On February 27, President Li Xiaolin met with H.E. Mr. Durdyyev, Turkmenistan's new Ambassador to China. Li Xiaolin congratulated Ambassador Durdyyev on his assumption of the new post and introduced the work of the CPAFFC and its recent exchanges with Turkmenistan and Central Asia. She said that the CPAFFC and the China-Central Asia Friendship Association are willing to work together with the Embassy of Turkmenistan in China to continuously contribute to strengthening exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in various fields. Dulderev thanked Li Xiaolin for taking the time to meet with him and spoke highly of the positive contribution of the CPAFFC to enhancing the friendship between the peoples of China and other countries. He said that Turkmenistan supports the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping and is willing to learn from China's advanced experiences in development. The Embassy of Turkmenistan in China will maintain close relations with the CPAFFC to further strengthen the people-to-people exchanges and local government cooperation between the two countries. Vice President Song Jingwu, Director General of the Department of European and Asian Affairs Shen Xin and Associate Consul Hu Chunmei were present at the meeting. Photographed by Zheng Chen          

Li Xiaolin, President of the CPAFFC and Honorary President of China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development (CFFPD), met with Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria on February 27, 2019. Li Xiaolin welcomed Peter Sands and his delegation. She briefly introduced the missions of the CPAFFC and the CFFPD. She said that the CPAFFC is concerned about the development of global health, poverty alleviation and common development, and hopes to work with the Global Fund to find solutions to the global issues of major infectious diseases and build an effective system of healthcare and disease prevention and control with the experiences of the Global Fund. She also discussed the possibility of establishing long-term strategic partnership between the CPAFFC and the Global Fund, and invited Peter Sands to attend the 4th World Philanthropy Forum to be held in September 2019 in Hong Kong, to share experiences and exchange ideas with the participants. Peter Sands thanked Li Xiaolin for taking the time to meet him and spoke highly of the important role of the CPAFFC in promoting non-governmental exchanges and the development of charity. He said that the Global Fund attaches great importance to developing friendly relations with China and hopes to further promote friendly exchanges and pragmatic cooperation under the guidance of the Belt and Road Initiative, to help developing countries to end infectious diseases such as AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The Global Fund is the world's largest financier of healthcare programs. The Global Fund Secretariat is in Geneva, Switzerland and employs about 750 staff, consisting of professionals with backgrounds in medicine, pharmacy, public health, economics and finance. The Global Fund was originally hosted by the World Health Organization and became an administratively autonomous organization in 2009. It has become an important financier of the healthcare programs of the WHO, the UN agencies and developing countries.         Photographed by Zhu Jiayi

President Li Xiaolin had a meeting with Christopher Cox, grandson of former U.S. President Richard Nixon and vice chairman of BrightSphere Asia Limited on February 25. President Li was delighted at the positive progress made at the latest round of trade talks between China and the United States. She reiterated that a sound and stable China-U.S. relationship is in line with the global well-being. The two sides should join hands in keeping the channels for communication open in areas such as people-to-people exchanges, financial and technological cooperation, so as to lay a solid foundation for the future development of the bilateral relations. Cox considered economic and trade cooperation as an essential part of the U.S.-China relationship. He hoped that by establishing its Asia headquarter in China, BrightSphere will make positive contribution to the opening-up of China’s financial market, to lift the international competitve edge of the Chinese finance industry, and to further promote financial exchange and cooperation between the two countries.        

