President Yang Wanming Meets with ICAP President Fernando González Llort
On November 3, 2024, Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Fernando González Llort, President of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples?(ICAP), at the CPAFFC.Yang Wanming?emphasized the enduring bond between China and Cuba, describing the two nations as good friends, good comrades,?and good brothers.?Since the establishment of diplomatic ties more than 60 years ago, the two parties and countries have upheld a relationship rooted in sincerity,?trust, and mutual support. He noted that both countries have provided consistent assistance to one another during challenging times, further strengthening their traditional friendship. Guided by the important consensus reached between?Chinese President Xi Jinping and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, and taking?the upcoming 65th anniversary of China-Cuba diplomatic relations?in 2025 as an opportunity, Yang stated that?the CPAFFC?will work closely?with the ICAP?to deepen exchanges and cooperation between the two countries at the subnational?level and in the cultural field, build more bridges for friendly exchanges between young people, and further?promote?and develop?the special friendship between the Chinese and Cuban peoples.Fernando González Llort?extended warm congratulations?on the 70th anniversary of the CPAFFC's establishment and expressed heartfelt?gratitude?for the consistent?support and assistance?Cuba?has received from its Chinese brothers in all difficult times,?despite the geographic distance between the two countries.Looking to the future, González expressed the?ICAP's commitment to strengthening?its?exchanges with the CPAFFC. He pledged to actively implement?the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries through closer cooperation at the primary level and enhanced?people-to-people exchanges.Sun Tao, Deputy Director-General of the Department of American and Oceanian Affairs of the CPAFFC, and Alberto Blanco Silva, Cuban Ambassador to China,?attended the meeting.
President Yang Wanming Leads Delegation to ROK
From October 20 to 24, 2024, Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), led a delegation to attend the 25th China-Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) Friendship Cities Exchange Conference and visited Busan and Gwangju metropolises, and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province?in the ROK. He had in-depth exchanges?with?people from all sectors of society?in the ROK and had an in-depth exchange of views on China-ROK friendship and people-to-people exchanges?and cooperation, and reached a broad positive consensus.During the visit, Yang met with Park Heong-joon, Chair of the Governors Association of the ROK (GAROK)?and Mayor?of Busan Metropolitan City,?Kang Ki-jung, Mayor of Gwangju,?Shin Soo-jung, Chairman of the Gwangju City Council,?Go Gwang-wan, Executive Deputy Mayor?of Gwangju,?Kim Byung-nae, Head of the Nam District of Gwangju,?and Oh Young-hoon, Governor?of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, among other Korean local government leaders.During the meeting, Yang Wanming emphasized?that China and the ROK are inseparable neighbors and cooperative partners. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992, friendship and cooperation have remained the cornerstone?of?China-ROK relations. Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China-ROK relations?have experienced rapid growth, with?fruitful economic and trade cooperation?bringing?tangible benefits to both?peoples.?Yang noted that, since?the beginning of 2024, exchanges and cooperation between China and the ROK across various?domains?have become more active, signaling a positive momentum in bilateral relations. He called for enhanced communication and dialogue to?deepen political mutual trust and further solidify China and the ROK as friendly neighbors of mutual trust and partners of common achievements.?Yang also emphasized the importance of fostering healthy, steady,?and substantial development of China-ROK?relations. The foundation of China-ROK relations lies?in our societies, and its vitality?stems from subnational exchanges.?Subnational cooperation serves as a critical?channel and effective platform?for advancing?state-to-state relations. It is anticipated?that the ROK and China will work closely together?to actively support and participate in bilateral and multilateral exchange mechanisms such as the China-ROK Governors'?Meeting and the China-Japan-ROK Friendship Cities Exchange Conference, with the goal of accelerating?regional integration.Park Heong-joon?highlighted?Busan's active engagement?in city diplomacy and expressed hope for early discussions with China on?holding the 3rd ROK-China Governors'?Meeting. He emphasized the importance of strengthening practical cooperation between enterprises in both countries to drive mutual benefit. Kang Ki-jung?underscored?Gwangju's commitment to maintaining close exchanges with China. He noted that, particularly in times of bilateral challenges, communication between local governments and fostering people-to-people friendship are of