Vice President Shen Xin Attends and Addresses the Opening Ceremony of the 2024-2025 Invention Convention China National Finals
On the morning of July 27, 2024, Shen Xin, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), attended the opening ceremony of the 2024-2025 Invention Convention China National Finals in Zhengzhou and delivered remarks.Vice President Shen Xin highlighted that the Invention Convention China National Finals, hosted by the China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development, themed "Innovation Inspiring an Intelligent Future",?is closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, China's 14th Five-Year Plan, and the Long-Range Objectives through the Year 2035. Over 10,000 young participants have presented inventive works centered on 15 public welfare themes and driving issues, such as "Chinese Civilization",?"A Barrier-Free World" and "Living in Harmony with Nature." These projects cover cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence, environmental technology, green energy, and information technology, showcasing the unique perspectives and boundless creativity of youth regarding the future world. He further emphasized that CPAFFC and the China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development will continue to collaborate with friendly organizations both at home and abroad, deepening youth exchanges between China and other countries, and continuously enhancing young people's capabilities in scientific and technological innovation and practice.Chen Cungen, former Deputy Secretary of the Central and State Organs Work Committee and President of the China Social Work Association; Wu Zhenglan, President of the China National Youth Palace Association; Liang Jieyi, Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Henan Province; Zhuang Jianqiu, Mayor of Zhengzhou; Xu Ciming, Secretary-General of the China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development; Arthur Williams, Ambassador of Jamaica to China; Khaled Abraham, Head of the Embassy of Libya in China; Cristian Sokolowski, Minister-Counselor of the Embassy of the Argentine Republic in China; Kerry Curran, Minister-Counselor for Northern Ireland Affairs at the British Embassy in China; S?ren S?rensen, Science and Higher Education Counselor at the Embassy of Denmark in China; Mohamed Ahmed, Deputy Head of the League of Arab States (LAS) to China; renowned science and innovation experts from China; executives from Fortune Global 500 companies; representatives from domestic science and innovation enterprises; youth delegations from South Africa, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan; children of diplomats from the Arab League in China, and the youth participants from various provinces and cities across China, totaling about 3000 attendees, attended the opening ceremony.Following the opening ceremony, Vice President Shen Xin attended?the "Together for Peace"?themed event with Chinese and foreign youth. As part of the upcoming World Youth Conference for Peace, youth from both China and abroad enthusiastically chanted "Together for Peace", expressing their strong support for the forthcoming World Youth Peace Initiative and conveying their unwavering belief in maintaining world peace through collaborative efforts.The Invention Convention China (ICC) is a global invention and innovation competition initiated by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and hosted by the China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development. It is listed as one of the national competitions for primary and secondary school students in China in the Ministry of Education's 2022-2025 "White List". Since 2023, the China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development has held the Invention Convention China National Finals in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, for three consecutive years.
The 5th China-Africa Future Leaders' Dialogue Symposium on Green Development Held Successfully in Jinhua, Zhejiang
On July 25, 2025, the 5th?China-Africa Future Leaders' Dialogue Symposium on Green Development, themed "China-Africa Youth Hand in Hand to Promote Eco-Friendly Modernization", was successfully held in Jinhua, Zhejiang. Lu Xiangdong, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC); Zhang Jian, Deputy Secretary of the Jinhua Municipal Committee and Mayor of Jinhua; Xing Huidong, Executive Vice President of Zhejiang Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; and Hodan Osman Abdi, Somali Ambassador to China, attended the symposium and delivered remarks. Nearly 100 participants attended the symposium, including invited youth representatives from China and Africa, heads of relevant departments in Jinhua, African youth representatives in Jinhua, and experts in ecology and environmental protection, as well as journalists from various media outlets.Vice President Lu Xiangdong stated that this year marks the beginning of implementing the outcomes from the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the 20th anniversary of the proposal of the concept "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets". Green development is a historical inheritance of the excellent traditional cultures of China and Africa, a practical necessity for the transformation and upgrading of economic industries, and an inevitable choice for building a better future together. The CPAFFC will continue to build more bridges of friendship, encouraging China-Africa youth to inherit and promote the traditional China-Africa friendship, and contribute to the building?of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.Mayor Zhang Jian introduced the basic conditions?of Jinhua and its achievements in China-Africa exchanges and cooperation. He emphasized that this event serves not only as an important platform for promoting global ecological civilization but also as a tangible step towards building the new era of a comprehensive China-Africa community with a shared future. He expressed his hope that young people become pioneers in serving the modernization efforts of China and Africa, continuously injecting new momentum into the development of China-Africa relations and contributing to a new chapter in China-Africa friendship.Youth representatives from the All-Africa Students Union, Tsinghua University, and Chinese and African youth from universities in Jinhua shared their experiences and insights on three key topics: establishing a green concept for ecological friendliness, injecting green momentum into China-Africa cooperation, and spreading green hope for world peace. They unanimously expressed the commitment to adopting the shared vision of lucid waters and lush mountains, pursuing innovative practices as the path forward, and working hand in hand to advance green development. The collective goal is to contribute youthful wisdom and energy to the promotion of global sustainable development.The China-Africa Future Leaders'?Dialogue is a mechanism established by?the?CPAFFC in 2021 under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The 5th?China-Africa Future Leaders'?Dialogue Symposium on Green Development was hosted by the CPAFFC, with the Zhejiang Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Jinhua Municipal People's Government as co-organizers. Prior to the symposium, participating Chinese and African youth visited high-tech enterprises, breeding innovation bases, health towns, beautiful villages, and new energy product markets in Jinhua, and?gained through the process a deep understanding of China's green transformation model and achievements within the context of modernization with Chinese characteristics in the new era.
