8th Delegation of “Say It As It Is” Visits the United States
Madam Li Xiaolin, President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), led the 8th Delegation of “Say It As It Is”, composed of Mr. Zhao Wei, Vice-President of China National Academy of Painting and Mr. Chen Ping, Professor of China Central Academy of Fine Arts, to pay a visit to the United States on June 17 and 18, 2013.? In the spirit of “Art is borderless, culture conveys friendship”, the delegation had face-to-face dialogue with four U.S. Senators and two members of House of Representatives and introduced the characteristics and charm of Chinese traditional paintings to them, with the hope to enhance mutual understanding between the Chinese and American people and to promote the development of China-U.S. relations by cultural exchanges.
The U.S. Congressmen showed their great interest in Chinese traditional art.? They asked several detailed questions about the characteristics of Chinese fan painting and highly appreciated the artistic attainments of the two Chinese painters.
During the visit, CPAFFC and China National Academy of Painting co-hosted an art exhibition named Beautiful China: Fan Paintings from the National Academy of Painting in Meridian International Center in Washington D.C..? Madam Li Xiaolin, Mr. Cui Tiankai, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the United States, Mr. Zhao Wei, Vice-President of China National Academy of Painting and Mr. Stuart Holliday, President and CEO of Meridian International Center attended the exhibition reception and delivered speeches respectively.? Professor Chen Ping demonstrated the Chinese calligraphy by writing “Chinese and western culture glorify together”, “China-U.S. friendship will pass on from generation to generation.”, “Friendship, Peace, Cooperation, Development” during the reception. Over one hundred people from political, cultural and business circles as well as people-to-people organizations of the United States attended the reception and enjoyed the exhibition.
From 2002 to 2012, CPAFFC has organized 7 delegations of “Say It as It Is”, which were composed of the ordinary Chinese people, to visit the United States. By narrating their respective lives, work and experiences of setting up business, those delegates introduced the real situation of the economic and social development in China to the U.S. Congressmen and expressed the good wishes of Chinese people to enhance China-U.S. relations.
CSFCERFCU Delegation Visits China
At the invitation of the CPAFFC, the delegation headed by Mr. Zakir.Abidov ,the president of The Council of the Societies of Friendship and Cultural-Enligntenment Relations with Foreign Countries of Uzbekistan (CSFCERFCU) visited in Beijing and Lanzhou from June 15 to 21.
In Beijing, the CPAFFC Vice President Li Jianping met with and held banquet for the delegation. Vice President Li Jianping extended his welcome to the delegation, and recalled the situation and achievements of his last visit in Uzbekistan 3 years ago. He said, the CPAFFC would keep the friendly cooperation with the CSFCERFCU, and develop various exchanges, to promote more pragmatic cooperations. President Abidov appreciated for the CPAFFC’s invitation and warm reception. He said, the CPAFFC was the reliable partner of the CSFCERFCU. The two organization carried out many pragmatic cooperations during the years. Especially, during President Li Xiaolin’s visit in Uzbekistan last year, her attendance and speech on the seminar commemorating the 15th anniversary of the establishment of? CSFCERFCU received great social sensation. The two organization also signed the MOU, which founded solid base for future cooperation. H.E. Kurbanov, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to China was present at the banquet.
The delegation also visited Central University of Finance and Economics and Minzu University of China, and held seminars with the representatives of the tutors and students from the above universities.
In Lanzhou, the delegation visited Lanzhou University of Finance and Economic, Cheezheng Tibetan Medicine Company, Foci Pharmaceutical Company.
Li Fan, the deputy direcot of Gansu Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs and correlative leaders of Gansu Association for International Friendly Contact held banquet for the delegation.
President of Vietnam Meets Chinese Friends
On the evening of June 20th, CPAFFC and Vietnam Embassy in Beijing jointly organized the Meeting between H.E. Truong Tan Sang, President of Vietnam, and Chinese Friends in the Embassy of Vietnam. Mr. Feng Zuoku (Vice President of CPAFFC), Mrs. Huang Qingyi (former Vice Chairman of the All-China Women’s Federation), Mr. He Jun (Assistant Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee), H.E.Nguyen Thien Nhan (Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam), H.E. Mr. Nguyen Van Tho (Ambassador of Vietnam to China), Mr. Vu Xuan Hong (President of Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations) and key members of? H.E. Truong Tan Sang’s delegation as well as the diplomats of Vietnam Embassy, former Chinese diplomats in Vietnam, Vietnam War veterans, advisors & medical staff of President Ho Chi Minh, experts, scholars, and representatives of college students altogether around 130 people attended the meeting.
