On March 29, the reception in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sudan was co-hosted in Beijing by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Embassy of Sudan to China. Mr. Arken Imirbaki, Vice Chairman of Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and President of the Chinese-Arab Friendship Association, Madam Lin Yi, Vice President of the CPAFFC, and Mr. Ahmed M.A. Shawir, Ambassador of Sudan to China, together with other 500 guests attended the reception. In her speech, Madam Lin Yi pointed out that over the past 6 decades, with sincere cooperation, the two countries have always treated each other as equals, and supported each other’s core interests and major concerns. She said that China is ready to work with Sudan, taking the opportunity of celebrating the 60th anniversary, to further bilateral exchanges in various fields at all levels, deepen pragmatic cooperation, and foster new highlights in bilateral relations, thus to further development of China-Sudan Strategic Partnership. Ambassador Shawir stressed that with mutual trust and joint efforts of both sides, on the win-win basis, fruitful results have been achieved for the Sudan-China cooperation, laying a solid foundation for bilateral relations. Sudan is willing to continue to work with China, and push bilateral cooperations to a new high.      Photographed by Ren Xin        

Director General Zhang Heqiang of the American and Oceania Affairs Department met with Speaker Pro Tempore Gordon M. Johnson of New Jersey General Assembly on March 28th in Beijing. Director General Zhang regarded sub-national cooperation as an essential part of China-US relations. He admired the continuous efforts made by Speaker Johnson on promoting New Jersey’s relationship with China, and hoped that New Jersey could further expand its cooperation with China in various fields, such as economy and trade, education and tourism.  Speaker Johnson viewed China as an important global partner for New Jersey. Some enterprises within the State are planning to invest in China, and a number of small and medium sized cities hope to form comparable city clusters in the aim of exploring sister-city relations with Chinese counterparts. With the assistance of CPAFFC, New Jersey looks to further deepening friendship and cooperation with China.       Photographed by Zhang Yang

