CPAFFC Holds Ceremony to Award the Title of “Friendship Ambassador”
On October 10, the Chinese People’s?Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) held a ceremony in Beijing to confer the honorary title of “Friendship Ambassador”. President Yang Wanming presented medals and certificates to Ante Simonic, former?Vice Prime Minister of the Republic of?Croatia,?President?of?Croatian-Chinese Friendship?Society?Rijeka?(HKDPR), and Marcelo?Mu?oz, Chairman of the “Know China Lecture Hall”?(Zhihua Jiangtang)?in Spain, and delivered a speech. Vice President Jiang Jiang presided over the ceremony.President Yang congratulated Simonic and Mu?oz?on receiving the honorary title of “Friendship Ambassador” and fondly recalled their touching efforts to promote friendship between the peoples of China and Croatia, and China and Spain, respectively. He emphasized that it is thanks to a group of friends in Europe, like Simonic and Mu?oz, who have steadfastly upheld the belief in generational friendship and dedicated themselves to the cause of China-Europe friendship, that the foundation of people-to-people ties between China and Europe is so strong today. Their efforts have led to frequent exchanges, continuous interaction, and dynamic cooperation, injecting a steady stream of vitality into China-Europe relations.President Yang stated that the future of China-Europe friendship requires joint efforts, and he earnestly looks forward to more individuals of insight in Europe actively engaging in the cause of China-Europe friendship. He expressed his hope that European friends of China, including Simonic and Mu?oz, will take the China International Friendship Conference as a new starting point, and work tirelessly towards building a community with a shared future for mankind, jointly writing a new, vibrant chapter in China-Europe relations.Simonic and Mu?oz?expressed their congratulations on the 70th anniversary of the CPAFFC and their heartfelt gratitude for being honored with the title of “Friendship Ambassador” at this significant moment. They pledged to use this recognition as motivation to share China’s latest development concepts and remarkable achievements with their countries, thereby strengthening mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples, and contributing to the continuous development of bilateral and China-Europe relations.The honorary title of “Friendship Ambassador” was established by the CPAFFC in 1990 to recognize international friends who have made outstanding contributions to the cause of friendship between China and other countries.
The 15th Annual Meeting of the China-Iran Friendship Associations Held in Beijing
On October 12, the 15th Annual Meeting of the China-Iran Friendship Associations was convened in Beijing, under the theme “Contributing Civil Forces to the High-Quality Development of China-Iran Friendly Cooperation”. The opening ceremony was attended by Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People’s?Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC); Boroujerdi, Chairman of the Iran-China Friendship Association; and Mohsen Bakhtiar, Iranian Ambassador to China. Approximately 70 participants were present, including representatives from local friendship associations across many?Chinese provinces and cities, relevant enterprises, media, and members of the visiting delegation from the Iran-China Friendship Association, along with Iranian expatriates and students in China.President Yang Wanming welcomed the delegation from the Iran-China Friendship Association to China for the China International Friendship Conference and the 70th Anniversary Celebration of CPAFFC. He emphasized that China views its relationship with Iran from a strategic and long-term perspective. In his congratulatory message to Iran’s President-elect Ebrahim?Raisi, President Xi Jinping expressed China’s willingness to work with Iran to guide the?comprehensive strategic partnership towards deeper and broader horizons.President Yang put forward three suggestions to further strengthen the annual meeting’s role as a bridge and consolidate its mechanisms: actively promote subnational cooperation to broaden the scope of exchanges; strive to enhance pragmatic cooperation to deepen collaborative efforts; and focus on youth exchanges to strengthen the foundation of friendship. He highlighted that these initiatives would help transform the annual meeting into a platform for enhancing communication, sharing experiences, generating ideas, and fostering cooperation. This would enable civil forces to play a crucial role in ensuring the steady and long-term development of China-Iran relations, yielding substantial outcomes.Chairman Boroujerdi noted that this year’s meeting coincided with the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s?Republic of China and the 70th anniversary of the CPAFFC, adding special significance to the event. He congratulated China on its impressive achievements in economic and social development, and emphasized that both China and Iran are ancient civilizations with a long-standing friendship. The Iran-China Friendship Association is committed to close collaboration with its Chinese counterparts to continuously promote traditional friendship and advance pragmatic cooperation across various fields, benefiting both nations and their peoples.Ambassador Bakhtiar praised the important role of civil organizations, including the friendship associations of both countries, in enhancing mutual understanding, fostering friendship, promoting mutually beneficial cooperation, and maintaining global peace. He noted that various sectors in Iran highly value relations with China and are eager to collaborate more closely under the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. Such efforts would deepen China-Iran relations and contribute to peace and stability worldwide.Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on two key topics: promoting pragmatic cooperation between China and Iran and deepening cultural exchanges. They reached a broad consensus on strengthening cooperation across civil society, subnational partnerships, and youth engagement.At the conclusion of the meeting, President Yang Wanming and Chairman Boroujerdi signed the Memorandum of the 15th Annual Meeting of the China-Iran Friendship Associations.
