President Yang Wanming Attends Chinese and Vietnamese People's Friendship Meeting in Viet Nam
On the morning of April 15, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese President Xi Jinping, together with General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) To Lam and President of Viet Nam Luong Cuong, met with representatives attending the Chinese and Vietnamese People's Friendship Meeting at the Hanoi International Convention Center.?After the event, President Xi, General Secretary To Lam and President Luong Cuong jointly launched the "red study tours"?program.(Launching ceremony of "red study tours"?program)Yang Wanming, Secretary of the Leading Party Members Group and President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), attended the launching ceremony of the "red study tours"?program, and took an interview?with the China Central Television (CCTV).(President Yang Wanming delivers a speech)Yang Wanming extended?his?sincere thanks to the top leaders of the two parties and two countries for taking the time to attend the Chinese and Vietnamese People's Friendship Meeting. He said that yesterday, General Secretary and President?Xi Jinping held a fruitful meeting with General Secretary To Lam and President Luong Cuong?and reached new important consensus. Together, they have drawn?up a new blueprint for the building of a China-Viet Nam community with a shared future in the new era. The meeting has also provided fundamental guidance and direction for?deepening the people-to-people friendship between China and Viet Nam. Yang expressed the CPAFFC's readiness to work with all sectors of China and Viet Nam to implement the new important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries at the people-to-people?level, adhere to the guideline of "long-term stability, future orientation, good-neighborly friendship and comprehensive cooperation"?and the spirit of "good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners,"?stay true to the original aspiration of China-Viet Nam friendship, and keep in mind the common mission. Centering on the six overarching goals?of?"greater political mutual trust, more solid security cooperation, deeper mutually beneficial cooperation, stronger popular support, closer multilateral coordination,?and better handling of differences, the CPAFFC will give full play to?its role as the main channel of people-to-people diplomacy, forge broader social consensus, and help accelerate the building of a China-Viet Nam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.Yang Wanming emphasized the need to leverage the fundamental role of people-to-people diplomacy, to promote the profound traditional friendship?between Viet?Nam and China?as comrades and brothers,?and to be the guardians of common ideals. He stressed the importance of expanding channels for sister-city exchanges to further deepen and solidify subnational cooperation, and to be the practitioners of pragmatic cooperation. He also highlighted the necessity of holding diverse people-to-people friendship?activities that are heartwarming, reach the communities and resonate with the public to make?the people-to-people bond more broad-based and to be active participants in cultural exchanges. Additionally, Yang underscored the significance of implementing the program for Vietnamese youth to visit China on "red study tours."?It?aims to guide the younger generations of both countries to inherit and promote the fine traditions of the older generation, to sustain the revolutionary legacy, and to enhance the friendly ties between the youth of the two countries, thus ensuring that they become the inheritors of China-Viet?Nam friendship.(Photo with Phan Anh Son)During his visit to Vietnam, Yang Wanming held a working meeting with Phan Anh Son, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations. The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views and reached positive consensus on implementing the new important consensus?and the guiding principles of important instructions of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, pooling strength to ensure the success of "red study tours"?for Vietnamese youth, breaking new ground in hosting friendly activities such as the China-Viet Nam People's Forum?and the China and Viet?Nam Border Inhabitants Gala, and continuously deepening the people-to-people friendship between the two countries.
President Yang Wanming Leads Delegation to Laos
From April 9 to 12, at the invitation of the Laos-China Friendship Association (LCFA), Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), led a delegation to Laos. During the meeting, President Yang met with Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, Member?of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP)?and President of the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC), and Anouphab Tounalom, Secretary of the LPRP?Central Committee, Secretary of the LPRP?Vientiane Municipal Committee and?President of the Vientiane People's Council. President Yang?reminisced with old friends of the Chinese people—Sommad Pholsena, Member of the LPRP?Central Committee and Vice Chairman?of the Lao National Assembly; Khemmani Pholsena, Minister of the Lao Presidential Office; Sommano Pholsena; and other representatives of the Pholsena?family. He also held working talks with Phet Phomphiphak, Lao Minister of Planning and Investment and President of the Laos-China Friendship Association (LCFA); Sinava Souphanouvong, Minister to?the Lao?Prime Minister's Office; Saysana Sitthiphone, Lao Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment; Bounthueng Douangsavanh, Lao Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce; Kikeo Chanthaboury, Vice President of the Lao Academy of Economic and Social Sciences; Songpeo Maupaseut,?former Lao Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism; and other leaders of the LCFA. Together with Siriphone Souphanthong, Vice Governor of Luang Prabang, Yang attended and addressed the China-Laos Seminar on Poverty Alleviation and Common Development, jointly organized by the CPAFFC, the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Luang Prabang, the LCFA, and the Luang Prabang Provincial Government. Extensively engaging with friendly personages from