At the invitation of the Ministry of Information and Culture of Afghanistan and the Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan, a Chinese cultural delegation led by Zhou Pianping, Deputy Secretary General of the China Friendship Association for International Art Exchange, paid a working visit to Afghanistan on March 26 and 28. Ambassador Liu Jinsong and Political Counselor of Wang Daxue accompanied the delegation to relevant activities. On March 27, the delegation, accompanied by Ambassador Liu, met with Acting Minister Safi and Deputy Minister Bawary of the Ministry of Information and Culture of Afghanistan. Acting Minister Safi warmly welcomed the delegation to Afghanistan and recalled with pleasure her unforgettable experience at the Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo last September. She said that culture is extremely important for the peace and stability of Afghanistan at present. It can help the Afghan people know who they are and where they have come from and strengthen their national identity. China has invited Afghanistan to attend the cultural expo and hold the exhibition of Afghan National Treasures. We have taken concrete actions to support Afghanistan's peaceful reconstruction and enhanced Afghanistan's cultural confidence and international visibility. Afghanistan is the "Heart of Asia" and has the responsibility to contribute to the inheritance and preservation of regional culture. Afghanistan is ready to carry out more cultural exchanges and cooperation with China under the framework of the "One Belt and One Road" initiative, strengthen the ties between Afghanistan and the "One Belt and One Road" initiative, enhance cultural connection and people-to-people bond between the two countries, and deepen the friendship between China and Afghanistan. Acting Minister Safi also warmly invited China to participate in the "Culture Week" activities during the centenary of Afghanistan's independence celebrations.   Delegation Meets with Acting Minister Safi with Ambassador Liu Deputy Secretary-general Zhou Jianping said that since 2017, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries has promoted the touring exhibition of Afghan National Treasures in China, which has been warmly welcomed by the Chinese audiences and received more than 1.2 million visitors. "Treasure Exhibition" of Afghanistan has become a bridge of cooperation between the two countries and departments. Over the past two thousand years, Afghanistan has played an irreplaceable role on the Silk Road and contributed more to the "One Belt and One Road" initiative. Chairman Xi Jinping has just concluded his visit to Italy. Afghanistan is just the intersection of the ancient Silk Road from Chang 'an of China to Rome of Italy. China-Afghanistan joint development of "One Belt and One Road" has a historical basis and an opportunity of our time. China will soon hold the "Conference on Dialogue among Asian Civilizations" in Beijing. We hope that Afghanistan will select and enrich the exhibition so that the people of Asian countries will have a better understanding of Afghan culture.   Group Photo of the Delegation with Ambassador Liu and Acting Minister Safi, etc. Ambassador Liu said that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the independence of Afghanistan and the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. China supports the "Culture Week" in Afghanistan and will invite the Chinese art troupe to participate. Paintings Presented by the Delegation to Acting Minister Safi Later, the delegation, accompanied by the Political Counselor Wang Daxue, paid a visit to the National Museum of Afghanistan and the Shamshad Military Museum. Rahimi, director of the National Museum of Afghanistan, said the touring exhibition of Afghan Treasures in China has offered many colleagues of the National Museum a chance to visit China to learn about local culture and history. He thanked the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Beijing Jianzhong Cultural Communication Co.,Ltd. for their warm reception. The National Museum of Afghanistan has a rich collection of fine works, but the security situation in Afghanistan is serious for foreigners. Zhou jianping said that the exhibition of Afghan treasures in China has indeed opened a window for the Chinese people to understand the history and culture of Afghanistan. The Delegation, accompanied by Political Counsellor Wang Daxue pays a visit to the Director of the National Museum, Rahimi At the Shamshad media group, general manager Abdul Karim Fazel invited the delegation to visit the military museum, where he introduced the great sacrifices Afghanistan has made for independence, freedom and peace in modern times. Fazel introduces a computer classroom converted from an old helicopter On March 28, the delegation, accompanied by Ambassador Liu, went to the Ghulam Mohammad Maimanagi Art School affiliated to the Ministry of Information and Culture for a discussion. Deputy Minister of Information and Culture Bawary, President of the Art School Shariq, Professor Osmani of the Department of Archaeology of Kabul University, teachers and students of the school and other old and new friends were present. Delegation and Ambassador Liu at Art School The Deputy Minister Bawary together with Zhou Jianping, Deputy Secretary-general opened Afghan Treasures Exhibition in Shenzhen, he made a splendid prologue in Afghanistan intellectuals characteristic enthusiasm and sincere: "China and Afghanistan have a long history of civilization. Afghanistan is ready to work with China to build the "One Belt and One Road" and strengthen the bond between our peoples." The school offers free courses in watercolor, oil painting, drawing, calligraphy, computer design and handwork for the whole society, said principal Shariq. The school also specially opened sewing classes for women and enrolled a group of deaf students who love painting. Delegation Presents Gifts to Students From paper cutting and freehand sketching to oil painting and calligraphy, delegations and diplomats from the embassy entered classrooms to give small gifts to children and appreiciate the works of students and teachers. Handicrafts visited by the delegation and Ambassador Liu In the handicraft classroom, Deputy Secretary-general Zhou took up a handicraft with great interest and looked at it carefully. Students in the sewing class wearing ethnic costumes In the sewing room, everyone's eyes were attracted by the gorgeous Afghan national costumes. "I will take it home and hang it on the wall for my friends to enjoy," said Mr. Jin xingshi, a member of the delegation. Delegation, Ambassador Liu visit oil painting classroom In the oil painting classroom, President Shariq introduced that most of the students here are deaf and dumb children. They can neither hearing nor speaking, but they express the fear and aversion of the Afghan people to war and the desire and dream for peace and a happy life in the eyes of the children with their brushes and colors. The Burning and Destruction of the Flames of War Suffering and Shouting Street Market in War Calls for Peace During his visit to Afghanistan, Chinese artist Jin Xingshi, a member of the delegation, held a lecture entitled "The Consciousness Expression of Modern Chinese Painting" in the Embassy and painted on the spot, which added some relaxed artistic atmosphere to the busy and tense embassy in the war zone. Ambassador Liu Jinsong and some staff members of the embassy, representatives of Chinese-funded Institutions in Afghanistan and Chinese Businessmen's Association attended the meeting. Jin Xingshi iving an art lecture in the embassy Jin Xingshi paints the scene for the embassy The exhibition Treasures from the National Museum of Afghanistan was organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and co-organized by the China Friendship Association for International Art Exchange and KOUZAN Fine-arts Company. High-level officials of the two countries also spoke highly of the exhibition, agreeing that the exhibition has become an important project of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries in recent years and has made contributions to the "One Belt and One Road" people-to-people bond. Through communications between China and Afghanistan, the two sides have drawn up an agreement to continue their cooperation in touring exhibitions in Changsha, Nanjing and Hong Kong in 2019. At the initiative of Chairman Xi Jinping, the first conference on Dialogue among Asian Civilizations will be held in Beijing in May 2019. The Afghan Treasure Exhibition has been included in the conference plan and will be displayed in the art museum of Tsinghua University Art Museum for 70 days. Chen jianzhong, President of KOUZAN Fine-arts Company, Jin Xingshi, Chinese Contemporary Artist, Liu Zhenhua, Exhibition Manager of Beijing Jianzhong Cultural Communication Co., LTD. (Beijing branch of KOUZAN Fine-arts Company) and Jiang Ruixia, Director of International Department attended the above activities.          

Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met with Mr. Fernando Caceres, Minister of the Ministry of Sports of Uruguay and his delegation on March, 28. Vice President Xie Yuan made a brief introduction on the tasks of the CPAFFC and expressed congratulations to Uruguay football team on wining China Cup Champion. Both sides had a discussion on programs including sportsmen training, football friendly matches between China and Uruguay, and etc.. Mr. Ji Yongjun, Deputy Director General of Department of American and Oceanian Affairs of CPAFFC, Mr. Fernando Lugris, Uruguay Ambassador to China, attended the meeting.  

The First China-German Symposium on Promotion of Youth Footballers, co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and Germany-China Friendship Association (GCFA), and organized by Eintracht Frankfurt Fu?ball AG, was held in CPAFFC on March 26. The guests including Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mr. Zhu Guanghu, Chairman of Shanghai Football Association (SFA), Mr. Wu Jingui, Sporting Director of Shanghai Greenland Shenhua Football Club, Mr. Shao Jiayi, Director of Chinese National Team Department of Chinese Football Association (CFA), Mr. Felix Kurz, Vice Chairman of GCFA, Mr. Markus Weidner, Director of International Cooperation Department of Eintracht Frankfurt Fu?ball AG, Mme. Yildiz Miller, Deputy Head of Cultural Office of Germany Embassy in China, Mr. Li Xin, Director General of Eintracht Frankfurt Fu?ball AG in Beijing Office and etc., were present. Over 120 personages from education, sport, football associations, foreign affairs offices, clubs and other departments and institutions in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Henan, Inner Mongolia, Shandong and etc., attended the symposium. Vice President Song Jingwu said in his speech, the exchange through football has now become an important part of the exchanges of the humanity and culture between the countries. Developing football game among the youth is of great significance to the healthy growth and enhancing the mutual understanding of the youth between the countries. German is a football power. We could learn from its successful football training system for youth. Germany Experts from Eintracht Frankfurt Fu?ball AG made an introduction about the experience in selection, training, psychological construction for the young athletes. He had a discussion with the audience on how to select football talents, develop campus football game, coach training, youth football league and etc. During the symposium, CPAFFC and SFA signed the cooperation memorandum respectively with Eintracht Frankfurt Fu?ball AG. China Radio International, People's network, China Beijing TV Station,  The Paper and Sports, PPTV and other media reported the activity. 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, attended the symposium.          

Mr. Hao Zhongwei, deputy director general of the American and Oceania Affairs Department met with the youth leaders from The University of Chicago (UChigaco) in Beijing on March 25th. Deputy Director General Hao introduced the achievements CPAFFC has made in carrying out people-to-people diplomacy, especially in the field of China-U.S. youth exchanges. He also briefed the development of China from history, culture and social aspects. He hoped that the youth leaders of UChigaco could have an in-depth understanding of China through their personal experiences during this trip and keep developing their own expertise, in order to play positive roles in enhancing the China-U.S. bilateral relationship in the future. Sabreena Croteau, PhD in political sciences from UChicago spoke on behalf of the delegation that this is the first China trip for most delegation members. They have deep interests in China, and would like to enhance their understanding about China in the fields of economic development, urbanization and environmental protection etc. They wish to contribute to promoting the friendly ties between the U.S and China.          

