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On November 12, the 2024 Sichuan International Friendship Cities Cooperation and Development Conference?opened in Chengdu, the capital of China's Sichuan Province. Yan Dong, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.In his address, Yan Dong emphasized that international friendship cities cooperation?serves as a key?channel for?enhancing?subnational?exchanges and fostering?people-to-people ties?between China and other?countries. He described it as an important?platform for Chinese localities to engage with the wider world and a significant mechanism?for promoting?international industrial cooperation, mutual benefit, and shared?development. Yan highlighted Sichuan's achievements in recent years,?noting that the province has fully leveraged its international sister-city resources to achieve remarkable results in personnel exchanges, economic and trade cooperation, cultural interactions, and youth engagement. He affirmed that these efforts have played a pivotal role in advancing Sichuan's high-quality development.?Yan Dong further stated that the CPAFFC?is committed to working with Sichuan to build more bridges for people-to-people?exchanges, practical cooperation, cultural exchanges, and youth friendship. This joint effort, he noted, will make greater contributions to?enhancing?mutual understanding and friendship between Chinese and foreign peoples, facilitate state-to-state relations, strengthen practical partnerships between Chinese and foreign local governments, and support the collective goal of?building a community with a shared future for mankind.Hosted by the?People's Government?of Sichuan Province?and organized?by the Foreign Affairs Office of Sichuan Province, the conference was attended by nearly 300 Chinese and international?guests from 30 countries.

From November 4 to 8, Yuan Mindao, Vice President?of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), led a?China-Japan friendship?delegation?on a?visit to?Japan. During the visit, Yuan met with officials?from?Tokushima Prefecture?and representatives?from related organizations, including the Iskra Industry Co.,?Ltd., the Shorinji Kempo Group, the?Japan Association for Study of?Traditional Chinese Medicines,?and the?Kouzan Fine-Arts?Company. The discussions focused on strengthening China-Japan?people-to-people exchanges and enhancing subnational exchanges and cooperation. While in Tokyo, the delegation attended a?symposium regarding a visit by the Iskra Industry Co.,?Ltd.?to China,?which included learning about China's revolutionary war and its historical significance.Yuan Mindao emphasized that the foundation of?China-Japan?friendship?lies with?the people. He noted that, last month, President Xi Jinping met with foreign guests at the China International Friendship Conference and Events Marking the 70th Anniversary of the?CPAFFC.?During this meeting, President Xi delivered a significant speech highlighting the role of people-to-people diplomacy in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation.?President Xi proposed working?together to build a community with a shared future for mankind.?Yuan reaffirmed the CPAFFC's commitment to collaborating with like-minded individuals from all sectors of society in both countries to promote friendly exchanges and practical cooperation at both subnational and people-to-people levels.?He expressed the CPAFFC's dedication to contributing to the steady and sustainable growth of?China-Japan relations.Japanese participants who had attended President Xi's meeting expressed their encouragement and renewed confidence after hearing his speech. They reiterated their commitment to strengthening people-to-people exchanges and expressed a strong desire to intensify cooperation with the CPAFFC to advance?the cause of China-Japan people-to-people friendship. President Chen Zhiqing?and Director?Yumiko Yoshida?of the Iskra Industry Co., Ltd.?shared that their visit to China, particularly to learn the spirit of the Long March, has profoundly?impacted?their employees.?The experience gave their younger team members a deeper understanding of China's remarkable development achievements and inspired enthusiasm and a sense of responsibility to contribute to the Japan-China friendship.?Gotoda Masazumi, Governor of Tokushima Prefecture, also expressed a strong?willingness to deepen?practical cooperation with its sister province, Hunan, as well as other regions in China. He highlighted areas such as economy and trade, people-to-people?exchanges, and youth?engagement as key fields for further collaboration.