Contributing to World Peace, Development, and Prosperity
On the morning of October 11, President Xi Jinping held a group meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with foreign guests attending the China International Friendship Conference and the 70th Anniversary Celebration of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC). President Xi stressed that amidst the unprecedented changes of the century, the destinies of all nations are interconnected, and humanity shares a common future. Building a community with a shared future for mankind is the path forward for the peoples of the world. China is committed to strengthening people-to-people exchanges with friends from all nations, leveraging the unique role of people-to-people diplomacy to jointly build this shared future.On the afternoon of October 11, the China International Friendship Conference and the 70th Anniversary Celebration of CPAFFC was held in Beijing. Themed “Deepening People-to-People Friendship and Promoting the Building of a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind”, the event was attended by approximately 500 participants, including leaders of international friendship organizations, global friends, and representatives from China. Participants noted that President Xi’s address has charted a clear direction for building a community with a shared future for mankind, encouraging continued strengthening of friendly exchanges and cooperation across various fields to pass on people-to-people friendship from generation to generation, contributing to world peace, development, and prosperity.Fostering Broad Consensus Through the Spirit of “Shared Prosperity and Solidarity on a Global Scale”President Xi emphasized the need to foster broad consensus on building a community with a shared future for mankind through the spirit of “Shared Prosperity and Solidarity on a Global Scale”. He called for upholding the shared?human?values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom; advocating a multi-polar world with equality and order; and promoting inclusive and mutually beneficial economic globalization, thus building a peaceful, harmonious, and cohesive global family.Former President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo stated that the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind reflects China’s vision in global governance, offering a direction for win-win cooperation among nations and bringing hope for a more inclusive and harmonious global future.Former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama remarked that the more complex and challenging international relations become, the greater the need for face-to-face, candid, and constructive dialogue. “President Xi’s vision of a community with a shared future for mankind provides a pathway to addressing global challenges. We must adhere to principles of mutual respect and understanding as we work to build this shared future”.Gary Deworcheck, a friend from Iowa, USA, said that the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind advocates building a better world together, showcasing China’s commitment to global unity and cooperation.Princess Masna of Brunei noted, “In today’s world, where uncertainties are increasing, and global challenges such as climate change are escalating, we must strengthen cooperation, enhance people-to-people diplomacy, and promote common development to address shared challenges”. She expressed Brunei’s desire to deepen bilateral relations with China, strengthening the bond of connectivity between peoples and building a world of mutual understanding, inclusive cooperation, and sustainable development.“President Xi Jinping’s concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind provides a common vision for the world, one that seeks to address global challenges through cooperation, peace, and development,”?stated Diego?Marcos, Executive Chairman of the Civil Association for Argentina-China Cooperation. He emphasized that people-to-people exchanges play a vital role in the realization of this vision. “I hope to continue advancing civil exchanges between Argentina and China, and to contribute as a practitioner in building this shared future.”President Xi’s spirit of “Shared Prosperity and Solidarity on a Global Scale”?resonated strongly with Zhuang Hanjie, President of the US-China?Youth?and?Student?Exchange?Association. He remarked, “China has always adhered to the principles of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit in fostering friendly relations with other countries. This approach positions China as a stabilizing force for global peace and stability, contributing significantly to global prosperity and development.”Uniting Strong Forces Through the Principle of Win-Win CooperationPresident Xi stressed that the principle of win-win cooperation should guide efforts to unite strong forces for building a community with a shared future for mankind. China does not seek modernization that benefits only itself. It welcomes more foreign friends to