Opening Ceremony of the 2025 China-South Asia Youth Leaders Exchange Program Held in Wuhan
On July 25, 2025, the opening ceremony of the 2025 China-South Asia Youth Leaders Exchange Program was successfully held in Wuhan. The event was co-organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the South Asia-China Friendship and Cooperation Organization, and the Hubei Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. Sun Xueqing, Secretary-General of CPAFFC; He Lijun, Deputy Secretary-General of the Hubei Provincial Government and Director of the Provincial Advisory Office; Zhang Xiaomei, Director of the Hubei Provincial Foreign Affairs Office and President of the Provincial Friendship Association; Mohamed Rasheed, Chairman of the South Asia-China Friendship and Cooperation Organization and Chairman of the China Maldives Cultural Association; Indrananda Abeysekera, President of the Association for Sri Lanka-China Social and Cultural Cooperation; Sumudu Walakuluge, Cultural Counsellor of the Sri Lankan Embassy in China; Samuel, Cultural Counsellor of the Bangladesh Embassy in China; as well as nearly 100 youth representatives from South Asian countries such as Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, along with Chinese youth representatives from Hubei University and South Asian international students, attended?the event.Guests from China and South Asia commended the traditional friendship and practical cooperation between the two sides. They stressed that both sides have steadfastly followed the path of peaceful development and win-win cooperation, and expressed their readiness to work together to promote the building of an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, so as to?jointly advance?the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.?It is hoped?that young people on both sides work hand in hand to defend peace and security, promote?open development, and facilitate?mutual learning among civilizations, thereby contributing their youthful energy to the creation of a China-South Asia community with a shared future.In their remarks, youth representatives from both sides pledged to make the most of this opportunity for in-depth exchanges, to build connections grounded in a deep understanding of and empathy for different civilizations, and to advance cultural understanding and friendship between China and South Asia, injecting youthful energy?into the development of China-South Asia relations.Under the theme "Connect?Culture?with?Youth?for?a?Shared Future", more than 30 young leaders from six South Asian countries, together with Chinese youth representatives from Hubei University, China Three Gorges University, and South Asian international students, will explore the distinctive features of Hubei's traditional culture and gain a deeper understanding of the Hubei chapter in China's journey toward modernization.
Opening Ceremony of the Seminar for Young Leaders of Friendly Organizations in Pacific Island Countries Held in Beijing
On July 25, 2025, the opening ceremony of the Seminar for Young Leaders of Friendly Organizations in Pacific Island Countries was held in Beijing. The event was organized by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China and hosted by the Research Center for People-to-People Diplomacy of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC). Jiang Jiang, Vice President of the CPAFFC, attended the opening ceremony?and delivered remarks.Vice President Jiang Jiang extended a warm welcome to?all participants to China for the seminar, highlighting that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in the 1970s, China has?proactively?advanced?practical cooperation with Pacific Island Countries in the principle of mutual respect, which has?led to substantial progress in bilateral ties.?Youth, as the backbone of national development, are not only the inheritors of our?longstanding friendship but also the pioneers of future cooperation. The seminar aims to provide participants with a deeper understanding of China's development, domestic and foreign policies, and its vision for cooperation with Pacific Island Countries. This, in turn, will contribute to enhancing mutual understanding and trust, expanding and deepening future cooperation, and empowering youth to play a pivotal role in building a China-Pacific Island Countries community with a shared future. The CPAFFC is dedicated to leveraging its unique strengths to advance cooperation in human resources development and people-to-people exchanges, building more bridges for people-to-people engagement, practical cooperation, cultural exchanges, and youth engagement between China and Pacific island countries.This?seminar will last for 10 days and will invite government officials and experts from relevant fields to conduct lectures, on-site teaching, and discussions with 29 young leaders from 10 Pacific Island Countries, in a view to?foster mutual learning and exchange. During their stay in China, participants will also be invited to attend events such as the World Youth Conference for Peace and the China-Oceania Youth Exchange Festival.