On November 11, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC)?held a press conference to announce the upcoming China International Friendship Cities Conference 2024. Sun Xueqing, Secretary-General of the CPAFFC;?Wang Yu, Full-Time Vice President of the Yunnan Provincial Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries;?Wang Ya, Member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Kunming Municipal Committee and?Deputy Mayor?of Kunming; and Zhang Zhenxing, Deputy Director-General?of the General Office?of the CPAFFC, attended the?event to provide details about the conference?and answer questions?from reporters.?Sun Liang, Deputy Director-General?of the General Office?and Spokesperson?of the CPAFFC, presided over the press conference.The China International Friendship Cities Conference 2024?is scheduled?to take place?in Kunming, the capital of Southwest China's Yunnan?Province, from November 18 to 19. With the theme "Common Prosperity, Shared Future", the conference will be co-hosted by the CPAFFC, the China International Friendship Cities Association (CIFCA), and the People's Government of Yunnan Province, and organized by the People's Government of Kunming Municipality.?The event is expected to bring together approximately?700 participants, including representatives from more than 60 provinces and states,?120 cities, and?over?60 local government or friendship organizations?The conference will feature an opening ceremony, thematic forums, and four parallel forums on the following topics:?namely, "Technology Innovation for Building Smart Cities", "Urban Green Development for Public Well-Being", "Reserving Urban History and Culture",?and "Interconnected Transportation for Building a Shared Urban Future".?Additionally, more than 20 agreements are expected to be signed, cover?the establishment of new sister-city relationships?and cooperation projects. Kunming Initiative?will also be issued, calling on sister cities and local governments to further strengthen solidarity, deepen cooperation, and promote mutual support. To further encourage exchanges between Chinese and foreign local governments, the CPAFFC?and the CIFCA?have recognized 20 Chinese provinces and cities with outstanding achievements in international friendship city work, along with?40 foreign provinces, states,?and cities that have actively engaged in exchanges with their?Chinese counterparts. These entities will be honored with the International Friendship City Award for Outstanding Contribution?and the Friendship City Award for Outstanding Partnership with China.International sister cities play a vital role in fostering people-to-people exchanges, promoting mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation, and facilitating cultural and civilizational dialogue. They are instrumental in building a community with a shared future for mankind, advancing Chinese modernization, deepening?cultural exchanges between China and the world, and strengthening?people-to-people ties. Since China established its first international sister?city partnership in 1973, 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and?municipalities in?China, along with?541 cities,?have formed 3,046 sister-city and sister-province/state relationships with 602 provinces/states and 1,867 cities in 147 countries, creating?a?global network of friends?and partners?spanning five continents.The CPAFFC?is a national people's organization of?China specializing in people-to-people diplomacy. It is responsible for guiding, coordinating, and?managing?the?establishment and development of?international sister-city relations between China and foreign countries. Founded by the CPAFFC?in 1992, the CIFCA?is a national social organization?dedicated to developing international sister-city partnerships, promoting practical cooperation, and serving local development, while adhering to China's independent foreign policy of peace. Provinces, autonomous regions,?municipalities directly under the State government,?and cities in China that have forged?sister-city relationships?with foreign countries are all members of the CIFCA. Over the years, the CPAFFC?and the CIFCA?have actively supported Chinese and foreign local governments in establishing sister city relations?and fostering practical cooperation in?areas?such as?economy, science and technology, culture, education,?and?youth?exchanges. These efforts have played?a significant role?in supporting China's overall diplomacy?and advancing?local socioeconomic development.The China International Friendship Cities Conference is China's?largest and highest-level institutional event?on?sister cities. Jointly?initiated?by the CPAFFC?and the CIFCA?in 2008, the conference is held biennially in principle.The?CPC Yunnan Provincial Committee, the People's Government of Yunnan Province, the CPC Kunming Municipal Committee, and the People's Government of Kunming?Municipality have attached?great?importance to the preparation of this year's?conference. A preparatory mechanism and?a special task force?have been established, with?efforts?focused on finalizing the program, designing?the?conference outcomes, defining responsibilities, generating a positive?public opinion?environment, and ensuring?the security?for the event. Preparations for?the conference are progressing smoothly across all fronts.

