Deputy Director General Shen Xin Meets with General Director of Russian Timchenko Foundation
On April 15th of 2015, Shen Xin, Deputy Director General of the Department of European and Asian Affairs met with teh delegation headed by Mrs. Morozova, General Director of Russian Timchenko Foundation.
Shen Xin briedfed him about the work of CPAFFC,as well as the activities related to the commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Victory of the Anti-Fascist War and the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
Morozova valued CPAFFC as the important cooperative partner of Timchenko Foundation in China, and expressed the willingness to enhance the exchanges between the two parts in the fields of culture, sports and youth.
Timchenko Foundation was founded by Mr. And Mrs. Timchenko, who are the magnate from Russian petroleum and natural gas industry. According to the Forbes Evaluation, Timchenko Foundation is considered the largest private foundation of charity in Russia.
Mrs. Hu Chunmei, Associated Counsel of the Department of European and Asian Affairs attended the meeting.
Vice President Xie Yuan Meets with Minister for Economy of Guatemala
On April 14th of 2015, Xie Yuan, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with a group headed by Mr. Sergio De La Torre, Minister for Economy of Guatemala.
Vice President Xie Yuan extended his welcome to Mr. Sergio De La Torre for his visit to China, and briefed him about the work of the CPAFFC. He hoped to enhance the bilateral people-to-people exchanges and economic cooperation, so as to further the friendship between the two peoples. Mr. Sergio De La Torre thanked the work of the CPAFFC, and expressed his willingness to promote the friendly contact with the CPAFFC to strengthen pragmatic cooperation in fields of investment, trading and people’s friendship between the two countries.
Celebration of 65th Anniversary of China-Indonesia Diplomatic Relations Held in Beijing
Jointly organized by CPAFFC and Embassy of Indonesia in Beijing, reception in celebration of the 65th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and Indonesia was held in Beijing on April 13th, 2015. Vice Chairman Qiangba Puncog of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Vice President Lin Yi of CPAFFC, Ambassador Soegeng Rahardjo of Indonesia to China, together with around 400 guests from International Department of CPC Central Committee, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, Embassy of Indonesia, diplomatic corps, as well as Chinese and Indonesian media representatives attended the celebration.
In her speech, Madame Lin Yi said that China and Indonesia are friendly neighbors across the sea. The exchanges between our two peoples enjoy a time-honored history and, together with other Asian and African countries, jointly initiated the Bandung Spirit with the core content of peaceful coexistence and seeking the common ground while reserving the differences, which made outstanding contribution to the building of new international relations. The CPAFFC is willing to take the 65th anniversary of bilateral relations and the 60th anniversary of Bandung Conference as an opportunity, to conduct more cooperation and make greater efforts for the people-to-people friendship cause between the two countries.
Ambassador Soegeng Rahardjo said in his speech that with the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in October 2013, the Indonesia-China cooperation is today at its highest level ever.? Indonesia is willing to join with China in synergizing the Global Maritime Fulcrum concept of President Joko Widodo and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative of President Xi Jinping.
Vice Chairman Qiangba Puncog met with Rahardjo before the reception and toured a photo exhibition on China-Indonesia friendship exchanges.
World Tour of Melodic Gems - Concert of the Most loved Art Songs of Modern China launched in Beijing
The launching ceremony of the world tour of Melodic Gems - Concert of the Most loved Art Songs of Modern China, co-sponsored by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (the CPAFFC), Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) and China Oriental Performing Arts Group (COPAG), was held in BFSU on April 10, 2015. More than 400 people including foreign diplomats and experts in China, international and Chinese students and professors of the university watched the show.
Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice President of the CPAFFC, Mr. Han Zhen, Secretary of the CPC Committee of BFSU, and Mr. Gao Ai, Deputy General Manager of COPAG attended the launching ceremony and delivered their remarks.
During the concert, the soloist Mr. Gu Xin, Chinese renowned tenor and chairman of the board of COPAG sang a dozen of Chinese art songs including modern and contemporary art songs, traditional folk songs., and songs converted from Chinese ancient poetry. The concert combined vocal performances with introductory lectures. The Choir and Classical Music Association of BFSU also performed in the show.
Melodic Gems is a long-term non-profit project committed to the popularization of Chinese vocal arts. It has been put on stage in dozens of universities and theaters nationwide since 2011. After the launching ceremony, its world tour will begin from this year.
Vice President Song Jingwu Meets with President Niek Meijer of Netherlands China Friendship Association
On 8th April, Vice President Song Jingwu met with Mr. Niek Meijer, Presient of the Netherlands China Friendship Association (VNC) and his delegation at the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC).
Vice President Song expressed his warm welcome to President Meijer. He made a brief introduction of CPAFFC’s history, objectives, recent work and its contribution to enhancing exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese and foreign local governments. He congratulated Mr Meijer on becoming the new President of the VNC, and hoped that under the new leadership VNC makes greater contribution to the friendly cooperation between China and the Netherlands and the two peoples. Song spoke highly of the Sino-European Agricultural Seminar initiated jointly by CPAFFC and VNC. He invited the VNC to send delegation of Dutch agricultural experts and related institutes to participate this year’s Seminar so as to create more opportunities for agricultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.