various sectors in Laos, President Yang?conveyed the guiding principles of China's Central Conference on Work?Related to Neighboring Countries and shared the Chinese theory on fighting poverty?as well as the country's experience in poverty eradication. In-depth exchanges were held with all parties on China-Laos relations, people-to-people friendship, practical cooperation and youth exchanges, yielding positive consensus.During the meeting, Yang Wanming said that as socialist comrades and brothers, China and Laos enjoy a friendship that becomes increasingly solid with the passage of time.?In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, the all-round cooperation between the two sides has achieved fruitful outcomes, and the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future has been deepened and consolidated. All these efforts have brought tangible benefits to the people of the two countries and set?a vivid example for building a community with a shared future for mankind. In October last year, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China?(CPC)?Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping?met with General Secretary of the LPRP?Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, charting the course and providing fundamental guidance for deepening the building of the China-Laos community with a shared future. A few days ago, the Central Conference on Work?Related to Neighboring Countries?was successfully held in China. It once again made it clear that China will continue to uphold the principle?of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in neighborhood diplomacy,?carry out friendly cooperation with neighboring countries, enhance understanding and mutual trust, and achieve common development and rejuvenation.Yang Wanming noted that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the LPRP and the 50th anniversary of the founding of Laos, and next year will usher in the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Laos. At present, the two sides are actively implementing the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries and the new version of the action plan for building a China-Laos community with a shared future, and working toward more outcomes?in cooperation in such areas as connectivity, economy, trade and investment, and cultural?exchanges. The CPAFFC is willing to work closely with the LCFA and other friendly organizations and all sectors in the two countries to give play to the unique role of people-to-people diplomacy, enrich the China-Laos people-to-people friendship, build more bridges of people-to-people exchanges, practical cooperation, cultural exchanges and youth friendship, and further deepen and substantiate the building?of the China-Laos community with a shared future.(Meeting with Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune)Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune?spoke highly of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), thanked the CPC, the Chinese government and the Chinese people for their support and assistance to Laos, and highly appreciated the positive role played by the CPAFFC in deepening Laos-China friendship and advancing bilateral relations. He said that Laos and China have achieved fruitful results in the fields of economy, trade and investment, connectivity, cultural?exchanges and subnational cooperation, benefiting both Laos and its people. He believed that the Laos-China relations are at their best in history. Laos will never waver in upholding?socialism?and will deepen exchanges with China across the board under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, so as to boost new progress in the building of the Laos-China community with a shared future.(Meeting with Anouphab Tounalom)According to Anouphab Tounalom, currently, Laos-China relations are operating at a high level, and subnational?cooperation holds great potential. Vientiane is willing to actively participate in mechanisms such as the RCEP Local Governments and Friendship Cities Cooperation (Huangshan) Forum?and?the Forum on Lancang-Mekong Local Government Cooperation?hosted by the?CPAFFC, and exchange activities among cities along the China-Laos Railway. This aims to further deepen practical cooperation between local governments of the two countries in areas such as connectivity, urban governance, and cultural?exchanges at both bilateral and multilateral levels. Phet Phomphiphak?expressed continued commitment to advancing the implementation of projects under bilateral and multilateral mechanisms between the two associations. Taking the 65th anniversary of the establishment of Laos-China diplomatic relations next year as an opportunity, he pledged to?explore new ways of organizing celebrations and join hands to deepen the friendship between the peoples of Laos and China.(Catching up with the representatives of the Pholsena?family)Friends of the Pholsena?family fondly recalled the friendship with the older generation of Chinese leaders, especially Premier Zhou Enlai. Sommano Pholsena?excitedly recounted his past with President Xi Jinping. Sommad Pholsena?and Khemmani Pholsena?spoke highly of the important contributions made by the CPAFFC in making friends for the country and carrying forward the friendship between Laos and China. They also thanked the CPAFFC for inviting their family representatives to major events held in China many times. Furthermore, they expressed that they would stay true to their?original aspirations?and nurture the younger generations of the family in carrying forward the traditional friendship between Laos and China, living up to the profound affection and goodwill shown by the leaders of the CPC and the Chinese government, as well as the Chinese people, toward their family.(Meeting with Siriphone Souphanthong)During the visit, the delegation also took the?Lane Xang electric multiple unit (EMU) train for the China-Laos railway?and conducted field research on China-Laos cooperation projects such as the China-Laos Railway Operation and Management Center and the Mahosot General Hospital.Wang Chang, Chargé d'Affaires?a.i. of the Chinese Embassy in Laos and Zhang Hequn, Acting Consul General of the Chinese Consulate-General in Luang Prabang, attended the relevant activities.
