On March 27, 2017, An opening ceremony of China-Japan calligraphic creations exhibition was held in Kyoto, which arranged by Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and Japan-China Cultural Exchange Association. Mr. Yukio Hatoyama, Former Premier of Japan, Mr.Sishe Hu, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mr. Nakano Akira Senior Director of Japan-China Cultural Exchange Association, Mr. Gongda Yan, Dean of China Friendship Art Exchange Association，Mr.SHIRANRSH SHINYICHIROU, Director-general of Japan-China Society, Mr.KUISEKO HAKUJYU, famous of Japan calligrapher, some of calligraphy amateurs and also around over 200 guests were present the opening ceremony. China-Japan calligraphic creations exhibition strengthens the cultural exchanges between China and Japan, and also develops friendly exchanges between China and Japan calligraphers. More than 100 pieces of exhibits were displayed this time, which belong to the excellently calligraphers from China and Japan. Lots of calligraphic works were cited from the Analects and The Book of Rites. It shows the artistic charm in calligraphy, and also spreads the opinion of benevolence. Benevolence try to let people be good and be nice.From this calligraphic creations exhibition, it would promote cultural communication exchange between China and Japan, and strengthen the mutual understanding and friendship between Chinese and Japanese. China and Japan calligraphers participated a calligraphic meeting after the opening ceremony. Calligraphers created some calligraphic works in this meeting. Those calligraphic works reflected a good wish of continuous friendship between Chinese and Japanese. Also those calligraphic works stirred up wide appreciation among visitors. During the display period, a conversation between Japan and China artist was held in Kyoto, which about aesthetic value and cultural background of Chinese calligraphy. This conversation stirred up the wide concern among Japanese people.

The “Healthier Future for Children-- High Level Dialogue on Improving Children’s Health through Efforts of EWECCPN” was held on March 23rd by CPAFFC in Beijing. Guests presented at the Dialogue including CEO of Save the Children International, Former Prime Minister of Denmark Helle Thorning-Schmidt, Vice President Xie Yuan, Representative of UNFPA in China Babatunde Ahonsi, Deputy Representative of UNICEF in China Douglas Noble, and leaderships of Policy and Technical Guidance Units, Special Advisory Units and members of United Nations Every Woman Every Child China Partnership Network (EWECCPN). Several international organizations with rich experiences in the fields of children protection and development including Save the Children attended the High-level Dialogue, and exchanged views with members of EWECCPN, discussing about how Chinese NGOs might be better engaged in the international cooperation on improving children’s health and make tangible contributions. CPAFFC and Save the Children signed an MOU at the Dialogue. Vice President Xie Yuan pointed out in his speech that the Chinese Government had always attached great importance on children’s survival, protection and development, actively participated in global and regional cooperation and exchanges in these fields while carrying out children’s work within the country. EWECCPN was founded in September, 2015 by CPAFFC, with the aim of establishing a multi-functional cross-sector cross-industry international collaboration platform to organize members to participate in the international cooperation in the fields of children relief, health and development, as well as conduct activities and projects according to the NHFPC strategy for women and children, and Post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals. CEO Thorning-Schmidt said in her speech, Save the Children promised to donate 2 billion US dollars all around the world until 2020 for the health and nutrition, to guarantee the most poverty and needed women, children and their communities may have equal access to high-quality service of nutrition and sanitation. In China, Save the Children had been working together with related government and institutions for years, to bring the most advanced medical technologies to China, made active contribution to the improvement of women and children, especially those in remote poverty-stricken areas and minority areas. Save the Children and CPAFFC are both members of EWEC High-level Steering Group. The two organizations will have more collaboration on children’s health, reduction of children’s mortality rate, helping children have equal access to education, children’s protection etc.EWECCPN members have conducted remarkable exchanges with representatives of international organizations, respectively introduced their advantages in children’s health and extended the wishes of engaging in international cooperation.After the High-level Dialogue, CPAFFC organized the 2017 Annual Meeting of EWECCPN among its members. The achievement made in the past year and the future working plan had been introduced to the members. CPAFFC called for all EWECCPN members to actively support the action plan made by EWEC working group in UN and all health industry lagged behind countries; to encourage and coordinate members and other Chinese powers to participate more in international cooperation for improving women’s and children’s health under the strategic framework of the Belt and Road Initiative as well as South-South cooperation; to form bigger multi-level platform to share with the world China’s experiences and achievements, to set up China’s great national image of full responsibility; to carry out projects in philanthropy, sanitation and medical treatment, health development, clean energy, food ect. according to Sustainable Development Goals and Country-based Programs. All EWECCPN members agreed to actively respond to and support the working plan of the Network, sharing experiences and resources of their industries to facilitate the development of EWECCPN.

