Reception in Beijing Celebrates the China International Friendship Conference and the 70th Anniversary Celebration of CPAFFC
Recently, a reception marking the China International Friendship Conference and the 70th Anniversary Celebration of CPAFFC was held at the Grand?Canal?Museum?of?Beijing. Yin Li, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee, delivered a speech, while the event was hosted by Yin Yong, Deputy Secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee and Mayor of Beijing. Li Xiuling, Chairman?of?the?Standing?Committee?of?the?Beijing?Municipal?People’s?Congress, Wei Xiaodong, Chairman of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s?Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and Yang Wanming, President of the CPAFFC, attended the event.In his address, Yin Li expressed profound respect for the international friends who have long been committed to the cause of people-to-people friendship, thanking them for their continuous support and care for Beijing’s development. He noted that, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China has embarked on a development path that suits its national conditions, achieving the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, maintaining rapid economic growth, and long-term social stability, while making significant contributions to global development. At present, the Chinese government is fully committed to advancing Chinese modernization, aiming for a path of peaceful development, deepening reform, promoting high-level opening-up, and fostering mutually beneficial cooperation and shared prosperity.?As the capital of China, Beijing boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage, abundant educational, technological, and human resources, and a livable ecological environment. It plays a significant role in driving regional economic development, advancing the high-standard construction of the Beijing?Municipal?Administrative?Center, supporting the development of the Xiong’an New Area in Hebei, and promoting coordinated development across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. After five years of development, the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center?has emerged as a thriving new city of the future. Currently, Beijing is striving to be at the forefront of achieving basic socialist modernization, accelerating the construction of an international hub for technological innovation, and establishing itself as a global leader in the digital economy. It aims to build a highland of top talent and create a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized business environment. Yin warmly welcomed friends and organizations from around the world to share in Beijing’s development opportunities, foster practical cooperation across various fields, and work together to achieve high-quality development and a better life.In his remarks, President Yang Wanming emphasized that for the past 70 years, the CPAFFC has adhered to the principles of “Friendship, Cooperation, Peace, and Development”. The CPAFFC has worked tirelessly to deepen people-to-people friendship, build bridges for state-to-state relations, and promote international cooperation, facilitating connections between people to strengthen ties between nations. The theme of this anniversary event, “Deepening People-to-People Friendship and Promoting the Building of a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind”, reflects the unique role of people-to-people diplomacy. It aims to build consensus, gather strength, and contribute wisdom to foster a community with a shared future and create a better world.Danilo Türk, former President of Slovenia, former President of the World Leadership Alliance - Club de Madrid (WLA-CdM), and member of the InterAction Council, also delivered a speech. He praised the CPAFFC as an important platform for people-to-people diplomacy, playing a crucial role in promoting cross-cultural exchanges, enhancing mutual understanding, and building trust. He noted that, amid the complex challenges facing the world today, Beijing’s successful experiences in urbanization, technological innovation, and sustainable development offer valuable lessons for other countries. Türk expressed confidence that Beijing will continue to lead the global trend in urbanization and contribute further wisdom to global cooperation and green development.Prior to the reception, international guests visited the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center?to learn about urban planning, construction progress, and the achievements of the “Two Zones” opening-up initiative. They also experienced the historical, cultural, and ecological landscape of the Grand Canal by taking a boat ride and visited the Beijing Performing Arts Centre, the Beijing Library, and the Grand Canal Museum of Beijing. The reception featured a series of captivating cultural performances enjoyed by guests from China and abroad.The event was attended by Zhao Lei, Member of the Standing Committee and Secretary-General of the Beijing Municipal Committee, Wang Jianzhong, Secretary-General of the Standing Committee of the Beijing Municipal People’s?Congress, Zeng Jin, Secretary-General of the Beijing Municipal Government, Han Yu, Secretary-General of the Beijing Municipal CPPCC, as well as former political leaders from many countries, heads of international friendship organizations, representatives from foreign institutions, multinational enterprises, and friends of China.
