On June 20th , Mme. Li Xiaolin, president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries(CPAFFC), met with the visiting Mme.Yanibel Abrego, president of the National Assembly of Panama, and her delegation on the invitation of CPAFFC. President Li Xiaolin extended warm welcome to the delegation and noted that two years ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela Rodríguez made common decision that China and Panama established diplomatic relations based on the one-China policy, which opened a new chapter of China -Panama friendship. President Li Xiaolin made an introduction about the main function of CPAFFC and said that the people-to-people exchanges of the two countries enjoyed profound friendship, and CPAFFC would continue working for the exchanges and cooperation in various fields between China and Panama and promoting the cause of the friendship of the two countries. Yanibel Abrego thanked CPAFFC for relevant work and expected that the nongovernmental organizations, local governments and industry and commerce institutions of the two countries could strengthen the exchanges, establish cooperative mechanisms in the aspects of friendly cities and others, enhance people’s friendship and achieve common prosperity and development of the two countries. Mr. Ji Yongjun, deputy director-general of Department of American and Oceanian Affairs of CPAFFC, attended the meeting. Photographed by Department of Latin America and Caribbean

Mme. Li Xiaolin, president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met with high-level delegation led by Mr. Ingo Appe, the president of the Austrian Federal Council and supervisor of the Austria-China Friendship Association, at the invitation of CPAFFC on June 10th, 2019. President Li said, people-to-people friendship is the foundation of bilateral relations. CPAFFC would like to work together with Austria-China Friendship Association to promote the exchanges and cooperation of the two countries in the fields of political, humanity and culture, local and etc., and to continuously enrich the connotation of the China-Austria friendly strategic partnership. It is the first time for president Appe to visit China. He had visited Shaanxi, Guangxi and other cities before arriving in Beijing. He said, Austrian government and the people attach great importance to the relationship with China, especially the young politicians expect to learn and know about China. The visiting to China this time gave a deep impression to president Appe. It is also amazing that China has made great achievements. He is willing to actively support the cooperation of the friendship organizations of the two countries and deepen the bilateral relations.

President Li Xiaolin held a meeting with Neil Bush, son of former US President George H.W. Bush, at the CPAFFC on May 28. Both sides exchanged views extensively on strengthening friendly people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between China and the US. Photographed by Chen Ke

President Li Xiaolin met with co-founders of US Global Creative Cities Coalition (GC3) and representatives of the city of Long Beach in Los Angeles, California, USA on May 25. President Li said that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the China-US diplomatic relations. The bilateral relationship is currently undergoing some challenges. Yet at difficult times like now, efforts from non-governmental organizations like GC3 are even more needed in carrying out people to peole exchanges between the two countries, so as to win popular support for the sound development of the bilateral relations. Barry R. Sedlik, co-founder of GC3, introducted that the coalition together with the city government of Long Beach will co-host 2019 Ping Pong Fit International Festival by the end of coming August. Chinese cities are warmly welcomed to join the festival. The coalition hopes to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between US and China in fields of culture, arts and education through this event. David Zanatta, parks and recreation commissioner of the city of Long Beach reiterated the great importance Long Beach attached to China over the past years. Next year, the city is going to celebrate its 35th anniversary for the sister city relationship with Qingdao city. Zanatta hopes that the US-China trade tensions could be resolved in an early date, so that the bilateral friendly and cooperative relations could make new headways. Photographed by Zhang Yang

President Li Xiaolin met with the executive members of Richard Nixon Foundation in Los Angeles, California, USA on May 24. President Li emphasized that the China-US relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world. The sound and stable development of this relationship is not possible without the rich and never interrupted people to peole exchanges between the two countries. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the China-US diplomatic relations. CPAFFC would like to take this opportunity to work with Richard Nixon Foundation to drive forward the people to people and subnational exhanges between the two countries. Sandy Qui, former president and Jim Byron, vice president of the foundation reflected on the ice-breaking visit to China by President Nixon back in 1972, which opened up a new chapter in the history of US-China relations. Richard Nixon Foundation will carry forward the spirit of President Nixon to make further contribution to the growth of US-China relations. To achieve this goal, the Foundation wishes to expand cooperation with CPAFFC in the fields of academic exchanges, education, youth, culture and tourism. Chinese Consul General to Los Angeles Zhang Ping and his wife attended the meeting. Photographed by Zhang Yang

President Li Xiaolin had a meeting with Governor Matthew Bevin of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky, on May 23. President Li thanked Governor Bevin and the State Government of Kentucky for their generous support for the successful convening of the US-China Governors Collaboration Summit. CPAFFC will continue to work with National Governors Association to carry on this important mechanism to deepen sub-national exchanges and cooperation between China and the United States. President Li cordially invited Governor Bevin to attend the sixth forum which is scheduled next year in China. Governor Bevin accepted the invitation with great delight. He believed that though the US and China are different on many fronts, the pursuit of happiness by our two peoples remains the same. The China-US Governors Collaboration Summit established a good platform for communication and provided opportunity for both sides to understand each other's culture as well as to enhance friendship and mutual trust. Going forward, Kentucky will further expand exchanges and cooperation with China. Photographed by Zhang Yang

