On May 8th, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China) convened a virtual round table. Former President of the CPAFFC and Vice President of China-U.S. People’s Friendship Association Li Xiaolin and Chairman of AmCham China Gregory Gilligan chaired the conference. President of the CPAFFC Ambassador Lin Songtian, President of AmCham China Alan Beebe, and business representatives from multinational companies including BP China, ConocoPhillips, Honeywell, Intel, Mars, Merck, Cheniere Energy, ExxonMobil, Qualcomm, S&P Global China Ratings, Starbucks and Dow Chemical attended the conference.President Lin Songtian firstly expressed thanks to the AmCham China member companies for their generous donation including fund and supplies worth over 600 million RMB to support the Chinese people fighting against COVID-19. He praised that such kind gesture demonstrated China-U.S. friendship featuring solidarity and mutual assistance, and renewed the chapter of friendly cooperation between the two peoples.Lin Songtian said, at the beginning of this year, faced with the abrupt and horrific spread of COVID-19, President Xi Jinping, paying full respect to science and life, unswervingly upholds the people-centered philosophy which puts people’s life and health first and leads the CPC as well as the Chinese government and people to win the all-out, people’s war in Wuhan, Hubei and China. It took only a bit more than one month for China to contain the spread of the virus among 1.4 billion people and to effectively curb its cross-border spread. China has made tremendous sacrifice and significant contributions to contain the spread of the virus and eventually prevail over the pandemic. China, as a pacesetter, has provided a Chinese approach for the global pandemic response. China’s success on containing COVID-19 proves that this pandemic can be prevented, controlled and cured as long as we respect science and life and resort to solidarity. China has been sharing prevention and control experience with the U. S. and other countries and providing comprehensive support to the people of the U. S. and the world to win the battle against COVID-19.   Lin Songtian said, COVID-19 pandemic exerted unprecedented strike to the world economy, finance, production and trade. The global economy is undergoing a severe recession. All enterprises and business communities around the world are faced with a question of common concern, where is the safe harbor for investment? Due to the pandemic, foreign ventures here in China must have encountered numerous difficulties, and yet if looking around, very few countries can resume nationwide production and normal life like China did. There’s no other country in the world who enjoys better and safer life than China. Facts have proven that, you have made a right choice by investing in China. And now you have made a sensible choice by staying in China when COVID-19 is spreading globally.Lin Songtian said, the impact of the pandemic on China’s economy will be short-lived, and Chinese mainland remains the most promising destination for investment globally. China has every factor that enterprises need for investment and development. Firstly, with the strong leadership of Secretary General Xi Jinping as the core, China enjoys stable political situation and the whole society features unity among all ethnic groups and harmony among the people. The Communist Party of China and the Chinese government have always upheld economic development as the central task, stayed committed to reform and opening-up as well as peaceful development. We have kept our promises and avoided self-inflicted setbacks. Secondly, China possesses not only the most comprehensive and advanced infrastructure, but also the strongest ability on infrastructure construction and adequate financial support. Thirdly, China has a fast growing middle income population of more than 400 million people, forming the largest consumer market globally with huge rigid consumer demand. Fourthly, China boasts highly efficient and self-disciplined workforce of high quality, and products made in China enjoy comparative competitiveness globally. In addition, China plans to invest tens of trillions of RMB to vigorously promote the new infrastructure construction including 5G, big data, Internet of Things, cloud computing and artificial intelligence, which will dramatically improve social productivity and industrial production efficiency, so as to provide foreign enterprises in China with new opportunities and fresh impetus.The representatives of the participating enterprises introduced their respective group companies, especially the current and future development of their operation in China. They said that China took the lead in containing the pandemic, which exhibited the strong leadership along with the excellent ability of organization and mobilization of the Chinese top leaders and government, as well as the bond and cohesiveness of the Chinese people. They witnessed the ability and resources of the Chinese government and its people in response to difficulties and emergencies, which provided them with stronger confidence in expanding