On November 8, the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Economic, Trade and Cultural Cooperation, themed "Exchange and Mutual Learning, Close People-to-People Ties, and Mutually Beneficial Cooperation", opened in Jinhua, located in?Southeast China's Zhejiang Province.?Qin Boyong, Vice Chairperson of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)?and Executive Vice Chairperson of the Central Committee?of the China National Democratic Construction Association (CNDCA), delivered a video address. Other distinguished attendees included Lu Shan, Vice Governor of Zhejiang Province;?Zhang Yangbin, Deputy Secretary-General of the?Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC);?Liu Yuxi, Special Representative of the Chinese Government on?African Affairs;?Zhu Chonglie, Secretary of?the Communist Party of China?(CPC)?Jinhua Municipal Committee; Godius Walter Kahyarara, Permanent Secretary?of the Ministry of Transport?of Tanzania, and Rahmat Allah Mohamed Osman, Permanent Representative of the African Union?(AU)?to China. The forum attracted over 400 participants from 40 countries and regions, including?diplomatic envoys in China, government officials, experts,?scholars, and business representatives.In his speech, Zhang Yangbin?emphasized that?physical?distance cannot separate true friends who remain close despite being thousands of miles apart.?He attributed the enduring?China-Africa friendship to the exchange of diverse civilizations and friendly people-to-people exchanges. Since the start?of the new era, China-Africa practical cooperation has?achieved substantial?progress, with exchanges across various fields becoming more dynamic than ever before. Exchanges and mutual learning in culture, education, tourism, youth,?and media have flourished, further consolidating?popular support for the friendship between China and African countries.Zhang Yangbin highlighted that, during the?meeting?with foreign guests attending the China International Friendship Conference and Events Marking the 70th Anniversary of the CPAFFC, President Xi Jinping underscored the vital role of people-to-people friendship in advancing world peace and development.?President Xi also urged the CPAFFC?to leverage its unique position?to foster friendships between the Chinese and foreign peoples and to?promote?practical international cooperation.?Building on this guidance, the CPAFFC?will steadfastly follow President Xi's instructions and collaborate with friends from participating countries to: build more bridges for people-to-people exchanges, thereby broadening social and popular support for the China-Africa friendship; establish more pathways for practical cooperation to ensure that subnational partnerships and sister-city collaborations bring tangible benefits to African nations; strengthen?cultural exchanges?to?deepen?bonds, foster mutual understanding,?and pool collective strengths?between the Chinese and African peoples; and promote?youth friendship to cultivate the next generation of leaders?dedicated to the cause of China-Africa friendship. These initiatives, Zhang noted,?will?inject new?momentum?and vitality into mutually beneficial cooperation and people-to-people friendship?between China and African nations. They will also contribute to the revitalization of the Global South?and advance?the shared goal?of building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.

From October 29 to November 2, 2024, Yan Dong, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries?(CPAFFC), led a delegation to Dubai, UAE, to attend?the Working Meeting of the BRICS+ Association of Cities and Municipalities. The visit was made at the invitation of?Ilsur Metshin, Chairman of the Association and Mayor of Kazan, Russia. The meeting was attended by over 30 participants, both in person and virtually, including?representatives from?cities and local government organizations across nine countries?(Russia, China, Brazil, India, South Africa, Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates,?and?Türkiye). Other participants?included?representatives from?organizations and institutions such as the United Cities and Local Governments?and the Guangzhou Institute for Urban Innovation?(GIUI). The meeting primarily focused on the discussion of the charter of the association, organizational structure, and membership fees. It also?announced the lists of the joint chairpersons and secretaries-general?and confirmed that the next working meeting will be held?in the spring?of 2025. Brazil, as the incoming BRICS rotating presidency in 2025, will host the first general assembly of the association at an appropriate time following?its establishment.Yan Dong began by extending congratulations on the successful conclusion of the 16th BRICS Summit, held recently?in?Kazan, Russia. He highlighted?that President Xi Jinping's vision for BRICS - emphasizing peace, innovation, green development, justice, and closer people-to-people exchanges?- provides valuable guidance for the further development of the BRICS mechanism. Yan?emphasized that the meeting in Dubai aimed to implement the directives of the BRICS Summit, harness the collective wisdom and strength of local governments within the BRICS+ framework, strengthen solidarity among Global South nations, and promote the high-quality development of broader BRICS cooperation.Yan also underscored the significant role played by?local governments and sister cities?within the BRICS+?framework in fostering trust, promoting mutually beneficial cooperation, and contributing to world peace and development. He expressed hope that the meeting would advance the association's development as a platform for deepened collaboration, enhanced mutual trust, and stronger partnerships among local governments in BRICS countries, emerging markets, and developing nations. He also highlighted the importance of consolidating the foundation for people-to-people friendship and jointly building a community with a shared future for mankind.Ilsur Metshin briefed on Kazan's?holding of the 16th BRICS Summit. He noted that the world is transitioning toward a multipolar order, with BRICS serving as a key force for global peace and development. He called for?concerted efforts to further expand the BRICS+ partnerships at the city and local government levels, build?and develop?communication and cooperation mechanisms, strengthen mutual trust and solidarity to address global challenges?together and work for a better world of peace?and sustainable development.Before?the meeting, Yan met with?Evgeniya Lodvigova, Deputy Mayor of Kazan?and the representative of the meeting host. They had an in-depth exchange?of views on issues such as the association's?charter and organizational structure, with CPAFFC's suggestions being put forward. During his time in Dubai, Yan also held discussions with several representatives of the participating countries. Among them were Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary-General of the Asia-Pacific Region of the United Cities and Local Governments; Nicholas You, Executive Director?at the GIUI; Guseva Irina Mikhailovna, Co-Chairperson of All-Russian Association for the Development of Local Self-Government; Eduardo Tadeu, Executive Director of Brazilian Association of Municipalities; Pushyamitra Bhargav, Mayor of Indore, India; Teshome Adugna, Mayor of Shaggar, Ethiopia; Dr. Saif Al Nasri, Undersecretary of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, Abu Dhabi, UAE; and U?ur ?brahim Altay, Mayor of Konya, Türkiye. They exchanged views on strengthening contacts?with each other, advancing?the healthy development of the?association, and deepening cooperation among local governments and friendship among the peoples under the BRICS+ framework.The?BRICS+ Association of Cities and Municipalities?was established in June in Kazan, Russia, with a founding declaration. China is?one of the?founding members, and the CPAFFC?participated in drafting the declaration on behalf of the Chinese side. This?meeting in Dubai marks the association's first working meeting since?its establishment.