China-Laos Seminar on Poverty Alleviation and Common Development Successfully Held in Luang Prabang
On April 10, the China-Laos Seminar on Poverty Alleviation and Common Development, co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Luang Prabang, the Laos-China Friendship Association?(LCFA)?and the Luang Prabang Provincial Government, was successfully held in Luang Prabang, Laos.Yang Wanming, President of the CPAFFC, Zhang Hequn, Acting Consul General of the Chinese Consulate-General in Luang Prabang, and Siriphone Souphanthong, Vice?Governor of Luang Prabang,?attended and addressed the seminar. Bamjan?Sapvang, former Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of Laos and Member?of the LCFA, attended the event. Nearly 100 people attended the seminar, including representatives from prefectures, cities, counties, towns and villages in Zhejiang, Hunan, Yunnan and other relevant provinces, as well as heads of the five provincial governments of Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Phongsali, Louang Namtha, and Houaphanh?in Laos, along with representatives of departments at all levels and enterprises.(Speech by President Yang Wanming)Yang Wanming said that since its founding in 1921, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has remained true to its original aspiration and mission of seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, and has united and led the people to fight for a better life over the decades.?In the new era, standing at the strategic height of completing?the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, General Secretary Xi Jinping has put?poverty alleviation at the top of his work agenda. He has presented a series of important ideas and proposals, and made some major policy decisions.?He has led the CPC and the Chinese government to establish a whole set of effective policies, working mechanisms and systems, forming a Chinese theory on fighting poverty and pioneering a unique Chinese path to poverty reduction. In 2021, President Xi Jinping declared that China had secured a comprehensive victory in the fight against poverty, achieving the poverty alleviation goal of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule. This miracle has made a significant contribution to the cause of global poverty reduction, and has also provided Chinese insight and solutions for the global governance of poverty reduction.Yang Wanming said that China and Laos are socialist comrades and brothers. Poverty alleviation and reduction, a vital?part of the exchange of experience in Party building and state governance between China and Laos, is also a priority?area of practical cooperation between the two countries. The CPAFFC stands ready to work with people from all sectors of society in Laos to actively implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries and guiding principles of the 2024-2028 action plan between the CPC and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) on building a China-Laos community with a shared future. It will promote China-Laos poverty alleviation?experience?sharing, exchanges and cooperation at the people-to-people?and subnational levels to create more success stories?of China-Laos poverty alleviation?demonstration cooperation. It will leverage the China-Laos Railway as a golden corridor to advance the process of regional integration.?It will give full play to the role of China-Laos sister cities and such mechanisms as the Forum on Lancang-Mekong Local Government Cooperation?to strive for new progress in subnational practical cooperation. Additionally, continued efforts will be made to strengthen personnel exchanges at all levels and in various fields, support people-to-people exchanges in border areas, and deepen good-neighborliness and friendship between China and Laos.Zhang Hequn introduced the fruitful cooperation between China and Laos in the field of poverty reduction, especially the Eight Major Aid Projects to Support Laos?announced by General Secretary Xi Jinping during his visit to Laos in 2017. He added that China's achievements show that no country or nation is destined to be poor. China can end poverty, so can Laos. China is ready to work with Laos to take development as?the fundamental approach to poverty eradication, strengthen policy dialogue?and experience sharing on poverty reduction, establish a regular exchange mechanism, continue to deepen cooperation in agriculture, tourism, infrastructure building and vocational skills training, and help Laos shift from direct aid provision to capacity-building assistance.(From left to right: Siriphone Souphanthong, Vice Governor of Luang Prabang, Zhang Hequn, Acting Consul General of the Chinese Consulate-General in Luang Prabang, and Shi Jintong, Alternate Member of the 20th CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Shibadong Village Party Branch, Shuanglong Town, Hunan Province)Siriphone Souphanthong?gave a brief introduction to the economic and social development of Luang Prabang and said that the seminar will further promote the implementation of the latest version of the action plan for building a China-Laos community with a shared future signed by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries. Rural development and poverty alleviation are strategic tasks of the LPRP?and the?Lao government. China's valuable experience in poverty eradication provides important?inspiration for Laos. Development-oriented poverty?alleviation constitutes not only a key pillar of Laos-China bilateral collaboration but also a?focus?in their?subregional partnership. Laos highly appreciates the Chinese government's attention to and support for poverty alleviation cooperation under the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC)?framework, and thanks China for its robust support and assistance to Laos'?cause of poverty alleviation. As good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners,?Luang Prabang is willing to deepen cooperation and friendship with Chinese provinces and cities, learn from China's experience in poverty alleviation, and make big strides in poverty reduction.Zheng Xinyou, Vice Mayor of Huzhou City and Executive Vice President of the Huzhou People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; Shi Jintong, Alternate Member of the 20th CPC Central Committee, Member of the 12th CPC Hunan Provincial Committee, Deputy Mayor of Shuanglong Town, and Secretary of the Party Branch and Chief of Shibadong Village, Shuanglong Town; Dong Jun, Deputy Secretary-General of the General Office of the People's Government of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province; Lu Zhou, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture; Yi Yang, Deputy Director of Luang Prabang's?Department of ?Agriculture and Forest; and Saiyavong Thavixay, Deputy Director of Luang Prabang's Department of Public Works and Transport, respectively shared the experience and achievements of poverty alleviation of their places. With a focus on the idea of targeted poverty alleviation, they?fully exchanged views and put forward constructive suggestions on strengthening mutual learning and sharing, deepening practical cooperation, achieving common development, and adding new dimensions to the China-Laos community with a shared future.
