On the afternoon of April 29th, H.E. Amb. Lin Songtian, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), held a video meeting with TPR Her Royal Highness Pilolevu Tuita, Lifelong Patron of Pacific China Friendship Association (PCFA).President Lin Songtian indicated that Chinese people and people in the Pacific island countries are good friends, partners and brothers. During the toughest time for China to fight against Covid-19, HRH Princess Tuita, on behalf of PCFA, sent letter and video of sympathy to CPAFFC instantly. Vanuatu China Friendship Association, PCFA’s member organization, raised 460,000 Vatus to help Wuhan in fighting against the epidemic, providing confidence and power to people in China and Wuhan to win the battle. This demonstrated the unity between China and Pacific. We deeply appreciate it. Receiving drips of water when in need, and I shall return the kindness with a spring. When Covid-19 were imported to Pacific island countries, we developed so much empathy for you that we actively mobilized medical supplies from our council members, local governments and enterprises to support Pacific people. We will work closely with PCFA to assist Pacific island countries in conquering the pandemic.HRH Princess Pilolevu Tuita congratulated H.E. Amb. Lin Songtian’s election to CPAFFC’s presidency. HRH pointed out that people of PIC shared brotherly friendship with Chinese people. In face of Covid-19, PIC is ready to work together with Chinese friends to flight against virus.PIC people received tangible outcomes in their cooperation with China. Looking ahead, PIC will continue their unswerving efforts to support the vision of Community of Shared Future for Mankind and Belt and Road Initiative. PIC welcomes Chinese citizens to travel and invest in their countries. H.E. Amb. Lin Songtian said that he was born in an island in Fujian Province where endowed me with deep affection towards the ocean. The ocean industry and marine economic capacity is well developed in the coastal regions of China. Pacific is rich in oceanic resources. We are willing to actively promote the participation of Chinese local governments and enterprises in the win-win cooperation in the fields of infrastructure, human resource development, marine fishing, seafood processing and tourism in this region. We could also explore ways to conduct tripartite or multi-entity cooperation to realize complementing each other’s advantages in sustaining independent self-development in this region. Thus, we could help local people with their welfare and achieve common development.HRH Princess Tuita expressed her congratulations towards H.E. Amb. Lin Songtian’s assuming the position. She regards China as her second hometown. She is most looking forward to further deepening the friendship between our two sides and promote cooperation in capacity building, ocean industry and tourism.HRH Princess Tuita spoke highly of China’s decisive and effective measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 at home and abroad. This sets a role model for the international community in conquering the virus. She looks forward to the medication and vaccine breakthrough by China to help all the nations eliminate the virus, especially those vulnerable Pacific island countries.President Ottino said that Pacific region needed the capacity building and resource development by China, as it is rich in ocean and tourist resources. H.E. Ame. Lin spoke out our mind enabling us to see the mutual cooperation and common development between Pacific and China. We will complete the developing plan for each nation and this region for further discussion with Chinese side. We hope to further explore the priority area and key projects to push forward mutually beneficial cooperation and common development.H. E. Amb. Lin Songtian invited HRH Princess Tuita and President Ottino to visit China in 2021 to jointly celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Chinese Communist Party and share the joy of achieving its first Centenary Goal. HRH Princess Tuita and President Ottino were looking forward to visiting China soon.Mr. Hu Sishe, vice president of CPAFFC and Mr. Anthony Leong, PCFA Convener also attended the conference.