participate in the process of China’s modernization, providing new opportunities for global development through China’s achievements, fostering peace, development, mutual benefit, and shared prosperity worldwide, bringing greater benefits to people of all countries.Former?Irish?Prime?Minister?Bertie?Ahern stated that China’s commitment to win-win cooperation, through initiatives like high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, has consistently contributed to sustainable global development, reflecting China’s responsibility as a major nation. “People-to-people diplomacy not only brings countries closer but also plants seeds of friendship and cooperation in the hearts of people around the world”, Ahern said.Ali Youssouf, Secretary-General of the Association of Arab-Chinese Friendship Societies, noted that the 20th CPC Central Committee’s Third Plenary Session outlined a blueprint for deepening reforms and advancing China’s modernization. This will not only drive China’s socioeconomic development but also contribute to addressing global challenges and promoting shared prosperity. He further emphasized that China’s Belt and Road Initiative promotes infrastructure connectivity and strengthens economic ties among nations, making it a popular global public good and cooperation platform.Former Ecuadorean President Guillermo Lasso remarked, “China’s continued openness will create more opportunities for multinational enterprises and open new horizons for cooperation among developing countries”.?He also emphasized that President Xi’s proposals, including the Belt and Road Initiative and the three global initiatives, provide new pathways for enhancing global governance, revitalizing multilateralism, and promoting cooperation among developing nations.Former Tanzanian Prime Minister Mizengo Peter Pinda expressed strong support for China’s three global initiatives. “Tanzania is willing to work with China to build a community with a shared future for mankind, creating a brighter future for humanity”.Galo Enrique Pereira, a representative of the Brazil-China Friendship Association, observed that adhering to the principle of win-win cooperation for mutual benefit and practicing the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind will inject strong impetus into global modernization and prosperity, bringing more benefits to people worldwide.Vice President of the Japan-China Friendship Association Okazaki Yutaka?stated that the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind provides a framework for building a peaceful world. “China has made significant contributions to global peace, economic growth, and development. Welcoming more foreign friends to participate in China’s modernization will help enhance cooperation between countries and promote common prosperity.”Former Speaker?of?the?New?Zealand?House?of?Representatives,?David?Carter remarked, “The achievements China has made over the past decades are nothing short of a developmental miracle. I look forward to seeing China’s continued growth and progress.”Promoting Cultural Exchanges with an Open and Inclusive MindsetPresident Xi stressed the importance of promoting cultural exchanges with an open and inclusive mindset to build a civilization that supports the community with a shared future for mankind. The Chinese people have always been open and inclusive, kind, and friendly. China is willing to work with all parties to practice the Global Civilization Initiative, fostering understanding, deepening friendships, and using cultural exchanges to overcome barriers and transcend conflicts.Former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Korn Dabbaransi, praised China for consistently upholding the principles of openness and inclusiveness in deepening its friendship with people worldwide, while promoting global peace and prosperity. He emphasized,?“Thailand highly appreciates President Xi’s vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, as well as the Belt and Road Initiative. We will continue to foster friendly exchanges with China under the spirit of ‘Thailand-China Family Ties’, carrying forward the friendship between our peoples and contributing to world peace.”Aurel?Papari, Chairman of the Romania-China Friendship Association, shared, “Listening to President Xi’s insightful speech on building a community with a shared future for mankind was truly inspiring. It is about creating a better world and building bridges of communication between hearts and minds”.Siafa?G.?Sheriff, President?of?the?Liberia-China?Friendship?Organization?(LICFO), who studied in China in 2004, spoke of the deep friendship between the peoples of Liberia and China, which shaped his understanding of people-to-people diplomacy. After returning home, he founded the LICFO. “China shares its experiences in agricultural modernization with an open and inclusive mindset, bringing new opportunities to Liberia. We will continue to work towards enhancing connections between our peoples and promoting connectivity.”Robert?Sanborn,?former?chairperson?of US-China?Peoples?Friendship?Association?