At the invitation of Japan-China Friendship Association (JCFA), Mme. Li Xiaolin, President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), visited Tokyo, Japan from February 19 to 23, attending the farewell party for Mr. YONEKURA HIROMASA, an old friend of the Chinese people and the former Chairman of the Japan Business Federation. During the visiting, President Li Xiaolin also met with Mr. NIKAI TOSHIHIRO, Director-General of the Liberal Democratic Party, Mr. HAYASHI YOSHIMASA, the President of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians’ union and the former Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Mr. KAWAMURA TAKEO, the Chief of Cabinet Secretary of Japan, Mr. HASHIMOTO ITSUO, Vice President of Japan-China Friendship Association and other personages from all walks of life. They exchanged views on how to further strengthen the friendly exchanges of the people-to-people of the two countries and improve the bilateral relations on the basis of returning to the normal track. President Li said, last year marked the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Sino-Japanese Peace and Friendship Treaty. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held bilateral and multilateral meetings, which played important political leading roles in improving Sino-Japanese relations. Years later, the Prime Ministers of the two countries exchanged visits, after which both sides achieved series of results and reached consensuses in various fields. With the common efforts, bilateral ties return to the normal track and increasingly being improved. Such hard-won accomplishments need to be cherished. The friendly relations between China and Japan are not only in line with the fundamental interests of the two peoples, but also benefit to peace, stability and prosperity in Asia and even all over the world. President Li Xiaolin also made an introduction about the exchanges CPAFFC had developed with Japan and said CPAFFC would like to work with Japanese personages from all walks of life to develop more rich and colorful activities in the fields of culture, sports, local, youth and etc., so as to make more contributions to cementing public support for the Sino-Japanese relations and improve the bilateral ties. NIKAI TOSHIHIRO said, Japan and China are important countries in Asia and the world. Sino-Japanese relations have an important exemplary role in peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Japan and China enjoy a long history of friendly exchanges. Both sides should inherit and carry forward the fine tradition of Japan-China friendship, and develop the current bilateral relations with wisdom. This year, we plan to promote exchanges in the fields of local governments, youths and other fields of the two countries. He hoped that China will give active support and assistance in it. HAYASHI YOSHIMASA said, I am very pleased that last year, the two prime ministers exchanged visits. Since then, Japan-China relations have achieved important improvements. The political and economic relations between the two countries also have returned to the right track and interacted with each other to form a healthy circle. In the future, we would not forget our original intentions, continue to promote the development of Japan-China relations and safeguard the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples. KAWAMURA TAKEO said , Japan and China have the same culture and have a good foundation for mutual understanding. Both sides should continue to deepen exchanges in the humanities field. Last year, I took over the post of the president of the newly established group "Japan-China Friendship Culture Exchange Promotion Association". I hoped to vigorously carry out humanities exchanges between the two countries, especially young people, and make contributions to enhance the mutual understanding and friendly feelings of the two peoples. Hashimoto Yoshio first conveyed the sincere greetings and good wishes from President Uichiro Niwa to President Li. He said that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and next year will mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Japan-China Friendship Association (JCFA). Over the past 70 years, the JCFA has been committing to promote the development of the cause of the friendship of the two peoples and the friendly relations of the two countries. In the future, we are willing to continue to work hard to promote people-to-people exchanges and cooperation of the two countries. We believed that Japan-China friendship will have a bright and expected future. On the 20th, President Li attended the farewell party for Mr. YONEKURA HIROMASA, the former Chairman of the Japan Business Federation and the former adviser of Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.. On behalf of CPAFFC, President Li expressed deep condolences to the death of YONEKURA HIROMASA and also sincere condolences to his wife, YONEKURA KAZUE, and TOKURA MASAKAZU, President of Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., and spoke highly of the cherished contributions YONEKURA HIROMASA had made to Sino-Japanese relations during his lifetime. YONEKURA HIROMASA was friendly to China during his lifetime. In 2012, he was conferred the title of China-Japan Friendship Ambassador by the China-Japan Friendship Association.             

On February 22, President Li Xiaolin attended the Symposium on China-Japan Cultural Exchanges, which was jointly hosted by the CPAFFC and the Japan-China Peace Development Promotion Association, during her visit to Japan. She exchanged ideas with Yukio Hatoyama, former Prime Minister of Japan, Hirono Shinichi, Managing Director of Shueisha Inc., Kazuhiko Oshida, Chair of Board of Trustees of Tokyo Fuji Art Museum, Hirayama Ren, Director of Hirayama Ikuo Silk Road Museum, and Chen Jianzhong, Chairman of the Board of KOUZAN Fine-arts Company, learning about their opinions and suggestions on China-Japan cultural exchanges as well as plans for future cooperation based on the experiences of the cultural exchanges between the two countries. Li Xiaolin introduced the influential large-scale cultural events co-hosted by the CPAFFC and various Japanese partners. She said the exhibition of Chinese Characters: A Legacy and Marvel Perfected Over Three Millennia and the dance drama Crested Ibises were put on show in many cities in Japan and received warm welcome from all walks of life in Japan, attracting hundreds of thousands of audiences and arousing great resonance. Since last year, a series of high-profile Japanese cultural exhibitions, such as Exhibition of Silk Road Antiques from Hirayama Ikuo Collection, Exhibition of 500 Years of Western Paintings Collections of Tokyo Fuji Art Museum, Touring Exhibition of Hello ONE PIECE, have also been put on show in China and received unprecedented interest from the audiences. These events not only brought senses of nostalgia, classics, fashion and vitality to the Chinese and Japanese audiences, but also effectively promoted China-Japan cultural exchanges and mutual learning and further enhanced mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries. She said that while continuing to promote the above-mentioned flagship activities in 2019, the CPAFFC will endeavor to make the documentary “Traditional Chinese Medicine, New World” in Japan, so as to spread the philosophy and culture of TCM to the world. In addition, the Chinese and Japanese Calligraphy Masterpieces Exhibition with the theme of the Belt and Road Initiative will be held in Japan in the second half of this year. Participants present at the symposium expressed their opinions on the exchanges they were involved in. They thanked the CPAFFC for its support for Japan-China cultural exchanges over the years and expressed their willingness to work harder to contribute to the cultural exchanges and friendship between the two countries. Li Xiaolin thanked them for their efforts in cultural exchanges between the two countries and encouraged them to make more efforts. She stressed that it is not easy for China-Japan relations to return to normal and the current state of bilateral relations should be cherished. In order to consolidate the achievements of China-Japan exchanges, the CPAFFC will promote the exchanges between the two countries in the fields of local government, culture and youth this year, and is looking forward to the support from all the participants. In his speech, Yukio Hatoyama said that the political relations between Japan and China are improving but still not stable. It is precisely because of the continuous cultural exchanges that have helped improve the political relations between the two countries. He believes that the CPAFFC's commitment to Japan-China cultural exchanges is very important and fruitful. He sincerely hopes that this year's bilateral relations and friendly exchanges will be further enhanced, for which he is willing to do his best.            