even greater importance. Oh Young-hoon?spoke of?Jeju's?enduring?popularity among Chinese tourists. To further enhance this connection, he promptly introduced a visa-free policy for Chinese visitors. He expressed his determination to deepen?exchanges and pragmatic cooperation with China?and welcomed more Chinese tourists to Jeju, aiming to strengthen?mutual understanding and friendship?between the two peoples.President Yang also met with Seo Eui-taek, Honorary President?of the Korea-China Friendship Association (KCFA);?Shin Jung-taek, President?of the KCFA; Moon Byung-chae, President?of the ROK-China Friendly Association of Businessman; Yang Seung-hak, President of the Korea Industry-Academia?Cooperation?Research Institute; Lee Jong-kook, Executive Vice-President of the Korea Foundation; Lee Kang-hyun, President?of the National Asian Culture Center; Cho Gyeong-wan, Head of the Gwangju China Friendship Center; Kim Eel-hwan, President of Jeju National University; Ahn Sang-luk, President?of the Gwangju Branch of the Korea-China Cultural Association; Lee Kyung-bu, President?of the Gwangju Branch of the Korea-China Economic, Cultural and Educational Association and Vice President of Gwangnam Daily Newspaper; Kang Won-koo, Central President of the Korea-China Cultural Exchange Association and recipient?of the title of Honorary Citizenship?of Nanchang City, and other leaders of friendly organizations. He visited the National Asian Culture Center, the Chung Yul-song Memorial Block, the Gwangju China Friendship Center, the Confucius Institute at Honam University in Gwangju, and the Jeju National University.?Yang?also held talks and exchanges with teachers and students at the Confucius Institute and?representatives of Chinese and Korean youth. He encouraged the younger generations and members of these organizations to contribute actively to the development of China-ROK?friendly relations and?the promotion of people-to-people?friendship.Yang Wanming reiterated?that people-to-people friendship is the key to fostering?state-to-state relations.?It serves as both the foundation and the source of strength for the enduring relationship between China and the ROK. Making the 70th anniversary of the CPAFFC, Yang noted that the CPAFFC is ready to use this milestone?as a new starting point to promote friendly exchanges and practical cooperation in the fields of culture, art, media, and youth. These efforts aim to ensure the steady and sustainable growth of China-ROK relations.The friendship organizations in the ROK highly appreciated China's tremendous achievements in economic and social development and expressed their willingness to strengthen communication with the CPAFFC, work together to deepen practical cooperation in all fields, expand sister city and subnational cooperation, facilitate people-to-people exchanges, especially youth exchanges, and participate more actively?in bilateral or multilateral exchange mechanisms, so as to jointly make positive contributions to the peace, development and prosperity of Northeast Asia.Chen Ribiao, Consul General of China in Busan, Chen Jianjun, Consul General of China in Jeju, and Zhou Jihua, Acting Consul General of China in Gwangju, attended the above events.
President Yang Wanming Has Dinner with the Australian Ambassador to China Scott Dewar
On October 31, Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), attended a dinner hosted by Scott Dewar, Australian Ambassador to China, at the residence of the Australian Ambassador to China?upon invitation.Yang Wanming?noted that, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China-Australia relations have shown a good momentum with?continuous improvement and development. Institutional dialogues have resumed across various domains, and exchanges at all levels have expanded significantly. Yang emphasized that people-to-people and sub-national exchanges provide stability, resilience,?and dynamism to bilateral relations. He expressed the CPAFFC's?willingness to collaborate with the Australian Embassy in China to deepen practical cooperation at the subnational level and between sister cities of the two countries. Yang also called for enhanced exchanges and cooperation in fields such as?culture,?the arts, smart cities, environmental governance, science and technology, and youth?development, with the shared goal of advancing?the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership.Scott Dewar welcomed Yang Wanming to the official residence?and appreciated the positive role played by the CPAFFC?in promoting the development of bilateral relations and friendly people-to-people exchanges?over the years. He noted that the Australian Embassy in China is committed to working with the CPAFFC?to promote?cultural and artistic collaboration, deepen subnational exchanges, and create favorable conditions for more young Australians to visit China. Such initiatives, Dewar remarked, would enable young Australians to gain firsthand knowledge of and experience in China, further enhancing mutual understanding.Sun Tao, Deputy Director-General of the Department of American and Oceanian Affairs of the CPAFFC, accompanied?President Yang to the event.