From October 30 to November 2, 2024, Jiang Jiang, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries?(CPAFFC), led a delegation to the United Kingdom at the invitation of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding (SACU). During the visit, Jiang met with Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor of London; Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, Chair of the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC); Peter Burnett OBE BBS, Chief Executive?of the CBBC; Angus Robertson, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture; Lezley Marion Cameron, Depute Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh; and Paul Dennett, Deputy Mayor for Greater Manchester. Jiang?also held working meetings with leaders of organizations?such as the?SACU, the Scotland-China Association (SCA), and the Manchester China Forum, engaging in in-depth discussions on strengthening?people-to-people friendship and subnational cooperation between China and the UK. Related activities?were also attended by Zhang Biao, Chinese Consul General in Edinburgh, and Tang Rui, Chinese Consul General in?Manchester.Jiang?highlighted that both China and the UK?are permanent members of the UN Security Council and major economies. Developing stable and mutually beneficial relations aligns with?the?interests of both countries and their?peoples?and contributes to global peace and development. In August, President Xi Jinping had a telephone conversation with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during which they reached?important consensus on expanding engagement and deepening cooperation, thereby enhancing confidence in bilateral cooperation. Recently, exchanges at various levels between China and the UK have maintained a positive momentum. Jiang noted that as China remains committed to deepening reforms, advancing Chinese modernization, pursuing?high-quality development, and promoting?high-standard opening up, more opportunities will emerge for?China-UK relations.Jiang expressed appreciation for the significant contributions made by British friendship organizations in fostering mutual understanding between the two peoples. He commended the positive attitude of the cities visited toward cooperation with China. Jiang?emphasized?that people-to-people exchanges and subnational cooperation are key?components of China-UK relations. The CPAFFC?is ready to work with people from all walks of life in the UK to build stronger?bridges for people-to-people exchanges, practical cooperation, cultural exchange, and youth engagement, contributing subnational and people's efforts to the development of China-UK relations. These initiatives, Jiang noted,?would be guided by the important consensus reached by the leaders of both countries.The British?representatives welcomed the delegation's visit and unanimously recognized the importance of the?UK-China relationship. They highlighted that strengthened cooperation between the two nations is essential for advancing economic development, improving livelihoods, and addressing global challenges such as climate change.?The British side acknowledged the critical role of people-to-people exchanges and subnational?cooperation in fostering stronger China-UK relations. It is willing to enhance communication with the CPAFFC?to facilitate bilateral cooperation in areas such as economy and trade, culture, youth, and green development, so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples.

