Vice Secretary-General Ji Yongjun Attends the 2025 China (Changchun)-Russia Economic, Trade and Cultural Exchange
On September 29, 2025, the 2025 China (Changchun)-Russia Economic, Trade and Cultural Exchange was held in Changchun, with representatives from nine Russian business associations and 30 enterprises in attendance. Vice Secretary-General Ji Yongjun of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CAPFFC) attended the event and delivered remarks.Vice Secretary-General Ji highlighted that, in recent years, under the strategic leadership of the heads of state of two countries, the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era has been continuously elevated to a high level, yielding fruitful results across various sectors. Subnational cooperation, a key component of bilateral relations, has been demonstrating significant vitality and momentum. Changchun, as a major industrial hub and gateway in Northeast China, holds unique geographical and industrial advantages in its cooperation with Russia. The 2025 China (Changchun)-Russia Economic, Trade, and Cultural Exchange serves as a concrete step towards deepening economic and trade exchanges between the two countries' regions and fostering closer ties between their peoples.The 2025 China (Changchun)-Russia Economic, Trade, and Cultural Exchange, under the theme "Joining Hands for Development, Shaping a New Chapter for the Future", was hosted by the Changchun Municipal People's Government. During the event, several cooperation agreements were signed across various sectors, including business associations, building materials, and electronics.
Vice President Lu Xiangdong Meets with President of the Guinea-Bissau-China Friendship Association Nicolau dos Santos
On September 28, 2025, Vice President Lu Xiangdong of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met at the CPAFFC with Nicolau dos Santos, President of the Guinea-Bissau-China Friendship Association, and his delegation, who were visiting China at the invitation of the CPAFFC. The two sides engaged in in-depth discussions on China-Guinea-Bissau relations, as well as on bilateral people-to-people exchanges and friendly cooperation.Vice President Lu expressed his appreciation for President Santos' contributions to the development of bilateral relations, noting that China and Guinea-Bissau share a special history of friendship. Both countries have consistently treated each other with equality and mutual support, setting an example for relations between large and small nations. Vice President Lu highlighted the positive momentum in China-Guinea-Bissau relations in recent years, with fruitful cooperation across various sectors. The CPAFFC is committed to further deepening exchanges in areas such as people-to-people diplomacy, subnational government cooperation, culture, and youth, in order to strengthen the bonds between the two peoples.President Santos thanked China for its long-standing support for Guinea-Bissau's economic and social development. Through this visit, he has gained a deeper understanding of the remarkable achievements made by the Communist Party of China in uniting and leading the Chinese people. As Guinea-Bissau's first Ambassador to China and the current President of the Guinea-Bissau-China Friendship Association, he pledged to continue his efforts to deepen the traditional friendship between the two countries and further advance the development of China-Guinea-Bissau relations.Huang Xiaowei, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Asian and African Affairs of the CPAFFC, was present at the event.
Vice Secretary-General Ji Yongjun Attends the Launch Ceremony of the "Glimpses of the Ancient North Arabian Kingdoms" Exhibition in Zhengzhou
On September 26, 2025, Vice Secretary-General Ji Yongjun of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) attended the launch ceremony of the "Glimpses of the Ancient North Arabian Kingdoms"?exhibition in Zhengzhou. Shuweiler, Saudi Arabia's Deputy Ambassador to China; Abdulrahman Alsuhaibani,?Vice President?of Culture at the Royal Commission for Al-Ula, RCU; Zhang Huiming, Deputy Director of the Henan Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics; as well as representatives from the Henan People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Zhengzhou Foreign Affairs Office, and the Zhengzhou Bureau of Cultural Relics, attended the launching?ceremony.The exhibition showcases a curated selection of the most iconic cultural relics from the Al-Ula region, displayed in comparison with Chinese artifacts from the same period. This comparative display vividly highlights the cultural and artistic similarities between the oasis civilization of the Arabian Peninsula and the agricultural civilization of the Yellow River basin, offering a profound exploration of the shared and coexisting nature of human civilization.