investment and achieving growth in China.The company representatives said, although the COVID-19 pandemic has caused many difficulties for the production and business operation, their confidence in China's development and market prospects has not changed and will not change. At present, full resumption of work and production of enterprises are on the way. Multinational companies such as Starbucks and Honeywell have recently approved or implemented new investment projects in China. Participants believed that after the pandemic, China will open up further to the world and improve business environment to create better conditions for foreign enterprises to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and achieve win-win development.The business representatives thanked the CPAFFC for its commitment to China-U.S. sub-national and people-to-people friendly exchanges over the years, which has created favorable conditions for the cooperation between the enterprises of the two countries. They are all full of hope for the improvement of China-U.S. relations through consultation and dialogue, and that the bilateral relations will return to the normal track. They expressed their willingness to continue to maintain close cooperative relations with the CPAFFC. Guided by the vision of "in China, for China", the enterprises will actively fulfill corporate social responsibilities, and expand cooperation with Chinese counterparts, in order to help China-U.S. relations to get back on track. Some constructive suggestions have also been raised to facilitate business development in China and promote the sound and stable development of the China-U.S. relations.Mr. Hu Sishe, vice president of the CPAFFC together with other representatives also attended the conference. Photographed by Ren Xin

On April 28th, Vice President Hu Sishe of CPAFFC held video conference with Chairman Gregory P. Gilligan of AmCham China.Vice President Hu Sishe expressed gratitude to Amcham for rendering help to Chinese people since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. He also said that CPAFFC stands ready to work with Amcham to help American companies succeed in China.Chairman Gregory P. Gilligan said that Amcham values the partnership with CPAFFC and would like to join hands with CPAFFC to ensure the sound and steady development of US-China trade ties.The two sides also had discussions on donation of medical supplies to the US, co-hosting the American Ball themed on combating COVID-19 together and other issues.

In the afternoon of 20th April, Working in Solidarity Epidemic Prevention and Control Supplies Donation Ceremony was held in Beijing. Through coordination of CPAFFC, six companies including Jiangsu Huangpu Recycling Resources Co., Ltd., Wuhan Easy Diagnosis Biomedicine Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Junger Co., Ltd., Yunnan Gongrunxiang Tea Development Co., Ltd., Shijiazhuang Yiling Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Hubei Li Shizhen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd donated urgent needed supplies of nucleic acid testing kits, rapid detection kits, disposable medical masks, bacteriostatic cleansing fluid and traditional Chinese medicine worth of 4.66 million RMB to support four countries to fight the COVID-19 epidemic, to contribute the chinese civil strength to global fight against COVID-19, which showed the firm resolution of chinese people to work together with peoples of the world to build a common community with a shared future for mankind.  Group FhotoPresident Lin Songtian of CPAFFC, Mr and Mrs. Li Zhaoxing, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Arthayudh Srisamoot, Thai Ambassador to China, H.E. Mr. Mahbub Uz Zaman, Bangladesh Ambassador to China, H.E. Mr. Raja Dato’ Nushirwan Zainal Abidin, Malaysian Ambassador to China, H.E. Mr. Aziz MEKOUAR, Minister of Moroccan Embassy in China attended the ceremony and delievered speeches respectively. Mr. Li Xikui vice president of CPAFFC and chairman of council of China Friendship Foundation for Peace & Development, Mr. Chen Guangbiao, chairman of Board of Jiangsu Huangpu Recycling Resources & Utilization, Guo Ziying, development director of Wuhan Easy Diagnosis Biomedicine and representatives of other donating companies as well as correspondents from 15 chinese mainstream media including CCTV and Global Times etc adding up to over 50 persons were present at the ceremony. Speech by President Lin SongtianLin said, the sudden outbreak of COVID-19 is spreading over the globe, causing a world public health crisis which severely threats the life and health for peoples of the world. Chinese people and peoples of the world are all victims of the epidemic. True friendship stands out in difficult times. During the toughest time of chinese people, the above four countries as well as the international community have given China sincere and precious understanding and support from official or civil level and helped chinese government and chinese people to gain confidence, solidarity and boundless strength to defeat the coronavirus, which chinese people would always keep firmly in mind. Now as China has