On August 30, 2024, President Yang Wanming hosted a welcome reception in Beijing for representatives from countries attending the 2024 Legislators Forum for Friendly Exchanges (hereinafter referred to as the “Forum”). The reception was attended by 42 legislators from 36 countries/regions, and was presided over by Vice President Shen Xin.
President Yang welcomed the attendees and highly praised their efforts in fostering relations with China. He noted that in today’s era of globalization, countries are more interconnected than ever, facing many global challenges such as economic development, climate change, public health, and poverty eradication. He stressed the importance of mutual support and cooperation among nations. Yang pointed out that international legislative exchanges and cooperation are critical for countries to share experiences, engage in intellectual discourse, enhance friendship, and maintain the correct direction in global governance. The CPAFFC aims to work with international legislators and friendly individuals to create a leading platform for international cooperation, amplifying the collective voice of legislators in improving global governance and contributing to a peaceful, cooperative, and win-win future for all nations.
Alexander Milkovic, a member of the Serbian Progressive Party, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Serbian Parliament, and a member of the delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, responded on behalf of the foreign legislators. He acknowledged the current turmoil in the world and stated that the Forum’s themes are closely related to the interests of all nations. He emphasized the importance for parliaments and legislators from all countries to maintain dialogue and mutual understanding in order to overcome challenges and obstacles, which is a common goal for all. Milkovic expressed gratitude for the invitation to visit China and particularly thanked the CPAFFC for providing this dialogue platform, looking forward to engaging in discussions to enhance friendship among nations.
The welcome reception featured cheerful Chinese folk music, fostering a vibrant and amicable atmosphere. Artists from the Beijing Vocational College of Opera and Arts performed classic pieces such as “Xi Yang Yang (Joyful)”, “Bu Bu Gao (Rising Higher Step by Step)”, and “Mu Min Xin Ge (New Song of the Herdsman)”. International legislators also experienced displays of intangible cultural heritage, including carved lacquer, hairy monkeys, paper-cutting, sugar painting, kites, and a selection of local snacks.
