To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 100th anniversary of the May 4th Movement, after the musicals of Ode to Peace and Silk-road of Youth, the Original Musical Dream of Youth which is supported by the CPAFFC and organized by the China Friendship Art Exchange Association and Dalian Art College took stage in the Great Hall of the People on June 17th 2019. Madame Chen Zhili, Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the 11th National Congress, Vice President Hu Sishe and Secretary General Li Xikui of the CPAFFC watched the performance together with about 6000 audience including diplomatic representatives from 34 countries and leaders from relevant departments and university teachers and students. the perspective of the youth, the Original Musical Dream of Youth praised the heroes of the People’s Republic in different historic stages with multiple stories on the stage. The whole musical is divided into 6 chapters, through the story line of the Craftsmen of the Nation Spirit, the Saihanba Spirit, the Nanniwan Spirit and the Atom bomb, H-bomb and Man-made Satellites Spirits, demonstrated the aspirations of the youth and their commitment of remaining true to our original aspiration and keeping our mission firmly in mind. Reflecting the character of our times and with international elements, this is a cooperation between the CPAFFC and colleges to combine the requirements of the Study of the Theme of Remaining True to Our Original Aspiration and Keeping Our Mission Firmly in Mind and the requirements of the Ideological and Political Courses in the new era together and promote the mainstream and the socialist core values in the new era.         Photographed by Liu Wenwen

On June 15, the “China-Japan Friendship Ballet Performance on the Celebration of 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China” , co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the China-Japan Friendship Association and the Matsuyama Ballet of Japan, took the stage in Beijing. Vice President Song Jingwu of the CPAFFC, Vice President Wang Xiuyun of China-Japan Friendship Association, Party Secretary Wang Quanxin of the National Ballet of China and Chief Representative Shimizu Tetsutaro of the Matsuyama Ballet of Japan watched the performance. In the welcome speech, Vice President Song Jingwu said that the Matsuyama Ballet of Japan has used ballet as a bond and made great contributions to the culture exchanges and people to people friendship between China and Japan. This year marks the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China and Japan has entered into the Reiwa era. The two governments have made this year the Youth Exchanges Facilitating Year between China and Japan. He hopes the Matsuyama Ballet of Japan can keep its good tradition and make even greater contributions to the culture exchanges and people to people friendship between the two countries. The artists from the Matsuyama Ballet of Japan lead by its board chairperson and chief ballet dancer Morishita Yoko, together with Chinese and Japanese young ballet enthusiasts brought the audience with a visual fiesta of the classical parts of Ode to Red Flag, the Kingdom of Dreams and the New Swan Lake.Through their beautiful dance and sincere performance, the Japanese artists expressed their congratulations to 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China and profound friendship towards the Chinese people. Inspired by the ballet artists, the Chinese and Japanese youth have deepened their mutual understanding and friendship and will care forward the friendship between the two countries. Over 800 representatives from China and Japan, including ballet enthusiasts, media watched the performance.          

Mr. Xie Yuan, vice president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Mme. Cai Ying, director-general of Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Shenzhen and her delegation on June, 12th. On behalf of Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Shenzhen, Director-General Cai Ying thanked CPAFFC for giving a lot support in people-to-people exchanges with foreign countries. She hoped that CPAFFC would continue offering more guidance and help to them, and they presented pennant to CPAFFC. Vice President Xie Yuan offered approval to people-to-people exchanges with foreign countries Shenzhen had developed. He hoped to further deepen cooperation in future and work together to make contributions to serving the need of China’s overall diplomatic work and promoting the cause of the people-to-people diplomacy.       Photographed by Yinjun