President Yang Wanming Attends the 4th Leader’s Meeting of ASEAN-China of People-to-People Friendship Organizations
On October 10, the 4th Leader’s Meeting of ASEAN-China?of People-to-People Friendship Organizations was held in Beijing. President Yang Wanming of the Chinese People’s?Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) attended and delivered the keynote speech. Key representatives from people-to-people friendship organizations of the ten ASEAN countries, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, participated and shared their thoughts and suggestions on ASEAN-China?people-to-people exchanges. The meeting, themed “Renewing Our Original Aspirations and Moving Forward: Creating the Future of Friendship Together”, facilitated pragmatic and friendly exchanges between the two sides, leading to positive consensus on deepening ASEAN-China?people-to-people cooperation.President Yang welcomed the representatives of ASEAN people-to-people friendship organizations to Beijing to attend the China International Friendship Conference and the 70th Anniversary Celebration of CPAFFC. He noted that in 2013, President Xi Jinping proposed the joint construction of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road with ASEAN countries, aimed at building a closer ASEAN-China?community with a shared future. In 2021, during the Special Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations, President Xi further advocated for the creation of “five harmonious homes”—a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful, and an amicable?home—which received active support from ASEAN nations. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the leaders from both sides, the building of a ASEAN-China?community with a shared future has made solid progress and achieved fruitful results, establishing ASEAN-China?relations as a model of vitality and success in Asia-Pacific regional cooperation.In his speech, President Yang offered four suggestions for future ASEAN-China?people-to-people friendship efforts: uphold the spirit of peace and promote Asian values; advance pragmatic cooperation and expand mutual interests; deepen local and cultural exchanges to strengthen people-to-people ties; and focus on youth exchanges to cultivate successors for the friendship cause. He emphasized that the CPAFFC is committed to working together with ASEAN people-to-people organizations and friends to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. By enhancing practical cooperation across various sectors at the local and civil levels and expanding cultural exchanges, they aim to further solidify the social and public foundation of ASEAN-China?friendship. This collaboration will contribute to the joint construction of the “five harmonious homes” and the development of a closer ASEAN-China?community with a shared future.Sinnava Souphanouvong, the Minister?of the?Lao Prime Minister’s Office, the current ASEAN chair, and Vice President of the Laos-China Friendship Association, read out a joint congratulatory letter from the people-to-people friendship organizations of the ten ASEAN countries to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the CPAFFC. Leaders of the ASEAN people-to-people friendship organizations delivered speeches, commending the CPAFFC for its remarkable contributions over the past 70 years to promoting global peace and friendship, especially in strengthening ASEAN-China people-to-people ties. Looking ahead, they expressed a strong willingness to deepen cooperation with the CPAFFC, working together to enhance ASEAN-China friendship and contribute to building a closer ASEAN-China community with a shared future.The meeting concluded with an agreement that the 15th Conference?on?ASEAN -China People-to-People Friendship will be held in the Philippines in 2025.
President Yang Wanming Meets with Leaders of Russian Friendship Organizations
On October 10, President Yang Wanming of the Chinese People’s?Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met in Beijing with Yevgeny Primakov, Head of the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo), and Galina Kulikova, First Vice President of the Russia-China Friendship Association and recipient of the “Friendship Medal”.President Yang welcomed Yevgeny Primakov and Galina Kulikova to China for the China International Friendship Conference and the 70th Anniversary Celebration of CPAFFC. He commended Rossotrudnichestvo and the Russia-China Friendship Association for their positive contributions to enhancing the friendship between the Chinese and Russian peoples and advancing the development of bilateral relations. President Yang emphasized that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin, the China-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Coordination for a New Era has developed healthily and steadily, with strengthened political mutual trust and fruitful results in pragmatic cooperation. This relationship has set a model for a new type of major-country relations on the international stage. The CPAFFC is committed to working with Rossotrudnichestvo and the Russia-China Friendship Association to leverage the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the hosting of the China-Russia Year of Cultural Exchange as opportunities to further enhance exchanges between people from both countries, deepen people-to-people interactions and subnational cooperation, and strengthen the social foundation for enduring China-Russia friendship.Yevgeny Primakov and Galina Kulikova warmly congratulated the CPAFFC on its 70th anniversary and highly praised its significant role in fostering people-to-people diplomacy, particularly in advancing the cause of China-Russia friendship. They expressed their willingness to collaborate closely with the CPAFFC to actively implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen exchanges and cooperation across various fields, and continuously enrich the substance of China-Russia relations.Vice President Jiang Jiang and Director of the Russian?Cultural?Center in?Beijing, Tatiana?Urzhumtseva, were also present at the meeting.
