Co-organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and China Urban-townization Promotion Council (CUPC), Nordic Council of Ministers as partner, Green Sustainable Development Conference was held in Beijing on January 17th, 2019. Nearly 300 personages including Mr. Hu Sishe, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mr. Zheng Xinli, Executive Vice Chairman of CUPC, Mr. Laurent Fabius, President of the Constitutional Council，Former Foreign Minister and Former Prime Minister of France, Mr. Svein Berg, Managing Director of Nordic Innovation, and representatives from think tank, research institutions and well-known enterprises in the leading regions for sustainable development in France, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Iceland and etc., and representatives from Chinese governments, think tank and enterprises, attended the opening ceremony. Vice President Hu said in his speech that the current phenomenon of “de-globalization” has occurred in the major developed economies of the world, requiring us to establish a green, shared and sustainable development mechanism under the guidance of the new technological revolution. He also expected to work together with the countries in the world including Nordic countries to discuss about green development, to build sustainable development consensus and to advance international exchange and pragmatic cooperation in the field of green sustainable development, so as to contribute China’s wisdom and method to building a global ecological civilization and a community with a shared future for mankind. Laurent Fabius said in his speech, green sustainable development is one of the two challenges the world confronts with. He hoped that the countries in the world could take actions immediately to realize and to promote commonly the global green sustainable development. Green Sustainable Development Conference is aim to practice new development vision, to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. With the theme of green urbanization sustainable development and international cooperation, the representatives had a discussion about technological and educational sustainable development and innovation, energy environmental protection symbiosis city, Social humanities and sustainable development, financial supporting mechanism and sustainable development and other themes. Moreover, they also discussed how to develop the international cooperation on green sustainable development, to explore a collaborative governance trust mechanism among government, market, and social sustainable development.           Photographed by Shao Shuai

At the invitation of the CPAFFC, a 6-member delegation of Ethio-China People's Friendship Association, headed by H.E. Mr. Hailekiros Gessesse, Former Ambassador of Ethiopia to China, visited Beijing and Chengdu from January 7 to 11, 2019. In Beijing, the CPAFFC Vice President Mme. Lin Yi met with the delegation and signed the Memorandum Of Understanding between Ethio-China People’s Friendship Association (ECPFA) and Chinese People Association For Friendship With Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) with Mr. Hailekiros. The delegation also paid a visit to the Ethiopian Embassy in China, the China-Africa Development Fund and the major exhibition in celebration of the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening up. In Chengdu, the delegation paid a visit to the Sichuan People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and had a discussion with the Ethiopian students studying in the University of Electronic Science and Technology.                   Photographed by Zhang Yujun

On January 10th, Vice President Xie Yuan met with old friends from the State of Iowa, US, in Beijing. The delegation is consisted of Madam Sarah Lande, the Friendship Ambassador, H.E. Kenneth Quinn, president of World Food Prize Foundation and former U.S. ambassador to Cambodia as well as Mr. Dan Stein, chairman of Muscatine-China Friendship Initiative Committee. Vice President Xie made an introduction of China’s economic and social development. He said that people-to-people exchanges are the important cornerstone of our bilateral relations, encouraging all fields to strengthen cooperation with American friends in the future to further develop the China-U.S. relationship. Madam Lande and the other friends said that the sister state-province relationship between Iowa and Hebei Province had become a model between the two countries. The healthy development of U.S.-China relations were the common aspiration of the two peoples. They would continue to contribute to the development of bilateral friendly relations in the future.        

The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs jointly held the reception commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States at the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of People in Beijing on January 10, 2019. Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan attended the reception and delivered a speech. Xu Kuangdi, former vice chairman of the CPPCC and president of China-US People’s Friendship Association, US Ambassador Terry Branstad to China and around 300 representatives from all walks of life from China and the US, who support the development of China-US relationship, attended the event. Vice President Wang Qishan said, 40 years ago, for the basic interests of both peoples and with strategic views and political courage, leaders from both countries have made the historic decision to establish diplomatic relations between China and the US, starting a new chapter in China-US relations. Reviewing those 40 years, China-US relations have progressed through ups and downs, achieving significant results that no one could have imagined then. These achievements have not only brought about enormous benefits to both peoples, but also boosted world peace, stability and prosperity. He also said, one can only accomplish his mission when he never forgets why he started. 40 years ago, China and the US established diplomatic relations to expand the common interests of both peoples, and strengthen world peace, stability and development. 40 years now, with our bilateral relations on a new course, both sides should remember our original goals and keep coordination, cooperation and stability as basic principals, creating greater dividends for both countries and the world. Invited by the CPAFFC, Chip Carter, special representative and son of former US President Jimmy Carter, Neil Bush, third son of former US President George H.W. Bush, Chris Cox, grandson of Former US President Richard Nixon, and Sarah Lande, old friend from the State of Iowa, visited China and attended the reception. Chip Carter read the congratulatory letter from his father at the reception.          

Vice President Xie Yuan met with the Philadelphia Orchestra delegation on January 9. Vice President Xie spoke highly of the important role played by the Philadelphia Orchestra in promoting China-US people-to-people and cultural exchanges since its first visit to China back in 1973. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between China and the United States. CPAFFC is pleased to assist the Orchestra for its upcoming trip to China within the year. He hoped that the two parties could jointly make positive contribution to the people-to-people exchanges between our two countries through deepening cooperation in the future. Mr. Matias Tarnopolsky, president & CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra, regarded music as an important tool for countries to carry out people-to-people exchange and foster mutual understanding. It’ll be the 12th visit to China by the Orchestra this year, to which members of the delegation all look forward. The Orchestra wished to strengthen ties with CPAFFC in the years to come, so as to further expand its cooperation with China.        