President Yang Wanming Meets with Parliament Member Jean-Paul Mulot of Hauts-de-France Region
On April 7, 2025, Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Jean-Paul Mulot, Member of the Parliament of the Hauts-de-France Region, at the CPAFFC. The two sides had in-depth exchanges?of views on promoting friendly cooperation between China and the Hauts-de-France Region, and boosting economic, trade and cultural?exchanges.Yang Wanming spoke positively of the crucial?position of the Hauts-de-France Region in France's economic and social development, and appreciated the region's long-standing commitment to cooperation with China under the leadership of Xavier Bertrand, President of the Hauts-de-France Regional Council. He said that subnational exchanges are a key part of China-France relations. Under the current circumstances, the two countries should strengthen communication and cooperation at all levels, facilitate the establishment of healthy and mutually beneficial cooperative relations, and jointly address global challenges. The CPAFFC?is willing to work with the Hauts-de-France Region to further tap the potential of cooperation, advance exchanges in the fields of new energy, digital economy, climate change, culture and education, and inject new impetus into subnational practical cooperation between China and France.Mulot?said that the Hauts-de-France Region attaches great importance to the development of relations with China, and enjoys a solid foundation for bilateral economic and trade cooperation and cultural?exchanges. It stands ready to deepen cooperation with the CPAFFC and relevant Chinese provinces and cities in the fields of industrial investment, green energy, and personnel training, expand youth and cultural exchanges, strengthen interactions in terms of enterprises, universities and people-to-people exchanges?between?the two sides, implement more?mutually beneficial projects, and build itself into a model for subnational cooperation between France and China.Hao Zhongwei, Director-General of the Department of European and Asian Affairs of?the?CPAFFC, was present at the meeting.
President Yang Wanming Leads a Chinese Local Delegation to Japan
From March 25 to 30, Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries?(CPAFFC), led a delegation comprising of?leading officials?from six?provinces (autonomous regions), namely Liaoning, Jiangsu, Fujian, Jiangxi, Shandong, and Xinjiang, as well as representatives from?11 cities,?including?Dalian, Fuzhou, Qingdao, Shenyang, Urumqi, Aksu, Yancheng, Zhangzhou, Nanping, Yichun, and Zaozhuang,?to visit Osaka Prefecture, Fukuoka Prefecture, and Okayama Prefecture in Japan. The delegation had extensive exchanges with more than 300 representatives from various sectors, including government and parliamentary leaders, people-to-people friendship?organizations, business circles, media, think?tanks, and universities from?31 cities in?14 prefectures in the Kyushu, Kansai, and Okayama regions. Yuan Mindao, the Vice President?of CPAFFC, Xue Jian, the Chinese?Consul-General?in Osaka, and Yang Qingdong, the Chinese Consul-General?in Fukuoka, attended relevant activities.(Meet with Yasunori Nakaya, Speaker of the Osaka Prefectural Assembly, and Katsuhisa Mita, President of the Japan-China?Friendship Parliamentarians'?Union of the Prefectural Assembly)In Osaka, President Yang Wanming met with Yasunori Nakaya, Speaker of the Osaka Prefectural Assembly;?Shigeki Watanabe, Deputy Governor of Osaka Prefecture;?and Katsuhisa Mita, Chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians'?Union of the Prefectural Assembly. He also held?talks?with the leadership of major economic organizations in the Kansai region, including?Masayoshi Matsumoto, Chairman of the Kansai Economic Federation;?Shingo Torii, President of the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry;?Shoji Nagai, Representative Director of the Kansai Committee of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives;?Yoshio Ito, President of the Japan-China Economic Relations and Trade Centre;?and Kenji Imamura, Director of the Kansai Head Office of the Japan-China Economic Association. In addition, he met?with the key personnel from?friendly organizations and youth representatives in the Kansai region, including those from Osaka Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture, Nara Prefecture, Wakayama Prefecture, and Shiga Prefecture. President Yang?also?visited Panasonic Corporation and met with its President Kazuhiro Tsuga. Furthermore, he made a special trip to Nara to visit Yukiji Tsukamoto, a well-known friendly personage honored as?a?"People's Friendship Envoy".(Top left: Talk?with the leadership?of major economic organizations in Kansai; Top right: Meet with Shigeki Watanabe, Deputy Governor of Osaka Prefecture; Middle left: Meet with Kazuhiro Tsuga, President of Panasonic Corporation; Middle right: Talk?with key personnel from?friendly organizations in Kansai; Bottom left: Discuss with youth representatives in Kansai; Bottom right: Visit the friendly personage Yukiji Tsukamoto)In Fukuoka, President Yang Wanming met with Akie Omagari, Vice Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture;?Yoshitaka Eguchi, Deputy Speaker of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly;?Yutaka Naga, President of the Japan-China?Friendship Parliamentarians'?Union of the Prefectural Assembly;?Soichiro Takashima, Mayor of Fukuoka City;?and Motoyasu Uchikoshi, Speaker of the Fukuoka City Assembly. He attended the 2025 Kyushu China-Japan?Friendship Exchange Conference and China-Japan?Sister Cities Exchange Event jointly hosted by the CPAFFC, the Consulate-General of China in Fukuoka, the Japan-China?Friendship Association, and the Kyushu Regional Japan-China Friendship Association. He also participated in?a?welcome dinner with Tokuichiro Utsunomiya, President of the Japan-China?Friendship Association;?Senichi Moriyama, Chairman of Fukuoka Prefecture Japan-China Friendship Association;?and leaders from?local governments, parliaments, and friendly organizations in?Kumamoto, Okinawa, Kagoshima, and other prefectures. Additionally, he took an?interview?by?Nishinippon Shimbun.