The 25th China-Japan-ROK Friendship Cities Exchange Conference Successfully Held in ROK
From October 21 to 22, 2024, the 25th China-Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) Friendship Cities Exchange Conference was successfully held in Gwangju Metropolitan City,?ROK. Co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the Governors Association of?the ROK?(GAROK), and the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) of Japan, the conference focused on the theme "Strengthening Trust among Local Governments of China, Japan, and the ROK for Solving Complex Issues". Approximately?400 participants attended, including President Yang Wanming and Vice President Yuan Mindao of the CPAFFC, as well as nearly 150 representatives from 39 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in China. Representatives of local governments and related institutions from 27 provinces, metropolitan cities?and districts?in ROK, along with 11 prefectures and cities in Japan, also participated. Notable attendees included?You Min-bong, Secretary General of the?GAROK,?Kang Ki-jung, Mayor of Gwangju,?Shin Soo-jung, Chairman of the Gwangju City Council,?Yasuda Mitsuru, Chairperson of the Board of Directors?of the CLAIR, and Yamaguchi Nobuhiko, Vice Governor of the Osaka Prefecture.In his speech, President Yang Wanming emphasized the close geographic and cultural ties?among China, Japan, and the ROK, noting their importance as neighbors and major players in regional and global stability. Yang stated that a?sound and stable China-Japan-ROK relationship is essential for?the fundamental interests of the three nations?and their?peoples, as well as for peace, stability, development and prosperity in Asia and the world at large. Highlighting?the 25th anniversaries?of both the China-Japan-ROK Cooperation Mechanism and the China-Japan-ROK Friendship Cities Exchange Conference, Yang pointed out that?China and Japan have established 266 pairs of sister cities, while China and the ROK have formed 225 such partnerships. Yang called on the participants to fully leverage the China-Japan-ROK Friendship Cities Exchange Conference as a bridge, strengthen practical cooperation in the economic and trade fields, jointly promote scientific and technological progress and industrial upgrading, and foster new growth areas?for regional economic development. Yang also?called?to bolster exchanges and mutual learning in the cultural?field and reinforce the cultural identity of the people from?the three countries while nurturing cultural affinity among them, thereby strengthening people-to-people bonds. We should intensify friendly exchanges among young people, build more youth exchange mechanisms and platforms, and train active participants and successors for the cause of trilateral friendship. He?also?called?the three countries to join hands to address global challenges, jointly promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind and contribute insights and strength to the well-being of people in the three countries and the peace and development of the world.You?Min-bong welcomed the local government delegations of China and Japan to the ROK for the conference and expressed his gratitude to the CPAFFC?for organizing nearly 150 Chinese representatives to participate. He noted that, after 25 years of development, the China-Japan-ROK Friendship Cities Exchange Conference has become a vital?platform for the local governments of the three countries to deepen mutual trust, enhance friendship, and promote cooperation. He expressed hope that the representatives of the local governments of the three countries would strengthen?the bond of cooperation?during the conference, work together to tackle common challenges, and jointly create a bright future for Northeast Asia.Yasuda Mitsuru?emphasized the growing importance of strengthening local exchanges and cooperation in the face of a complex international landscape.?He stressed that?Japan, China, and the ROK, as close neighbors with shared historical and cultural ties, should enhance?people-to-people exchanges and practical cooperation in economic, cultural, youth, and local fields to contribute to peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia.Kang Ki-jung?welcomed the gathering of local government officials from the three countries in Gwangju. He?highlighted?Gwangju's?reputation as?the "ROK Capital?of Culture?and Arts"?and affirmed the city's commitment to fostering?local exchanges and cooperation with Japan and China.Li Hongtao, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Henan Province,?Fang Chunbiao, Deputy Mayor of Yichun City, Heilongjiang Province,?Xie Yanbing, Deputy Secretary-General of the People's Government of?Yibin Municipality, Sichuan Province,?and Pan Xingxing, Director of the Economic Development Division of the Research Office of Beijing Municipal People's Government, also delivered speeches at the conference. Participants from the three countries engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as?"Promoting Urban and Citizen Exchanges among