Vice President Xie Yuan Meets with H.E. Mr. Toomata, Samoan Ambassador to China
On March 1, 2019, Vice President Xie Yuan met with Mr. Tapusalaia Terry Toomata, Samoan Ambassador to China. The two sides exchanged ideas on advancing local cooperation between China?and?Samoa.
Vice President Xie Yuan expressed sincere gratitude to Ambassador Toomata for his positive contributions to the people-to-people friendly exchanges?and?cooperation of local governments between China?and?Samoa over the past ten years. Vice President Xie said CPAFFC was delighted to know that relevant cities of Samoa had conducted exchange of visits?and?contacts with Kunming?and?Xi’an. We hoped both sides could carry on more exchanges?and?deepen their mutual understanding,? so as to lay a solid foundation for the possible establishment of friendship-city relations.
Ambassador Toomata said that Samoa had preliminary exchanges?and?discussions on establishing friendship-city relations with Kunming, the city of spring,?and?Xi’an, a city abundance with cultural?and?historical heritage. The embassy would follow up with it, to further strengthen the friendship between our two peoples?and?promote common development.
Mr. Hao Zhongwei, Deputy Director General of the Department of American?and?Oceanian Affairs, was present at the meeting.
?
?
?
?
Photographed by Zhang Weixiao
Vice President Xie Yuan Meets with Ambassador François Ayodele Jackman
Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Mr. Fran?ois Ayodele Jackman, Barbados Ambassador to China on March 1, 2019.
Vice President Xie Yuan expressed welcome to the Ambassador Jackman?and?made a brief introduction about the exchanges in the fields of local governments?and?culture CPAFFC had developed. He also said that CPAFFC is willing to actively push the establishment of the friendly cities between China?and?Barbados, so as to achieve zero breakthrough. Ambassador Jackman thanked Vice President Xie Yuan for taking time to meet him?and?expressed that Barbados Embassy in China would keep close contact with CPAFFC?and?further promote the friendly exchange of the people-to-people of the two countries.
?
?
?
?
?
?
Vice President Song Jingwu Visits Japan
At the invitation of the Japan-China Cultural Exchange Association, Vice President Song Jingwu visited Tokyo?and?Hokkaido Prefecture from February 20 to 24, 2019. During the visit, he met with Mori Yoshiro, former Prime Minister of Japan?and?President of the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic?and?Paralympic Games, Suzuki Daichi, Commissioner of Japan Sports Agency, Takahashi Harumi, Governor of Hokkaido Prefecture, Furuoya Mitsuo , Secretary General of the National Governors' Association of Japan, Akimoto Katsuhiro, Mayor of Sapporo, Kikuya Hideyoshi, President of Hokkaido Association of City Mayors?and?Mayor of Date,?and?Irie Kan, Vice President of the Japan-China Cultural Exchange Association, exchanging views on how to further strengthen the friendly exchanges between the two countries in the fields of local governments, mass sports?and?youth.
Song Jingwu introduced the events?and?achievements of friendly exchanges conducted by the CPAFFC in the fields of local governments?and?youth in the past year. He said that last year marked 40th anniversary of the signing of the Sino-Japanese Peace?and?Friendship Treaty. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met with President Xi Jinping for several times,?and?exchanged visits with Premier Li Keqiang, which had been long since their last round of exchanges. The relations between the two countries have returned to a normal track. The two countries designate this year as a "China-Japan Youth Exchange Promotion Year"?and?will host the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo?and?2022 Winer Olympics in Beijing respectively, which will bring new opportunities for the cultural exchanges of youth?and?sports between the two countries. The CPAFFC hopes to work with various sectors of Japan in an innovative way, to carry out more extensive?and?practical exchanges among grassroots, especially young people, on the theme of the Olympics.
?
Mori Yoshiro, former Prime Minister of Japan?and?President of the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic?and?Paralympic Games, said that Japan?and?China are both sports powers?and?many of their exchanges in sports went down in history of the development of bilateral relations?and?even international relations. He hopes that the two countries will seize the opportunity to jointly promote the development of the Olympic Movement in East Asia?and?strengthen mutual understanding?and?friendship among the peoples. Suzuki Daichi, Commissioner of Japan Sports Agency, said that he is willing to strengthen exchanges?and?cooperation with the Chinese side in sports talent training?and?mass sports in the future.
Takahashi Harumi, Governor of Hokkaido Prefecture, said that both Japanese prime minister?and?Chinese premier attended?and?addressed the opening ceremony of the 3rd China-Japan Governors’ Forum in Sapporo, Hokkaido. The forum was a great success. The Japanese local governments will make more efforts to vigorously carry out cooperation in the fields of mass sports?and?youth exchanges in the future.
?
?
?
?