(Top: Meet with Soichiro Takashima, Mayor of Fukuoka City; Middle: Meet with Motoyasu Uchikoshi, Speaker of the Fukuoka City Assembly; Bottom: Meet with Akie Omagari, Vice Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture;?Yoshitaka Eguchi, Deputy Speaker of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly;?and Yutaka Naga, President of the Japan-China?Friendship Parliamentarians'?Union of the Prefectural Assembly)In?Okayama, President Yang Wanming met with Ryuta Ibaragi, Governor of Okayama Prefecture, Katsunori Kamibo, Deputy Governor of Okayama Prefecture;?and Masao Omori, Mayor of Okayama City. He watched the dance drama Crested Ibis?currently on tour in Japan, with Governor Ryuta Ibaragi. He also attended an?exchange event hosted by the Okayama Prefectural Japan-China?Friendship Association, where?nearly 100?representatives from various sectors of cities in the prefecture, including Okayama City, Kurashiki City, Bizen City, Ako City, Setouchi City, Tamano City, and Asakuchi City, participated.(The images are: Meet with Katsunori Kamibo, Deputy Governor of Okayama Prefecture; Meet with Masao Omori, Mayor of Okayama City; Attend the exchange event hosted by the Okayama Prefectural Japan-China Friendship Association; Watch the dance drama Crested Ibis)In his remarks, Yang Wanming noted?that China-Japan relations?are experiencing?a positive momentum of improvement and development. All sectors of both?countries are earnestly implementing the important consensus reached during?the meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Lima. The second meeting of High-Level Consultation Mechanism on People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges between China and Japan, the Ninth?Meeting of the China-Japan Ruling Party Exchange Mechanism, and the Sixth China-Japan?High-Level?Economic Dialogue have all been successively held. A series of positive interactions have taken place in various fields between the two countries, further enriching the new dimensions of China-Japan?strategic relations of mutual benefit in political, economic, and cultural fields. Leading a delegation of Chinese city?leaders to visit Western Japan, hosting the 2025 Kyushu China-Japan Friendship Exchange Conference and China-Japan Sister Cities Exchange Event, and engaging in dialogues and exchanges with local figures?in Japan are important steps in?maintaining?the recent positive momentum in?China-Japan relations?and promoting?people-to-people exchanges?and sister-city?cooperation.Yang Wanming also stated that people-to-people exchanges?are the "source of living water"?for China-Japan relations. The Two Sessions recently concluded in China further demonstrated to the world the robust momentum behind?China's high-quality?development. China remains committed to high-level?opening-up?and actively fosters new productive forces, providing?important opportunities for subnational and people-to-people exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. He emphasized that both sides should?seize the opportunities, safeguard the political foundation of bilateral relations as outlined in?the four political documents between China and Japan, expand?practical cooperation, and focus on emerging industries such as artificial intelligence, digital economy, green and low-carbon, and health and elderly care. These efforts will enrich the China-Japan strategic reciprocal relationship.?He also highlighted the importance of fostering exchanges and dialogues across?all sectors, particularly focusing on youth exchange programs to train the?next generation of leaders in the friendly cause between the two countries, thus?further improving?the public opinion foundation for China-Japan?friendship.Yang Wanming introduced the important exchange activities planned by the CPAFFC for this year and encouraged representatives from local sectors in both?countries to actively participate, creating?a new wave?of?subnational and people-to-people exchanges between China and Japan.Japanese sectors warmly welcomed?President Yang Wanming and his delegation, noting?that over?260 representatives from the subnational level?in both Japan and China gathered in Fukuoka for?the 2025 Kyushu China-Japan?Friendship Exchange Conference and China-Japan?Sister Cities Exchange Event.?This gathering injected new momentum into bilateral relations at?the people-to-people and subnational levels,?with?positive and far-reaching significance. Kansai has a long-standing tradition of exchanges with China?and views China's development as an important opportunity.?The region stands?ready?to take the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo as an opportunity to further strengthen economic, trade, and cultural exchanges with China and continue advancing?Japan-China?relations. Okayama will carry forward the friendly tradition and continue contributing?to the bright future of the bilateral ties.