China, Japan, and Korea",?"Creating Sustainable Eco-Friendly Cities", and "Revitalizing Local Economies, including Smart Cities". Participants?shared experiences?and explored opportunities for cooperation in pursuit of common development.The conference achieved?broad consensus and positive results. Participants agreed that the successful holding of the conference has enhanced mutual understanding, deepened the friendship among the local governments of the three countries, gained valuable experience in urban governance, and effectively intertwined?exchanges and cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, energy, people-to-people exchanges, education, and youth programs. Moving forward, the local governments of the three countries will work together to reinforce?the foundation of people-to-people friendship, build bridges for?subnational?cooperation, and jointly safeguard?regional peace, stability, development,?and prosperity.The conference concluded with the announcement that its 26th edition will be held in 2025 in Yancheng, East?China's Jiangsu Province. Gao Shangde, Deputy?Mayor?of Yancheng, introduced the city's achievements?and extended a warm invitation to?representatives from China, Japan,?and the ROK to attend next year's event.During the conference, Korean artists performed traditional cultural programs, and the children's choir sang three folk songs from?China, Japan and the ROK in?Chinese, Japanese and Korean?languages, respectively, creating a friendly and warm atmosphere.First initiated in 1999 and jointly organized by?the CPAFFC, the GAROK, and the?CLAIR, the China-Japan-ROK Friendship Cities Exchange Conference is held annually on a rotating basis among?the three countries. It serves as a platform for addressing shared concerns of?local governments of the three countries and promoting trilateral?exchanges and cooperation.
President Yang Wanming Attends and Deliverers an Address at International Conference to Commemorate the 2575th Anniversary of Confucius' Birth and the 7th Congress of the International Confucian Association
On October 19, the International Conference to Commemorate the 2575th Anniversary of Confucius'?Birth and the 7th Congress of the International Confucian Association?(ICA) opened in Beijing. Wang Huning, Member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC)?Central Committee Political Bureau?and Chairman of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), attended the opening ceremony and delivered an address. The ceremony was presided over by?Sun Chunlan, President of the ICA. Fukuda Yasuo, former Prime Minister of Japan and?Council Chair of the?ICA,?Massimo D'Alema, former Prime Minister?of Italy,?and Jean-Pierre Raffarin,?former Prime Minister?of France, delivered speeches?in person or through virtual?means. Other attendees included?Shao Hong, Wang Dongfeng and Liu Yandong. President Yang Wanming delivered a speech on behalf of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC).In his remarks, Yang Wanming congratulated the ICA on the convening of the conference and highlighted the enduring value of Confucianism as a cornerstone of traditional Chinese culture. He stated that Confucianism embodies the?most profound pursuits of the Chinese nation and provides vital nourishment for its?growth and development.?Moreover, Confucianism has made extraordinary contributions to human civilization?and continues to offer inspiration?for addressing contemporary global challenges.Yang emphasized that 2024 marks two significant anniversaries:?the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 70th anniversary of the establishment?of the CPAFFC. He referenced President Xi Jinping's important speech delivered on October 11 at the China International Friendship Conference and Events Marking the 70th Anniversary of the?CPAFFC. In his address, President Xi underscored the unique role of people-to-people diplomacy?to build a community with a shared future for mankind.?Looking ahead, Yang pledged that the CPAFFC?will deepen its collaboration with the?ICA?and remain guided by?Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy?and the Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, and give better play to the role of people-to-people diplomacy?as a main channel and the role of Confucianism as a bridge. It will work with people of insight to implement the Global Civilization Initiative. Together, they will build more platforms for conveying?truths through culture, allowing Chinese civilization to flourish and?adding?splendor to human civilization; establish additional channels for spreading voices through culture, developing new platforms, mechanisms, and models for cultural dialogue and cooperation that will benefit both the Chinese people and people around the world; and set up more platforms for fostering friendship through culture, enhancing?mutual understanding and affinity among peoples, particularly the youth of different nations, contributing insights and strength at the grassroots' level to the building?of a community with a shared future for mankind.