made an important periodical achievement in prevention and control of the epidemic, which has won time as well as provided chinese solution and chinese prescription for other countries of the world in handling the epidemic.Lin expressed, Receiving drips of water when in need, and I shall return the kindness with a spring, which is a traditional virtue of chinese people. CPAFFC and China Friendship Foundation for Peace & Development implement positively the important instruction of Secretary General Xi Jinping about strengthening the international cooperation in epidemic prevention and control and have been collecting supplies and funds widely to donate urgent anti-epidemic medical supplies to multiple countries, which shows the sincere friendship between chinese people and peoples of the world, highlights the resolution and confidence of international community fighting against the epidemic hand in hand and iluminates the truth of a common community of a shared future for mankind. Speech by Li Zhaoxing, former Minister of Foreign AffairsLi said, China and Thailand, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Morocco are close partners which help each other in need. During this special time, chinese people shall work hand in hand with the above four countries as well as peoples of the world to finally win the battle against the epidemic.Ambassadors of the four countries delievered their speeches respectively, in which they spoke highly of chinese positive achievements in the fight against the epidemic as well as magnificent contribution of China in global battle against COVID-19. It fully embodies the idea of a common community of a shared future for mankind to work in solidarity to defeat the epidemic. They thanked the chinese government and chinese people for offering the urgent help and rapid acting to mobilize civil strtength including enterprises, organisations to raise urgent supplies for epidemic prevention and control by their requests. They spoke also highly of the positive action of CPAFFC.Speech by H.E. Mr. Arthayudh Srisamoot, Thai Ambassador to ChinaThai Ambassador to China said, Thailand and China has a special relation close as one family. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in China, the royal family, government, civilians of Thailand have offered help to chinese people in various forms. Nowadays, China has offered timely support to Thailand, and other countries of the world by making donations, sending expert groups, sharing experience etc, has positively supported the global battle against COVID-19 and promoted the friendship among the peoples.Speech by H.E. Mr. Mahbub Uz Zaman, Bangladeshi Ambassador to ChinaBangladesh Ambassador expressed, it is the sincere friendship as well as the mutual support among the countries of Asia and Afirca that has been passed through the kind donations of the companies. President Xi calls for the international community to move hand in hand. Bangladesh will strengthen the cooperation with all developing countries to work as one to fight the epidemic together.Speech by Malaysian Ambassador to ChinaMalaysian Ambassador said in his speech, the epidemic has reminded us of the high dependency and connectiveness among various countries. Malaysia and China have helped each other in the time of crisis and have deeply explained a joint vision of a common community of a shared future for mankind in the anti-epidemic cooperation.Speech by Mr. Aziz MEKOUAR, Minister of Moroccan Embassy in ChinaMinister of Moroccan Embassy in China said, in the early February, Morocco has sent two chartered planes to transport supplies to Wuhan. Now China has sent 9 planes full loaded with supplies both produced and donated to Morocco. China has also shared their experience in the fight against coronavirus in online video-conferences, which show the chinese traditional virtue of treasuring friendship. He hoped that cooperation in the medical sectors between China and Morocco could be further reinforced.Speech by Chen Guangbiao, representative of the donating enterprisesMr. Chen Guangbiao, Chairman of the board of Jiangsu Huangpu Recycling Resources & Utilization spoke on behalf of the entrepreneurs: coronavirus sees no borders and mankind lives in a common community of a shared future, where weal and woe are together undertaken. Only by working closely together in solidarity, supporting each others’ back as well as mobilising all possible resources, can coronavirus then be defeated, for which chinese entrepreneurs are duty-bound in every means. Chinese entrepreneurs would make their contributions to fight and to obtain the final victory of the battle against COVID-19 with practical actions.Vice president Li Xikui issued donation certifications to representatives of the enterprisesOn the hand-over ceremony, vice president of CPAFFC and chairman of council of China Friendship Foundation for Peace & Development Li Xikui accepted the donation supplies worth of 12.73 million RMB from six enterprises, of which urgent medical anti-epidemic supplies with worth of 4.66 million RMB were donated to the four countries above and the rest would be shared to other friendly countries of the world.The event was held together by China Friendship Foundation for Peace & Development and Grand World Group. Before the ceremony, president Lin Songtian met the enterprise representatives and diplomats of the four countries to China respectively and made sincere friendly communication about promoting mutual exchange and cooperation. Vice president Li Xikui, heads of Department of East Asian Affairs, Department of Asian & African Affairs as well as China Friendship Foundation for Peace & Development were also present at the meeting as company.Phtotgraphed by Ren Xin

