At the Invitations of Nürnberg-Erlangen Confucius Institute, Austria-China Friendship Association and Swiss-China Cultural Exchange Association, a Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) delegation visited Austria, Germany and Switzerland from Sept. 10 to 20. During the delegation’s visit, the series activities such as 4th China-Europe Cultural Forum, China-Germany Enterprise and Public Cultural Construction Seminar, Ambassador of Folk Art Walking in German Classroom, The Chinese Folk Art Exhibition, he Lecture on Chinese Paper Cutting were successfully held.  

       Cutting Celebrating Cake On September 19, the Reception Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and Togo was held in Beijing by the CPAFFC and the Chinese-African People’s Friendship Association (CAPFA). Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun attended the reception. CPAFFC Vice President Feng Zuoku and Togo’s Ambassador Nolana Ta Ama addressed the reception.       Vice President Feng Zuoku Addressing the Reception Vice President Feng Zuoku said in his speech that China-Togo relations for the past 40 years have withstood the test of time and the tremendous international changes, and have developed smoothly and soundly. Under the great attention and concern of the leaders of the two countries, China and Togo have witnessed closer contacts in various fields, flourishing cultural exchanges and remarkable achievements in economic and trade cooperation. Ambassador Nolana Ta Ama said that Togo has always firmly supported China. The strategic partnership between Togo and China was built on the basis of political equality and mutual trust, win-win economic cooperation and cultural exchanges. He stressed that Togo Embassy in China would continue to strengthen the diplomatic relations between the two countries and promote the cooperation between the two sides. Around 70 people from China and Togo attended the reception.       Ambassador Nolana Ta Ama Addressing the Reception       Zhai Jun and Ambassador Nolana Ta Ama Exchanging Commemorative Envelop

In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Germany, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) held a ceremony celebrating the first publication for the book Gelebte Geschichte-40 Erfahrung (means "go through the history, experience of 40 German people") , in Peace Palace of CPAFFC on Sept., 18th. Lu Yongxiang, the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Li Jianping, the Vice President of the CPAFFC, Ma Bohui, the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of China Radio International (CRI), Wang Shu, the former Chinese ambassador in Germany and the President of China-German Friendship Association, Dr. Hardy Boeckle, the Cultural Counsellor of the German Embassy in China, Frank Hartmann, the Press Counsellor of the German Embassy in China were present at the ceremony. In form of interview, the book Gelebte Geschichte-40 Erfahrung introduces 40 Chinese and German personages who are active in the circles of politics, diplomacy, culture & art, and their experience of life reflected in China-German relation. This book was completed by CRI with 7 months’ interview and editing in more than 10 cities. The oldest interviewee is Wangshu, the 88 years old former Chinese Ambassador in Germany, while the youngest is 20 years old Charlotte Landwehr from Germany.        Vice President Li Jianping Addressing the Ceremony In his speech, Vice President Li Jianping of the CPAFFC highly praised the achievements had been made since China and Germany established diplomatic relations 40 years ago. He said, through this book, when we were reviewing the history of the elder generation initiating the Chinese and German mutual relation, we would not only admire their vision and courage, but also believe the future of China-German relation will reach a new high level in new era by summing up the historical experience.  Ma Bohui, the Deputy Editor-in-Chief said, 40 years’ practice had proved, the development of China-German relation served the fundamental interest of both peoples. As the contact of the two countries became closer and closer, the two peoples’s wish for mutual understanding was continuously deepening. History was written by the people. The combined 40 interviews not only sketched the progress of establishment of China-Germany diplomatic relations, but also refracted the personal destinies in the historical trend.

On September, 17, State Councilor Dai Bingguo meets with the Representatives of the 4th China-Vietnam People’s Forum in Beijing. Dai said that the top leaders of both countries had exchanged views since last year and greatly promoted the development of the bilateral relations. He hoped that the two side could work together to consolidate the friendship of the two peoples. Mr. Pham Van Chuong said that the Vietnam side is ready to cooperate with the Chinese side to promote the relations through all kinds of exchanges and activities. Organized by CPAFFC and the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, the China-Vietnam People’s Forum invites the experts and scholars from both countries to discuss how to promote the bilateral relations. Held in both countries in turn, this year’s Forum was held in Henan Province, China from September 14-16, 2012.