Xu Kuangdi, vice chairman of the tenth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and president of China-U.S. People’s Friendship Association, had a meeting with former U.S. Secretary of Defense William Perry at the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) on March 17. President Zhou Ji of CAE and President Li Xiaolin of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) attended the meeting. President Xu Kuangdi offered a warm welcome to Secretary Perry. He said, China-U.S. relationship is one of the most important bilateral relations in the world. As the most developed country in the world, the U.S. boasts conspicuous advantage in economy, science and technology. China is the world’s largest developing country and now actively engaged in raising living standards of its people and eliminating poverty. He hoped the two countries will strengthen cooperation in various sectors, benefiting their peoples and the world at large He also expressed congratulations on the publication of the Chinese version of Secretary Perry’s book, My Journey at the Nuclear Brink. Secretary Perry said, China has made remarkable progress in its development during the past decades, to which China’s science and technology development and engineers have made great contributions. The U.S. and China could share the leadership in the area of engineering aimed with aims at win-win cooperation. As an engineering miracle created by mankind, nuclear energy and its peaceful use are essential to the safety and well-being of humanity. He hoped to devote the remainer of his life to promoting greater public awareness about the dangers of nuclear weapons and mitigate the threat they pose to the human-beings.

To further promote the Chinese traditional culture and deepen the cross-strait culture, the 7th Cross-Strait Spring Festival Folk Cultural Gala, hosted by China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development(CFFPD) and Hebei Provincial Department of Culture was held from January 30 to February 2, 2017 in Taichung Cultural Industry Quarter. During the whole activity, the organizers gave the cultural performance of Wuqiao Acrobatics and Jingxing Lahua, showed the intangible cultural heritages of stone carved works and Kesi spining, exhibited the Hebei folk paintings and tourism pictures, which attracted great interests of the local audiences. During the gala, the local people specially tasted the Hebei local flavors of Zhaozhouqiao roasted pear, Zhili spring pancake, Hebei style baked roll and hand-made vermicelli noodles, which greatly enriched the food exchanges cross the strait. The Cross-Strait Spring Festival Folk Cultural Gala was first initiated by CFFPD in 2011 and then annually held in Taiwan during the Spring Festival holidays for the purpose of promoting Chinese traditional culture and cross-strait folk cultural exchanges. It has been a brand popular Spring Festival celebration for the local people.

On January 13th, the CPAFFC and Vietnam Embassy in China jointly held a dinner banquet in celebration of the 67th Anniversary of China-Vietnam Diplomatic Ties and 2017 Spring Festival. Mr. Yu Zhengsheng, Member of the Standing Commitee of the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee and Chairman of CPPCC and Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) attended the event and made the speeches respectively. Mr. Zhang Qingli, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of CPPCC, Mr. Vo Van Thuong, Member of the Political Bureau and Minister of the Publicity Department of CPV Central Committee, Mr. Pham Binh Minh, Member of the Political Bureau of CPV Central Committee and Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Vietnam and other high-level officials and representatives from all social circles of the two countries with 300 in total attended the event. Yu Zhengsheng said in the speech that China and Vietnam were connected by rivers and mountains and both were socialist countries led by the Communist Parties which shares a interconnected future and common destiny. At present, the bilateral relations enjoy sound momentum of development with furthering political mutual-trust, deepening pragmatic cooperation and closer people-to-people exchanges . China and Vietnam should continue to adhere to the traditional friendship, solidarity and mutual-support, enhance the win-win cooperation and mutual-respect and promote the bilatral strategic cooperative partnership relations for further development. Nguyen Phu Trong said in the speech that the people-to-people friendship is the foundation and original force for the devleopment of bilateral relations. The two side should make more flexible and diversified efforts in this regard especially to the exchanges between younger generations, thus to enhance the mutual understanding and friendship, inherit and enhance the traditional friendship cultivated by the leaders from older generations of the two countries and push forward the bilateral relations for further development. Yu Zhengsheng and Nguyen Phu Trong held a meeting before the event. During the event, artists from both countries staged wonderful performances which pushed the friendship atomosphere in celebration of Spring Festival by both countries to a climax.

