On March 28th, Li Jianping, the vice president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries  (CPAFFC) met with Jaroslav Tvrdik, the chairman of Supervision Committee of Czech-China Chamber of Collaboration and former minister of defence of Czech Republic. Both sides had a discussion on Czech-China relation and the cooperation between Czech-China Chamber of Collaboration and the CPAFFC. Vice president Li Jianping congratulated Czech-China Chamber of Collaboration on the success of the election of its new chairman. He also thanked Czech-China Chamber of Collaboration for its concern and support on the sessions of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and the economic and social development of China. Vice-president Li said, Czech-China Chamber of Collaboration had done hard work for the communication of the local governments between the two countries. The CPAFFC would further promote the contact of the friendship cities of the two countries and push the cooperation of the local governments of the two countries forward to positive and healthy direction. Mr. Tvrdik expressed, Czech Social Democratic Party, which had close relationship with Czech-China Chamber of Collaboration, just elected its new presidium. Three of the five members of the new presidium attended the signing ceremony of the agreement on friendship and cooperation between the CPAFFC and Czech-China Chamber of Collaboration last year. They paid great attention to Czech-China relation, and were filled with enthusiasm for the development of the friendship between the two countries. In this January, a one man one vote direct presidential election was held for the first time in Czech Republic’s history.  Milos Zeman, the senior politician of Social Democratic Party and the former prime minister became the new president of Czech Republic. He is friendly to China and works for developing the friendship relation with China. The congressional election will be held in next spring in Czech Republic. At present, the Social Democratic Party has been the largest political party in Czech Republic. The poll shows its support is 3 times over than other political parties.  Mr. Tvrdik reported the series activities of Czech-China Chamber of Collaboration in this and the next year. He also hoped to promote mutual understanding and cooperation between the local governments of the two countries. Vice president Li Jianping appreciated that Czech Republic showed enormous interests in developing the friendship with China, as well as the efforts Czech-China Chamber of Collaboration had made. He wished the CPAFFC work with Czech-China Chamber of Collaboration to promote the exchange and cooperation between the local governments of the two countries.

The sessions of National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) are very important in the Chinese political life. They are the important platforms for the representatives and committee members to participate in and discuss government and political affairs. In order to publicize and implement the spirit of NPC and CPPCC, on March 19th, the CPAFFC held a Face to Face with Representatives of NPC and CPPCC Symposium, to deliver the NPC and CPPCC spirit to the senior executives of multinational corporations in China. Mme. Li Xiaolin, the Member of Standing Committee  of the CPPCC, the deputy director-general of Committee of Foreign Affairs and the president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Mr. Yan Bingzhu, the deputy director-general of Committee for Economic Affairs, member of National Committee of CPPCC, and the chairman of the board of Bank of Beijing, Mr. Li Qiuxi, the representative of NPC and the chairman of the board of Fenjiu Group had heated discussions and exchanges with the senior executives from more than 60 multinational corporations including the American Chamber of Commerce in the People’s Republic of China, the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China, the German Chamber of Commerce in China and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China. President Li Xiaolin firstly introduced the fundamental facts of the sessions of NPC and CPPCC. This year’s sessions of NPC and CPPCC were held under the new situation of the whole country studying and implementing the spirit of 18th the CPC Congress, and the decisive stage of China completing the building of a moderately prosperous society. In summary, the content of the sessions of NPC and CPPCC included: increasing the confidence by reviewing and summarizing the past experience, making overall arrangement and initiating the enthusiasm, completing changing leaders upon the term of office, which is greatly significant of inheriting the past and ushering in the future. The main feature of the sessions of NPC and CPPCC: the new attitude and appearance and of CPC was revealed; the new images of the new central leaders were highlighted; the new progress and new journey was initiated for the aim of completing the building of a moderately prosperous society; the new development and new trend emerged in practicing and promoting the Chinese socialist democracy. Mme. Li Xiaolin emphasized, China’s Dream raised by President Xi Jinping represented the voice of 1.3 billion Chinese people. The CPAFFC would, according to President Xi Jinping’s requirement, play the role of leadership in nongovernmental diplomatic works, the role of backbone in public diplomacy and the role of bridge in city diplomacy; forever commit itself to the friendly cause of peace, development, cooperation and common benefit. According to their own experiences in the sessions of NPC and CPPCC, Chairman Yan Bingzhu and Li Qiuxi made brilliant decipherment on hot spots of financial reform, anti-corruption, environmental improvement, change of governmental style, security of food and medicine, super ministry reform and etc.. After listening to the three representatives’ speech, the senior executives of multinational corporations alternated with each other actively. Many representatives of multinational corporations took notes carefully and expressed that they would report the content of the symposium to the headquarter on time. The attendants thought, this symposium organized by the CPAFFC shared the information of the NPC and CPPCC and provided an opportunity for them to contact with the representatives of NPC and CPPCC face to face, which further cleared the different functions, tasks, position and characteristics between NPC and CPPCC. It helped the multinational corporations to understand the major policies of the new national leaders of China including the direction of the Chinese external relation and economic development which would be very important and significant to the development plan of the multinational corporations in next 5 to 10 years even longer.