On January 31, Mme. Li Xiaolin, President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with H.E. Mr. Rafael Dezcallar, the Spanish Ambassador to China. President Li Xiaolin extended welcome to the Ambassador H.E. Mr. Rafael Dezcallar for visiting CPAFFC, she said that both sides are countries with a long history and splendid civilization, and the traditional friendship between the two sides has lasted for a long time. China attaches great importance to developing friendly relations with Spain. The CPAFFC is willing to strive together with the Spanish Embassy in China, to further promote exchange and cooperation between the two countries. The Ambassador H.E. Mr. Rafael Dezcallar thanked President Li Xiaolin for taking time to meet them and spoke highly of the efforts and positive contributions CPAFFC has made for the long-term development of Sino-Spanish friendship. He said that, at the end of November last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping successfully visited Spain. This visit achieved fruitful results, and opened a new chapter for Sino-Spanish Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both sides also exchanged views on the celebration of the ninth China-Spain Forum. Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mr. Shen Xin, Director General of Department of European and Asian Affairs of CPAFFC, Mr. Lv Hongwei, Deputy Director General of Department of European and Asian Affairs of CPAFFC, were present during the meeting.        

President Li Xiaolin held a meeting with Timothy P. Stratford, the newly elected Chairman of The American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China) on January 7th. President Li congratulated Chairman Stratford on his new position. She reflected that CPAFFC and AmCham China has maintained long-term working relationship. Last year, the two parties signed the MOU for future cooperation. She hoped that the two organizations will deepen the cooperation in terms of economy and trade, and people to people exchanges, so as to make positive contribution to the sound and stable development of the bilateral relations. Chairman Stratford viewed the US-China relations as of vital importance to the two countries as well as to the world. Though the bilateral relations are faced with challenges for the moment, signs of hope have begun to grow. AmCham China will work closely with CPAFFC in promoting mutual understanding and bridging the differences between the two countries. Vice President Xie Yuan attended the meeting.        

Mme. Li Xiaolin, President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with and hosted banquet for Mr. Ali Akhmedov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and his delegation on the invitation of CPAFFC to attend the Chinese and Azerbaijan cultural activity on December 17th, 2018. President Li Xiaolin extended welcome to Deputy Prime Minister Ali Akhmedov visiting Beijing and CPAFFC. She made a brief introduction about the achievements China had made during the reform and opening-up in the past four decades, and spoke highly of the bilateral relations and introduced the cooperative situation between CPAFFC and Azerbaijan. President Li also said, Deputy Prime Minister Ali Akhmedov visiting China this time would further push the bilateral ties for improvement. Deputy Prime Minister Ali Akhmedov thanked President Li Xiaolin for warm reception. He hoped that both sides could continuously engage in the people-to-people exchanges of the two countries and promote the all-directional cooperative relations. Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mr. Shen Xin, Director-General of Department of European and Asian Affairs of CPAFFC, Mr. Alakbarov, Executive Director of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mr. Muradov, Chairman of Azerbaijan Overseas Affairs Committee, Mr. Zeynalli, Ambassador of Azerbaijan Embassy in China, attended the meeting. Before the meeting, the delegation accompanied by Vice President Song Jingwu visited the exhibition on the history of CPAFFC.             Photographed by Wen Guangmei