Vice President Yuan Mindao Meets with Youth Delegation from Nagano Prefecture, Japan
On September 23, 2025, Vice President Yuan Mindao of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met with a youth delegation from Nagano Prefecture, Japan, at the CPAFFC, led by Yuji Miyamoto, President of the Japan-China Friendship Center.Vice President Yuan extended a warm welcome to the delegation, noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, a significant occasion to reflect on history and the importance of peace. He emphasized that the future of China-Japan relations lies with the youth, and that the CPAFFC attaches great importance to youth exchanges. He expressed a desire to create more platforms to allow more Japanese youth to gain an authentic understanding of China and build friendships with their Chinese counterparts. Vice President Yuan also expressed his hope that the members of the delegation would use this visit as an opportunity to become active promoters, enthusiastic ambassadors, and steadfast supporters of China-Japan friendship.Yuji Miyamoto expressed his gratitude to the CPAFFC for the invitation and thoughtful arrangements. He shared that the delegation members, from two high schools in Nagano Prefecture, would engage in cultural exchanges with Chinese youth, including activities in music and calligraphy, during their visit. He also reaffirmed that the Japan-China Friendship Center would continue its efforts to promote exchanges between young people of the two countries and nurture future advocates of China-Japan friendship.Sonoda Osamu, Embassy of Japan in China Minister-Counselor; Zhu Dan, Director-General of the Department of East Asian Affairs of the CPAFFC; Xu Qiang, Secretary-General of the Hebei Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; and Li Feng, Founder and Honorary President of the Beijing Hefeng Art Foundation, attended the event.The delegation is visiting China at the invitation of the CPAFFC under the framework of the Memorandum on Enhancing Youth Exchange Between China and Japan. During their visit, they will tour Beijing and Hebei and collaborate with the art troupe of the Beijing Hefeng Art Foundation to host a music exchange performance in Xiong'an.
Vice President Shen Xin Attends the 40th Anniversary of the Establishment of Friendship Between Gansu Province and Oklahoma
On September 23, 2025, Vice President Shen Xin of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) attended?and addressed?the opening ceremony of the "40th Anniversary of the Establishment of Friendship Between Gansu Province and Oklahoma State and the Photo Exhibition on China-US Exchange and Cooperation"?in Lanzhou. Wang Bing, Vice Governor of Gansu Province, and Thompson, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Historical Society, were present at the event. The exhibition, combining images and texts, provides a comprehensive overview of the cooperation and significant achievements between the two provinces, as well as the broader cooperation between Gansu and the U.S. over the past 40 years.From September 17, 2025 to September 22, 2025, Vice President Shen Xin was also invited to attend the Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo (SRDICE) and accompanied the Speaker of the House?of Assembly?of the Commonwealth of Dominica on a visit to Gansu.
"Between the Lines: The Civilizational Codes in Chinese Characters" Exhibition Held in Egypt
On September 23, 2025, the exhibition "Between the Lines: The Civilizational Codes in Chinese Characters" was grandly opened at the Cairo Chinese Cultural Center. The event was co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the People's Government of Anyang City, Henan Province, the Cairo Chinese Cultural Center, the National Museum of Chinese Writing, and the Egypt-China Friendship Association. Representatives from the CPAFFC, the Cultural Section of the Chinese Embassy in Egypt, the Egypt-China Friendship Association, and nearly one hundred distinguished guests from both China and Egypt, attended the opening ceremony.In their remarks, both Chinese and Egyptian guests unanimously emphasized that China and Egypt, as two ancient civilizations, consider writing to be the wisdom crystallization of their respective civilizations. Egyptian hieroglyphs serve as the key to deciphering ancient Egyptian civilization, while Chinese characters, evolving from oracle bone script to their present form, embody the enduring heritage of the Chinese nation and reflect the Eastern philosophy that "harmony is the most valuable." This exhibition, through showcasing the development trajectory of Chinese characters and offering a comparative analysis of these two ancient writing systems, aims to deepen mutual understanding of the shared cultural values between the two civilizations and strengthen the friendship between their peoples.The exhibition in Egypt is a significant stop on the international tour of "Between the Lines: The Civilizational Codes in Chinese Characters" and marks its debut in a Middle Eastern country. It was first launched at the Chinese Cultural Center in Paris and also be presented at the United Nations Headquarters in New York during the UN "Chinese Language Day" in April 2025. The exhibition, centered on Chinese character culture, uses a vivid and engaging narrative that links various dimensions such as politics, military affairs, production activities, science and technology, and the spiritual world, all through the life journey of an ancient Chinese prince. It systematically presents the origin and evolution of Chinese characters. On display are nearly a hundred Chinese characters, illustrating their transformation from oracle bone script to Song-style fonts. The exhibition highlights "The Civilizational Codes in Chinese Characters", conveying the unique imagination, emotional expression, and creativity embedded in Chinese characters, while deeply resonating with the cultural concept of harmony: "Uniting all nations, working together with one heart, and creating a world of peace."Following the opening ceremony, an expert from the National Museum of Chinese Writing delivered a special lecture titled "Chinese Oracle Bone Script Meets Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs" to the Egyptian audience. In addition, a cultural dialogue took place with Professor Sawi Sawi Ahmed from Benha University on the topic " Status-quo and Development of the China-Egypt Museum of Culture and Art." The on-site exchange was lively, with guests and audience members engaging in in-depth discussions on the historical value of Chinese characters and their modern-day inheritance.The exhibition will remain at the Cairo Chinese Cultural Center until September 30, 2025.