President Yang Wanming Holds Collective Meeting with Friends of China from Latin America and the Caribbean
On October 10, President Yang Wanming of the Chinese People’s?Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) held a collective meeting with former President of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso, and leaders of friendship organizations from Latin American and Caribbean countries, who were invited to China to attend the China International Friendship Conference and the 70th Anniversary Celebration of CPAFFC.President Yang expressed his gratitude to former President Lasso and the distinguished guests for traveling long distances to participate in the celebrations. He praised their long-standing efforts in promoting mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of China and Latin America. President Yang emphasized that China and Latin America are comprehensive cooperation partners committed to advancing equality, mutual benefit, and shared development. The two sides have consistently extended strong support to each other on major issues concerning their core interests, standing together in solidarity during the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and building a deep and enduring friendship between their peoples. Over the past 70 years since the founding of the CPAFFC, friendship organizations across Latin America and the Caribbean have worked closely with the CPAFFC, making tireless efforts to enhance exchanges and cooperation in culture, youth engagement, sister city partnerships, trade, and technology. President Yang affirmed the CPAFFC’s commitment to taking?the 70th anniversary as a new starting point to strengthen collaboration with these organizations, continuing to write a new chapter of friendship and cooperation between the peoples of China and Latin America, and advancing the building of a China-Latin America community with a shared future.Former President Lasso and other friends from the region extended warm congratulations on the 70th anniversary of the CPAFFC. They highly praised the CPAFFC’s active role in promoting mutual understanding and friendship among nations and deepening exchanges and cooperation across various sectors. They expressed their hope that this visit would enable them to better understand and learn from the latest achievements and experiences of Chinese modernization. Looking forward, they expressed a desire to strengthen communication, coordination, and mutual visits with the CPAFFC, jointly contributing to the cause of China-Latin America friendship, achieving new outcomes, and bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of both regions.Sun Tao, Deputy Director-General of the Department of American and Oceanian Affairs of the CPAFFC, accompanied President Yang at the meeting.
President Yang Wanming Holds Collective Meeting with Former Foreign Leaders Attending the China International Friendship Conference
On October 9, 2024, President Yang Wanming of the Chinese People’s?Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) held a collective meeting with several former foreign leaders who were in China to attend the China International Friendship Conference and the 70th Anniversary Celebration of CPAFFC.President Yang welcomed and expressed his gratitude to the former leaders for attending the China International Friendship Conference and the 70th Anniversary Celebration of CPAFFC. He noted that humanity is currently facing multiple challenges and difficulties, which can only be overcome through enhanced unity and cooperation among nations. President Xi Jinping’s proposals, including building a community with a shared future for mankind, promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, provide China’s solutions to addressing these common global challenges. The primary goal of this conference and the commemorative activities is to further solidify the consensus of the international civil society on building a community with a shared future for mankind. The CPAFFC, adhering to the principles of “Friendship, Cooperation, Peace, and Development”, is committed to strengthening pragmatic cooperation with civil forces across the world, injecting positive energy into global peace and development.The former leaders commended President Xi Jinping’s forward-looking vision reflected in the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the three global initiatives, recognizing them as contributions of Chinese wisdom and solutions to global issues. They acknowledged China’s role in safeguarding world peace and promoting shared development. The former leaders also congratulated the CPAFFC on its 70th anniversary, expressing appreciation for its significant contributions to enhancing friendship between the peoples of China and other countries.The meeting was attended by members of the InterAction Council, including Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria; Bertie Ahern, former Prime Minister of Ireland; Petar Stoyanov, former President of the Republic of?Bulgaria; Boris Tadi?, former President of Serbia; Danilo Türk, former President of Slovenia; Essam Sharaf, former Prime Minister of Egypt; and Peter?Medgyessy, former Prime Minister of Hungary.Vice President Shen Xin and Deputy Director-General of the Department of American and Oceanian Affairs of the CPAFFC?of the CPAFFC, Sun Tao, were also present at the meeting.