President Yang Wanming Attends the Touring Performance of Crested Ibis in Okayama, Japan
On March 27, the dance drama?Crested Ibis?performed by the Shanghai Song and Dance Troupe, organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), was staged in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. President Yang Wanming, who was visiting?Japan, attended the performance alongside?Ryuta Ibaragi, Governor of Okayama Prefecture, and other key?officials from Okayama Prefecture and various municipal governments. Since its premiere in Chiba Prefecture on February 19, Crested Ibis?has toured 19 cities across 18 prefectures in Japan, attracting nearly 50,000 viewers. The performance in Okayama was the 34th stop on the tour.On the evening?of the performance, the theater was filled to capacity. Audiences,?eager for the long-awaited show, arrived early at the venue. Among the attendees were not only long-time supporters returning to relive the performance but also newcomers drawn by?the play's reputation. On stage, the artists?demonstrated?the spirit of "performing each?show as perfectly as if it were the first", using their superb dancing skills to?vividly bring the elegance and grace of the crested ibis to life. Immersed in this picturesque artistic world,?the audiences were all deeply moved?by the beauty of life and nature. Especially during the depiction of the crested ibis's journey from near-extinction to rebirth, many audiences were moved to tears, lamenting?the loss of the bird?and celebrating?its?at its miraculous return. As the curtain fell, the applause and cheers lasted for a long time. At that?moment, emotions resonated across national boundaries, and the seeds of love and peace quietly took root and began to sprout.During his interactions with Japanese friends, President Yang Wanming noted?that cultural exchanges between China and Japan have always served as the "stabilizer"?of bilateral relations. Since 1975, the CPAFFC?has organized over?40 outstanding domestic performing troupes—including Peking opera, acrobatic, song and dance, and drama troupes—to tour Japan.?These efforts have built a bridge of art and friendship between the peoples of China and Japan. This Crested Ibis tour in Japan is also part of the CPAFFC's ongoing efforts to promote the mutual understanding between the two?peoples. He expressed?hope for?more cultural exchanges between China and Japan in the future.After watching the performance, Governor Ryuta Ibaragi commented that the crested ibis,?as a symbol of?luck, carries the profound friendship between the Chinese and Japanese peoples across mountains and waters. The Crested Ibis?performance tonight?is?a deeply moving visual feast. It is hoped that the CPAFFC?bring more outstanding cultural and artistic works to Japan in the future to further promote understanding and friendship between the two peoples.Following the performance, President Yang Wanming extended his regards to the cast and crew, congratulated them on the success of the performance, and encouraged them to redouble their?efforts to make new contributions to enhancing cultural exchanges, mutual understanding, and friendship between the peoples of China and Japan.Yuan Mindao, Vice President of the CPAFFC, Fang Wei, the Deputy Consul-General?of the Consulate-General?of the People's Republic of China in Osaka, local leaders of the Soka Gakkai, and Min-On President Koji Yamaguchi, along with nearly 2,000 audiences, attended the performance.The?tour of Crested Ibis?in Japan will last for over?two months, with 55 performances scheduled across?30 cities in?28 prefectures.
President Yang Wanming Leads Chinese Local Delegation to the 2025 Kyushu China-Japan Friendship Exchange Conference and China-Japan Sister Cities Exchange Event
On March 27, the 2025 Kyushu China-Japan Friendship Exchange Conference and China-Japan Sister Cities Exchange Event?was successfully held in Fukuoka.?The event was?co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries?(CPAFFC), the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Fukuoka, the Japan-China Friendship Association?(JCFA), and the Kyushu Regional Japan-China Friendship Association.(Group photo of representatives from China and Japan)President Yang Wanming attended the event and delivered a speech. Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao sent a written?message, and Chinese Consul-General?in Fukuoka Yang Qingdong also addressed the gathering. Among those present were Tokuichiro Utsunomiya, President of the JCFA; Senichi Moriyama, Chairman of Fukuoka Prefecture Japan-China Friendship Association; Takayuki Hiraya, Vice Governor of Yamaguchi Prefecture; Yoshiaki Eguchi Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly Vice-Chairperson; as well as leaders from six?provinces (autonomous regions) including Liaoning, Jiangsu, Fujian, Jiangxi, Shandong, and Xinjiang, and 11 cities including Dalian, Fuzhou, Qingdao, Shenyang, Urumqi, Aksu, Yancheng, Zhangzhou, Nanping, Yichun, and Zaozhuang. Additionally,?representatives from eight?Japanese?prefectures—Fukuoka, Saga, Oita, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Kagoshima, Okinawa, and Yamaguchi?—along with?leaders from 23 cities—Fukuoka City, Saga City, Oita City, Kumamoto City, Miyazaki City, Kagoshima City, Naha City, Kitakyushu City, Shimonoseki City, Imari City, Koga City, Tsukushi City, Kurume City, Omuta City, Nakagawa City, Tsukushino City, Miyatano City, Nakaku City, Kasuga City, Yanagawa City, Arao City, Yatsushiro City, and the Kyoto area of Yobuko—also attended the event.?In total, more than 260 representatives from various sectors, including friendship organizations, enterprises, media, and universities, participated in the conference.The participants engaged in in-depth?discussions on carrying forward the friendly tradition, building?stronger bonds through?friendship, and strengthening consensus on further promoting people-to-people exchanges?and dialogues.?They also explored ways to deepen?practical cooperation at the local level, and contributing to the development of a continuous, stable, and healthy development of the China-Japan strategic relationship of mutual benefit, and reached positive consensus.