In the afternoon of April 20th, President Lin Songtian of CPAFFC held the first media briefing after his taking office, where he answered questions concerning international cooperation in fighting COVID-19 outbreak etc. There were 13 Media including News channel, movie channel of CCTV, Xinhua News Agency, People.cn, Beijing TV Station, Beijing Broadcast and Media TV Station, Beijing Daily, lwzg.net.cn, Chinese International Channel, China Daily, CGTN, Global Times, the Paper presented at the briefing and reporting about the briefing.President Lin Songtian named four keynotes about global spread of COVID-19 pandemic and international cooperation fighting the coronavirus: 1. It is fortunate to be chinese nowadays; 2. It fits the fundamental and common interests of chinese people and peoples of the world to unite and cooperate as one to fight the COVID-19 outbreak; 3. It is the sole option of winning the battle against COVID-19 to unite and cooperate as one; 4. solidarity and cooperation is the common expectation of international community and peoples of different countries.Lin said, it is fortunate to be chinese nowadays. The COVID-19 is spreading rapidly over the globe currently regardless of boundaries, races, which is a serious threat to human life and health. It is indeed a global war between mankind and nature. Confronted with the sudden outbreak, the Central Committee of CPC with Secretary General Xi Jinping as core always put the safety of people’s life and health in the first place and led all people nationwide in solidarity. With a unified determination of fighting direct against the epidemic as one and the strength of whole nation, we won the victory of containment of the epidemic spread, the battle against the epidemic by mobilizing all resources and blocking the spread of the virus at all cost. Within less than two months, the spread of the virus is effectively blocked. Life and health of 1.4 billion chinese people is safeguarded.Viewing in time line, in so many catastrophes the chinese nation have endured in the past 5000 years of our history, there was no such situation before, where an unprecedented epidemic outbreak like COVID-19 could be so effectively contained with minimum human casulties. Comparing with other parts of the world, there is no political party, government that can deploy resources, mobilise people nationwide, save lives with all strength and ensure that all infected can be quarantined and treated like Chinese Communist Party and chinese government. We won’t even give up hope on a 108 year-old patient rather than being busy saving stockmarket and capital nor would we make decision of unpluging ventilators from the elder.Lin said, it fits the fundamental and common interests of chinese people and peoples of the world to unite and cooperate as one to fight the COVID-19 outbreak. In the era of globalization, all peoples of the world are closely bound and share a common future. Facing the invisible rapid-spreading threat of coronavirus, no one can manage alone or have a schadenfreude from a safe distance. Just like Secretary General Xi Jinping said, China's development has been possible because of the world, and China has contributed to the world's development. COVID-19 outbreak is now impacting the international relations, international pattern, world economic community, global capital chain and supply chain etc unprecedentedly, whose damage has been far beyond imagination. As the world’s second largest ecomony as well as the largest trading nation, China has been the biggest trading partners of over 120 countries with chinese interests and chinese citizens all over the world. World needs China just like China needs the world. Therefore, confronted with the common enemy of human being, neither standing by indifferently nor twisting the knife, China has fully shared the effective experience about taking the lead in defeating COVID-19 and has taken its productivity advantage to move positively in order to support foreign countries in the fight against the pandemic and to safeguard the human public health with practical actions.Lin pointed out, it is the sole option of winning the battle against COVID-19 to unite and cooperate as one. China has got wide understanding and support from the International community since the epidemic outbreak. After the reversing of the global outbreak, Chinese government and chinese people uphold the idea of building a community of a shared future for mankind and move instantly to send sympathy, donate supplies to foreign countries, assemble medical teams, unselfishly share experience about fighting the virus without reservation, fully resume production and supply anti-epidemic supplies to other countries, demonstrating Chinese people’s righteous outlook of caring the world for better and the sense of mission about China as a responsible major nation, which won wide recognition and praise.Lin said, it’s a shame that certain countries do not focus on organizing the fight agaist the pandemic and saving people but are busy blaming China for unproper handle of the epidemic as well as hiding facts about the outbreak. They even claim that China should be held responsible for the outbreak and ask for rediculous compensation of unreasonably huge amount. We may want to ask, how could chinese government and chinese people contain the spread of coronavirus among 1.4 billion people, if China didn’t handle the epidemic properly? How would certain countries be able to evacuate their citizens at first time and withdraw air lines to China as well as upgrade the entry standards of Chinese into their borders when a lockdown was declared in Wuhan? When talking about China not sharing clear informations about the epidemic, are there scientists of any country that have absolutely clear conclusion about the cause and pathology of the virus? In such a serious situation, China has found out the effective means of blocking the virus from spreading and proposed the resolution of to locate, report, isolate and treat the infected ASAP as well as emergent measures like building temporary treatment centers etc with tremendous sacrifice. Why would certain countries all learn so eagerly from China’s experience when they don't believe the success of China fighting the COVID-19?We believe that justice lies always in the hearts of people. A objective, right answer is easy to obtain when reviewing the actions and opinions of all countries handling the epidemic. COVID-19 is a scientific question but not a political question, which can be answered not by politicians but only by scientists. A delusion of a new Boxer Indemnity is obviously a wrong play. Times changed since 1900 and chinese no longer have to endure invasion, insult and hunger.Lin said, solidarity and cooperation is the common expectation of international community and peoples of different countries. The COVID-19 epidemic is now spreading rapidly in over 200 countries. Ego, arrogance and prejudice would look pale and weak in front of the coronavirus. Any forms of defaming, attack and stigmatization won’t help to contain the epidemic but lead to more lives lost. Every responsible country and responsible government should put the safety of people’s life and health at first place, mobilize every resource and adopt scientific measures to save lives at any cost.Lin expressed, in the global operation against COVID-19, what chinese civilians and local regions have done is worth a thumb-up. People-to-People Diplomacy has advantages of considerable resources, prompt action, keeping the common touch and working out effectively etc. In the international cooperation in blocking and containment of COVID-19 epidemic, People-to-people Diplomacy has a bright future. We would like to fully play the unique role of People-to-People Diplomacy, take advantage of chinese civilians and local regions as well as productivity to support the friendly countries and friendship cities with all strength in the fight against the epidemic, work hand in hand to win the global battle of blocking the spread of COVID-19.Lin said, International cooperation in containment and blocking of COVID-19 requires not only hard support of anti-epidemic sulpplies like face masks, protective suits, ventilators etc but also needs soft assitance like the heart-warming regards, expression of support, heart-to-heart communication as well as sharing experience of fighting the epidemic. Personalities of the cultural field could use their special position to act as friendship representatives, tell chinese stories in fighting the COVID-19 epidemic through forms of cultural products, promoting the idea of a community of a shared future for mankind as well as affinity and mutual understanding between chinese and foreign people.When replying to question about transformation of identity, working concepts and patterns from chinese ambassador to South Africa to president of CPAFFC, Lin said, it is the responsibility and mission of a diplomat to preserve the national sovereignty, security and development interests, to safeguard the dignity and rightful interests of chinese people. As a ambassador aboard, I am a loyal warrior of the party, nation and the people. Whoever dares to stigmatize and criticize China for no reason, I must contradict his view righteously, use facts and reason to illuminate chinese policy and standpoint. Now as a civil friendship representative, I would take President Xi Jinping’s Thoughts on People-to-People Diplomacy as guidence to find a suitable position and role, persist in depending on benefit to promote justice, make full use of the functions, resources of People-to-People Diplomacy, mobilize all resources and all positivities to build the bridge of sincere friendliness between chinese people and foreign people of the world. I would deepen friendship, promote cooperation, safeguard peace and discuss development together with friends of China, promote the building of a community of a shared future for mankind. I would like to be a good friend of all peoples of the world meanwhile also firmly preserve national sovereignty, security and development interests.