China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development Autoperson Development Foundation Annual Conference was held in Beijing on January 8th, 2019. Nearly 50 experts and scholars in this field including Mr. Li Xikui, Secretary General of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and Director of China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development (CFFPD), Mr. Shen Jinjun, President of China Automobile Dealers Association (CADA), Mr. Wang Jing, Secretary General of China Road Traffic Safety Association (CRTSA), Mr. Chi Changsheng, Executive Director of China Leadership Committee, Mr. Zhang Xuan, Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director and Chairman of the Board of YIXIN Group, and etc., attended the conference. Secretary General Li Xikui gave positive comments on the achievements Autoperson Development Foundation had made in 2018. He also pointed out, as the only public welfare foundation under CFFPD, Autoperson Development Foundation would encourage more young people to raise comprehensive capacity through combining their innovative capacity with participation in the social practice activities, so as to give support in talent pools for realizing the great automobile country. During the conference, Autoperson Development Foundation Administration Committee & Working Group ware formally established and inaugurated. At last, guests discussed on the work plans of Autoperson Development Foundation in 2019. They said, automobile industry is in the period of reforming. The development of this industry is inseparable from joint efforts from personages in various fields. They hoped that more people with lofty ideals could take part in this industry, so as to assist the smoothly transformation of China automobile industry.             Photographed by Shao Shuai

On January 8th, Vice President Xie Yuan met with US delegation attending the “Golden week Conference for Chinese script writers ”. The delegation is consisted of Mike Reiss, Emmy Award winner and writer of The Simpsons ,Raymond Singer, writer of Mulan and Mike Ferris, writer of Terminator 3. Vice President Xie Yuan briefed the delegation on the work and function of CPAFFC. He said that cultural exchange is an important part of our bilateral relationship and CPAFFC stands ready to work with US side to spread Chinese culture and enhance understanding and friendship between the two peoples.  Mike Reiss said that China has the most attractive movie market and productions with Chinese elements are very popular . He hoped to create more works about China, so as to promote cultural exchanges between our two countries.            

At the invitation of CPAFFC and through the organization of CUSEF, the Youth Leaders Delegation of Columbia University visits China in January. On January 3rd, Mr. Zhang Heqiang, Director General of Department of American and Oceanian Affairs, met with and held welcome luncheon for the delegation in Beijing. Director General Zhang encouraged the youth leaders of Columbia University to get a better understanding of China through this visit, thus make positive contribution to China-US friendship and cooperation in the future.            

On January 2, 2019, Mme. Lin Yi, Vice President of the CPAFFC, met with H.E. Mamadou Ndiaye, Ambassador of Senegal to China, in Beijing. Vice President Lin welcomed Ambassador Ndiaye and thanked him for his visit at the beginning of the  new year 2019. She said that Senegal is an important partner of China in Africa. Over the past year, the political mutual trust between the two countries has been continuously enhanced and the mutually beneficial cooperation has yielded fruitful results. The CPAFFC is willing to keep contact and further coordinate with the Embassy of Senegal to promote people-to-people andthe cultural as well asand  local exchanges between China and Senegal and organize more activities to strengthen people-to-people tiesconnectivity. Ambassador Ndiaye spoke highly of the CPAFFC’s work with Senegal. He said that the implementation of people-to-people and cultural exchanges is one of the "Eeight Iinitiatives" proposed by President Xi Jinping at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The Embassy of Senegal in China will continue to work closely with CPAFFC to deepen the mutual understanding and friendship of the two peoples.           Photographed by Fang Ying

Mr. Hu Sishe, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), attended the 8th plenary meeting of council of Shaan Xi Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (SXPPAFFC) and delivered a speech in Xi’an, capital of Shaan Xi Province on December 21st. Over 160 personages including Mr. Wei Zengjun, Vice Governor of the People’s Government of Shaan Xi Province, and newly elected members of the 8th meeting of council of SXPPAFFC, attended the meeting.      Vice President Hu Sishe read the directive from CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin had made about the new council meeting of SXPPAFFC and congratulatory letter from CPAFFC. On behalf of CPAFFC, Vice President Hu Sishe congratulated members of the 8th plenary meeting of council of SXPPAFFC on being elected. He pointed out in his speech that people-to-people diplomacy is to enhance people’s understanding, trust and friendship and to eliminate the trust deficit among the people, so as to serve the need of China’s overall diplomatic work by the way of carrying out all-directional, multi-level people-to-people friendship work. He stressed that the people-to-people diplomacy for a new era should strengthen political construction, uphold the centralized, unified leadership of the Central Committee and resolutely safeguard its authority and fully make use of China’s political and institution advantages to demonstrate more powerful vitality and creativity. Meanwhile, the people-to-people diplomacy should make efforts from the three aspects including strengthening ideological and political leadership, implementing foreign principals and policies, and serving the local social economic development. Vice President Hu Sishe also encouraged the comrades present to take this change as an opportunity to implement the spirit of the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs and to bring into play its advantages to make more contributions to serving China’s diplomacy. Vice Governor Wei Zengjun was elected as the President of the 8th plenary meeting of council of SXPPAFFC, Mme. Yao Hongjuan, Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Shaanxi Province Committee, was elected as Executive Vice President, Mr. Cao Hui was executive vice president, and Mr. Gu Xuanhong was Secretary General.