Yang Wanming’s Interview with People’s Daily Online on the 50th Anniversary of China-Brazil Diplomatic Relations
During a recent interview with People’s Daily?Online, Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People’s?Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), remarked that the foundation of friendship between China and Brazil has grown stronger over the past 50 years of diplomatic relations. The bilateral relationship has become more significant, and the prospects for cooperation are more promising. “The pragmatic cooperation between the two countries in areas such as trade, finance, agriculture, science and technology, and aerospace will surely bring more tangible benefits to both nations and their peoples.”Abundant Achievements in Pragmatic CooperationFrom 2018 to 2022, Yang Wanming served as China’s Ambassador to Brazil, witnessing many significant moments in the development of bilateral relations. Reflecting on the past five decades, he noted several key milestones: in 1993, Brazil became the first developing country to establish a strategic partnership with China. In 2012, it became the first major Latin American nation to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership with China. In April 2023, Brazil?President?Lula?da?Silva?paid a state visit to China, during which he held talks with President Xi Jinping. The two sides issued a joint statement on deepening comprehensive strategic partnership, advancing bilateral relations to a new level.Since 2009, China has been Brazil’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, while Brazil remains China’s largest destination for direct investment in Latin America. According to Chinese customs data, bilateral trade between China and Brazil reached USD 181.53 billion in 2023, marking the sixth consecutive year that trade exceeded USD 100 billion.Yang stated that over the past 50 years, China and Brazil have achieved fruitful results in cooperation across sectors such as agriculture, energy, infrastructure, aerospace, and technological innovation. Economic and trade cooperation, in particular, has laid a solid material foundation for the stable development of bilateral relations.Promising Prospects for Joint ProgressThis November, the G20 Leaders’ Summit will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Recently, President Lula da Silva?expressed his intention to hold bilateral talks with China following the summit to explore the establishment of a “long-term strategic partnership”.As the largest developing countries and significant emerging markets in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, respectively, China and Brazil play critical?roles in promoting a more just and equitable new international order. Yang emphasized that the two countries closely cooperate within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, BRICS, and the G20, not only advancing their own development but also robustly safeguarding the common interests of the broader developing world.Recently, the 20th CPC Central Committee’s Third Plenary Session?was successfully held. It focused on comprehensively deepening reform with the goal of advancing Chinese modernization and outlined strategic arrangements to further enhance a higher level of opening-up. “This will bring new opportunities for China and Brazil to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and achieve common development,” said Yang.Yang noted that the Brazilian government is actively advancing its “reindustrialization” strategy, promoting technological innovation, and accelerating the transition to a green, low-carbon economy. This aligns closely with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China has made significant technological advances in emerging fields such as photovoltaics, energy storage, artificial intelligence?(AI), the Internet of Things?(IoT), 5G, and the digital economy. “In the future, both sides will further synergize the BRI with Brazil’s reindustrialization strategy through cooperation,” Yang stated.He emphasized that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Brazil, an important milestone symbolizing continuity and progress. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, political mutual trust will continue to deepen, and the prospects for cooperation will grow even broader.Deepening People-to-People ExchangesDuring his three-year tenure as China’s Ambassador to Brazil, Yang was deeply impressed by the local people’s?open and kind nature, the diversity and inclusiveness of the culture, and the vast and captivating landscapes. “If I were to summarize Brazil’s characteristics in a few words, I would say vast land and resources, cultural diversity, and youthful vitality,” Yang shared. He highlighted Brazil’s rich resources, including land, minerals, forests, fresh water, and tourism, as well as its history of multi-ethnic integration, which has cultivated a rich and inclusive culture. The whole society radiates vitality, showcasing Brazil’s significant development potential.He pointed out that cultural exchanges between China and Brazil contribute to enriching the lives of their peoples and foster mutual understanding, thus providing a solid foundation of public support for the stable development of friendly relations between the two countries.Yang introduced that in the future, CPAFFC plans to design more “small yet impactful” projects for people-to-people exchanges between China and Brazil. This includes strengthening exchanges between youths, think tanks, media, cultural, and sports sectors, as well as establishing more high-quality sister city relationships. Efforts will be made to expand existing sister city cooperation to communities, schools, and hospitals, increasing public awareness, participation, and a sense of benefit from these partnerships, thus continuously injecting new vitality into the sustained and healthy development of bilateral relations.This year also marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s?Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. Yang stated, “We cherish those old friends who laid the groundwork for China-Brazil relations, and we look forward to welcoming more diverse new friends to the cause of people-to-people friendship between China and Brazil. We hope that these exchanges will be warmer and deeper, bringing the two nations closer together.”
