On August 5th, CPAFFC Vice President Lin Yi met with H.E. Mr. Charles Namondwe, Ambassador of Malawi to China. Mme. Lin welcomed H.E. Mr. Namondwe to serve his second term in China, and appreciated his efforts to promote China-Malawi friendship as CPAFFC’s old friend. She said that the CPAFFC hopes to enhance exchanges with the local governments of Malawi to further promote the pragmatic cooperation in areas of local governments and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. H.E. Mr. Namondwe thanked Mme. Lin Yi for sparing the time to meet him. He said the embassy will maintain close cooperation with CPAFFC to promote the in-depth development of China-Malawi friendship.

  On Aug 5th, Vice President Xie Yuan met with Samuel T. Mok, Treasurer of the National China Garden Foundation (NCGF) of the United States. Vice President Xie Yuan briefed Mok on CPAFFC’s work and functions. He said that the Friendship Association would support the China Garden project and stand ready to enhance cooperation with NCGF for further exchanges in various areas. Mok introduced the progress of the China Garden project and expressed gratitude for CPAFFC’s long-time support. Mok is the former Chief Financial Officer of the U.S. Department of Labor and Department of the Treasury, one of the highest ranking Asian Americans in George W. Bush’s Administration.

Sponsored by CPAFFC and the National Committee for the Well-being of the Youth (NCWY), the Third ASEAN-China Youth Cultural Exchange Festival (ACYCEF) was held in Changzhou of Jiangsu Province from 31 July to 5 August 2015. More than 100 young delegates from China and ASEAN countries attended the Festival. President Gu Xiulian of China-ASEAN Association and NCWY, Vice President Lin Yi of CPAFFC, Vice President Liu Yazhi of NCWY, Executive Vice President Wang Xialin of NCWY(Jiangsu), Secretary Yan Li of CPC Changzhou Committee, and Counsellor Cho Cho Soe of Myanmar Embassy in China representing ASEAN diplomatic missions were also present at major activities of the Festival. In her speech, Madame Gu Xiulian said China and ASEAN are linked by rivers and mountains, with cultural affinity and close ties of blood. Both China and ASEAN countries are important along the maritime silk road. The Chinese side initiated the ACYCEF aimed at establishing relationship, deepening friendship, increasing exchanges and building common dream between the youth of China and ASEAN countries. Madame Lin Yi said that all foreign young delegates left their home and parents behind, disregarding intensive heat, and travelled to China from thousand miles away to collect friendship and display the beautiful music to all.  The Chinese side will continue to host the ACYCEF, for the purpose of having frequent gatherings and keeping our friendship fresh ! During the Third ACYCEF, both Chinese and ASEAN delegates planted together 11 trees symbolizing their ever-lasting friendship. They also experienced sinology and Chinese traditional culture, visited Yancheng ruins with 2500 years of history, and watched dragon boat race. On 3 August, the ACYCEF Gala Night was held, at which delegates gave performances with their national features. Launching ceremony Madame Gu Xiulian delivering a speech Madame Lin Yi delivering a speech Performance by foreign delegates   Performance by Chinese delegates  

At the invitation of National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Qing Boming, secretary general of China International Friendship Cities Association, led a delegation to attend the NCSL annual summit at Seattle, Washington State of the U.S. The summit drew a wide participation of about 1000 U.S. state legislators and legislative staff, and over 300 international representatives from 23 countries and regions such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany and Kenya. During the summit, the CPAFFC delegation attended several events including the reception of NCSL newly-elected president Senator Curtis Bramble, the reunion with the state legislators hosted by CPAFFC on their China trip, as well as international program agenda. In addition, Qing Boming communicated with national or state legislature organizations from Brazil, Canada, Kenya, Turkey and others, to establish or consolidate friendly relations. Qing invited President Curtis Bramble to lead a delegation to visit China in November, which the other side readily accepted, and hoped to further promote exchange and cooperation between the U.S. states and Chinese provinces in the fields of economic and trade, investment, education and culture.  