(USCPFA), remarked, “I have visited China many times and have seen continuous improvement in its ecological environment, vibrant technological innovation, and remarkable achievements in Chinese modernization. During this period, I have also built deep friendships with the Chinese people”. He added that the friendly ties between the people of China and the US continue to grow, fostering greater stability and positive energy for the world.Mohamed Rasheed, Chairman of the China-Maldivian Cultural Association (CMCA), noted, “Cultural exchanges and mutual learning are vital to promoting world peace and development. Increasing mutual understanding and fostering dialogue are the foundations for building a peaceful, harmonious, and cohesive global community”. He highlighted the growing enthusiasm among Maldivian youth for learning Chinese and studying in China, which facilitates genuine communication, drives cultural exchange, and deepens mutual understanding and friendship.
Leveraging the Unique Role of People-to-People Diplomacy to Jointly Build a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind
Former political leaders, members of royal families, and heads of international friendship organizations gathered in autumnal Beijing, along with many old friends of the Chinese people, to exchange friendship and explore cooperation, creating a grand and lively scene.On the morning of October 11, President Xi Jinping met with foreign guests attending the China International Friendship Conference and the 70th Anniversary Celebration of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. In his keynote remarks, President Xi highly praised the significance of people-to-people friendship in promoting world peace and development. He offered an in-depth explanation of China’s stance on the unique role of people-to-people diplomacy, the deepening of friendly relations between China and foreign countries, and the drive to build a community with a shared future for mankind.President Xi’s remarks resonated deeply among the attendees, both Chinese and international. They agreed that his vision holds great importance and far-reaching implications for the common pursuit of a better world. It will inspire individuals across various sectors to continuously contribute their wisdom and efforts toward advancing people-to-people exchanges between China and the world on this new journey.People-to-People Friendship?is the Foundation for Steady International RelationsThe approximately 200 foreign guests who met with President Xi all have deep ties with China. This time, they traveled across vast distances to attend the event for the noble cause of friendship and to support the great endeavor of people-to-people exchanges. President Xi expressed his deep appreciation for their long-standing dedication to fostering friendly relations with China.He emphasized that people-to-people friendship is the foundation for steady and enduring international relations, a driving force for world peace and development. Reflecting on China’s progress, he highlighted that none of these achievements would have been possible without the support of people from around the world. With heartfelt emotion, President Xi remarked, “We will always remember the important contributions you have made to China and the sincere friendship you have shared with the Chinese people”.Former?Nigeria?President?Olusegun?Obasanjo attentively listened to President Xi’s address during the meeting. He said, “As a former head of state and government, I understand the importance of people-to-people relations. They are not merely an extension of official diplomacy but are a vital force driving international cooperation”.The continuity of friendship across generations and nations. Over the past 75 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the nation has gained many steadfast friends who have stood in solidarity with the Chinese people. During the anniversary events, many?guests shared their personal experiences and insights on dedicating themselves to the cause of friendly relations with China.“Connectivity between peoples is the foundation of relations between nations, a principle that President Xi has consistently upheld. Friendly exchanges among people are the cornerstone of peace and cooperation”, said Former President of Guillermo Lasso, who previously attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics. “Although our two countries are geographically distant, as long as we learn from each other and jointly seek the well-being of our people, there is great potential for cooperation.”This visit marked the 132nd?trip to China for Marcelo?Mu?oz, Honorary Chairman of the “Know China Lecture Hall”?(Zhihua Jiangtang)?in Spain. “Since my first visit to China in 1978, I have been astounded by the rapid progress here. This has driven me to study China extensively and to write about it,”?he said with great enthusiasm. “To date, I have published four books about China and written many?articles in major media outlets, introducing the evolving and dynamic China to the Western world.”Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind?is?The Future for All NationsAmid the changing world order, the destinies of all nations are intertwined. President Xi proposed three key points during the meeting: fostering broad consensus with the spirit of “Shared Prosperity and Solidarity on a Global Scale”, uniting strong forces through the principle of win-win cooperation, and promoting cultural exchanges with an open and inclusive mindset to create a shared future.“President Xi has systematically elaborated on building a community with a shared future for mankind, showing us how to strive for a better world”, said Bertie Ahern, Former Prime Minister of Ireland and Co-chair of the InterAction Council. He remarked that China’s rise, from its economic achievements to its active contributions in international affairs, has infused new momentum into global peace and development. By embracing the principle of win-win cooperation and driving global sustainable development through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative and green transformation, China demonstrates its responsibility as a major global power.Abdul Majid, President of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association, was deeply moved by President Xi’s concept of “Shared Prosperity and Solidarity on a Global Scale”. He noted, “The world faces many?challenges, including climate change, energy crises, geopolitical conflicts, and economic imbalances. China has put forward a series of?measures and initiatives to promote cooperation and safeguard global peace. Through dialogue, innovation, and connectivity, Malaysia and China can achieve shared prosperity”.Listening to President Xi’s speech, Tetsutaro Shimizu, Chief Representative of the Matsuyama Ballet of Japan, and its Director, Yoko Morishita, were deeply moved. They said, “Cultural integration serves as a bridge that connects hearts and has a profound impact on relations between nations and peoples. Japan and China, both situated in East Asia, share cultural similarities, and the people are familiar with concepts of harmony in diversity and mutual assistance. We hope that these common cultural foundations will further promote cooperation between our two nations”.Carrying Forward the Cause of People-to-People FriendshipDuring the group meeting, President Xi expressed his sincere hope that friends from all nations would become practitioners of a community with a shared future for mankind, participants in China’s modernization, promoters of mutual understanding, and bearers of the legacy of people-to-people friendship.In 1985, while working in Zhengding, Hebei, President Xi led a delegation to Iowa, known as the “breadbasket of America”, which fostered friendly exchanges with the local people. Luca Berrone, Board Member of the Iowa Friendship Committee, said, “For many years, President Xi has been promoting China-US people-to-people friendship. Last year, he announced that China would invite 50,000 American youths to study and exchange in China over the next five years. In the past eight months, more than 200 children from Iowa have visited China, and it has been an immensely rewarding experience for them”.In 1992, while serving in Fujian, President Xi invited the late American Professor Gardner’s wife to visit Kuliang, fulfilling Gardner’s wish to return to the place he loved. Meeting President Xi on this occasion, Mu Yanling, the organizer of the American “Kuliang Friends”?who has long been committed to promoting China-US people-to-people friendship, said, “The history of Kuliang teaches us that people from different countries and cultural backgrounds can forge friendships that endure across generations. We must plant the seeds of friendship in people’s hearts, allowing them to blossom and bear fruit”.Former President of the Thai Parliament, Bhokin Bhalakula, noted, “In recent years, students from Thailand and China have studied in each other’s countries, strengthening our bonds of friendship. China’s initiatives have further connected Thailand with the world and supported Thailand’s economic development. Moving forward, we will focus on trade, cultural arts, and youth exchanges to foster mutual understanding and enhance connectivity between peoples. We must demonstrate to the world that people-to-people diplomacy is not just a concept; it is a powerful force that can unite nations”.Yang Wanming, President of CPAFFC, concluded, “The 70-year history of CPAFFC fully demonstrates the vital role of people-to-people friendship in promoting world peace and development, as well as the significance of people-to-people diplomacy in overall national diplomacy. We will continue to walk hand in hand with friends from around the world, taking the interests of all as our own and connecting hearts, to advance the noble cause of people-to-people friendship and strive toward the lofty goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind.”