?
?
Vice President Lin Yi Meets with H.E. Mrs. Chibesakunda, The Zambian Ambassador to China
On February 22, the CPAFFC Vice President Mme. Lin Yi met with Mrs. Winnie N. Chibesakunda, the Zambian Ambassador to China.
Mme. Lin Yi said that the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation was successfully held last year, which pointed out the directions for China-Africa cooperation?and?development in the following three years. The CPAFFC will actively implement the important consensus reached by the two presidents of China?and?Zambia during the summit,?and?promote local government exchanges?and?cooperation between the two countries. The CPAFFC is willing to work together with the Zambian Embassy in China to enhance local government cooperation?and?twinning program.
Ambassador Chibesakunda said that she is grateful for the CPAFFC’s long-term efforts in promoting Zambia-China friendship?and?local government exchanges. Mme. Lin’s pending visit to Zambia in March aims to implement the consensus reached by both presidents, which is to facilitate the establishment of more friendship cities. With regard to this visit, she said that to her knowledge, the Ministry of Local Government?and?Housing of Zambia is actively coordinating?and?preparing for it,??and?the embassy will also offer strong support as well.
Mr. Li Hai, Deputy Director General of the Department of Asian?and?African Affairs, was present at the meeting.
?
?
?
?
CPAFFC Secretary-General Li Xikui Attends Opening Ceremony of Happy Spring Festival 2019 Cultural Temple Fair in Hong Kong with the Theme of Mountainous Parks Province·Colorful Guizhou
Happy Spring Festival 2019 Cultural Temple Fair in Hong Kong with the Theme of Mountainous Parks Province · Colorful Guizhou, co-hosted by China Friendship Foundation for Peace?and?Development (CFFPD), China Friendship Association of Cultural Circles (CFACC), the Information Office of Guizhou Provincial People’s Government (IOGPPG), Asia Tourism Exchange Center (ATEC)?and?Hong Kong United Arts Development Centre Co., Ltd. (HKUADC), was held in Shatin Park in Hong Kong on February 16.
Mr. Li Xikui, Secretary-General of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC)?and?Director of CFFPD, Mr. Yang Jian, Deputy Director General of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr. Mu Degui, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Guizhou Provincial Committee?and?Director General of Publicity Department of the CPC Guizhou Provincial Committee, Mr. Bai Bing, Council Member of CFACC, Ms. Michelle LI Mei-sheung, Director of Leisure?and?Cultural Services of HKSAR, Mr. WONG Chi Cho, Joe, Jp, Director of Tourism Commission of Commerce?and?Economic Development Bureau Commerce, Industry?and?Tourism Branch?and?other 500 guests?and?local residents attended the opening ceremony.
?
Secretary-General Li Xikui said in his speech, the Chinese Spring Festival is the most important traditional festival in China?and?also a common festival for the Mainland?and?Hong Kong to celebrate. It combines most profound feelings of the Chinese people. This time, we took fine cultural products from Guizhou province which enjoys the reputation of the culture, wine, song?and?dance to Hong Kong,?and?hoped to show the original folk cultures?and?the colorful minority cultures to Hong Kong compatriots, so as to make them experience the achievements China had made since the founding of the People’s Republic of China 70 years ago.
Director Michelle LI Mei-sheung said, this temple fair would make Hong Kong residents feel a charming Guizhou province from vision, hearing?and?taste,?and?enjoy the happiness?and?blessing. HKSAR has been working for promoting the cultural exchange between the Mainland?and?Hong Kong,?and?also expects to commonly develop through the temple fair.
?
Deputy Director General Yang Jian said, Guizhou province?and?Hong Kong have been maintaining a close relationship. He expected that this Cultural Temple Fair could make a more diverse, more various?and?more colorful Guizhou impression on Hong Kong citizens.
Director Mu Degui made an introduction about the economic?and?social development?and?the trade exchange between Guizhou province?and?Hong Kong. He believed that this temple fair could further strengthen the understanding?and?learning about Guizhou province?and?promote the exchanges?and?cooperation to a new level.
?
The temple fair takes " Mountainous Parks Province · Colorful Guizhou” as its theme?and?consists of six major sections, including “Original Guizhou- Guizhou Tourism Photography Exhibition”, “Colorful Guizhou-Minority Performance”, “Charming Guizhou-Experiencing Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition”, “Interactive Guizhou-Seeing, Listening?and?Playing in Guizhou”, “ Treasures in Guizhou-Market from Mountains”,?and?Guizhou Happiness High-Speed Railway Experience Hall, covering snacks, minority performances, intangible culture heritage?and?etc..