President Yang Wanming Meets with Governor Oigawa Kazuhiko of Ibaraki Prefecture
On October 17, Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries?(CPAFFC), met with Oigawa Kazuhiko, Governor of Japan's Ibaraki Prefecture, in Beijing.Yang Wanming commended?Ibaraki Prefecture for its longstanding leadership in fostering friendly exchanges with China?under Governor Oigawa's guidance. He acknowledged the prefecture's significant contributions to advancing?local exchanges and strengthening?people-to-people ties between the two countries. Yang noted?that China-Japan relations are currently?at a critical juncture, requiring both sides to reflect on past achievements and envision future collaboration. He expressed the CPAFFC's readiness?to work with all sectors in Japan, including Ibaraki Prefecture, to implement the key?common understandings reached by the leaders of both nations. Yang emphasized the importance of boosting?people-to-people exchanges and cooperation across various fields and?striving?to build a constructive and stable?China-Japan?relationship that aligns with the needs of the new era.Yang reiterated that the foundation of China-Japan friendship lies in the bonds between their?peoples. He expressed hope that Ibaraki Prefecture would continue to play an active role in fostering?China-Japan people-to-people exchanges and cooperation. He called for efforts to enhance?local-level exchanges and deepen practical cooperation, strengthen?people-to-people ties, and expand youth programs?to ensure the enduring friendship?between China and Japan.Governo?Oigawa Kazuhiko highlighted?Ibaraki Prefecture's?rich history and strong foundation of exchanges with China. He acknowledged the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on bilateral exchanges but affirmed that Ibaraki's commitment to maintaining friendly relations with China has remained steadfast.??He pledged to continue promoting friendly exchanges and advancing?practical cooperation with China.Zhang Xiaoping, Deputy Director-General of the Department of East Asian Affairs of the CPAFFC,?Xu Qiangxing, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation, National Forestry and Grassland Administration,?and Ogawa Haruki, Mayor of Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, were present at the meeting.
President Yang Wanming Meets with Rui Costa, Chief of Staff of the Presidency of Brazil, and His Delegation
On October 17, 2024, Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries?(CPAFFC), met with Rui Costa, Chief of Staff of the Presidency of Brazil,?Dilma Rousseff, former President of Brazil,?and Celso Amorim, Special Advisor to the President of Brazil, at the CPAFFC.President Yang expressed his gratitude to Brazilian counterparts?for their strong?support during his tenure as Chinese Ambassador to Brazil. He?emphasized the importance of China-Brazil cooperation in today's complex global landscape, noting that as the largest developing country and an important emerging market?in the eastern and western hemispheres, the two nations have a critical role to play in pursuing common development. Yang underscored China's readiness to work with Brazil to uphold their longstanding traditions of friendship, strengthen mutual confidence in collaboration, and fully engage?local governments, businesses, and non-governmental organizations in both countries. He highlighted his vision of ushering in a new era—referred to as the "Golden 50 Years"?for?China-Brazil relations.Rui Costa?conveyed?Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's strong commitment to deepening bilateral ties.?He remarked that?all sectors of Brazilian society?are eager to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results through practical cooperation in a wide range of fields. Costa emphasized that the?friendship between the Chinese and Brazilian peoples serves as the cornerstone of solidarity, collaboration, and cooperation between the two nations.?He assured that the?Civil House of the Presidency of Brazil would fully support the CPAFFC's initiatives?and assist in facilitating?exchanges and partnerships in areas such as?local government cooperation, youth programs, and people-to-people exchanges.Shen Xin, Vice President of the CPAFFC,?Sun Tao, Deputy Director-General of the Department of American and Oceanian Affairs of the CPAFFC,?and Qu Yuhui, Deputy Director-General?of the Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also attended the meeting.