Mr. Feng Zuoku introduced the friendly personnel and emphasized the importance of developing friendship between China and Vietnam.
Mr. Zhang Dewei, former Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr. Li Baoqi, former Deputy Director General of the Political Department of the Air Force Lanzhou Military Command, Mrs. Wang Xingming, former Head Nurse of Beijing Hospital, made speeches representing former diplomats in Vietnam, Vietnam War veterans and medical staff of President Ho Chi Minh, recalling their deep love with Vietnam.
President Truong Tan Sang spoke highly of bilateral relations. He said, the Vietnamese people always remembered the support and help that Chinese People gave them for Vietnam national unity, independence, development and construction, and cherished "comrades and brothers" relationship between Vietnam and China. He invited Chinese friendly personnel to visit Vietnam for further consolidating friendship.
CPAFFC signs MOU with Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations
On June 19th 2013, under the witness of Chinese President Xi Jingping and President Truong Tan Sang of Vietnam, the CPAFFC Vice President Feng Zuoku and Mr.Vu Xuan Hong, President of Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), signed a MOU of Cooperation, laying out major activities to be jointly held from the year 2013 to 2017. On June 20th, Mr.Feng hosted a welcome lunch for President Vu in the Friendship Museum of CPAFFC and further exchanged ideas on mutual communication and cooperation in the future.
Visit to ROK by Chinese Young Envoys of Friendship
At the invitation of the Korea Foundation and Korea-China Friendship Association, a 200-member delegation of young envoys of friendship, headed by Mr. Liu Xinsheng, Advisor to the China-Korea Friendship Association and former Chinese Ambassador to Brunei, paid a visit to ROK from 10-18 June 2013. The delegation members included young civil servants and university students from Beijing, Hubei, Xinjiang, Guizhou, Guangxi, Henan, Hebei, Hunan, Sichuan and Chongqing.
The theme of the visit was “People-to-People and Cultural Journey in Korea 2013”.? The delegation visited Seoul,Gangneung,Pohang,Gyeongju and Jeju. Exchanges were arranged at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Academy of Korean Studies, Dong-A University and local governments. The delegation visited POSCO, LG and enjoyed home-stay. Through the visit, the Chinese delegates further understood the social development and cultural traditions in Korea and became more prepared for consolidating the China-Korea friendship relations.
This visit was organized and sponsored by the CPAFFC, China-Korea Friendship Association, Korea-China Friendship Association and Korea Foundation.? Another eight delegations of altogether 1600 people had already visited ROK before.
Third China South Asia Friendship Organizations’ Forum held in Kunming
The Third China South Asia Friendship Organizations’ Forum, co-sponsored by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Yunnan Provincial Government, convened in Kunming between 6th and 7th June, 2013, under the framework of the First China South Asia Fair. The theme of this year’s forum was "Join Hands for Friendship, Cooperation and Development". Around 50 delegates representing 24 friendship with China organizations from 5 South Asian countries including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal, together with 20 delegates from the People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries of China’s localities gathered in the Spring City of Kunming. During the forum, delegates shared their ideas on? "Cultural & Tourism Exchanges from the Viewpoint of Regional Cooperation" and "Cooperation on Investment and Trade on the South Silk Road". After thorough discussion, consensus was reached on the bases, the fields and the prospects of cooperation. The forum widened the perspectives for friendly cooperation between Chinese and South Asian peoples, and ushered in new directions for our further development.
Delegation of Morocco-China Friendship Association visits China
At the invitation of CPAFFC, the delegation of of Morocco-China Friendship Association headed by its President Mr. Mohammed Khalil paid a friendly visit to China from June 1 to 7, 2013.
This is the first time of Morocco-China Friendship Association sending a delegation to visit China since its reorganization last year. During their visit in Beijing, CPAFFC President Madam Li Xiaolin and Vice President Mr. Feng Zuoku held working meeting with the delegation. The two sides agreed to do more people-to-people exchanges for the further promotion of the friendship between the two countries. Mr. Mohammed Khalil welcomed Madame Li Xiaolin to visit Morocco in the coming October.
The delegation also visited Beijing Sports University, Chinese Confucius Institute, Shanghai Foreign Studies University for the sports and educational exchanges between Morocco and China.?
CPAFFC Confers the China-Philippines Friendship Contribution Award to Mr.Carlos Chan
On June 7th , the CPAFFC and the China-Philippines Friendship Association held the ceremony to confer the China-Philippines Friendship Contribution Award to Mr. Carlos Chan from the Philippines.