On August 4th, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) hosted a welcome reception for the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland (NYOS), together with the Scottish office of the British Embassy in China. Vice President Song Jingwu of the CPAFFC and Chief Executive and Artistic Director Joan Gibson of the NYOS addressed the audience. Ms. Zhang Ruoning, Deputy Director General of the European and Asian Department of CPAFFC emceed the event which was attended by over 200 people from the NYOS and CPAFFC. Vice President Song Jingwu said that the CPAFFC enjoys close contacts with Scotland, and has hosted Scottish delegations from various fields for many times. He expressed his hope of further promoting exchanges and cooperation in all fields between China and Scotland through music, the universal language.Joan Gibson conveyed her gratitude to the CPAFFC for holding the reception, and she believed the young musicians of the NYOS are truly ambassadors of Scotland. Members of NYOS performed String Quartet, Flute Duo, and Wind Quintet during the reception. The NYOS was established in 1979. This year marks the full symphony orchestra’s first China tour, during which they will perform in Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin.        

  CPAFFC Vice President Song Jingwu met with Ueli Merz, Vice President of Swiss-Chinese Association on August 3rd,2015. Vice President Song Jingwu spoke highly of the positive contribution made by Swiss-Chinese Association for promoting the development of the relationship between the two countries since its establishment 70 years ago. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations of China and Switzerland, the CPAFFC will hold reception and seminar on China and Switzerland relationship .

At the invitation of CPAFFC, a five-member delegation led by Jean Marie EWENGUE, mayor of Oyo city of the Republic of Congo paid a visit to Beijing, Yangzhou and Shanghai from Jul. 26 to Aug. 2, 2015.The delegation successively met or dined with Vice President of CPAFFC Ms. Lin Yi, Mayor of Yangzhou Mr. Zhu Minyang, Chairman of Yangzhou Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Mr. Hong Jinhua, Vice President of Shanghai People’s Association for Freindship with Foreign Countries Mr. Zhou Yajun. and they attended in “the “Day of the Republic of Congo - Promotion Meeting for Economic Cooperation and Exchange between Oyo and Yangzhou” in Yangzhou, in which they had a meeting with Yangzhou Munipipal Bureau of Commerce and representatives of 12 enterprises. During the visit, they took a study tour to Jiangsu Huajian Construction Corparation and FAMSUN, and called on Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone Administration.  As the hometown of H.E. Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, President of the Republic of Congo, Oyo City wishes to strengthen the exchange with Yangzhou through the visit, with the aim of estabilishing sister-city relations in the future. Therefore, Mr. Jean Marie EWENGUE, mayor of Oyo signed a MOU on friendship exchange with Mr. Kong Lingjun, Deputy Mayor of Yangzhou, on behalf of both sides.   H.E. Daniel OWASSA, Ambassador of the Republic of Congo to China, was with the delegation during the visit. 

At the invitation of CPAFFC,Russian Relax Performing Arts group visited Beijing and Tianjin from July 24th to August 1st. During the visit, The group performed in the 3-rd China-Russia Youth Friendship Evening and the 2015 Tianjin International Children’s Cultural & Art Festival. Russian Relax Performing Arts group is organized by more than 200 young artists. Their performance has won many awards in international competitions.  

