.       Photographed by Zhang Yang

Mr.Song Jingwu, vice president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met in Beijing with Japan-China Friendship Association (JCFA) delegation from Nagano-ken led by Mr. NISHIBORI SHOJI, acting president of JCFA on June, 26th. Both sides exchanged views on how to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of youth, sport, local governments and etc..  Mme. Zhu Dan, deputy director-general of Department of Japanese Affairs of CPAFFC, attended the meeting.       Photographed by Zeng Guangming

On June 24th, 2019, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Embassy of Ireland in China jointly held a reception in Beijing to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Ireland. Mr Zhang Chunxian, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Mr Eoin O’Leary, Irish Ambassador to China, Mr Wang Chao, Vice Foreign Minister, Mr Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, representatives from the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education and other organizations, Irish diplomats in China, and representatives from all walks of life attended the reception. Vice President Song Jingwu and Ambassador Eoin O’Leary delivered speeches. Vice President Song Jingwu said in his speech that in past 40 years, the two sides have always trusted, respected and helped each other, and China-Ireland relations have become a model of friendship between countries regardless of their differences in social systems, historical backgrounds and geographic sizes. We would like to join hands and work together with Ireland, to deepen our friendship and cooperation, develop our Strategic Partnership for Mutually Beneficial Cooperation, and make concerted efforts to build a world of lasting peace, stability, security and common prosperity. Ambassador Eoin O’Leary reviewed the development of Ireland-China relations in the past 40 years and said that friendship between the two countries will continue to deepen and the exchanges between the two countries will be closer. At the reception, Vice Chairman Zhang Chunxian and Ambassador Eoin O’Leary jointly unveiled the commemorative envelop for the 40th anniversary. Vice Minister Wang Chao and Ambassador Eoin O’Leary exchanged celebratory gifts. Artists from China and Ireland presented guests with harps, Konghou and Irish traditional folk music performances.       Photographed by Ren Xin 

On June 17th, Vice President Xie Yuan met with Chairman David Hochschild of California Energy Commission. Hochschild said that he was deeply impressed by the progress China has made in clean energy and low-carbon emission during his trip to China. California attaches great importance to working with China on climate change and hopes to work with CPAFFC to foster US-China collaboration on climate change at sub-national level.   Vice President Xie Yuan said that CPAFFC has been committed to advancing China-US sub-national friendly exchanges for many years. Jointly combating climate change is an important part of our bilateral relationship. CPAFFC will continue to implement the China-US Sub-national Climate Dialogue so as to facilitate pragmatic cooperation between local governments of our two countries.         Photographed by Wang Yang