President Yang Wanming Attends the Opening Ceremony of the 7th Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo
On September 21, 2024, the opening ceremony of the 7th Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo (hereinafter referred to as the SRDICE) was held in Dunhuang. Zheng Jianbang, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and Chairman of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, delivered the keynote address and officially declared the event open. President Yang Wanming of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) attended and delivered a speech.?At the invitation of the CPAFFC, ambassadors to China from Uruguay, Syria, Turkey, and Argentina, along with key representatives from multinational corporations, foreign chambers of commerce in China, and international non-governmental organizations, attended the opening ceremony. In his remarks, President Yang Wanming stated that Dunhuang culture embodies the Silk Road Spirit, characterized by “peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit”.?He emphasized the need to maintain mutual communication and trust, which lays the foundation for peaceful cooperation. He called for cultural exchanges to serve as a bridge to enhance friendship among peoples, a driving force for the advancement of human society, and a bond for maintaining world peace.?President Yang further underscored the importance of fostering mutual learning and deepening pathways for cultural exchanges to promote the harmonious coexistence of diverse civilizations. He urged the drawing of wisdom from each civilization’s ancient heritage and development practices to promote shared growth and prosperity. Additionally, he stressed the necessity of mutually beneficial cooperation, working together to share the fruits of prosperity and development, and contributing to the building of an open world economy that better benefits all people.President Yang noted that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the CPAFFC. CPAFFC is committed to working with all parties to write a new chapter for the Silk Road, characterized by mutual understanding and friendship among peoples, the exchange and mutual learning of civilizations, and win-win cooperation among countries. This will significantly contribute to building a community with a shared future for mankind. In his address, Uruguayan Ambassador to China, Fernando Lugris, emphasized the importance of upholding multilateralism and strengthening cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to achieve global peace, development, prosperity, and modernization. He noted that Uruguay was the first country in Latin America and the Caribbean to express support for the BRI.The first SRDICE?was held in September 2016. In recent years, the CPAFFC has actively supported and participated in this event. This year’s SRDICE, themed “Implementing the Global Civilization Initiative, Deepening Exchanges and Mutual Learning among Civilizations”, attracted more than 800 guests from over 50 countries, regions, and international organizations.
President Yang Wanming Hosts a Welcome Reception for the "Shared Journey for China-U.S. Friendship" Washington State Youth Delegation
On September 23, 2024, President Yang Wanming of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC)?hosted a welcome reception in Beijing for the youth delegation from Washington?State, the United States. The delegation comprised Logic Amen, Assistant Principal of Lincoln High School,?Maryn Sage, Assistant Principal of Stadium High School; and David Chong, President of the U.S.-China Youth and Student Exchange Association. Over 130 participants attended?the event, including teachers and students from Beijing No. 8 High School and the High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University, as well as representatives from China Tourism Group (CTG), UnionPay International, and other enterprises. Vice President Shen Xin presided over the reception.In his remarks, President Yang highlighted that since President Xi Jinping announced to bring 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs in the next?five years, it has been encouraging to see more than 10,000 American youths?have visited?China, thanks to the strong support from various sectors in both countries.?He highlighted that Washington State stands as an important symbol of China-U.S. friendship. The current visit of the “Shared Journey for China-U.S. Friendship” Washington State youth delegation to Guizhou, Sichuan, Shandong, and Beijing represents a continuation of this “relay of friendship”. He expressed his hope that the delegates would become seeds of China-U.S. friendship, encouraging more Americans to get to know, understand, and appreciate China, thereby opening a new chapter for future cooperation and friendship between the two countries.The American guests expressed their gratitude to the CPAFFC for its invitation and warm hospitality. They remarked that their visit allowed them to experience the warmth, friendliness, openness, and inclusiveness of the Chinese people. They also discovered a greater sense of common ground with their Chinese counterparts and expressed their willingness to contribute to enhancing China-U.S. friendship in the future.Chinese and American student representatives performed a variety of programs during the reception, including a solo flute performance of “Driving the Horses to Deliver Grain”, a choral rendition of “The Moon Represents My Heart”, Native American tribal dances, and street dance. The participants also engaged in friendly exchanges throughout the event.