On December 6th, Ms. Arlene Foster, First Minister of Northern Ireland attended the 4th Meeting of the China-UK High Level People to People Dialogue.On the 4th meeting, Ms. Foster introduced the cooperation between the Northern Ireland and Liaoning as well as Hubei in the fields of Airplane Parts Manufacturing，higher education and medical care. She said that Northern Ireland will further develop cooperation with Chinese regions through the channel of Northern Ireland Bureau in China and the Chinese Consulate General in Belfast. Northern Ireland is interested in host the 3rd China-UK Local Leaders Meeting next year, and will keep close communication with the CPAFFC. Before the meeting, Ms. Foster met with Vice Premier Liu Yandong, Chinese Chair of the China-UK High Level People to People Dialogue. Vice Premier Liu Yandong appreciated Northern Ireland’s efforts in facilitating friendly cooperation with China and hope Northern Ireland can further strengthen cooperation Chinese regions, deepen people to people exchanges, and consistently inject new impetus into the golden era of China-UK relations. Vice President Song Jingwu of the CPAFFC met with Ms. Foster before the 4th meeting，and exchanged views on the cooperation between China and Northern Ireland after Br-exit and the 3rd China-UK Local Leaders Meeting. Ms. Wang Shuying also attended the meeting.

The Inaugural China Denmark Regions and Cities Forum co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries(CPAFFC) and the Royal Danish Embassy in Beijing was successfully held in Beijing from December 5 to 6. State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Danish Minister for Gender Equality and Nordic Cooperation Karen Ellemann Kloch attended the Opening Ceremony and addressed the audience. President Li Xiaolin of the CPAFFC, Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong, Executive Vice Mayor of Beijing Li Shixiang, Vice Mayor of Beijing Wang Ning, Vice President of the CPAFFC Hu Sishe and the Danish Ambassador to China Carsten Damsgaard attended the Forum. State Councilor Yang Jiechi pointed out in his speech that guided by the vision of innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development proposed by President Xi Jinping, China is now developing towards the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects. It is at an opportune time for local governments from China and Denmark to share experience and seek practical cooperation. The two sides should align their development strategies, and explore new areas of practical cooperation, so as to better serve their own development and deliver benefits to the two countries and peoples. Danish Minister for Gender Equality and Nordic Cooperation Karen Ellemann Kloch highlighted in her speech that the Forum has added a new dimension to the already strong city and regional cooperation built upon the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries from 2008. The purpose of the first China Denmark Regions and Cities Forum is to strengthen China-Denmark partnership even further by connecting sector cooperation with the established local level partnerships. She hoped that the Forum will become a continued platform for a more intense cooperation and sharing of know-how, technology and solutions to make the two countries’ cities and regions better. About 400 government, academic, and business representatives from 31 provinces and cities of China and 6 regions and cities of Denmark attended the Forum themed “Focusing on Sustainable Development towards Shared Economic Growth”. They held in-depth exchanges and discussions on sub-topics as “green urbanisation”, “improving public health”, “sustainable food and agriculture”, and “strengthening people-to-people exchange.” On the margins of the Forum, Minister Karen Ellemann Kloch, Ambassador Carsten Damsgaard and local government leaders visited Beijing’s scenes by biking in order to raise people’s awareness of environmental protection and low carbon transportation. The Danish delegation also visited Beijing Vehicle Emission Management Center, China-Denmark Milk Technology Cooperation Centre, and Fangzhuang Community Hospital.A series of documents were signed during the Forum. Harbin Municipal People’s Government and the Royal Danish Embassy in Beijing signed Letter of Intent Between Harbin Municipal People’s Government and the Royal Danish Embassy on Deepening the Cooperation in Agriculture, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and Investment Fond for Developing Countries (IFU) signed Financial Cooperation Protocol, Zhaoqing Municipal Government and Grundfos Holding A/S signed Memorandum of Understanding On Water and Wastewater Treatment Energy Saving and Environmental Protection Cooperation, Xinjiang Haozi Farm and SA Christensen signed Memorandum of Understanding regarding Dairy Farm in Xinjiang Province, Hebei Fengning Yuantianran Organic Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd. and SA Christensen signed Memorandum of Understanding regarding Organic Farm in Hebei Province, and Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism and Wonderful Copenhagen signed Joint Action Plan 2016-2017 between Beijing Tourism Commission and Wonderful Copenhagen. China Denmark Regions and Cities Forum, co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Royal Danish Embassy in Beijing, is the first institutional cooperation platform, under China Denmark Joint Work Programme, for the two countries’ local governments.