The CPAFFC and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) co-hosted the event of “Nowruz – Festival of Unity and Friendship of the Peoples of the SCO Countries” in Beijing on March 22, 2019. CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin and SCO Secretary General Vladimir Norov addressed the event. Yu Jun, representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassadors of the SCO member states and Ambassadors of several observer countries and SCO dialogue partners attended the event and delivered their greetings. The event was chaired by Song Jingwu, Vice President of the CPAFFC and Vice President of the China-Central Asia Friendship Association. Li Xiaolin said in her speech that the Nowruz is a festival celebrated by many countries, marking the arrival of spring and the beginning of the new year. It expresses people's yearning for a better life in the spring and symbolizes friendship, solidarity and pursuit of world peace. Vladimir Norov noted during his speech that a unique feature of Nowruz is to promote the values of peace and solidarity and help preserve centuries-old traditions and cultural diversity. The ideals of Nowruz and the Shanghai spirit are identical in many ways. This is why the celebration of Nowruz has a deep meaning and special significance for strengthening mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples, as well as the mutual enrichment and rapprochement of the cultures of the SCO Family countries. Before the event, the guests visited the photo exhibition of the SCO member states with the theme of Spring, Nowruz and Traditional Culture and the exhibition of featured handicrafts with ethnic customs, watched sports performances and tasted the snack specialties prepared by the embassies participating in the event. The wonderful performances brought by Minzu University of China and the embassies of SCO member states pushed the event to a climax. Nowruz is a traditional festival celebrated by the peoples of Central Asia and the majority ethnic groups of Azerbaijan, Iran and Afghanistan. It is also celebrated by several minority ethnic groups of China, Russia, Pakistan and other SCO member states. In 2009, Nowruz was added to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and was declared International Nowruz Day to be celebrated on 21 March. About 500 people including the leaders and members of the China-Central Asia Friendship Association, representatives from all walks of life, diplomats and their family members from more than 30 countries, as well as students and correspondents in Beijing from the SCO member states, attended the event.             Photographed by CPAFFC and China Pictorial 

On March 22nd, a reception for the first batch of Japanese college students delegation received by the CPAFFC was held in Beijing. Vice President Song Jingwu, together with Nagata Techuji, Executive Council Member of the non-profit social entity organization Japan-China Friendship Association and Shikata Noriyuki, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Japanese Embassy to China addressed the audience. Vice President Song Jingwu welcomed the delegation with a Haiku which says: In the blossom spring day, dear young friends came from afar with whom we shared our sincere friendship in the warm discussions. He said that last year marked the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Abbe met with each other in different occasions and Chinese Premier and Japanese Prime Minister exchanged visits, the bilateral relations were brought back to the normal track and realized new development. China-Japan relations have weathered the storm and came to a new starting point, this has everything to do with the unremitting efforts by the visionary friends from our two countries including the Japan-China Friendship Association. The roots of China-Japan Friendship lay in our peoples with its future in the youth. Youth, bearing the mandate of the development of China-Japan relations, is the hope of our countries and the future of our nations. This year is the Youth Exchanges Facilitating Year between China and Japan. In the next 5 years, large scale youth mutual visits will be carried out between our two countries. He believed with more understanding and friendship between the young people, China-Japan Friendship will be carried on from generation to generation. Vice President Song Jingwu pointed out that China’s development is peaceful development with the objective of win-win cooperation with all other countries including Japan. Both China and Japan are going trough critical junctures in development, broadening and strengthening cooperation not only benefits our two peoples but also the peace and development of Asian and the world at large. It is his hope that with this visit, the students can further grasp the importance of steady and health long term development of China-Japan relations to our two countries, our continent and the world and contribute their share to China-Japan friendship. Nagata Techuji, Executive Council Member of Japan-China Friendship Association and the head of the delegation said that it is to his great delight to lead Japanese college student delegation to China in the Youth Exchanges Facilitating Year between China and Japan and deeply understands the importance of the mission. Seeing is believing. He firmly believes the positive influence of the visit may have in the students’ future life and hopes the students can make this visit the starting point of Japan-China friendship, further understand China and the importance of Japan-China relations with exchanges with their Chinese peers and make their contributions to the realization of genuine friendship between Japan and China. Shikata Noriyuki, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Japanese Embassy to China said, this year is the Youth Exchanges Facilitating Year between China and Japan initiated by the two governments and the visit of the delegation bears profound implications. China is experiencing rapid development and changes, he hopes the students not to be influence by media propaganda and out dated views and have a comprehensive and genuine picture of China through candid exchanges with the Chinese youth and the first hand knowledge of the cultural and technological achievements of China, share their experience and feelings with friends and loved ones back to Japan, facilitating the mutual understanding between the two peoples. In the afternoon, the delegation experienced Intangible Cultural Heritages including Huzhou Writing Brush Production and Beijing Painted Clay Crafts. Ms. Zhu Dan, Deputy Director-General of Japanese Affairs Department joined the above events. Wang Houxian, Senior Inheritor of Daiyuexuan Huzhou Writing Brush demonstrates Writing Brush Production to Japanese college students Zhang Zhongqiang, Senior Inheritor of Beijing Painted Clay Crafts teaches Japanese college students drawing Lord Rabbit, a mythical bunny sent down from the moon to bring good health to Beijing          