President Lin Songtian gave an interview to CCTV International Channel on April 17th, where he replied to questions concerned taking unique advantage of people-to-people diplomacy to serve the fight against COVID-19 at home as well as the international cooperation.Lin said, the COVID-19 outbreak is a dangerous threat to the life and health of Chinese people and people of the world, and it is a global battle between human and nature. Since its outbreak, over 80 countries, 160 foreign friendship cities, friendship organizations and international friends wrote and called at the first time to express their sympathy to Chinese people and donated generously large quantities of face masks, protective suits and medical equipments etc. which were badly needed in the fight against COVID-19. They offered precious support in the most difficult time of Chinese people, during which many touching stories of people-to-people friendship emerged. They made important and valuable contributions for our rapid containment of the spreading of the epidemic, winning the battle against the epidemic by mobilizing all resources and blocking the spread of the virus.Lin said, since the time between the end of February and the beginning of March, the situation of COVID-19 outbreak has reversed and spread rapidly all over the world, confronting the peoples of different countries with severe threat to their lives and health. With deep sympathy, upholding the idea of building a community of a shared future for mankind and carrying forward the traditional virtue of Chinese nation: Receiving drips of water when in need, and I shall return the kindness with a spring, the Chinese people moved very fast out of the urgent need of other people in the world. Various municipal governments sent their sympathy to the foreign cities with serious outbreak, donated in huge amount of supplies of epidemic prevention and containment, assembled medical teams and held remote video conferences sharing effective Chinese experiences in fighting COVID-19 etc. Well-known domestic enterprises including Alibaba and other social organizations gave full use of their own advantages or through CPAFFC to make donations generously, which contributed the civil strength of China to blocking the spreading of the virus. It showed the major country’s righteous outlook to serve the world in need and has won the recognition and praise of the international community.Lin said, the COVID-19 is a common enemy of mankind. In this unprecedented global crisis concerning life and health of people, non-governmental diplomacy has built the bridge of support and standing together in difficult times between Chinese people  and people of the world with its direct, convenient and flexible advantages. It demonstrates the spirit of unity, understanding and sharing weal and woe between Chinese people and people of the world. In this tough fight of uniting Chinese people and people of the world against COVID-19, Chinese enterprises, organizations, citizens have all passed the test and become the representatives of Chinese non-governmental diplomacy, helping the international community to understand china as well as Chinese people more objectively, more reasonably and multi-dimensionally.Lin expressed, Chinese people-to-people diplomacy in the new era is a hard task but a glorious mission with a new historical opportunity. CPAFFC shall always take the Xi Jinping’s thoughts on socialism with Chinese characteristics and his thoughts on diplomatic work as guidance. We shall commit ourselves to the missions of leading people-to-people diplomacy, serving as the mainstay in public diplomacy and promoting exchanges between Chinese and foreign local governments. We shall actively mobilize the resources and positivity of local governments, enterprises, friendly organizations, celebrities both at home and abroad to expand the people-to-people diplomacy comprehensively in order to better serve the overall situation of diplomacy and to contribute bigger strength to promotion of building a common community of a shared future for mankind.