President Meijer introduced the VNC’s main work in the future, and shared his views on local government cooperation. He said that the VNC would always support the Sino-European Agricultural Seminar, and is willing to join hands with the CPAFFC in promoting Netherlands-China friendship and exchanges.
Ms. Zhang Ruoning, Deputy Director General of the Department of European and Asian Affairs was present at the meeting.
Round-table Meeting “Turkmenistan‘s Neutrality Policy is the Guarantee of Peace and Stability” Held in Beijing
Organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the China-Central Asia Friendship Association(CCAFA) and the Turkmenistan Embassy in China, a round table meeting themed ”Turkmenistan’s Neutrality Policy is the Guarantee of Peace and Stability” was held in Beijing on April 7, 2015.
Mr. Cheng Guoping, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC, Ambassadors of Afghanistan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and other 70 guests from all fields attended the event.
ÖGCF-VIP Delegation Visits China
At the Invitation of CPAFFC, the Austria-China Friendship Association VIP() Delegation, led by Mr. Mag. Harald Himmer, Vice President of the Federal Council of Austria, visited China from March 28th. to April 6th. ??
During its stay in Beijing, Mrs. Lin Wenyi, National Political Consultative Conference vice president met the delegation in the Great Hall of the People. Vice President Lin said, the cooperation in each field between China and Austria was well conducted. China has already been the second largest partner of Austria outside the EU. This year marks the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and EU. Vice president Lin highly praised the outstanding contribution of Austria to China-EU relationship. Lin hoped that Austria, with its geo-political advantage, becomes an active participator in the construction of “One Belt and One Road”.
Vice president Himmer hoped to strengthen the cooperation of big data, energy efficiency and environmental protection, renewable energy between China and Austria. Meanwhile he said, as a giant winter sport country, Austria, with its rich experience in ski resorts management, related technologies etc., is willing to assist China to bid for the Olympic Winter Sport 2022.
The delegation also visited Xi’an, Hangzhou and Shanghai. During the stay in Shanghai, on behalf of the Shanghai Municipal Government Mr. Zhou Yajun, vice director of Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office and vice president of the Shanghai Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, awarded Mr. Prof. Gerd Kaminski, vice executive president of Austria-China Friendship Association, “Magnolia Award” to honor his great contribution to China-Austria friendships.?
CPAFFC Holds Reception to Celebrate 20th Anniversary of China-Bosnia and Herzegovina Diplomatic Relations
On April 2, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) held a reception to celebrate the 20th anniversary of China-Bosnia and Herzegovina diplomatic relations. Vice Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, Mr Chen Changzhi and Vice Foreign Minister Mr Wang Chao attended the reception. Vice President of the CPAFFC and HE Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to China Maric delivered speeches.
Before the reception, Vice Chairman Chen Changzhi met with Ambassador Maric. He said that 20 years after China and Bosnia and Herzegovina established diplomatic relations, the bilateral relations developed smoothly with deepened political mutual trust, expanded economic, cultural, and educational exchanges and cooperation, and good communication and coordination in international and regional affairs. China attaches great importance to the relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and is poised to join hands with the Bosnia and Herzegovina to take the 20th anniversary as an opportunity, make full use of the China-CEEC cooperation platform, expand political mutual trust, make closer friendly exchanges, and upgrade mutually-beneficial cooperation, so as to bring China and Bosnia and Herzegovina relations to a new level.
Ambassador Maric thanked the Chinese side to host the 20th anniversary reception. He expressed his appreciation towards China’s position that all countries, big or small, should be equals. He said that Bosnia and Herzegovina has always upheld the One China policy, and will continue to do so in the future. At present, China and Bosnia and Herzegovina enjoy sound political relations, which has provided a favourable environment for the two countries’ economic cooperation. He believed that in the larger context of the China-CEEC cooperation, the two countries’ economic cooperation will enjoy better prospect.
The Chinese and foreign guests present also watched brilliant folk music performance played by students from an art university in Beijing.
Vice President Lin Yi Meets with Ambassador of Zimbabwe
Vice President Lin Yi met with and hosted luncheon for H.E. Mr. Paul Chikawa, Ambassador of Zimbabwe to China, on April 1, 2015.
The two sides reviewed the development of China-Zimbabwe relations, and had in-depth exchange of views on further promoting the exchanges between local governments and friendship cities of the two countries.
Deputy Director General level Counsel Hu Chunmei Observed Presidential Election of Uzbekistan as International Observer
At the invitation of Mr. Abdusalomov, Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Uzbekistan, CPAFFC sent an observer’s delegation? headed by Ms. Hu Chunmei, Deputy Director General Level Counsel of the European and Central Asian Department, Secretary General of China Central Asia Friendship Association to Uzbekistan to observed the preparation, voting and ballots counting of the presidential election from March 27 to 31.
The delegation visited Tashkent, the capital city and Urgench in northwest of the country. During their stay in Urgench, the delegation further studies the whole process of the election, including the voting and ballots counting. On the election day, Ms. Hu had an interview with Uzbekistani National TV station.
On March 30, CEC announced preliminary result, acclaiming that President Karimov had won re-election with his share of vote at 90.39%.