Mme. Li Xiaolin, president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), led a delegation to visit Chicago and had a meeting with former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley on the afternoon of May 21st. President Li briefed Mr. Daley on the Fifth China-U.S. Governors Forum (also referred to as the U.S.-China Governors Collaboration Summit) which is to be held in Lexington, Kentucky. She said that sub-national exchanges between China and the U.S. served the long-term interests of the two peoples. She hoped that the two sides would work together to advance the mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, so as to benefit the two peoples. Mr. Daley welcomed President Li’s visit to the United States at the difficult times of U.S.-China relations. He said that governors and mayors in the U.S. play significant roles in the U.S. politics. After he left the office, he has been continuing to promote the bilateral economic and sub-national exchanges and cooperation. Chinese Consul General Zhao Jian to Chicago and Director General Zhang Heqiang of the Department of American and Oceanian Affairs of the CPAFFC were present at the meeting. Photographed by Zhang Heqiang

The Philadelphia Orchestra Concert in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of US-China diplomatic relations was held at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) on May 18th. President Li Xiaolin, US Ambassador to China Terry Branstad，Vice President Zhu Jing of the NCPA, Vice President Xie Yuan and other guests from China and abroad attended the the concert. In her remarks, President Li welcomed the Philadelphia Orchestra to visit China on the 40th anniversary of China-US diplomatic relations. She said that music was a universal language which can serve as a strong bond for people from different nations and of various backgrounds. It helps people gain better mutual understanding and treat each other as equals making the world a better place to live. Ambassador Branstad said that free and open cultural exchanges are one of the most important elements in the US-China relations. It must be supported and protected. He also expressed his gratitude to the Chinese public who extended warm welcome to the Orchestra. Conducted by Yannick, the Philadelphia Orchestra together with Chinese soprano Lei Jia presented the “Dunhuang Frescoes-Deer of Nine Colors” composed by Tan Dun, played “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini” by Rachmaninoff with the young Chinese pianist Zhang Haochen, and ended the concert with “Symphony No.9” by Schubert. The excellent performance by the artists won warm and lasting applause from the audience. In 1973, the Philadelphia Orchestra became the first US art troupe to visit China after the founding of the People’s Republic of China. That visit was regarded as an “ice-breaking trip” for cultural exchanges between China and the United States. This year marks the Orchestra’s 12th trip to China. After finishing the week-long event in Beijing, the Orchestra will visit and give performances in Tianjin, Hangzhou, Nanjing and Shanghai. Photographed by Ding Li

President Li Xiaolin held a meeting with Winnie Greco, president of Sino America New York Brooklyn Archway Association, on May 16th. President Li Xiaolin welcomed President Winnie Greco to visit the CPAFFC. She said that the CPAFFC has been committed to promoting the people-to-people friendship between China and other countries. It is a pleasure to learn that the "Chinatown" archway will be set up in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City. She also appreciates the positive efforts made by President Winnie Greco to promote the exchanges between Brooklyn Borough and China. President Winnie Greco said that the people-to-people friendship serves as a foundation and prerequisites for the sound and stable development of U.S.-China relations. The construction of the "Chinatown" archway donated by the Chaoyang District of Beijing is scheduled to start in October this year. On the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, the construction of this archway is of great significance and we hope to receive the support from the CPAFFC. Xie Yuan, vice president of the CPAFFC, and Zhang Heqiang, director general of the Department of American and Oceanian Affairs of the CPAFFC, were present at the meeting. Photographed by Liu Yi

On May 14, President Li Xiaolin met with H.E. Mr. Teshome Toga Chanaka, Ambassador of Ethiopia to China. President Li Xiaolin welcomed Ambassador Toga, who assumed his new office to China, and introduced the people-to-people exchanges conducted by CPAFFC with Ethiopia in recent years, especially in terms of local governments and friendship provinces and cities. President Li said that the CPAFFC will keep further contact with the newly established Ethio-China Friendship Association, comprehensively strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the field of local governments, culture, trade and youth exchanges. Ambassador Toga thanked Madame Li for meeting him during her tight schedule and highly praised the CPAFFC’s work in promoting people-to-people diplomacy. He said that Ethiopia and China have enjoyed comprehensive and multi-level friendly relations between governments and political parties as well as in culture, education and many other aspects. The Ethiopian Embassy in China is willing to strengthen the coordination and cooperation with the CPAFFC under the framework of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative, to deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, expand cooperation between friendship provinces and cities, and continuously enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples, so as to safeguard, consolidate and develop the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between China and Ethiopia. Mme. Tang Ruimin, Deputy Director General of the Department of Asian & African affairs of the CPAFFC, was present at the meeting. Photographed by Pei Xingchen