The 15th Annual Meeting of the China-Iran Friendship Associations Held in Beijing
On October 12, the 15th Annual Meeting of the China-Iran Friendship Associations was convened in Beijing, under the theme “Contributing Civil Forces to the High-Quality Development of China-Iran Friendly Cooperation”. The opening ceremony was attended by Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People’s?Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC); Boroujerdi, Chairman of the Iran-China Friendship Association; and Mohsen Bakhtiar, Iranian Ambassador to China. Approximately 70 participants were present, including representatives from local friendship associations across many?Chinese provinces and cities, relevant enterprises, media, and members of the visiting delegation from the Iran-China Friendship Association, along with Iranian expatriates and students in China.President Yang Wanming welcomed the delegation from the Iran-China Friendship Association to China for the China International Friendship Conference and the 70th Anniversary Celebration of CPAFFC. He emphasized that China views its relationship with Iran from a strategic and long-term perspective. In his congratulatory message to Iran’s President-elect Ebrahim?Raisi, President Xi Jinping expressed China’s willingness to work with Iran to guide the?comprehensive strategic partnership towards deeper and broader horizons.President Yang put forward three suggestions to further strengthen the annual meeting’s role as a bridge and consolidate its mechanisms: actively promote subnational cooperation to broaden the scope of exchanges; strive to enhance pragmatic cooperation to deepen collaborative efforts; and focus on youth exchanges to strengthen the foundation of friendship. He highlighted that these initiatives would help transform the annual meeting into a platform for enhancing communication, sharing experiences, generating ideas, and fostering cooperation. This would enable civil forces to play a crucial role in ensuring the steady and long-term development of China-Iran relations, yielding substantial outcomes.Chairman Boroujerdi noted that this year’s meeting coincided with the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s?Republic of China and the 70th anniversary of the CPAFFC, adding special significance to the event. He congratulated China on its impressive achievements in economic and social development, and emphasized that both China and Iran are ancient civilizations with a long-standing friendship. The Iran-China Friendship Association is committed to close collaboration with its Chinese counterparts to continuously promote traditional friendship and advance pragmatic cooperation across various fields, benefiting both nations and their peoples.Ambassador Bakhtiar praised the important role of civil organizations, including the friendship associations of both countries, in enhancing mutual understanding, fostering friendship, promoting mutually beneficial cooperation, and maintaining global peace. He noted that various sectors in Iran highly value relations with China and are eager to collaborate more closely under the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. Such efforts would deepen China-Iran relations and contribute to peace and stability worldwide.Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on two key topics: promoting pragmatic cooperation between China and Iran and deepening cultural exchanges. They reached a broad consensus on strengthening cooperation across civil society, subnational partnerships, and youth engagement.At the conclusion of the meeting, President Yang Wanming and Chairman Boroujerdi signed the Memorandum of the 15th Annual Meeting of the China-Iran Friendship Associations.
CPAFFC Holds Ceremony to Award the Title of “Friendship Ambassador”
On October 10, the Chinese People’s?Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) held a ceremony in Beijing to confer the honorary title of “Friendship Ambassador”. President Yang Wanming presented medals and certificates to Ante Simonic, former?Vice Prime Minister of the Republic of?Croatia,?President?of?Croatian-Chinese Friendship?Society?Rijeka?(HKDPR), and Marcelo?Mu?oz, Chairman of the “Know China Lecture Hall”?(Zhihua Jiangtang)?in Spain, and delivered a speech. Vice President Jiang Jiang presided over the ceremony.President Yang congratulated Simonic and Mu?oz?on receiving the honorary title of “Friendship Ambassador” and fondly recalled their touching efforts to promote friendship between the peoples of China and Croatia, and China and Spain, respectively. He emphasized that it is thanks to a group of friends in Europe, like Simonic and Mu?oz, who have steadfastly upheld the belief in generational friendship and dedicated themselves to the cause of China-Europe friendship, that the foundation of people-to-people ties between China and Europe is so strong today. Their efforts have led to frequent exchanges, continuous interaction, and dynamic cooperation, injecting a steady stream of vitality into China-Europe relations.President Yang stated that the future of China-Europe friendship requires joint efforts, and he earnestly looks forward to more individuals of insight in Europe actively engaging in the cause of China-Europe friendship. He expressed his hope that European friends of China, including Simonic and Mu?oz, will take the China International Friendship Conference as a new starting point, and work tirelessly towards building a community with a shared future for mankind, jointly writing a new, vibrant chapter in China-Europe relations.Simonic and Mu?oz?expressed their congratulations on the 70th anniversary of the CPAFFC and their heartfelt gratitude for being honored with the title of “Friendship Ambassador” at this significant moment. They pledged to use this recognition as motivation to share China’s latest development concepts and remarkable achievements with their countries, thereby strengthening mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples, and contributing to the continuous development of bilateral and China-Europe relations.The honorary title of “Friendship Ambassador” was established by the CPAFFC in 1990 to recognize international friends who have made outstanding contributions to the cause of friendship between China and other countries.