Vice President Feng Zuoku, former Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Mr. Huang Guifang and Mr. Wang Chungui, Secretary General Li Ning of China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, Counsellor Bai Tian of Department of Asian Affairs of MFA, Mr. Carlos Chan and Mrs. Chan, Senator Franklin Drilon and Mrs. Drilon, Mme. Basilio, Ambassador of the Philippines to China attended the ceremony.
Mr. Carlos Chan is born in 1941 in Manila of the Philippines and his ancestral home is in Qiangang, Jinjiang city of Fujian province. He is the Special Envoy of the Philippine President to the People’s Republic of China, the Chairman of the Liwayway Group of the Philippines and the Philippine Soong Ching Ling Foundation. Mr. Carlos Chan is a successful entrepreneur of the Philippines, who established world renowned brand of Oishi, a kind-hearted philanthropist, concurrently working as the Chairman of the Philippine Soong Ching Ling Foundation, who make great donations to the earthquake-hit areas in China like the Wenchuan, Yushu and Lushan and provided strong support to the Shanghai Special Olympic Games. As a special envoy, Mr. Carlos Chan is successively appointed by President Arroyo and President Aquino III, who has devoted himself in the China-Philippines friendship and cooperation and make outstanding contributions to the communication and exchanges in the local government level as well as the establishment and development of the friendship cities between the two countries.
The China Philippines Friendship Contribution Award is set by the CPAFFC in respectful recognition of those personnels who have been long engaged in the China-Philippines Friendship cause and made outstanding contributions. Mr.Carlos Chan became the first Philippino to win the award.
CPAFFC Initiates Global CEO Council
In order to carry out President Xi Jinping’s instruction of “China needs to know more about the world and vice versa”, and widen the channels for non-governmental diplomatic work, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) initiated and founded the Global CEO Council formed by 14 CEOs of wellknown multinational enterprises in the world. The aims of the council are Making Friends, Negotiating Cooperation, Promoting Peace and Exploring Development. On June 5th, Premier Li Keqiang met with the enterprisers attending the Global Fortune Forum in Chengdu and the Global CEO Council. On the same day, at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, the CPAFFC hosted the First Roundtable Summit of the Global CEO Council and the founding ceremony. Han Qide, Wan Gang, the vice chairmans of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference were present at the above events.
The Global CEO Council initiated by the CPAFFC received positive response and support from about 20 multinational enterprises in the world. The first Global CEO Council was formed by 14 CEOs from 14 leading international enterprises of important industries, including Coca-Cola, Dell, Volkswagen, Carrefour, BHP Bittion, Standard Chartered Bank, Royal DSM, Disney, Honeywell,which covered business of mining resource, ecological environment, auto manufacture, aviation and space, electronic technology, information, finance and insurance, retail and service, cultural industry and etc..
President Li Xiaolin delivered a speech at the founding ceremony of the Global CEO Council. She said, the situation of globalization was complicated. As the national people’s organization engaged in people-to-people diplomatic works, the CPAFFC had strengthened the non-governmental economic diplomacy in recent years. In 2012 October, the CPAFFC initiated a public program titled Rainbow Bridge, which established a bridge of cooperation, development and mutual benefit between the Chinese poverty-stricken revolutionary? base area and the multinational enterprises. Up to now, there had been over 40 multinational enterprises participated in the Rainbow Bridge Program. The Global CEO Council was the extension of the Rainbow Bridge, which was expected to help the CEOs from the leading enterprises of the Global economy to understand a true, objective and comprehensive China in form of roundtable summit. At the same time the Global CEO Council would also provided a new platform of enhancing friendship, cooperation and mutual benefit.
Delegation of Myanmar China Friendship Association Visits China
At the invitation of the CPAFFC, a 9-member delegation headed by U Sein Win Aung, President of Myanmar China Friendship Association and former Ambassador to China, paid a visit to Beijing and Tianjin from 28 May to 4 June, 2013.?
During their stay in China, the delegation met with Xu Jialu (Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the 9th and 10th National Congress), Wang Yi (Minister of Foreign Affairs), Li Jinjun(Vice Minister,? International Department of the Central Committee of the CPC) and Tian Guiming (Deputy Secretary-General of the CPPCC Tianjin Committee and Vice President of Tianjin Municipal People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries).
The delegation had discussions with Feng Zuoku, President of China Myanmar Friendship Association and Vice President of the CPAFFC, exchanging ideas on future cooperation. The two sides signed a MOU after the talks.
The delegation attended a seminar with representatives of private sector and visited China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co. Ltd, CNPC Southeast Asia Pipeline Co. and North Petroleum & Chemical Group Co. They also visited the Binhai New Area and Sino-Singapore Eco-City in Tianjin.