Vice President Jiang Jiang Attends Opening Ceremony of the "Celebrating Culture and Tourism Together" Qingdao International Friendship Cities Exchange Month
On July 19, 2025, the opening ceremony of the "Celebrating Culture and Tourism Together"?Qingdao International Friendship Cities Exchange Month was held in Qingdao, Shandong Province. Ren Gang, Mayor of Qingdao, and Jiang Jiang, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), attended the opening ceremony and delivered remarks.Vice President Jiang Jiang congratulated on the successful opening of the event. He emphasized that friendship city partnerships are an essential platform for promoting friendship between peoples, strengthening mutual trust, and deepening practical cooperation. China is advancing a path of urban modernization with Chinese characteristics, aiming to build innovative, livable, beautiful, resilient, civilized, and smart cities that serve the people. This ongoing transformation offers new opportunities for exchanges and cooperation between Chinese cities and their international friendship cities.?The?CPAFFC?is committed to serving as a bridge for international engagement, supporting Qingdao and other Chinese cities in expanding people-to-people and sectoral exchanges with their global counterparts in fields such as culture, youth, science and technology, economy and trade, and education. By tightening the bonds of friendship and strengthening networks of practical collaboration, the CPAFFC aims to?promote cooperation through friendship and drive development through cooperation, working together to build a peaceful, beautiful, and sustainable future.The "Celebrating Culture and Tourism Together"?Qingdao International Friendship Cities Exchange Month is hosted by the Qingdao Municipal People's Government, with the CPAFFC serving as a supporting partner. Representatives from 26 cities and institutions across 19 countries—including Germany, Belarus, Hungary, Japan, Ethiopia, New Zealand, and the United States—will participate in a series of related events.
Photo Highlights｜Peng Liyuan Attends the "Bond with Kuliang": 2025 China–U.S. Youth Friendship Event
On the afternoon of July 17, 2025, Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, attended the Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Friendship Event?and delivered a speech at the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.On the afternoon of July 17, 2025, Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, attended?the Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Friendship Event?and delivered a speech at the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.?Prior to the friendship event, Peng Liyuan?met with Elyn MacInnis?and Luca Berrone.On the afternoon of July 17, 2025, Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, attended?the Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Friendship Event?and delivered a speech at the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.?On the afternoon of July 17, 2025, Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, attended?the Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Friendship Event?and delivered a speech at the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.?On the afternoon of July 17, 2025, Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, attended?the Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Friendship Event?and delivered a speech at the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.?Peng Liyuan?took group photos with Chinese and American youth participants and other guests admist a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Closing Performance of the "Bond with Kuliang": 2025 China–U.S. Youth Choir Festival Held in Beijing
On July 16, Chinese and American youth sing songs together at the China National Opera House.On July 16, 2025, the closing performance of the Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China–U.S. Youth Choir Festival was held at the China National Opera House in Beijing. Centered on the theme "Singing for Peace,"?the event brought together young participants from China and the United States, who raised their voices in harmony to celebrate youth, peace, and friendship through music.On July 16, Chinese and American youth sing songs together at the China National Opera House.On July 16, Chinese and American youth sing songs together at the China National Opera House.On July 16, Chinese and American youth sing songs together at the China National Opera House.On July 16, Chinese and American youth sing songs together at the China National Opera House.On July 16, Chinese and American youth sing songs together at the China National Opera House.
Vice President Lu Xiangdong Meets with Emir of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Shafiqur Rahman
On July 14, 2025, Lu Xiangdong, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met in Beijing with a high-level delegation of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami led by its Emir, Shafiqur Rahman.?The two sides exchanged views on enhancing China-Bangladesh friendly relations, deepening people-to-people exchanges, and advancing subnational cooperation.Xu Yan, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Asian and African Affairs of the CPAFFC, was present at the meeting.
U.S. Youth Choirs Visit Beijing as Part of the Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Choir Festival
On July 14, 2025, U.S. choirs participating in the Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Choir Festival arrived in Beijing. Under the thoughtful coordination of the Beijing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the choirs visited several leading institutions, including the China National Symphony Orchestra, Beijing University of Technology, the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, and Beijing No. 8 High School.At the China National Symphony Orchestra, Chinese and American youth observed a full orchestral rehearsal and attended a high-level masterclass in professional music performance.?At Beijing University of Technology, students from two?countries collaborated on musical arrangements featuring cultural elements and explored innovative fields such as modern architectural design and intelligent building control systems.?At the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, American youth immersed themselves in the essence of Chinese opera, trying out traditional stage props and learning foundational movement techniques.?At Beijing No. 8 High School, the young participants joyfully sang and shared their personal stories, raising their voices together in a heartfelt tribute to peace and friendship.Utah Valley University Choir visited the China National Symphony OrchestraBrigham Young University Women's Choir and Combined Choir visited Beijing University of TechnologySouthern Methodist University Choir and Wind Choir visited the National Academy of Chinese Theatre ArtsSt Genevieve High School Valiant?Voices and Pure N Heart visited Beijing No. 8 High School
Vice President Yuan Mindao Meets with Directors of the Beijing Office of CLAIR
On July 11, 2025, Yuan Mindao, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Chikamatsu?Shigehiro, outgoing Director of the Beijing Office of the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR), and his successor, Tomohiko?Yamamoto.?The two sides exchanged views on jointly organizing the 26th Conference of Friendship Cities of China, the Republic of Korea and Japan, and on further promoting friendly exchanges and practical cooperation between subnational governments and friendship cities of China and Japan across a wide range of fields.