(CPAFFC President Yang Wanming delivers a speech)President Yang Wanming stated that China-Japan relations are?showing positive momentum for?improvement and development. Last November, President Xi Jinping met with Shigeru Ishiba, Prime Minister of Japan?in Lima,?reaffirming the commitment to comprehensively advance the China-Japan strategic mutually beneficial relationship and build a constructive and stable relationship that meets the requirements of the new era,?in line?with the principles outlined in the four political documents between China and Japan. Under the political guidance of the leaders of the two countries, a series of key dialogues took place, including the second meeting of High-Level Consultation Mechanism on People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges between China and Japan, the Ninth?Meeting of the China-Japan Ruling Party Exchange Mechanism, and the Sixth China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue. These events have further enriched the new connotations of the China-Japan?strategic relationship of mutual benefit in political, economic, and cultural fields.Yang emphasized that people-to-people exchanges?are the "source of living water"?for China-Japan relations. This event serves?as?an important measure to sustain?the positive momentum of bilateral relationship,?promote people-to-people exchanges,?and advance?sister-city?cooperation. He expressed?the hope that?organizations and governments at the?local level from both?countries actively implement the important consensus reached by the two heads?of state, and take this?event as an opportunity?to?strengthen exchanges, maintain the political foundation of China-Japan relations, and continuously?improve and develop bilateral relations.?Moreover, the two sides?should expand practical cooperation, enrich?the China-Japan?strategic relationship of mutual benefit with new connotations; promote exchanges and dialogues among all sectors,?and improve the public opinion for a friendly?China-Japan?relationship.Wu Jianghao noted that, in the context?of increasing global uncertainties,?China-Japan relations?face both?new opportunities and challenges.?It is thus all the more necessary for us to?review the value?of China-Japan relationship, reaffirm the significance of China-Japan friendship, and reinforce?mutually beneficial cooperation?of the two countries.?People-to-people?friendship and subnational partnership is not only a?valuable asset?but also a unique advantage of?China-Japan?relations. It is hoped?that the subnational governments from both?countries use the?event to consolidate traditional friendship, expand opportunities for exchanges, and undertake more substantial and enduring practical cooperation, thereby enhancing?the sense of gain of the?two?peoples.(Chinese Consul-General?in Fukuoka Yang Qingdong delivers a speech)Yang Qingdong said?that subnational?exchanges?and cooperation are integral?to?China-Japan relations?and crucial for advancing people-to-people friendship. The fruitful results of sister-city?cooperation have delivered tangible benefits to the people of both?nations?and provided robust support for future?development. He urged the participants to?continue serving?as bridges for China-Japan?subnational exchanges?and?help the cities of both?countries overcome geographical barriers,?and jointly play a bigger role to promoting?the healthy and stable development of bilateral?relations?and enhancing the well-being?of the?two?peoples.(JCFA President Tokuichiro Utsunomiya delivers a speech)Tokuichiro Utsunomiya reflected that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the 75th anniversary of JCFA's establishment. Since its inception, the JCFA?has always been adhering?to the "No More War Between Japan and China"?principle?and and working?tirelessly to promote?Japan-China?friendship. President Xi Jinping recently stated that the world is once again at a crossroads in?history. As humanity shares a common future, building a community with a shared future for mankind is the path?forward for all nations. It is hoped that the Kyushu China-Japan?Friendship Exchange Conference would pool the wisdom and strength at the subnational level and promote the vigorous development of exchanges and cooperation between sister cities on both sides. The JCFA?will continue contributing?to the long-standing?friendship between Japan and China as well as?the peace and development of Asia and the world?at large.Senichi Moriyama emphasized that Kyushu has long been?a key gateway for cultural, economic, and political exchanges between Japan and China. Amid profound?changes in the international situation and human history, subnational entities and the peoples?of the two countries need to pool wisdom more than ever, deepen cooperation and exchanges, and jointly address common challenges.(Left: Qian Wenhua, Deputy President of the Jiangsu People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries?[JPAFFC]; Right: Takayuki Hiraya, Vice Governor of Yamaguchi Prefecture)Qian Wenhua, Deputy President of the JPAFFC, and Takayuki Hiraya, Vice Governor of Yamaguchi Prefecture, delivered speeches on behalf of their local governments. Qian Wenhua said that the JPAFFC?is willing to work hand in hand with all sectors in Kyushu, inherit and carry forward the tradition of "advancing official diplomacy with people-to-people exchanges", and leverage?amity among the peoples?to add to the?warm chapters of "a bosom friend afar brings a distant land near"?in the new era. Takayuki Hiraya said that as the region in Japan the closest to China, Kyushu and Yamaguchi have always had active exchanges with China and made important contributions to the development of bilateral relations. Yamaguchi Prefecture and Shandong Province are the first pair of sister?cities. Over the past 40 years since the establishment of the sister-city?relationship, the two sides have continuously deepened mutual trust and friendly cooperation. In the future, it is hoped that Yamaguchi Prefecture and Shandong Province?can?further strengthen exchanges in various fields such as economy, education, and culture and move forward together towards a new future full of social changes.?