The event will last three days. By way of exhibitions, performances?and?experiencing, Hong Kong compatriots could feel the culture, taste the food?and?enjoy the view from Guizhou without leaving home. They also could experience?and?learn about the differences between “sea”?and?“mountains”, “enthusiasm”?and?“freshness”, “fashion”?and?“simple”, “lively city”?and?“beautiful hometown”, “delicate cuisine”?and?“natural food”.
?
?
?
?
?
?Photographed by Zhu Rui, Chinese National Geography
Vice President Song Jingwu Meets with New SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov
Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met with Mr. Vladimir Norov, New Secretary-General of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on February 13, 2019.
Vice President Song Jingwu conveyed the cordial greetings from President Li Xiaolin to Secretary-General Vladimir Norov?and?congratulated the Secretary-General on taking office. Vice President Song also made a brief introduction about CPAFFC?and?CCAFA (China-Central Asia Friendship Association). Secretary-General Vladimir Norov thanked Vice President Song for taking time to meet them?and?spoke highly of the important contributions CPAFFC had made on promoting the world friendship?and?local cooperation. He said, he would develop the friendly cooperation with CPAFFC during his tenure. Both sides had an in-depth discussion on the cooperation in various fields?and?made specific recommendations.
Vladimir Norov has been working as new Secretary-General of SCO since January 1, 2019. Mme. Hu Chunmei, Associated Counsel of Department of European?and?Asian Affairs of CPAFFC, Mr. Luo Guangming, Deputy Secretary-General of SCO, attended the meeting.
?
?
?
?
?
Photographed by Wen Guangmei
Vice President Hu Sishe Attends Opening Ceremony of Touring Exhibition “Eiichiro Oda Supervisors·Hello ONE PIECE·Luffy is Here” in Chengdu
Co-organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC)?and?KOUZAN Fine-arts Company, hosted by China Friendship Institute for International Art Exchange (CFIIAE), the first touring exhibition of the world-class animation work, One Piece, in China mainland, came to an end on January 15 in Shenzhen. There were around 100,000 visitors. The exhibition achieved a better response. The opening ceremony of the touring exhibition in Chengdu will be held in Sichuan Museum on January 29.
Mr. Hu Sishe, Vice President of CPAFFC,Mr. ONO SINNYA, former Vice Minister of Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science?and?Technology (MEXT), Mr. Wang Yi, Vice President of Sichuan Provincial Department of Culture?and?Tourism, Mr. Sheng Jianwu, President of Sichuan Museum, Chairman of the Board of KOUZAN Fine-arts Company, Mr. HIRONO SHINICHI, Managing Director of Shueisha Inc., Mr. Wang Heshan, Secretary General of CFIIAE, Mr. Zhao Ping, President of Sichuan People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (SPAFFC), Mme. Xiang Qionghua, Secretary General of SPAFFC, Mme. Shiga Kenka, Chairman of Japan-China Peace?and?Development Promotion Association, Mr. Chen Jianzhong, Chairman of the Board of KOUZAN Fine-arts Company,?and?other leaders?and?guests, attended the opening ceremony.
Vice President Hu Sishe said in his speech, the contemporary world culture has both distinct characteristics of the times?and?diverse. As a new type of cultural form?and?carrier, animation has achieved rapid development in the past two decades?and?has been widely loved by the people, especially young people. Japan's animation industry has an important place in the world,?and?it has also played a positive role in the development of Chinese animation for a long time. The animation exchanges between the two countries are not only conducive to promoting the exchange of animation culture of the two countries, but also enhancing mutual understanding?and?friendship of the youth.
ONO SINNYA said that there have been 46 years since the resumption of diplomatic relations between Japan?and?China. The signing of the Japan-China Treaty of Peace?and?Friendship has also passed 41 years. There has indeed been a deep exchange between China?and?Japan. But what is more important is how to build a foothold for the hearts of the Japanese?and?Chinese. The cultural exchange opening with anime?like?this time has made children?and?young people overcome the obstacles of the nation?and?the peoples, transcending the specific ideology?and?the national framework to begin the collision of heart?and?heart, which caused a great resonance.
One Piece was created by Eiichiro Oda, Japanese manga artist. It began serialization in Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine in 1997?and?was popular with the animation fans all over the world.? One Piece had been published over 440 million until July, 2018. The touring exhibition in Chengdu will be held from January 30 to May 10.
Photographed by Liu Wenwen
Chen Zhu, Vice-Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, Attends Reception in Celebration of 55th Anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relationship between China and France
A reception in celebration of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between China?and?France was held grandly by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) in Beijing on January 21st, 2019. Mr. Chen Zhu, Vice-Chairman of Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), Mr. Wang Chao, Vice-Minister of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), attended the reception. Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC?and?Mr. Jean-Maurice Ripert, Ambassador of French Embassy in China delivered speeches respectively. Vice Chairman Chen Zhu?and?Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert unveiled the commemorative envelopes marking the 55th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations.