From October 27 to 30, 2024, Jiang Jiang, Vice President?of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), led a delegation to Bulgaria at the invitation of the?Bulgaria National Association for the Belt and Road.?During the visit, Jiang attended the China-Bulgaria Subnational Cooperation and Exchange?Meeting and?met with prominent Bulgarian figures, including Petar Stoyanov, former President of the Republic of Bulgaria; Svetlan Stoev, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?of Bulgaria; Iskra Doumkova, Secretary-General of the Federation for Bulgarian-Chinese Friendship;?Zahari Zahariev, Chairman of?the Bulgaria National Association for the Belt and Road; Blagomir Kotsev, Mayor of Varna; Velin Paskov, Chairman of the Bulgarian-China Society-Varna; and?Roumen Novakov, President of the "Friends of China" Association in Targovishte. Chinese Ambassador to Bulgaria Dai Qingli accompanied Jiang during the meetings.Jiang?noted?that Bulgaria is the second country in the world to establish diplomatic relations with?the People's?Republic of China. Over the past decades,?the two countries have built a strong, traditional friendship. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, the bilateral relationship has been elevated to a strategic partnership. The mutual political trust has deepened, economic and trade cooperation?has flourished, and people-to-people exchanges?have become increasingly close.?As an association engaged in people-to-people diplomacy, the CPAFFC?cherishes?the traditional friendly relations with Bulgaria and is willing to work with?people from?all?sectors of society in Bulgaria to strengthen exchanges, build consensus, contribute more strength at the subnational and people-to-people levels to the development of China-Bulgaria relations, and jointly write a new chapter of?mutually beneficial cooperation.Bulgarian representatives praised the remarkable progress in China-Bulgaria relations over the 75 years since diplomatic ties were established in 1949.?They emphasized the critical role of?people-to-people exchanges?and subnational cooperation in advancing the bilateral relations?and expressed their readiness to collaborate with the CPAFFC to deepen exchanges and cooperation across all sectors, injecting fresh momentum into the continuous development?of the China-Bulgaria strategic partnership.In his speech at the China-Bulgaria subnational cooperation and exchange?meeting, Jiang pointed out that the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has made systematic deployments?for further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization?and that China's development will provide a broader space for China-Bulgaria cooperation. Sub-national exchanges, an integral part of China-Bulgaria cooperation, provide strong support for the development of bilateral relations. Jiang encouraged the localities of the two countries to work together to bolster people-to-people exchanges, enhance?mutual understanding,?deepen practical cooperation?and?realize common development, reinforce people-to-people exchanges?and foster closer people-to-people ties, and promote friendship among youth, paving the way for a bright future.The exchange meeting was attended by representatives of local governments and businesspeople?from 17 provinces and cities in China and Bulgaria, both physically and virtually. Participants shared insights into their respective development priorities and unique strengths, engaging in?in-depth discussions on aligning development strategies?and expanding cooperation in all fields.

On October 29, the 2024 Photo Exhibition of Historic and Cultural Cities of Lancang-Mekong Countries?was held in Hangzhou, the?capital of Zhejiang?Province.Approximately 160?guests?visited?the exhibition before attending the 2024 Forum on Lancang-Mekong Local Government Cooperation and Dialogue Between Historic and Cultural Cities of Lancang-Mekong Countries. Chinese attendees included?Lu Shan, Vice Governor of Zhejiang Province;?Sun Xueqing, Secretary-General of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), and heads from?33?local governments, foreign affairs offices,?and friendship associations. Representatives from Mekong countries included M.R. Chirakom Kitiyakara, Honorary President of the Thai-Chinese Relations Association; Kim Pinun, Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia; Ly Sary, Deputy Governor of Siem Reap Provincial Administration, Cambodia;?Bounleum Manivong, Deputy Governor of Luang Prabang,?Laos; Wantanee Wattana, Permanent Secretary for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Thailand; and Be Thanh Tinh, Member of the Standing Committee of the Cao Bang Provincial Committee and Director of the Cao Bang Provincial Education Department of Vietnam.?Additional participants?included representatives from?18 local governments, cultural organizations,?and chambers of commerce of the Mekong countries.The exhibition featured 100 photographs showcasing the natural scenery, urban landscapes, and cultural traditions of?over 20 historic and cultural cities of the Lancang-Mekong region. It celebrated the enduring friendship among the six Lancang-Mekong countries, which share?geographical proximity, cultural affinity, and a common destiny. The exhibition reflected the Lancang-Mekong spirit of equality, sincerity, mutual assistance,?and kinship, while expressing the shared aspiration of?the people in the Lancang-Mekong region to jointly build a community with a shared future for the Lancang-Mekong countries. Guests posed for group photos in front of the exhibition boards and enthusiastically introduced their countries' cultural traditions and local customs to one?another, fostering?a friendly and lively?atmosphere.This exhibition served as?a supporting cultural activity for the 2024 Forum on Lancang-Mekong Local Government Cooperation and Dialogue Between Historic and Cultural Cities of Lancang-Mekong Countries. During the welcome banquet held?the same day, guests were treated to performances showcasing traditional Chinese culture.