Mme. Li Xiaolin, President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and Mr. Li Xikui, Secretary General of CPAFFC, met with Mr. Timothy P. Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics International (SOI) and his delegation on December 5th, 2018. President Li Xiaolin extended welcome to the delegation and made a brief introduction about CPAFFC. She spoke highly of the active contributions Chairman Timothy P. Shriver had made to the development of the cause of SOI and expected to take this exchange as an opportunity and strengthened the contact with SOI. CPAFFC and CFFPD (China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development) would give a lot of support in charitable activities developed by SOI, so as to benefit more SOI groups at home and abroad. Secretary General Li Xikui briefly introduced CFFPD to the delegation during the meeting. He hoped to strengthen China's international influence by way of sport diplomacy. Chairman Timothy P. Shriver said, they would like to strengthen cooperation with CPAFFC and CFFPD to further promote the development of SOI in China.        

At the invitation of the Japan-China Friendship Association, President Li Xiaolin visited Japan from November 18 to 20, 2018 and attended the 16th China-Japan Friendship Conference in Okayama on November 19. The 16th China-Japan Friendship Conference was co-sponsored by the Japan-China Friendship Association and the CPAFFC. Li Xiaolin, President of the CPAFFC, Li Xikui, Secretary General of the CPAFFC, Li Tianran, Consul General of China in Osaka, Wang Wan, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Japan, Abe Toshiko, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Niwa Uichiro, President of the Japan-China Friendship Association, Ibaragi Ryuta, Governor of Okayama Prefecture, Omori Masao, Mayor of Okayama, Eda Satsuki, former President of the House of Councilors in Japan, councilors of Okayama Prefecture constituency, representatives from local friendship associations, local administrative and legislative bodies, as well as economic and academic circles from 16 Chinese provinces, cities and autonomous regions and 28 Japanese prefectures, totaling 300, attended the conference. In her opening speech, Li Xiaolin said that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Sino-Japanese Peace and Friendship Treaty. Over the past 40 years, the bilateral relations have achieved rapid development and the depth and breadth of interests connection have reached an unprecedented level, which is rarely seen in bilateral relations. At present, China-Japan relations have entered a new stage of development. The people-to-people friendship organizations should take the 40th anniversary as a new starting point, carry forward the tradition, advance with the times, and comprehensively deepen exchanges and cooperation in economy, culture, tourism, local governments, youth and other fields, so as to draw closer the distance between the two peoples, make greater contributions to China-Japan friendship, and better benefit the two peoples with the achievement of pragmatic cooperation. In his speech, Niwa Uichiro said that a few years ago, the Japan-China relations faced the most difficult situation since the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and the friendly sentiment between the two peoples fell to the bottom. Thanks to the unremitting efforts of the friendly personages from all walks of life in Japan and China, the relationship between the two countries has ushered in a better situation recently, which is very exciting. "Promoting official relations through people-to-people exchanges" is the unique advantage and great tradition of Japan-China friendship. It is expected that all the participants will open their hearts, communicate openly on future plans and build consensus, so that this conference will become a new starting point and lead friendship between the two countries to a new height. Omori Masao expressed his pleasure in his speech at the convening of the 16th China-Japan Friendship Conference in Okayama on the occasion of the Sino-Japanese Peace and Friendship Treaty. He believed that even if the relations between the two countries encounter some twists and turns, they will eventually return to the track of friendship, as long as the two peoples continue to strengthen exchanges in various fields and deepen mutual understanding. He hoped that the participants will keep making new and greater contributions to the continuous improvement and development of Japan-China friendly relations. Wang Wan read the congratulatory message on behalf of H.E. Cheng Yonghua, Ambassador of China to Japan. Li Xikui and Utsunomiya Tokuichiro, Vice President of the Japan-China Friendship Association delivered keynote reports respectively. The theme of this conference was "New Era, New Actions - Creating a New Situation of China-Japan Friendship and Exchanges". Based on the current situation of China-Japan relations, the participants held in-depth discussions about the theme, and jointly issued the Okayama Declaration. They are determined to continue to hold high the banner of China-Japan friendship on the basis of the four political documents and the four-point consensus between China and Japan, and seize the opportunity to follow the trend, so as to make new contributions to the continuous development of bilateral relations. During her stay in Japan, Li Xiaolin met with Governor Ibaragi Ryuta, Mayor Omori Masao and other heads of local governments of Japan respectively, and exchanged views on further deepening the exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and Japanese local governments.