On March 18，2013，Mr. Xie Yuan, the vice President of the CPAFFC met with and held a banquet for Mr. Magolio Honorio Cicardini Neyra, the mayor of Copiapo City, Chile. Vice President Xie Yuan extended his warm welcome to Mayor Magolio for his visiting to the CPAFFC again. He also introduced the work and the contacts with Chile and other Latin-American countries of the CPAFFC in recent years to the delegation. Mayor Magolio extended his gratitude to Vice President Xie Yuan. He recalled the year of 2010，after the terrible mining accident in Capiapo, the CPAFFC assisted the Chinese sculptor to donate a statue of Goddess of Peace to the city of Capiapo. Now the statue has become a new landmark in Capiapo and witness of China-Chile friendship. He would like to strengthen the communication and cooperation with the CPAFFC, and make efforts to promote the exchanges in various fields of the two countries and further the mutual understandings and friendship of the two peoples. Mr. Ji Yongjun, the deputy director General of Department of American and Oceanian Affairs and H.E. Mr.Ramiro Riobo, Minister Counsellor of the Chilean Embassy in China were present at the event.

  On March 15th, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the Chinese-African People’s Friendship Association (CAPFA) and the Embassy of Cote-d’lvoire in China held the reception celebrating the 30th Anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between China and  Cote-d’lvoire. 300 Chinese and foreign guests including the vice foreign minister of China, Mr. Zhai Jun were present at the reception. Vice President Feng Zuoku of the CPAFFC said when he was addressing the reception, over the past 30 years, China and Cote-d’lvoire shared mutual respect and equality; the relation of cooperation between the two countries has been developing steadily. The mutual political trust has been deepened continuously; the economic and trading cooperation has been promoted steadily; the achievement of the cooperation had been enlarged constantly. China would take the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity, to work with Cote-d’lvoire to further develop the friendly cooperation relation of the two countries. H.E. Mr. Alain Nicaise Papatchi Coffei, the Ambassdor of Cote-d’lvoire to China spoke highly of the long-last, deep, solid and fruitful friendship between China and Cote-d’lvoire. He appreciated the various support of the Chinese government gave to Cote-d’lvoire. He believed the cooperation of the two countries would have a bright future and reach a new level.