      the opening ceremony According to the content of 2010-2012 Action Plan of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum and the declaration at the closing ceremony of 3rd China-Arab Friendship Conference which held in 2010, in Tripoli, the capital city of Libya, 4th China-Arab Friendship Conference sponsored by The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), China-Arab Friendship Association (CAFA), League of Arab States (LAS), organized by the people’s government of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region was held in Yinchuan, the capital city of Ningxia, from Sept. 13 to 14, 2012. This year’s conference took Promoting Cooperation with Friendship, Exploring Development with Exchange as the theme. All circles paid great attention to the conference, and it achieved a great success. Before the opening ceremony, Li Keqiang, the Vice Premier of China, met with the heads of delegations of the Arab friendship organizations. CAFA vice presidents Yang Fuchang, Feng Zuoku, Wu Sike, Liu Zhiming and part of the council members, Abd Al-salam Al-majali, the former prime minister of Jordan, the Federation of Arab-China Friendship Associations (FACFA), LAS, 17 friendship-to-China organizations’ delegations of Arab states, part of the Arab envoys in China, Wang Zhengwei, Chairman of government of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, responsible members of the departments concerned of Ningxia, representatives from enterprises and medias, more than 100 people were present at the opening ceremony. Chen Jianguo, Vice President of China-Arab Friendship Association, Abd Al-salam Al-majali, the former prime minister of Jordan, Wang Zhengwei, Chairman of government of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Ahmed Abdlhman, the secretary-general of FACFA, Adel Elhamasi addressed the opening ceremony. Ambassador Wu Chunhua from Office of Forum of the Chinese Foreign Ministry and Ahmed Hafez, Beijing Office Agent of LAS, respectively read the congratulatory letter from the Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Nabil el-Araby, the secretary-general of LAS.        Ambassador Wu Chunhua Reading Yang Jiechi, the Chinese foreign minister’s congratulatory letter        Wang Zhengwei, the president of Ningxia addressing the opening ceremony       Abdlhman, the secretary-general of FACFA addressing the opening ceremony  2 plenary sessions were held during the conference. Hu Jianhuai, the secretary-general of CAFA and Ahmed Abdlhman, the secretary-general of FACFA made the reports respectively on the work of the both sides had made in the last two years. The representatives made speeches on how to strengthen the way of China-Arab friendly exchange and promoting the development of China-Arab relation under the new situation, how to further deepen and consolidate the mechanism and enrich the content of the conference. At the closing ceremony, CAFA vice president Yang Fu Chang and FACFA secretary-general Ahmed Abdlhman made the speeches respectively. The Declaration of 4th China-Arab Friendship Conference and 2012-2014 Action Plan of China-Arab Exchanges were decided at the conference.       CPAFFC vice-president Feng Zuoku accepting an interview During the break of the conference, the Arab representatives participated in the opening ceremony of China-Arab Economic and Trading Forum and its summit meeting, and watched theatrical performance held by the government of Ningxia for the forum, as well as visited to Ningxia Hui Nationality Cultural Palace and Sand Lake Scenic Area in Ningxia.       CAFA vice president Yang Fuchang, making a conculsive speech at the closing ceremony       CAFA & FACFA signing cooperation agreement       CAFA and new-found Kuwait China Friendship Association achived a cooperation agreement

Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong on Thursday met with British professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya, chairman of Warwick Manufacturing Group on Sept., 6th. During the meeting, Liu applauded Bhattacharyya’s contributions to educational exchanges between China and the United Kingdom. "There are broad prospects for cooperation between the two nations on education, technology, high-end manufacturing, energy conservation, environmental protection and new energy," said the Chinese official, adding that she hopes universities of the two countries will further increase interactions in related sectors.

President Chen Haosu, Vice president Li Jianping of the China-EU Association on September 6 hosted a welcome banquet for British professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya, chairman of Warwick Manufacturing Group. During the banquet, Chen applauded Bhattacharyya’s contributions to educational exchanges between China and the United Kingdom. Bhattacharyya expressed his appreciation for CEUA’s invitation and warm hospitality. The two sides have agreed to further increase interactions in education, technology, culture exchanges and other related sectors between the two nations.  