CPAFFC delegation led by Vice President Xie Yuan visited Greece from July 27th to 30th. During the visit, Vice President Xie met with Mr.Petros Tatoulis, Governor of Peloponnese Region, Ms. Katerina Thanopoulou, Vice Governor of Attica Region and Mr. Dimitrios Kafantatis, Vice President of Hellenic Mayors’ Association and Mayor of Pylos.   Left: Mr. Xu Hong, Vice President of CHAECD Middle:Mr.Petros Tatoulis, Governor of Peloponnese Region  Right:Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice President of CPAFFC  Governor Tatoulis visited Beijing, Shanghai, Yiwu and Jiaxing this June at the invitation of CPAFFC. After one month CPAFFC paid this visit back. Vice President Xie and Governor Tatoulis exchanged views in conducting mutually beneficial cooperation in the fields of economy, trade and cultural exchanges between the local governments of China and Greece. Governor Tatoulis introduced that with its location in Mediterranean region, Greece was famous for its olive oil and other healthy food. Greece held a leading position in the world in terms of food safety and would like to conduct practical cooperation with China. After the meeting, on behalf of CPAFFC, Vice President Xie signed an MOU with Peloponnese regional government and Chinese-Hellenic Association for Economic and Cultural Development (CHAECD). According to the MOU,CPAFFC and Peloponnese region will co-host a food safety seminar as well as several cultural exchange activities next year.   Vice President Xie Yuan meeting with Mr.Petros Tatoulis, Governor of Peloponnese Region Ms. Katerina Thanopoulou, Vice Governor of Attica Region briefed Vice President Xie about the progress Attica region has made in pension and handicapped assistance. Xie said that CPAFFC would like to collaborate with Attica region in these fields, while recommend Chinese provinces which have made sound progress in relative fields to establish sister-region relationship with Attica region, so as to exchange experiences and seek for common development.   Vice President Xie Yuan meeting with Mr. Dimitrios Kafantatis, Vice President of Hellenic Mayors’ Association and Mayor of Pylos Mr. Dimitrios Kafantatis, Vice President of Hellenic Mayors’ Association and Mayor of Pylos expressed his gratitude to the delegation for coming at such a difficult time of Greece, which indicated the friendship between Greece and China. Kafantatis wished that links would be established between Hellenic Mayors’ Association and CPAFFC through this meeting, in order to promote the exchanges and cooperation between local governments of the two countries in the future. Vice President Xie expressed his wishes to the recovery of Hellenic economy, and confirmed to recommend Chinese cities to establish sister-city relationship with Pylos. Xie also invited Hellenic Mayors’ Association to present at the China International Friendship Cities Conference which was going to be held next November in Shandong Province in China. Greece is located in the south of Balkan Peninsula with coasts on three sides. It is the birthplace of western civilization. Greece used to play as an active role on the Old Silk Road. Today, as the cultural intersection of Europe and Asia, Greece has become the meeting point of the New Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Premier Li Keqiang signed trade and investment agreements with Greece in June 2014 during his visit to Greece, with the total volume of 4.6 billion US dollars. China and Greece as two ancient countries with splendid culture, will establish new ties through “One Belt One Road” . The visit of CPAFFC is in line with “One Belt One Road” Strategy, with the aim of promoting the practical cooperation and common development in economy, trade and culture between local governments of China and Greece.

At the invitation of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited Beijing and Shanghai from July 26 to 30. The delegation met with Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi, Minister Luo Shugang of Ministry of Culture, Vice President Song Jingwu of CPAFFC and leaders of Petro-China, Sinopec and CNOOC. First Minister Sturgeon delivered a speech on “Female Competitiveness and Gender Equality” at CPAFFC. First Minister Sturgeon brought 23 Scottish companies to China who signed over 10 cooperation agreements with their Chinese partners in Beijing. Shanghai and Jiaxing, covering various fields such as digital technique, low-carbon economy, medical care and public health. In respect of people-to-people exchange, the Memorandum of Understanding Between the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China and the Scottish Government on the Promotion of Cultural Collaboration and Exchange and Memorandum of Understanding for the Development of Cultural Cooperation Between China International Culture Association and the Edinburgh International Festival have been renewed . A number of Chinese and Scottish universities have signed MOUs respectively.  Scotland local government has been working closely with CPAFFC. Former First Minister Salmond had visited China four times at CPAFFC’s  invitation. This is the first visit to China since  Sturgeon assumed office. The visit has further promoted the exchange and cooperation in economy and trade, culture and education between China and Scotland.