The CPAFFC, the Chinese-African People’s Friendship Association (CAPFA) and the Embassy of South Africa in China jointly organized the reception in Beijing on 13 March, 2013, to celebrate the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa. Around 150 Chinese and foreign guests attended the reception, including H.E. Mr. Abdul’ahat Abdurixit, Vice Chairman of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and President of CAPFA, H.E. Mr. Zhai Jun, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. CPAFFC Vice President Feng Zuoku and South African Ambassador H.E. Bheki Langa delivered speech at the reception respectively. Mr. Feng Zuoku said, over the past 15 years, the relations between China and South Africa have experienced a rapid growth, with the cooperation in various fields achieving fruitful results. China attaches great importance to the relationship with South Africa, and looks forward to working together with South Africa to further promote the comprehensive strategic partnership. H.E. Bheki Langa spoke highly of the good relations achieved over the part 15 years in fields of politics, economy and trade,culture, tourism and so on. He pointed out that China has become South Africa’s number one trading partner and South Africa is now China’s largest trading partner in Africa, hoping the two sides can take the 15th anniversary of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to make continuous efforts to further expand the cooperation in various fields.

   On January 21, the Annual Conference of New Ideas, New wisdom, New Vision of The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) was held in Beijing successfully. The leaders and former leaders of the Party and the state, including Lu Yongxiang, Han Qide, Chen Changzhi, Dai Bingguo，Bai Lichen, Abdul’ahat Abdurixit, Gu Xiulian, Tang Jiaxuan, Sun fuling, Luo Haocai, Xu Kuangdi, were present at the meeting. In a total of about 1000 people including the council members from the CPAFFC and its subsidiary forty-six associations for friendship with other countries or regions and the personages of various social circles attended the conference. The conference was highly evaluated.   Creative Ideas, High Efficiency and Innovation According to the thought of President Li Xiaolin, the annual meetings of the CPAFFC and its subsidiary forty-six associations for friendship with other countries or regions was integrated for the first time. With the theme of the New Ideas, New wisdom, New Vision, a platform of communication and interaction for domestic experts with the council members and guests was built up. The numberof the meetings was reduced; the efficiency of the meeting was improved and the topic of Innovation was highlighted. On the opening ceremony, President Li Xiaolin delivered a brief speech. She indicated that concept collision would bring exciting originality and free communication would lead to acquiring breakthrough thoughts. The CPAFFC would make the festival a grand meeting of exchanging ideas, enlightening originality and sharing development.   During the conference, the outstanding innovative projects of the CPAFFC in the last two years was exhibited; by inviting the experts and scholars to attend, 9 open forums on the hot issues of the current international situation and people-to-people diplomacy were respectively held . The forums combined the practice innovation with the theory innovation organically, in order to reach the aim of enlightening thoughts, expanding vision and creating  development. To stick to the principal of pragmatism and high efficiency, the conference was arranged within one day, and the speeches of the leaders only took ten minutes. To make full use of time, a lunch meeting attended by the CPAFFC leaders above deputy director-general level, directors of local foreign affairs office, and presidents of the local friendship associations was held, for introducing the main focus on the work of the CPAFFC in 2013 and exchanging the cooperative intensions. On the arrangement of the conference, the conventional form was abandoned.Information technologies were applied, including online registration, scanning two-dimension code at site, multimedia exhibition, distributing the conference material online instead of the paperwork, thus the resource was saved. The conference hall was simple and plain, without plant decoration and fancy background board.  The accommodation of the representatives was not included in the conference except one buffet lunch. Demonstration of Model Projects Leading Innovation The outstanding innovative projects (including 8 people-to-people diplomatic projects and 3 internal construction projects) exhibited on the conference were selected from 31 candidate projects recommended by all departments of the CPAFFC through voting on internet by the staff of the CPAFFC.   Open Forums, Interactive Discussion, Enlightening Innovation On the conference, 9 opening forums were held. Leaders, experts and scholars from various circles were invited, including Zhao Qizheng, Li Xiaolin, Chen Haosu, Liu Shu, Zhang Yunling, Sun Zhe, Liu Yongjiang, Shu Yi and Li Yang, to discuss on topics of the surrounding situation, Diaoyu Island issue, China-Russia relations, Sino-US relations, cultural exchanges with foreign countries, work of international friendship city, development of public service and service for cooperation with foreign countries. The forums availed the attendants deepening their understanding on the international situation and broaden their thoughts on people-to-people diplomacy.　 The attendants highly praised for the effect of the conference. They thought that this conference had implemented the relevant requirement of the “eight provisions” of the Party Central Committee. It was a pragmatic and thrifty conference with rich content and high efficiency. It changed the traditional form of meeting, and fully demonstrated the theme of  innovation. The conference showed the past achievements of innovation and conceived the ideas and direction of the future work, as well as built up a better platform of the communication and cooperation for the CPAFFC with its council members and local friendship associations. The success of the conference fully demonstrated the enterprising and innovative spirits of the CPAFFC under the leadership of the new leading group headed by President Li Xiaolin. It set a good example for innovation development of the people-to-people diplomacy work. After the  conference, some attendants still would like to have more discussions and exchanges with the guest speakers.