At the invitation of Timothy Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics, Mr. Li Xikui, Secretary General of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), led a delegation to attend the opening ceremony of the 15th Special Olympics World Summer Games held in United Arab Emirates on March, 14.     During the activity, Secretary General Li Xikui met with Mr.Timothy Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics, Mme. Patricia Marroquín, the First Lady of Guatemala, Mr. Charles Nyambe, Regional President and Managing Director for Special Olympics Africa Region, Mr. David S. Evangelista, Regional President and Managing Director for Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Region, and others. They had a discussion on the topic of concerning about the development of the disabled and the establishment of the friendly cities, and reached a consensus. Secretary General Li Xikui also attended Global Inclusive Health Forum, Health Plans for athletes and other side events.     It is the first time that the Special Olympics World Games is being held in the Middle East and North Africa. A total of 7, 500 athletes from more than 190 countries and regions participated in this Special Olympics. It is the ninth time for China to take part in the Special Olympics World Summer Games. Over 100 athletes were organized to participate in ten sports events, such as, swimming, basketball and etc..   Special Olympics was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, a member of American Kennedy family. The first Special Olympics competition was held in Chicago in 1968. Special Olympics organization was founded in the same year as an international non-profit organization to hold the Special Olympics World Games. Its current Chairman Timothy Shriver visited CPAFFC on December 5, 2018. Both sides had achieved initial cooperation intention in the fields of sport, diplomacy, public welfare activities on Special Olympics.                

 The Fourth UN Environment Assembly was held in Nairobi, Kenya on March 11, 2019. Li Xikui, secretary general of the CPAFFC, led 30 Chinese entrepreneurs including few from Tibet Autonomous Region to attend the opening ceremony. On the afternoon of March 11th, the CPAFFC and the National Federation of Industry and Commerce jointly organized a parallel session entitled "Entrepreneurs of China Contribute to the World's Third Pole Eco-environmental Protection Conference" Mr. Li Xikui, the IUCN President Mr. Zhang Xinsheng, Vice President of the Federation of Industry and Commerce of Tibet Autonomous Region Mr. Phurbu Tsering, Secretary General of China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation Mr. Zhou Jinfeng,as well as more than 100 experts and scholars from the fields of global environmental protection and new energy discussed and focusing on the changes in the global environment and how to protect the world's third pole. In the speech of Mr. Li Xikui said that as a responsible member of the country and an important member of the international community, China is committed to practicing the new development concept, achieving harmonious coexistence between man and nature, and cooperating with protection and development. We adhere to environmental friendliness and promoting green “Belt and Road” construction, supporting UNEP policy decisions, improving administrative efficiency and execution, and strive to play a greater role in the global environmental governance system. Mr. Zhang Xinsheng said that the protection for the Third pole in Tibet has an irreplaceable role in the entire global environment protection, on which the entrepreneurs have played a great role. Chinese entrepreneurs have proved their ability on it no less than  that of any European or American country. Tibetan entrepreneurs have demonstrated international responsibility for the Third-pole environmental protection. Mr. Phurbu pointed out that the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is the "Third pole in the world". The Tibetan people and people of all nationalities are interdependent and integrated with the ecological environment of the plateau. Private enterprises in Tibet are the beneficiaries of clear waters and green mountains and they are the practitioners of ecological civilization construction. Protecting the ecological environment means developing productive forces. Meanwhile, "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, ice and snow are also invaluable assets." This concept is gradually gaining popularity. The United Nations Environment Assembly is the world's highest level environmental decision-making body. The Environmental Conference is held every two years to define priorities to global environmental policies and to develop international environmental laws. The theme of this conference was “Innovative solutions to environmental challenges and sustainable consumption and production”.               Photographed by Liu Wenwen