Vice Premier Li Keqiang Delivering Important Speech The First Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation, hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA), was held in China National Convention Center in Beijing from August 27 to 28, 2012. Vice Premier Li Keqiang attended and delivered a speech at the opening ceremony, and State Councilor Dai Bingguo attended and addressed the closing ceremony. Abdul’ahat Abdulrixit, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and President of Chinese-African People’s Friendship Association (CAPFA) hosted a reception welcoming the Chinese and African delegates. Around 340 African guests attended the Forum, including Uganda’s Vice President Edward Ssekandi, First Vice President of Burundi Therence Sinunguruza, Togo’s former Prime Minister Edem Kojo and other current or former African state leaders, 39 mayors of the capital cities of African Countries, as well as local government officials and entrepreneurs. Around 1500 Chinese participants attended the Forum, including leaders from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the Ministry of Commerce and 26 Chinese provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, as well as numerous entrepreneurs. During the Forum, delegates held in-depth discussions on the theme of "Enhance Local Cooperation, Promote Common Development", and issued the Beijing Declaration of the First Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation. The Council of the Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation was established, and the signing ceremony of agreements on establishing friendship relationship between Chinese and African provinces or cities and agreements on cooperation between Chinese and African enterprises was also held. CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin, Vice President Feng Zuoku and Secretary General Lin Yi attended concerning programs of the Forum. Therence Sinunguruza, the First Vice Preisdent of Burundi Addressing the Opening Ceremony Li Xiaolin, President of CPAFFC Addressing the Opening Ceremony Abdul’ahat Abdulrixit, the Vice Chairman of CPPCC Addressing the Reception Banquet  State Councilor Dai Bingguo Addressing the Closing Ceremony President Li Xiaolin of the CPAFFC Addressing the Closing Ceremony Signing Ceremony of Agreements on Strategic Cooepration Vice President Feng Zuoku of the CPAFFC Announcing the Beijing Declaration of the First Forun on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation Joint Photo of Vice Premier Li Keqiang with Guests    

At 15:00, Aug.,24th, the Kick-Off Ceremony for the Chinese members of environmental protection expedition of Australia-China Desert Adventure (the Australian Phase) was held in Sun Yat-sen’s Memorial Hall, Guangzhou. Liao Hui, the vice chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the president of China-Oceania Friendship Association, Li Xiaolin, the preisdent of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Zhao Yufang, the deputy governor of Guangdong Province, Cao Jianliao, the deputy mayor of Guangzhou City, Jian Wenhao, the vice chairman of Guangzhou Committee of CPPCC, Jill Collins, the consul-general of the Consulate General of Australia in Guangzhou and Zhou Zerong, the president of Association of Australia-China Friendship and Exchange (AACFE) were present. Australia-China Desert Adventure is co-sponsored by the CPAFFC and AACFE, which is aiming for deepening the bilateral relation and promoting the exchange and cooperation in culture, tourism, environmental protection, by taking the 40th anniversary of establishment of China-Australia diplomatic relations as a favorable opportunity. The expeditions will explore through the inland deserts in Australia and Kumukuli Desert in Xinjiang, China. President Li Xiaolin Addressing the Ceremony In her speech, President Li Xiaolin said, since China and Australia established diplomatic relation 40 years ago, the bilateral relation had developed steadily and the exchange of high-level visits had taken place frequently; the bilateral economy and trading between China and Australia was continuously developing and keeping a good momentum. She wished this activity of desert adventure would lift the cultural and economic exchanges between China and Australia to a new stage. At the same time, she wished this activity would provide a platform of exchanges and cooperation for the human’s in-depth understanding on global desertification and protecting our homeland——the earth. Deputy Governor Zhao Yufang, Deputy Mayor Cao Jianliao, Consul-General Jill Collins and President Zhou Zerong also stepped onto the stage, to bolster the departure of the explorers by making speech ,toasting and conferring flags. After the kick-off ceremony, the warriors took the flight on that night, to go to Sydney and formally start their 15 days’s desert adventure.

Presentatives of Participated Countries The 7th Conference on China-ASEAN People-to-People Friendship Organization hosted by Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam-China Friendship Association was held in Hanoi, Vietnam from 16-17, August, 2012 with the theme of "Solidarity, Friendship, Cooperation and Development". The delegation of the China-ASEAN Association headed by its president Madame Gu Xiulian and the delegations of ASEAN friendship organizations attended the Conference. The Vice President of Vietnam Assembly Met with the Delegation More than 200 representatives from China and ASEAN attended the Friendship Exchanges Seminar, Smart City Exhibition, China-ASEAN Labour and Employment Forum, China-ASEAN Corporation Culture Forum and the China-ASEAN Youth Dancing Performance during the Conference. All the organizations signed the "2012-2013 Cooperation Plan" and agreed that the 8th Conference will be hosted by the Association for Philippines-China Understanding in Manila，the Philippines in November 2013. The Vice President of Vietnam Assembly met with the delegation members, Mr. Nguyen Thien Nhan, Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam addressed on the opening ceremony. H.E. Jiang Zaidong, Charge-de-Affair of China to Vietnam attended the main activities. Heads of the Delegations Signing 2012-2013 Cooperation Plan ASEAN-China Youth Dance Exhibition Brilliant Shows