On January 16, Vice-President Xie Yuan of CPAFFC met with Ms. Sylvianne Villaudiere, the leader of Club France Rio+20 Delegation. Mr.Xie welcomed delegation’s visit to China and their first visit to CPAFFC. He gave an introduction of CPAFFC’s history and main tasks, as well as the Local Friendship Association work. Since CPAFFC obtained the General Consultative Status with ECOSOC of United Nations, it has sent many delegations to attend various UN conferences and made brief speeches on sustainable development, environmental protection and climate change, etc. Vice-President Xie discussed with the delegation members about carrying out friendly activities in the fields of economy, sustainable development and ecology. Ms.Villaudiere thanked Vice-President Xie Yuan for setting time for the meeting. She said, it was a good opportunity to discuss with CPAFFC on environmental protection; achieving sustainable development needed everyone to take part in. According to regional differences, it was available to reach a solution through carrying out activities between cities. She also expressed that they looked forward to having friendly exchanges with CPAFFC by bilateral visiting, sister cities activity, conference, etc.

At the invitation of CPAFFC, 17 winners of the 12th Kumho Asiana Chinese Speaking Competition for ROK High School Students (jointly organized the CPAFFC and the Korea-China Friendship Association) visited Beijing from January 7th to 12th 2013. The students were from ROK foreign language high schools, schools for overseas Chinese and high school students with experience in China. During stay in Beijing, they visited the Headquarters of Confucius Institute, Tsinghua University, Peking University, and exchanged ideas with Chinese youngsters.

The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Embassy of the Republic of Angola in China jointly organised a reception in Beijing, Jan. 11, 2013, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Angola. About 250 Chinese and foreign guests, including Mr. Abdul’ahat Abdurixit, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and Mr. Zhaijun, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, attended the reception. Since the establishment of the diplomatic relations, the past thirty years witnessed a stable and smoothly-developed relationship and significant achievement of cooperation in different areas between China and Angola. China attaches great importance to the strategic partnership with Angola, and is willing to work with Angola to push the bilateral ties to a new level, said by Mr. Feng Zuoku, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.      Dr. Joao Garcia Bires, Ambassador of Angola to China spoke highly of the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Angola, and appreciated the strong support to Angola in all aspects given by the Chinese government and people. He also expressed that the bilateral cooperation would enjoy a better prospect, and embark on a new era.

On Dec. 27th, Tang Jiaxuan, the president of China-Japan Friendship Association, met with Kitera Masato, the newly appointed Japanese Ambassador to China. Jing Dunquan, the vice-president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries was present. Tang Jiaxuan welcomed Ambassador Kitera to come to Beijing for his new occupation. He expressed his 3 expectations to Ambassador Kitera: to play an active and constructive role of making the two countries return to the healthy and steady developing track from the current difficult situation; to objectively and totally deliver a complete and real image of China to the Japanese people; to widely contact all circles and public of China to enhance the humane and cultural tie between the two countries. Ambassador Kitera thanked President Tang Jiaxuan for finding time for the meeting in his tight schedule. He said he would dedicate to support the exchanging events to the needs of the common people and youths of the two countries, and make his efforts on improving and developing the relations of China and Japan. He would like to travel around China during his term, to find out a real China, and contribute to promoting the related cooperations between the two countries.