On April 9, 2020, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries National Council held its Executive Council conference to pass a decision that Lin Songtian, former ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of South Africa, succeeds Mdme Li Xiaolin as member of the Executive Council and president of the Association.ResumeLin Songtian, male, born in Fujian Province, May 1960. University graduate.1986-1989  Staff member, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China1989-1990  Attaché, Commercial Representation of the People's Republic of China in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia1990-1993  Attaché and Third Secretary, Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia1993-1999  Third Secretary, Deputy Director and Director, Department of Personnel, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China1999-2002  Counselor, Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Zambia2002-2003  Senior Counselor at Deputy Director General Level, Department of African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China2003-2007  Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Liberia2007-2008  Deputy Director General, Department of Personnel, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China2008-2010  Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Malawi2010-2014  Director General, Department of Foreign Affairs Management, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China2014-2017  Director General, Department of African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China2017-2020  Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of South Africa（deputy ministerial level）2020-          President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries

    President Li Xiaolin met with representatives from US subnational organizations and discussed on strengthening China-US sub-national exchanges and cooperation in Washington D.C., United States on January 16, including Tiffany Shackelford, Chief Strategic Officer of National Governors Association (NGA), Roger-Mark De Souza, President and CEO of Sister Cities International (SCI), Carol Lopez, Chairwoman Elect of SCI, Tim Quigley, Former Chairman of SCI, Andy Karellas, Representative of Council of State Government in D.C.    President Li viewed China-US subnational exchanges as an important part in the bilateral relations, which played positive role in promoting mutual understanding and friendship as well as deepening practical cooperation between our two peoples. At the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two sides should jointly identify areas where we could expand existing cooperation or start new cooperation. CPAFFC would like to work closely with US organizations like NGA and SCI to co-host China-US Governors Forum and China-US Sister Cities Conference in 2019 so as to enrich the content of China-US subnational exchanges.    Leadership of US subnational organizations said that a number of new governors and elected officials took office after the mid-term election. Though US-China relationship is faced with difficulties at the moment, US states and cities are still enthusiastic and positive towards cooperation with China. The two sides should enhance mutual understanding in areas of history, culture and youth exchange. They expressed the good will to continue working with CPAFFC in driving forward trade and investment cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between our two countries.                         