On September 13, the CPAFFC Vice President Mme. Lin Yi attended the seminar on the 60th Anniversary of the South African Women’s March. South African Ambassador to China H.E. Ms. Dolana Msimang, Cabo Verdean Ambassador to China H.E. Ms. Tania Romualdo, Lesothan Ambassador to China H.E. Ms. Lebohang Ntsinyi, UNAIDS Country Director for China Dr. Catherine Sozi and other 80 guests attended the seminar. In her opening remarks, Ambassador Msimang reviewed the history of the march in which the South African women fought against apartheid, and introduced South Africa's current measures to promote women’s rights and interests and the outstanding examples of South African women as well. The representative from the All-China Women’s Federation (ACWF) read off the written remarks by ACWF Vice President Mme. Jiaoyang, which introduced the development of women in China following the 1995 World Conference on Women in Beijing. Dr. Catherine Sozi set forth African women’s role in contributing to the sustainable development of the continent.In the panel discussion, CCTV moderator Ms. Tian Wei, together with Ambassador Tania, Ambassador Ntsinyi, Dr. Anastasia, Research Associate of the Center for African Studies of Peking University, and Ms. Lu Yamin, Deputy Director General of the International Department of the ACWF, discussed women’s role in enhancing the cooperation between Africa and China through FOCAC. Mme. Lin Yi said in the closing remarks that the CPAFFC has long been dedicated to enhancing people’s friendship and promoting exchanges and cooperation in various fields including women between Chinese people and people from other countries. The CPAFFC is looking forward to making joint efforts with all parties to fully achieve the goals for women’s development of the 2030 Agenda.After the seminar, a photo exhibition on South African women’s march and a Rooibos tea party were held.

At the invitation of the Municipality of Soukra and Tunisia-China Friendship Association, the CPAFFC sent a 6-member youth delegation to visit Tunisia and attend the 8th Euro-Mediterranean Youth Theater Festival from August 19 to 27, 2016. The delegation was headed by Professor Ding Long, Council member of the Chinese-Arab Friendship Association and Vice President of School of Foreign Studies, University of International Business and Economics.The Festival was co-hosted by Ariana and Soukra Municipalities. During the visit, Governor and Secretary General of Ariana Governorate , Mayor of Soukra and Chairman of Tunisia-China Friendship Association met with the delegation respectively. The delegation also held discussions with representatives from Tunis Carthage University.

From August 19th to 23rd , Vice president Hu Sishe led 16 diplomatic delegates from different embassies in China to Heilongjiang Province for a new round of Cultural Tour and the opening ceremony of “2016 15th Hands Across the Pacific Art Exhibition ”.16 diplomats from 11 countries including Dato’Zainuddin Yahya, Ambassador of Malaysia and Mr. Karunasena Kodituwakku, Ambassador of Sri Lanka participated in the tour. In the seminar on cultural exchanges, the diplomatic envoys made face-to-face discussions with the representatives from Heilongjiang Provincial Bureau of Culture, Heilongjiang Federation of Literary and art circles, Heilongjiang Art Museum, and artists. The seminar gave the delegates a picture of the rich connotation and development conditions of the Heilongjiang culture. They discussed the potential for further cultural exchanges and cooperation between the diplomats’ countries and CPAFFC as well as Heilongjiang Province. The series of activities carried out in Chinese Cultural Tour of Diplomatic Envoys are aimed at showcasing positive Chinese cultural images and promoting the establishment of a long-term mechanism of cultural exchange and cooperation between relevant countries and Chinese cities as well as provinces with field study in cultural situation of Chinese provinces and cities. During the Cultural Tour in Heilongjiang, the diplomatic delegation also took part in the opening ceremony of 2016 15th Hands Across the Pacific Art Exhibition.The exhibition was co-hosted by CPAFFC, Heilongjiang People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Heilongjiang Federation of Literary and art circles and Canadian International Cultural Exchange Society in Heilongjiang Art Museum From August 20th to 31st. It gathered more than100 exhibits including oil paintings, watercolor paintings, prints, sculptures, art installations, handcrafts, photographs, etc.by artists from China, Japan, Canada, Netherlands and so on. Chinese prints made their debut in the Exhibition. At the opening ceremony on August 20th, Mr. Hu Sishe, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mr.Wang Liqun, Vice President of Heilongjiang Federation of Literary and art circles,and Mrs. Wu-Brandt Hoi Sai, president of Canadian International Cultural Exchange Society delivered speeches on the ceremony. Xinhua Net, Heilongjiang TV, Peoplearts.cn reported on the event.