On June 7th, 2019 China-CEEC Mayors Forum, co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the People’s Government of Ningbo City, was held in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. With the theme of “new concept for new development”, the forum invited the leaders of local governments from China and CEEC, CEEC envoys in China, representatives from industry and commerce, academy, and media to be present. Group Photo Before the meeting, Mr. Qiu Dongyao, the deputy secretary of CPC Ningbo City Committee and mayor of Ningbo City, Mr. Song Jingwu, vice president of CPAFFC, commonly met with the representatives of China and foreign guests. Mr. Li Guanding, vice mayor of Ningbo City, presided at the opening ceremony of the forum. Mr. Song Jingwu, vice president of CPAFFC, H.E. Filip Vujanovi, Honorary President of Montenegro, Mme. Liu Yuli, Counselor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Mr. Qiu Dongyao, mayor of Ningbo City, respectively delivered speeches. Vice President Song Jingwu said, this year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and also marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and CEEC as well as the 70th anniversary of the continuously deepening cooperation between China and CEEC. We would continue working together with CEEC in next 70 years to broaden the space to cooperate and strengthen the friendship between China and CEEC, so as to benefit to the people and make more contributions to promoting the cooperation between China and European countries and the world peace. Greece has become new member of China and CEEC trade and economic cooperation in April this year, and “16+1” cooperation also upgraded to “17+1” cooperation, which fully showed that China and CEEC trade and economic cooperation has become a trans-regional platform featuring openness, inclusiveness and win-win outcomes rather than a simple geographical category. It also played more important role in promoting economic growth, enhancing the well-being of the public and the development of China and CEEC relationship. CPAFFC Vice President Song Jingwu delivers a speech Filip Vujanovi said in his speech that, the cooperation between Montenegro and China shows positive signs and has achieved great results in the fields of major infrastructure construction, education, technology and etc.. Counselor Liu Yuli put forward and exchanged views on how to develop “17+1” cooperation, promote Belt and Road cooperation, deepen humanity and culture exchanges and find new areas of cooperation. Qiu Dongyao, mayor of Ningbo City, made a clear and vivid introduction about Ningbo City and described the broad prospects of the local cooperation between China and CEEC from the views of the economy and trade, investment, innovation, humanity and culture. In the first part of the forum, the former Chinese ambassadors to CEEC and the leader of China and Czech Friendship Association reviewed the traditional friendship between China and CEEC together with Emil Boc, former Prime Minister of Romania through interview. They shared the beautiful stories at work and showed the old photos with precious significance.   from left to right：Host、Wang Tieshan, former Chinese Consul General to Constana, Romania、Emil Boc, former Prime Minister of Romania and Mayor of Cluj-Napoca、Xu Jian, former Chinese ambassador to Poland、Zhu Zushou, former Chinese ambassador to Hungary、Wang Peng, vice president of China and Czech Friendship Association In the second part, eight governors and mayors from China and CEEC made addresses on “new concept for new development, promoting high-quality development of cities and made introduction about the cities they represent. On behalf of the organizers, Vice President Song Jingwu made a summary and emphasized that the forum played a role in deepening understanding, building more consensus and promoting cooperation.         Photographed by Sun Jiao

Zhang Heqiang, director general of the Department of American and Oceanian Affairs, met with the delegation of Georgetown University on June 5th. Director General Zhang welcomed the delegation and briefed them on the the work the CPAFFC has done to promote the people-to-people exchanges and sub-national cooperation between China and the U.S. He said that the delegation’s visit on the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the U.S. is quite meaningful. China is a vast country. He hoped that through this visit the delegation can advance their knowledge about China, and make their own contribution to the sound development of China-U.S. relations and the friendship between the two peoples. Professor Dennis Wilder of Georgetown University expressed that most members of the delegation are students who major in diplomacy, public policy and other fields. They hope to deepen their understanding about China’s economy, policy, culture, history and other aspects in an all-around way, so as to make contribution to the bilateral youth exchange. Photographed by Liu Yi