(Scene of the 2025 Kyushu China-Japan?Friendship Exchange Conference and China-Japan?Sister Cities Exchange Event)During the conference, representatives from?local governments of both?countries participated in the China-Japan?Sister Cities Exchange Event. Notable speakers included?Sun Zhongzhen, Executive Deputy Mayor of Urumqi, Xinjiang; Li Lin, Director-General of Fujian Provincial Foreign Affairs Office; Tan Ganming, Mayor of Yichun, Jiangxi; Guo Tao, Deputy Secretary of the Aksu Prefectural Party Committee, Xinjiang; Tang Jing, Vice Mayor of Yancheng Government, Jiangsu; Zhao Gang, Secretary-General of the Municipal Committee of Zaozhuang City, Shandong; Jia Guifen, Deputy President of the Liaoning People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; Ma Taotao, Deputy Mayor of Zhangzhou, Fujian; Zhou Yan, Deputy Secretary-General?of the Dalian Municipal Government, Liaoning; Chen Shuangwei, Director of Shenyang Foreign Affairs Office, Liaoning; Wang Xiangyu, Deputy Director of Qingdao Municipal Foreign Affairs Office, Shandong; as well as Takahisa Nakagakiuchi, Deputy Mayor of Kumamoto City, Japan; Kazuki Tanabe, Mayor of Koga City, Fukuoka Prefecture; YOKOO Toshihiko, Mayor of Taku City in Saga Prefecture; Tamami Nakamura, Deputy Mayor of Omuta City, Fukuoka Prefecture; Noriyasu Kawasaki, Director of the International Kumamon Bureau of Kumamoto Prefecture, etc. They shared experiences and outcomes from their sister-city exchanges and cooperation in building a foundation for people-to-people friendship, establishing a bridge for subnational cooperation, and carrying out extensive practical exchanges in various fields, and put forward suggestions for future cooperation.Liaoning Province, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and cities such as Qingdao, Urumqi, Aksu, Yancheng, and Zaozhuang set up publicity boards in the venue, displaying creative cultural products and brochures to introduce the latest economic and social development and natural scenery of their local areas, which were well-received by the participants.The Kyushu China-Japan?Friendship Exchange Conference,?initiated in 2013 by the CPAFFC, the Consulate-General in Fukuoka, and the Kyushu Regional Japan-China?Friendship Association, has been successfully held for 10 sessions. It serves as a vital platform for enhancing mutual understanding, promoting people-to-people friendship, and deepening?mutually beneficial cooperation?between China and Japan at the local level.
President Yang Wanming Leads a Delegation on a Friendly Visit to Brunei
From March 23 to 24, at the invitation of the Brunei-China Friendship Association, Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries?(CPAFFC), led a delegation on a friendly visit to Brunei. During the visit, he met with Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism;?Nazmi bin Haji Awang Mohamad, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports; and Hajah Mardiana Haji Omar, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam.?He also held discussions?with the leadership of the Brunei-China Friendship Association, including its President Chen Jiafu.?During the visit, the two associations jointly signed a memorandum of cooperation for the period from 2025 to 2030. President Yang also toured?Muara Port?to review the practical achievements of China-Brunei cooperation,?engaged extensively with friendly figures from Brunei's political, business, and cultural sectors, and conducted in-depth exchanges on China-Brunei relations, people-to-people friendship, and youth exchanges, reaching positive consensus.Yang Wanming noted that China and Brunei are friendly neighbors across?the sea, with a longstanding?traditional friendship. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 34 years ago, the two countries have continuously deepened political mutual trust, with?practical cooperation across?various fields yielding?fruitful results, contributing positively?to regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity. In February this year, President Xi Jinping met with Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei. The two leaders?reached important consensus on building a community with a shared future for China and Brunei and issued a joint statement on deepening the strategic partnership and advancing the construction of a?community?with a shared future for China and Brunei, opening a new chapter in bilateral relations.Yang further emphasized that 2024?and 2025 are?the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-people Exchanges, and next year marks?the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brunei. The CPAFFC is ready?to work with Brunei to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state.?This includes building more bridges for people-to-people exchanges, practical cooperation, cultural exchanges, and?youth friendship, thereby?continuously?deepening the construction of a community with a shared future for China and Brunei. All sectors in Brunei are welcomed to actively participate in events such as the China-ASEAN Expo, the RCEP Local Governments and Friendship Cities Cooperation (Huangshan) Forum, the Conference on ASEAN-China People-to-People Friendship Organizations, and the ASEAN-China Young Leaders Exchange Festival, in a way to further strengthen people-to-people friendship, expand cultural and subnational exchanges, deepen practical cooperation, and make new and greater contributions to the ongoing development of China-Brunei relations.People from all sectors in Brunei warmly?welcomed President Yang?Wanming and his delegation?and highly appreciated the positive role of the CPAFFC in promoting people-to-people friendship?between Brunei and China and advancing the development of bilateral relations. They expressed that Brunei places great value?on?its relationship?with China,?and takes China as an important partner. Under the political guidance?of the two?heads of state, the two countries?have maintained friendly relationship,?and attained fruitful exchanges and cooperation in various fields. The Brunei side is committed to further strengthening?cooperation with the CPAFFC, deepening?people-to-people exchanges?in areas?such as economy,?trade, culture, sports, youth, tourism?and subnational cooperation,?thus?jointly building?a community with a shared future for China and Brunei.Yuan Mindao, Vice President?of the CPAFFC, and Xiao Jianguo, Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, attended relevant activities.