On April 17th, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the California-China Climate Institute convened a remote dialogue. Former President of the CPAFFC and Vice President of China-U.S. People’s Friendship Association Li Xiaolin and former California Governor and Chair of the California-China Climate Institute Edmund G. Brown Jr. chaired the dialogue. Representatives of China and U.S. Strategic Community including President of the CPAFFC Lin Songtian, former Chinese Ambassador to the U.S., Vice President of China-U.S. People’s Friendship Association Zhou Wenzhong, Tsinghua University Center for International Security and Strategy Professor and Dean Fu Ying, former California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., former Secretary of the U.S. Treasury Hank Paulson, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former White House Chief of Staff John Podesta attended the dialogue, discussed cooperation between China and the U.S. to cope with global challenges such as the COVID-19 and climate change.Representatives from the State government of California as well as from Chinese and American think tanks and enterprises such as William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Energy Foundation and Tsinghua University discussed about how to take concrete measures to jointly respond to global challenges at the meeting. Vice President of CPAFFC Hu Sishe attended the meeting.Photographed by Ren Xin

The world is experiencing a special situation due to outbreak of novel coronavirus. The virus has mostly affected China and its people, with individuals and businesses adversely influenced. However, the people are strong enough to fight and win the battle against the virus. The Chinese government responded swiftly and with great resolve to the public health emergency and mobilizing all its resources to overcome the critical situation in Hubei province where the outbreak has been the most severe. Iran, my country, has been also affected the novel coronavirus and unfortunately 54 people have died by Sunday and many more have been infected.This is not the first biological threat to humans and will not be the last. There have been several epidemics since the beginning of 21st century, although the West has mostly has managed to avoid the worst, but it does not mean that an epidemic will never seriously trouble those parts of the world. Biological threats are every country's problem, not only those that are most badly challenged by the emergence of a serious public health threat.In the case of the novel coronavirus, which is clearly a serious threat to people around the world considering how highly contagious it is, I think that there has been insufficient international coordination, and countries and airlines individually decided how to manage their relationships with China, which have obviously been ineffective. There has also been a lack of public awareness campaigns informing people of what they can do to minimize the risks of transmission. And concerted efforts by countries to counter the spread of the virus have been too little, too late.However, I believe we can turn the current threat into opportunity by training and educating people to adopt higher health standards, which contribute to the prevention of an outbreak. The role of NGOs is crucial in making people more aware of the importance of simple hygiene measures. On the national level, countries have to collectively design and individually implement more robust healthcare systems. People have to be able to trust their countries' health systems in critical circumstances. On the international level, countries need to enhance their cooperation on health issues. Stronger public health ties among countries will facilitate collaboration in times of crisis. I think a new international coordination mechanism to specifically manage biological risks should be considered.China and the world will definitely win the battle against the novel coronavirus. All people with any kind of humanity are supporting the people who are affected by the virus in any way. As Persian poet Sa'adi (1210-1291) wrote:"The sons of Adam are limbs of each other, having been created of one essence. When the calamity of time affects one limb, the other limbs cannot remain at rest."We all have to rethink our roles in human society so we are better prepared for the future public health challenges that are sure to emerge.The author is Mostafa Mohammadi, visiting lecturer of management in Shahid Beheshti University of Iran, and Head of Youth Committee, Iran-China Friendship AssociationOriginal link:https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202003/02/WS5e5ca6e4a31012821727b9c9.html