 On July 26th, President Li Xiaolin of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries(CPAFFC) met with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds from U.S.. CPAFFC Vice President Xie Yuan attended the meeting.President Li said that sub-national exchanges and cooperation has become one of the major driving forces of China-U.S. relations. CPAFFC has played a big role in pushing forward sub-national collaborations between the two countries. The state of Iowa and China enjoy more than 30 years of active exchanges and deep-rooted friendship. She hoped that under the leadership of Governor Reynolds, Iowa will continue to play a leading role in economy and trade, agriculture and state-province cooperation with China.Governor Reynolds expressed her heartfelt thanks to CPAFFC for its long-term support of Iowa. She said, China is the most important trading partner of Iowa and she will carry on the friendly relations forward, to create more opportunities for win-win cooperation between U.S., Iowa and China.

President Li Xiaolin attended and made a keynote speech at USCPFA Washington Seminar on U.S.-China Relations on April 22, 2016. USCPFA President Diana Greer and representatives from its chapters of Washington D.C., Richmond, Minnesota attended the seminar. In her speech, President Li touchingly reviewed the profound friendship nurtured between her and USCPFA friends during her 41 years working as an advocate of China-U.S. friendship, and thanked the USCPFA for its longtime understanding, care and support. She also said the relationship between two countries is based on the affections between the people of the two countries. The foundation of China-U.S. relations has its roots in the people and its future rests with the youth. She encouraged more young people participating in the great cause of China-U.S. friendship. She also hoped to strengthen cooperation with the USCPFA, making new contributions to China-U.S. friendship.President Greer said in her speech that the U.S.-China relations matter more than ever in business, culture and friendship. The USCPFA is keen on developing friendships between our two peoples, and instilling more positive energy into the U.S.-China relations. She also hoped to further work with the CPAFFC to promote mutual understanding and trust between people of the two countries.

On October 8th, President Li Xiaolin meets with Mrs. Malu Dreyer, Governor of Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. President Li extended welcome to Governor Dreyer and introduced to her relevant celebrations on the 70th anniversary of the founding of PRC and CPAFFC’s engagement in celebrating activities. She appreciated very much the support given by the state government of Rheinland-Pfalz in activities hosted by CPAFFC including Meeting China Exhibition Series in Commemoration of 200th anniversary of Karl Marx’s Birth and Sino-German Dialogue Between Historic and Cultural Cities, etc. President Li hoped for comprehensive exchanges and cooperation on music, cultural heritage protection, manufacturing, innovation in science and technology and so on.  Governor Dreyer thanked President Li for the arrangement of this meeting. She congratulated on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC and spoke highly of the efforts made by CPAFFC in promoting people-to-people friendship and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world. She expected exchanges and cooperation in more fields such as environmental protection, upgraded economy and technology, education, etc. Deputy Director-General of Cultural Exchange Department of CPAFFC Mr. Ji Wei, Deputy Director-General of Department of European and Asian Affairs of CPAFFC Mr. Lv Hongwei, German Ambassador to China Dr. Clemens von Goetze were also present at the meeting.  Photographed by Ren Xin

On September 23th, President Li Xiaolin met with Bruce Bommarito, Vice President of Caesars Entertainment of the United States. The two sides exchanged views on furthering exchanges between Chinese and American people as well as enhancing mutual trust and understanding. Photographed by Jin Hanghang

On September 19th, President Li Xiaolin met with Michael Zarcone, Executive Vice President of MetLife and his delegation. President Li said, China-U.S. trade frictions do no good to both sides. We hope US companies continue to improve their business in China to meet our two peoples’ aspiration for a better life and strengthen China-U.S. mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to achieve win-win outcomes. Michael said, MetLife has always attached great importance to its business in China, and believes U.S.-China trade and economic cooperation benefits the two peoples. He wished to strengthen cooperation with CPAFFC for promotion of people-to-people exchanges and economic cooperation between our two countries.  Photographed by Liu Yi