Vice President Xie Yuan Attends Opening Ceremony of American Flying Tiger Guilin Heritage Park
On March 28, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong attended and launched the opening of the Flying Tiger Guilin Heritage Park in Guilin, southwest China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Over 300 Chinese and American guests attended the ceremony, including Secretary Peng Qinghua of CPC Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Committee, Deputy Secretary General Jiang Xiaojuan of the State Council, Vice Minister Lu Xin of Education, Vice Minister Chen Gaihu of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Vice Minister Tan Tianxing of the State Council Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, Assistant Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang, CPAFFC Vice President Xie Yuan, Secretary Zhao Leqin of CPC Guilin Municipal Committee, Mayor Zhou Jiabin of Guilin, Chairman James Whitehead of the American Flying Tigers Historical Organization (FTHO) and Honorary President Florence Fang of FTHO, US Consul General Jennifer Galt in Guangzhou, Air Attaché Michael Marble of the US Embassy in China, 91-year-old Flying Tiger veteran JV Vinyard, Cynthia Chennault, daughter of General Chennault and Nell Calloway, granddaughter of General Chennault.
Before the opening ceremony, Vice Premier Liu Yandong held a meeting with the key members of the US delegation. She said that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the Victory of World’s Anti-Fascist War and the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. China and the US fought side by side during the war as alliance and made great contribution to the final victory of the World’s Anti-Fascist War. The heroic stories of the Flying Tigers and the American people assisting China are immortal and will always be remembered. Vice Premier Liu reiterated that tremendous changes have taken place in the international situation and we are still faced with many common challenges. The cooperation between China and the US is not only in the interests of the two peoples, but also bears important significance to the world peace and development.
In his address at the ceremony, Vice President Xie Yuan pointed out that the Flying Tiger Guilin Heritage Park is the best commemoration and tribute to the history of Chinese and American peoples fighting together against brutality for justice and peace. Chinese people will always remember the contributions made by the US and the other countries to the Chinese People’s War against Japanese Aggression. We shall work together to carry forward the spirit of cooperation and make continuous contributions to building a new model of China-US major country relationship.
When speaking at the ceremony, Gen. Whitehead held that by dedicating the Flying Tiger Heritage Park, we are honoring the joint friendship by Americans and Chinese which was forged during the darkest days of WWⅡ. The cooperative spirit is vital to the development of our bilateral relationship. The Chinese people have never forgotten the Flying Tigers, nor have the Flying Tigers forgotten the sacrifices made by the Chinese people. He also expressed great gratitude to the support from all levels of Chinese governments over the past nine years and hoped that more Americans and Chinese will visit the heritage park and cherish the history and friendship between the two countries. He quoted lines from CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin’s speech on the Chinese dream of happiness and peace, “The dream of peace is also the dream of the world. To transcend civilization differences and join hands to work together is the only choice for us to realize our dreams.”
After the opening ceremony, Chinese and American guests toured the park.
The Flying Tiger Guilin Heritage Park started construction in July 2011. Located at the former site of Yang Tang Airport, it has such historical relics as the Command Post Cave, Observing Stone of General Chennault, and aircraft bunkers. It is the only existing command post of the Flying Tigers in China. The American Flying Tigers Historical Organization donated over 300 historic items to the Park such as military uniforms, medals, and photos related to the Flying Tigers.
The ASEAN-China Governors/Mayors’ Dialogue Held at Boao of Hainan
On March 27, 2015, as an important program within the framework of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2015,the ASEAN-China Governors/Mayors’Dialogue (ACGMD) was held at Boao, Hainan. Leaders from 16 provinces and cities in China and ASEAN countries attended the Dialogue. Through in-depth discussions on the theme of “Local Cooperation: Driving Force to Build a Community of Common Destiny”, the representatives reached various consensus and signed the Joint Statement Issued by the ASEAN-China Governors/Mayors’Dialogue. Vice President Lin Yi of CPAFFC hosted the Dialogue and made a speech.
The representatives proposed that the ACGMD be held annually at Boao during the BFA annual conferences. They also agreed to share their achievements and opportunities and seek common development through enhanced local cooperation in an open and inclusive spirit, including the exchanges in connectivity, maritime cooperation, investment, tourism, agriculture and culture, so as to promote the mutual trust and friendship between China and ASEAN and push the bilateral relationship to a new height.