On Jan. 7, Vice President Hu Sishe met with Mr. Kadir Tanridagli, Chairman of Turkey-China Cultural Exchange and Cooperation Association (TCCA).Vice President pointed out that China and Turkey have maintained close exchanges among the people and enjoy great potential for cooperation. Turkey is a country along the Belt and Road. CPAFFC will work hard to promote Belt and Road cooperation and advance cultural exchanges and mutual learning with Belt and Road countries. Vice President Hu Sishe hoped that both sides can work together to hold the Dialogue Between Chinese and Turkish Historic and Cultural Cities, forging a platform for enhancing mutual understanding between the historic and cultural cities from both countries.Chairman of TCCA said that the two peoples share deep friendship and TCCA, a Turkish non-governmental organization, wish to increase contact with CPAFFC and promote people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, sharing the development opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative.Both sides had an in-depth discussion and reached agreement on future cooperation.Mr. Ji Wei and Ms. Jia Ling, Deputy Directors General of Cultural Exchange Department of CPAFFC,  also attended the meeting.  Photographed by Wang Lijuan

On the morning of December 31，2019, Vice President Lin Yi met with President Haider Al Rubeiy of Iraq-China Friendship Association in Beijing.The two sides exchanged views on bilateral people-to-people friendly relations and cooperation in the areas of economy and trade, culture and etc. They hoped the two associations could deepen communication and cooperation in the new year, and make greater contribution to our two nations and peoples.Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Beijing Dr. Bahir Mirdan，Vice President of the Chinese Arab Friendship Association and former Board Chairman of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Mr. Yuan Li, and Deputy Director General of Asia-Afirca Department of the CPAFFC Mrs. Tang Ruimin attended the meeting.Photographed by Liu Lu

In the afternoon of December 23th, CPAFFC held China-Japan Youth Friendly Exchange Convention in the Great Hall of the People. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu sent congratulation letters respectively on behalf of Chinese and Japanese governments. President Li Xiaolin, vice president Song Jingwu of CPAFFC, director general of Department of Asian Affairs of Foreign Ministry Wu Jianghao, former Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary and president of Japan-China Association for Promotion of Friendly & Cultural Exchange Kawamura Tateo, chief envoy of Japanes embassy in China Ueno Atsushi as well as representatives of relevant organisations of both countries as well as Chinese and Japanese youth representatives adding up to about 1200 people attended the convention.President Li Xiaolin said in her speech, it is a grand occasion of 2019 China-Japan Youth Exchange and Promotion Year that over two thousand young people from China and Japan gathered in Beijing and attended the China-Japan Youth Friendly Exchange Convention. The congratulation letters of State Councilor Wang Yi and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu mark the great importance attached by both governments to the young exchange. The youth is the hope of the country and the nation, which also holds the future of relations of both countries. CPAFFC held the opening ceremony of 2019 China-Japan Youth Exchange & Promotion Year successfully in April and worked together with multiple Japanese organisations to have co-organized mutual visits of over two thousand young people of both countries, launched friendly exchange events of diverse aspects and various forms. Through mutual visits and exchanges, the youth of both countries have gained objective and more rational understanding of the opposite country and have built a bond of heart in the new meeting. Looking into the future, CPAFFC would continuously work with all sectors of chinese and Japanese societies as well as all locals to strengthen exchanges of young people and to make contributions to establishing a better future for China-Japan relations together.Kawamura Tateo said in his speech, Japan and China have long history of friendly exchanges, whose basis is exactly the mutual understanding and trust of both people. A bright future for Japan-China friendship can only be achieved through friendly exchanges of young people of both countries. In 2019, China-Japan Youth Exchange & Promotion Year, both sides launched various exchange events, of which the China-Japan Youth Friendly Exchange Convention is the largest event and can be described as a mile stone of Japan-China youth exchange events. He hoped that youth exchange between both countries can be continuously expanded and implemented.Young representatives of both countries shared their thoughts about exchanges respectively and gave varieties of performances with characteristics of both countries.