Co-organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and KOUZAN Fine-arts Company, hosted by China Friendship Institute for International Art Exchange (CFIIAE), the first touring exhibition of the world-class animation work, Eiichiro Oda Supervisors·Hello ONE PIECE·Luffy is Here (One Piece), in China mainland, was held successfully in Shanghai Himalayas Museum on May 31st. Leaders and guests including Mr. Song Jingwu, vice president of CPAFFC, Mr. HORIUCHI MARUE, president of Shueisha Inc., Mr. HIRONO SHINICHI, managing director of Shueisha Inc., Mr. Wang Heshan, secretary general of CFIIAE, Mr. Dai Zhikang, chairman of the board of Zendai Group, Mr. Chen Jianzhong, chairman of the board of KOUZAN Fine-arts Company, attended the opening ceremony. Vice president Song said in his remarks that, last year, the Sino-Japanese relations returned to normal track, therefore, the exchanges between the two countries in various fields remained deepening. As the leaders of the two countries determined this year as China-Japan Youth Exchange Promotion Year, the relations between China and Japan will confront with important opportunities to be further developed. At the critical year, we ushered the exhibition of animation, One Piece, that is the most familiar and interesting animation among the youth of the two countries. It is believed that the exhibition would not only be able to promote the exchanges and learning on animation culture between the two countries, but also enhance the mutual understanding and friendship of the youth between China and Japan. HORIUCHI MARUE said that the culture and people-to-people exchanges, such as animation could enhance the mutual understanding of the two peoples, especially the youth. He expected to nurture China-Japan friendship among future generations and strengthen and deepen people-to-people exchanges. One Piece was created by Eiichiro Oda, Japanese manga artist. It began serialization in Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine in 1997 and was popular with the animation fans all over the world.  One Piece had been published over 440 million until July, 2018. The touring exhibition has come to an end in Shenzhen and Chengdu successively. Nearly 200,000 visitors came to the exhibitions, which achieved a good response.  The touring exhibition in Shanghai will be held from June 1st to September 1st .            

Mr. Song Jingwu, vice president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met in Beijing with Mr. Tetsuro Homma, senior managing executive officer of Panasonic, CEO of China & Northeast Asia Company of Panasonic, regional head for China & Northeast Asia on May 27th. Mme. Zhu Dan, deputy director-general of Department of Japanese Affairs of CPAFFC, Mme. Deng Lan, deputy secretary-general of China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development (CFFPD), attended the meeting. Vice President Song congratulated Panasonic on the founding of China & Northeast Asia Company in China and spoke highly of important contributions Panasonic had made for a long time to China’s reform and opening-up and the friendly cause between China and Japan. Song said, Panasonic is not only a well-known multinational corporation in the world, but also is one of the first Japanese enterprises that participated in China’s reform and opening-up. Last year marked the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up. Mr. Konosuke Matsushita, the founder of Panasonic, was awarded China reform friendship medal, which fully demonstrated the highly commendation for the outstanding contributions Konosuke Matsushita and Panasonic had made to the cause of China’s reform and opening up. With the joint efforts by the governments and various circles of the two countries, the Sino-Japanese relations had returned to normal track and achieved more results, and the economic cooperation between the two countries showed positive signs. Vice President Song sincerely expected Panasonic to adhere to keeping friendship with China and take the opportunities of supply-side structural reform, consumption upgrading, co-building the Belt and Road cooperation，the founding of China & Northeast Asia Company of Panasonic to deepen cooperation in the fields of energy saving and environmental conservation, technological innovation and high-end manufacturing, and to work together to maintain multilateralism and free trading, so as to continue exerting a leading role in the new term economic cooperation between China and Japan. Mr. Tetsuro Homma made an introduction about the cause Panasonic had developed in China and the relevant institution of China & Northeast Asia Company. He said, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening up and the 100th anniversary of the founding of Panasonic last year, Mr. Konosuke Matsushita was awarded China reform friendship medal. He was deeply honored and encouraged. Panasonic pays high attention to the business and the humanity and culture exchanges with China. The founding of China & Northeast Asia Company this time is just to deepen the economic cooperation with China and further develop the humanity and culture exchanges with China. He would like to carry forward tradition and make more contributions to the stable relations and the friendship for generations of the two countries.       Photographed by Wang Lin