Vice President Song Jingwu said, the relationship between China?and?France is splendid?and?also is a pacemaker for China’s overall relations with the West countries, playing a leading role in the past 55 years. The world is undergoing tremendous changes?and?faced with various challenges?and?opportunities. The bilateral relations should take the 55th anniversary as an opportunity to promote comprehensive strategic partnership.
Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert said in his speech, the closer of the two countries brought the advantages?and?benefits for each other through overcoming differences caused by the different national conditions. This helped to invigorate China-France cooperative development, which would also be the aim we would make unremitting efforts in future.
Over 150 personages including the leaders from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC, Ministry of Commerce of the PRC, Ministry of Culture?and?Tourism, Ministry of Education of the PRC, International Department, Central Committee of CPC?and?other relevant ministries,?and?diplomats from French Embassy in China as well as representatives from academic, business?and?other sectors of the two countries attended the reception.
Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert Delivering a Speech at the reception
?
Vice-Chairman Chen Zhu?and?Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert Unveiling Commemorative Envelopes Marking the 55th Anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations.
?
?
?
?
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen Attends China-Cambodia Friendly Personages’ Meeting
On January 21st, the China-Cambodia Friendly Personages’ Meeting hosted by CPAFFC was held in Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia, who’s on a formal visit to China, attended the meeting with Mme.Gu Xiulian, President of China-Cambodia Friendship Association (CCFA), CPAFFC Vice President Lin Yi?and?other 20 Chinese representatives from all fields.
Hun Sen said that it’s pleasure to meet each Chinese friends who had witnessed?and?promoted the Cambodia-China Friendship. At present, with the strategic guidance by the leaders from two countries, the Cambodia-China relations got strong? momentum. This visit was of special meaning to promote the bilateral cooperation which would benefit Cambodia’s development. Hun Sen said that the people-to-people friendship contributed to the government-to-government relations?and?hoped that the two countries’ friendship associations would made continuous communications?and?cooperation to enhance the friendship?and?understanding between the two peoples.
Gu Xiulian thanked Hun Sen for meeting the Chinese delegates?and?congratulated him for leading the Cambodian People’s Party to win the election last year?and?re-electing the Prime Minister. Gu Xiulian said that the China-Cambodia traditional friendship cultivated by Chairman Mao Zedong, Primer Zhou Enlai?and?King Father Sihanouk was deeply rooted?and?the two countries witnessed frequent high-level exchanges in recently years. It is with strong belief that Prime Minister’s visit would boost the bilateral relations. Gu Xiulian said that CPAFFC?and?CCFA would keep the exchanges?and?cooperation with Cambodia-China Friendship Association led by President EK Sam OL thus to further strengthen the bilateral relations.
Mr. Pan Guangxue, Former Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia, Mr.Gu Jun, Senior Engineer of China Research Institute of Cultural Relics?and?Mr.Cao Xunchang, team leader of the 2016 Chinese volunteers service team to Cambodia delivered the speech during the meeting respectively. Mr.Wang Wentian, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia was present at the meeting.
?
?
?
?
?
?
Photographed by Ren Xin?
China-Japan Friendship New Year Concert Held in Beijing
2019 China-Japan Friendship New Year Concert organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) was held in Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center on the afternoon of January 19th. Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mr. YOKOI Yutaka, Japanese Ambassador to China,?and?his wife, Mr. KAWAI HIROTAKA, General Manager of KAWAI Musical Instruments Manufacturing Co., Ltd., attended the concert.
Sino-Japanese young pianists, Xu Gehui?and?Shino Hidaka, played classic tracks from Franz Liszt, Johann Sebastian Bach, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky,?and?two pieces of featured music, Chinese Rhapsody-overture?and?dance music, Piano Folio. Young violinists?and?singers from Central Conservatory of Music performed wonderful ensemble played by piano?and?violin,?and?sang songs. The famous song, Nessun Dorma, chose from opera, Turandot, pushed the atmosphere of the concert to the climax. The concert won the warm applause?and?achieved a complete success.
Nearly 400 Chinese?and?Japanese personages from all walks of life including leaders from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Ministry of Commerce of the PRC?and?other related ministries, council members of China-Japan Friendship Association?and?representatives from Japanese enterprises in Beijing?and?media, attended the concert.
KAWAI Music Education· China?and?Japan Friendly Exchange Foundation was also sponsor. This Foundation was established in 2014, which was used to develop charitable activities for Sino-Japanese friendly exchanges with the aims of music talents training?and?music education. China-Japan Friendship New Year Concert had been held five consecutive sessions since 2015?and?had received positive response.
?
?
?
?
?
?
?