On October 28,?the?Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) hosted a dinner in Beijing to welcome the 45-member delegation of young Japanese educational workers?organized by the Japan-China Friendship Center. Yuan Mindao, Vice President of the CPAFFC, attended and delivered a speech at the event.Yuan highlighted?that respecting teachers and valuing education are shared traditions of both China and Japan. Since the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1972, educational exchanges have flourished, becoming a cornerstone of China-Japan cultural exchanges. Over the years, the CPAFFC?has collaborated with the Japan-China Friendship Center?to facilitate mutual visits and exchanges among?young educational workers, yielding significant results and establishing?the?program as a flagship initiative?in bilateral?exchanges.Yuan emphasized that the foundation of China-Japan friendship lies in the people, and its?future depends on the younger generation. He expressed hope that young educators?from both countries would?build lasting?friendships, learn from each other, and work together to advance education in both nations and strengthen China-Japan ties. He reaffirmed the CPAFFC's commitment to?collaborating with various sectors in Japan, including the Japan-China Friendship Center,?to realize the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind?and implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries. Yuan also called for?joint efforts to enhance mutual understanding and friendship?between the peoples of the two countries, especially the youth, and contribute wisdom and strength to building a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship in?the new era.The head of the delegation, Professor Shimbo Atsuko?from Waseda University, said?that she has long been engaged in teaching and research in the field of education and expressed her recognition of the importance of strengthening exchanges between young educators from the two countries. Representing over 40 primary and secondary schools across 17 prefectures in Japan, the delegation looked?forward to meaningful engagement with their Chinese counterparts. Delegates pledged to actively participate in discussions, forge friendships, and contribute to the enduring friendship between China and Japan.Qin Lei, Director of the Beijing International Education Exchange Center, and Masato Usui, Minister of the Embassy of Japan in China, also delivered speeches before the dinner.During their stay in Beijing, the delegation attended a meeting with Chinese and Japanese?educators?and engaged in in-depth discussions on topics of mutual interest?with teachers from 28 primary and secondary schools in Beijing and representatives from related?organizations.During their visit to China, the delegation is scheduled to visit Beijing, Shandong, Shanghai, and other places to engage in friendly exchanges, visit local primary and secondary schools, experience?traditional Chinese culture, and witness the achievements of China's economic and social development in the new era.

On the morning of November 1, 2024,?the China-Canada Friendship Symposium in Commemoration of the 85th Anniversary of the Passing of Dr. Norman Bethune?was held in Beijing. Shen Xin, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC);?Diana Tan, Public Diplomacy Counselor of the Embassy?of Canada?in China;?Michael Crook, Chairman of the?International Committee for the Promotion of Chinese Industrial Cooperatives; and Nelly Ng, Chair of the Canadian?Fund for International Understanding through Culture, attended and delivered speeches. Over 50 representatives from governments, people-to-people friendship organizations, hospitals, schools, research institutions, and media from both China and Canada participated in the symposium. Sun Tao, Deputy Director-General of the CPAFFC Department of American and?Oceanian Affairs, presided over the meeting.Shen Xin?paid tribute to Dr. Norman Bethune, who, in 1938, left the comforts of his homeland to lead a medical team supporting China's resistance against Japanese aggression, ultimately sacrificing his life in the process. Shen noted that Bethune's story remains deeply ingrained in Chinese hearts, and his legacy of internationalism and humanitarianism continues to inspire people in both countries. Shen expressed hope that individuals with vision in both China and Canada would carry forward Dr. Bethune's spirit, enhance mutual understanding, rebuild trust, and expand exchanges and cooperation across all fields.Representatives from institutions such as the Peking Union Medical College Hospital, the Bethune Spirit Research Association, the International Committee for the Promotion of Chinese Industrial Cooperatives, the Canadian?Fund for International Understanding through Culture, the?Canada-China Friendly Exchange Association, and the AKD International Inc.?shared their experiences in fostering people-to-people exchanges?in areas such as healthcare, education, and culture between China?and Canada, as well as other countries. Participants?unanimously agreed that the enduring friendship between the?peoples?of China and Canada?serves as a cornerstone for steady China-Canada relations. Chinese and Canadian people enjoy a deep friendship. Despite current challenges, they expressed optimism about resuming and deepening exchanges and cooperation across all sectors. They called for renewed efforts to embody Dr. Bethune's spirit through concrete actions and to convey the voices of the people to policymakers, thereby facilitating the thawing and growth of China-Canada relations.