On May 27, the reception marking the 25th Anniversary of the amendment on China-Mongolia Friendship and Cooperation Treaty, jointly hosted by CPAFFC and Embassy of Mongolia to China, was held in the Peace Palace of CPAFFC. Mme.Su Hui, Vice Chairwoman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) attended the reception. Mr. Han Zhiqiang, director general of the General Office of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and Mr. BATTSETSEG Batmunkh, deputy minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia read the congratulation letters by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Mongolian Foreign Minister Tsogtbaatar respectively. CPAFFC Vice President Hu Sishe and Mongolian Ambassador Gankhuyag delivered the speeches. Around 130 guests from two countries in the fields of politics, economy, military, culture, science and technology, sports attended the reception. In his congratulation letter, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi sent congratulations to the 25 anniversary of the amendment of China-Mongolia Friendship and Cooperation Treaty and appreciation to all personages from all walks of life who had cared and supported the China-Mongolia relations for a long time on behalf of the Chinese government. Wang Yi indicated that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of China-Mongolia diplomatic relations and 25th anniversary of the amendment of China-Mongolia Friendship and Cooperation Treaty, which make the bilateral relations stand on a new historic starting point and face some new opportunities for further development. The Chinese side would join the efforts with Mongolian side to make the China-Mongolia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership relations for continuous and further development under new situations. In his congratulation letter, Mongolian Foreign Minister Tsogtbaatar said that China is a good neighbor and trust-worthy partner of Mongolia and its people. The China-Mongolia Friendship and Cooperation Treaty amended and signed by the  Mongolian Prime Minister and Chinese Premier 25 years ago set the basic principle for the bilateral relations development. The Mongolian side would join with the Chinese side to take the opportunity of the 70th anniversary of Mongolia-China diplomatic relations to push forward the bilateral relations to a new stage in the principle of mutual-benefit, win-win, common development and in the interest of the two peoples. Vice President Hu Sishe said in his speech that the congratulation letters by State Councilor Wang Yi and Mongolian Foreign Minister Tsogtbaatar showed the two governments’ resolution to honor the spirit of the China-Mongolia Friendship and Cooperation Treaty, carry forward the traditional friendship and deepen the bilateral relations. The Chinese side would join the hands with the Mongolian side to let the bilateral relations bring more blessings to the two peoples with the guidance of the spirit of the Treaty. Ambassador Gankhuyag said in his speech that the Mongolia-China Friendship and Cooperation Treaty is of great significance to provide the legal basis and fundamental principal for the friendly and cooperative relations between two countries. At present, Mongolian-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership relations stood on a new starting point and the two sides should make continuous efforts to harvest more fruits in bilateral relations and multilateral cooperation in accordance with the spirit of the Treaty. Vice Chairwoman Su Hui met with the main guests of Mongolia before the reception. The artists from two countries made cultural performances with Chinese or Mongolian characteristics during the reception.         Photographed by Hong Lei

Vice president Song Jingwu of CPAFFC visited Ireland from May 22nd to 26th at the invitation of Asia Matters, an Ireland think tank. During his visit, he attended the China-Ireland Business Summit and the commemorative banquet to celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and China and delivered speech respectively. He expressed in his speech that China and Ireland are both visionary and independent, upholding multilateralism and rule-based international relationship and opposing unilateralism and protectionism. He also gave an introduction to the Belt and Road Initiative and its deliverables over the 6 years since President Xi Jinping proposed it in 2013. In Dublin Vice president Song Jingwu met Ken Duggen, Chairman of Ireland China Institute, exchanging the vies on China’s opening-up, trade and local cooperation and trade dispute.  CPAFFC and Asia Matters signed the MOU for People to People Exchanges and Local Cooperation in Cork City for celebrating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties, witnessed by deputy PM Coveney and His Excellency He Xiangdong, Chinese Ambassador to Ireland. Mr.Coveney said that MOU is about deepening the relationship between Ireland and China which is already strong and getting stronger. As China reaches out to EU and outside world-through Belt and Road Initiative in particular-and becomes more globalized, there are significant opportunities for every side. The CPAFFC delegation also met the vice mayors of Cork city and Cork County respectively. Mr Song said that China will facilitate local cooperation and create favorable terms for the twinning of Chinese and foreign cities.

Zhang Heqiang, director general of the Department of American and Oceanian Affairs, met with the delegation of young leaders from the Harvard Kennedy School on May 16th.   Director General Zhang briefed the delegation on the work that the CPAFFC has done to promote the people-to-people exchanges  especially that of youth between China and the U.S.. He said that young people are like the early spring and rising sun, and the youth exchanges, as the most important channel for the friendship between the two countries, serve as the solid foundation for our future cooperation. We hope that the young leaders from Harvard will broaden their horizons, deepen their understanding of China through this visit, so as to be the future ambassadors of friendly exchanges between China and the U.S.. The head of the delegation and graduate student of Harvard Kennedy School, Sanjay Seth, said that the delegation hope to deepen their understanding of China's development through this visit and are willing to try their best to make positive efforts to deepen the friendship between the peoples of the U.S. and China and to enhance bilateral youth exchanges.         Photographed by Liu Yi