The event to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People was held in Beijing on December 3rd by the CPAFFC in cooperation with the Embassy of the State of Palestine and the Beijing Foreign Language Studies University (BFSU). Special Envoy of the Chinese Government for the Middle East Mr. Zhai Jun, CPAFFC Vice President Madam Lin Yi, BFSU President Mr. Yang Dan, representative of the diplomatic corps of Arab countries to China as well as Ambassador of Bahrain Dr. Anwar Alabdulla, Ambassador of Palestine Mr. Fariz Mehdawi, head of the Mission of the League of Arab states to China Mr. Mahmud Elamin, and above 200  delegates from various countries attended the event.Special Envoy Zhai Jun delivering a speech Ambassador of Bahrain Anwar Alabdulla speaking on behalf of the diplomatic corps of Arab countries to China Head of the Mission of the League of Arab states to China Mahmud Elamin reading the Message from Secretary-General of Arab League Ahmed Aboul-GheitAmbassador of Palestine Fariz Mehdawi reading the Message from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas BFSU President Yang Dan delivering a speechDelegates from various countries attending the event

On November 29th ,vice president of CPAFFC Hu Sishe met with Kazuhiko Oigawa, governor of Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, Kawazu Takashi, Speaker of the Ibaraki Parliament and Japan-China Friendship Association of Ibaraki as well as Ogawa Haruki, mayor of Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture and other delegates.On behalf of president Li Xiaolin, vice president Hu welcomed the visit of governor Kazuhiko and his delegates. He pointed out that people-to-people exchanges has played an important role for long in the China-Japan relations. CPAFFC and Japan-China Friendship Association have done tremendous work in this very area including multiple events of municipal government exchange. The China-Japan relations have improved remarkably at present and this opportunity should be taken to further strengthen the China-Japan municipal government cooperation, which has a solid foundation of public will among both peoples. Vice president Hu highly endorsed the proposals of Ibaraki such as strengthening cooperation of high-tech and giant panda protection with China, establishment of friendly municipal relations between Ibaraki and Hitachi with China etc. and would support the consultation with relevant chinese municipal governments. He also suggested that Ibaraki should firstly establish a general framework of cooperation with chinese municipal governments using support of CPAFFC and actively attend the relevant events such as China-Japan Governor Forum, so as to develop economic and cultural cooperation more pragmaticly and to reach higher goals at the existing basis.Governor Kazuhiko thanked the warm reception of vice president Hu and highly appreciated the efforts of CPAFFC promoting China-Japan people-to-people exchanges. He introduced the contact situation between Ibaraki and China. Governor Kazuhiko praised the economic achievements of China and said, facing serious population issue, Japan should strive to develop cooperation with China in areas such as economy, personnel etc., in order to maintain development vitality. As a symbol of Ibaraki strengthening China-Japan friendly cooperation, Ibaraki is working hard to bring in giant pandas from China. With strong scientific research force and well-developed industry, Ibaraki is able to ensure the survival and reproduction of giant pandas. Meanwhile, it is hoped to establish friendly partnership between Ibaraki and Hitachi with chinese municipal governments, by which suggestions and support from CPAFFC are expected. Deputy director general of Department of East Asian Affairs, Ms. Zhu Dan, director general of China Service Center for Friendship and Cooperation with Foreign Countries, Mr. Zhang Juxiang also attended the meeting.Photographed by Jiang Fengguo