The Chinese attendants include Governor Liu Cigui of Hainan Province, Mayor Huang Qifan of Chongqing Municipality, Vice Mayor Yan Qingmin of Tianjin Municipality, Vice Governor Wang Lixia of Shaanxi Province, Mayor Miao Ruilin of Nanjing City, Vice Mayor Xie Shuangcheng of Hangzhou City and Vice Mayor Dong Xiaoli of Qingdao City.
Their ASEAN representatives are: Deputy Chairman Mansor B M Yassin of Municipal Board from Bandar Seri Begawan of Brunei Darussalam, Governor Lorn Limthay of Kampong Cham Province of Cambodia, Vice Governor Trac Thai Sieng of Phnom Penh of Cambodia, Governor Made Mangku Pastika of Bali Province of Indonesia, Vice Governor Keophilavanh Aphaylath of Vientiane of Laos, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng of Penang State of Malaysia, Mayor U Hla Myint of Yangon of Myanmar, Provincial Parliament Member Celestino A. Martinez III of Cebu Province of the Philippines and Vice Governor Punlop Singhasenee of Phuket Province of Thailand.
Vice President Song Jingwu Meets with KAGEYAMA TUGUAKI, President of Okayama Prefectural Japan-China Friendship Association
On March. 25th, CPAFFC Vice President Song Jingwu had a meeting with?? KAGEYAMA TUGUAKI, President of Okayama Prefectural Japan-China Friendship?Association and his delegation.
Vice President Song said, China and Japan are close neighbors separate by a strip of water. The long-term friendship from generation to generation and peaceful development is greatly significant for the prosperity and stability of Asia and the world. He wished Okayama Prefectural Japan-China Friendship Association would carry forward friendly-to-China tradition, and play an active role in improving the relation between the two countries.
KAGEYAMA said, there were many personages engaged in Japan-China Friendship came forth in Okayama Prefecture since ancient times. He would like to strengthen communication with China and make continuous efforts on developing China-Japan relation.
World Leadership Alliance Delegation Visits Guangzhou
At the invitation of Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Prime Minister Wim Kok, founding President of World Leadership Alliance (WLA) and Former Prime Minister of Netherlands led a delegation of 9 visited China from 21st to 25th , March, 2015. The delegation visited Guangzhou from 21st to 23rd.
Consisted of Club de Madrid and World Economic Council, World Leadership Alliance is one of the most prominent former heads of states alliances in the world. CPAFFC established contact with it since its founding. Along the three years, the two organizations has developed stronger wills to further cooperation with rounds of communication. The delegation intends to observe the venues at length to set basis for future cooperation. In Guangzhou, the delegation stayed in the Imperial Springs International Summit under the KINGOLD Group and visited the conference center, hotel facility and KINGOLD Museum, etc. Besides, all members attended the tree-planting ceremony to symbolize friendship.
Tree-Planting Ceremony at the Imperial Springs International Summit
On the afternoon of March the 22nd, a close-door working meeting was held among CPAFFC, WLA, Guangdong People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and KINGOLD Group. Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice President of CPAFFC hosted the meeting.
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Group Photo of Representatives in Close-door Meeting
Representatives from the above-mentioned four parties spoke highly of the facilities and services provided by Imperial Springs International Summit. In addition, they discussed related issues, such as theme, time, guests, organization and preparation, etc for the potential conference in a practical and efficient manner. On discussing the theme, members of WLA delegation voiced their opinions for hot-spot issues such as “The Road and Initiatives” as well as Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Prime Minister Wim Kok pointed out that major European economies such as France and German joined AIIB out of global economy trend; President Jorge Quiroga thought the establishment of AIIB provided opportunities for developing countries in their participation of the international financial new order; President Danilo Turk said that the “Road and Initiatives” provided solid platform for the carrying out of AIIB.
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Vice President Xie Yuan Hosted the Four-party Close-door Meeting
?Three Former Heads of States participate in the Meeting
All parties involved promised that they would keep close contact and settle themes and form of the potential meeting and thus start the preparation procedures.
On the morning of March the 23rd, Mr. Chen Yunxian, Vice Governor of Guangdong Province met with World Leadership Alliance delegation.
Group Photo of the WLA with Vice Governor Chen Yunxian
President Tang Jiangxuan of CJFA Meets Delegation of Japanese Ruling Party
On the afternoon of Mar. 24th, Tang Jiaxuan, the former state councilor and president of China-Japan Friendship Association (CJFA) had a meeting with the delagation formed by Japanese ruling party, which is headed by Legislator TANIGAKI SADAKAZU of Liberal Democratic Party and Legislator INOUE?YOSHIHISA of Clean Government Party. The two sides had an exchange of views on China-Japan relation and common concerns.
Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC, Wang Xiuyun, Director-General of Department of Japanese Affairs attended the meeting.
Celebration of 25th Anniversary of China-Namibia Diplomatic Relations Held in Beijing
Organized by CPAFFC and the Namibia Embassy in China, the celebration of 25th Anniversary of China-Namibia Diplomatic Relations was held in Beijing on March 21, 2015. Mme. Lin Yi, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mr. Qian Hongshan, Assistant Foreign Minister and H.E. Ringo F. Abed, Ambassador of Namibia to China, African diplomatic corps and other 350 guests from all fields attended the celebration.
In her speech, Mme. Lin said that China-Namibia friendship, forged by older generations of leaders of the two countries, is a valuable treasure shared by the two sides. Over the past 25 years, our two countries have exchanged frequent high-level visits, conducted vigorous economic, trade and people-to-people communication, and carried out effective cooperation in various fields. China and Namibia may well be regarded as all-weather friends sharing weal and woe. The CPAFFC is willing to work with the Namibian side, and take the opportunity of the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations, to further the China-Namibia traditional friendship, expand the mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas, to ensure the China-Namibia friendship pass on from generation to generation.
Ambassador Ringo F. Abed said in his speech that Namibia and China have always supported each other on issues of common interest, both at bilateral and multilateral levels. He also expressed his appreciation for China’s immense contributions to the well-being of its people and the development of its country.
President Xu Kuangdi Meeting with President of The Boeing Company
Xu Kuangdi, vice president of the 10th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and president of China-US People’s Friendship Association, met with Dennis A. Muilenburg, president of the Boeing Company, and his party who attended the China Development Forum in Beijing on March 21, 2015.
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President Xu briefed the guests on the recently-concluded two sessions of NPC and CPPCC. He pointed out that China under comprehensive reform will create vast space for the growth of civil aviation sector, which will provide more opportunities to Boeing and other multinational companies. Xu wished that Boeing can play a positive role in furthering sound and stable ties between China and the US, while carrying out cooperation with Chinese companies. Muilanburg said that the US-China relations are very important and he valued Boeing’s strong relations and partnership with China. He looks forward to more collaboration between his company and China in terms of aircraft manufacturing, supply chain, civil aviation infrastructure building and training, and it is also his wish that Boeing would continue to contribute to the future development of the US-China? relationship.
Vice President Xie Yuan of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship was present at the meeting.??
The Royal Dutch Medical Association Delegation Visits Beijing
From March 15 to 20, a 25-person delegation from the Royal Dutch Medical Association visited Beijing at the invitation of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. During their visit, the delegation exchanged views on issues including primary health care, public health service, prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, elderly-care policy and measures responding to aging population with National Health and Family Planning Commission of China, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing Municipal Health and Family Planning Commission and Beijing Municipal Office for Aging Population.
Mr. Zhang Bingli, Director of Primary Health Department of National Health and Family Planning Commission of China made an introduction on China’s primary health care system, health insurance coverage, basic public health package and essential drugs system. Professor Wang Peiyu, Dean of School of Public Health of Peking University Health Science Center made a presentation on the practices of prevention and treatment of infectious diseases in China, and discussed ways to strengthen academic exchanges on public health. Mr. Guo Jiyong, Deputy Director-General of Beijing Municipal Health and Family Planning Commission made an introduction on the public health service and primary health care in Beijing, and expressed wishes to maintain contact with the Royal Dutch Medical Association in order to cooperate in the field of health care. Mr. Li Hui, Deputy Director-General of Beijing Municipal Office for Aging Population introduced the structure of the aging population in Beijing and the implementation of the new type of old-age nursing service, and answered the delegation’s questions concerning supervision and management of the nursing homes, training of the nursing staff, pension funds? providing of pension funds and raising of the retirement age.
The delegation also visited Desheng Community Health Service Center and Cishansi Nursing Home. Delegation members speak highly of the community health service and grassroots basic old-age nursing care in China.
Vice President Lin Yi Meets Ambassador Stanley Loh of Singapore
On March 20th, Vice President Lin Yi of CPAFFC met H. E. Mr.Stanley Loh, Ambassador of Singapore to China. The two sides reviewed the development of the Sino-Singapore relations, and exchanged views on jointly organizing activities marking the 25th anniversary of China-Singapore relations this year.