Vice President Lu Xiangdong Meets with Brazilian Youth Influencer Delegation
On September 23, 2025, Vice President Lu Xiangdong of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met with the Brazilian youth influencer delegation at the CPAFFC during their visit to China.Vice President Lu extended a warm welcome to?the delegation and engaged in friendly discussions with the Brazilian youth influencers. He stated that both China and Brazil are vast, developing countries with large populations and are important emerging markets. They are not only good friends with shared aspirations but also valuable partners advancing together. The two countries have always aimed for mutual development, viewing each other's growth as an opportunity, and are promoting practical cooperation to achieve leapfrog development, which brings substantial benefits to the two peoples. Vice President Lu also gave an insightful overview of the century-long struggle and remarkable achievements of the Communist Party of China. He invited the Brazilian youth influencers to personally experience China's modernization and the role of green development in empowering the construction of a beautiful China, and encouraged them to use short-video formats—popular among contemporary youth—to share the story of China and become a window through which the Brazilian people can gain a better understanding of the real China.The Brazilian youth influencers expressed their admiration for China's emphasis on safeguarding historical and cultural memories during its urbanization process, effectively achieving a dynamic balance between "preservation and revitalization" in modern cities. This reflects the unique wisdom of the Chinese people and left a lasting impression on them. "Seeing is believing", they said, noting that China's vibrant landscape and rapid development far exceeded their expectations. They expressed their hope to share their wonderful stories and authentic experiences in China with more of their Brazilian friends through social media platforms, becoming a new generation of communicators and torchbearers for China-Brazil friendship.This delegation is the first group sent as part of the "Brazilian Influencers Explore China Initiative", jointly organized by the CPAFFC and the Chinese Embassy in Brazil. With nearly 20 million followers on social media, the delegation will visit Beijing, Yunnan, Zhejiang, Shanghai, and other regions. The focus of their visit will be on "Green Chinese-style Modernization", with particular emphasis on Chinese-style modernization, sustainable development, energy transition, and technological innovation. They will film and promote China's governance philosophy and the achievements of China-Brazil cooperation.Deng Lan, Deputy Director-General of the Department of American?and Oceanian Affairs of the CPAFFC, was present at the event.
Vice President Yuan Mindao Meets with Delegation from the Japan-China Friendship Association, Shinjuku, Tokyo
On September 22, 2025, Vice President Yuan Mindao of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met with a delegation from the Japan-China Friendship Association in Shinjuku, Tokyo, led by Utsunomiya Tokuichiro, President of the Japan-China Friendship Association, at the CPAFFC. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on promoting China-Japan friendship, deepening people-to-people exchanges, and advancing practical cooperation between the two countries.
Vice President Lu Xiangdong Leads Delegation on Official Visit to the United Kingdom
From September 18, 2025?to September?21, 2025, at the invitation of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding, Lu Xiangdong, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), led a delegation on an official visit to the United Kingdom.During the visit, Vice President Lu Xiangdong attended the 60th Anniversary Conference of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding?and the 110th Anniversary of the Birth of George Hogg.?He read a congratulatory letter from the CPAFFC and delivered remarks. The congratulatory letter reviewed the history of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding, from its founding to its development and growth, as well as the exchanges and cooperation between the two organizations. It commended the Society's spirit of equal dialogue and openness, and expressed gratitude for its significant contributions to promoting people-to-people friendship between China and the UK. The letter reiterated a commitment to continuing cooperation and injecting new vitality into the cause of China-UK friendship.?In his remarks, Vice President Lu noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Hosting the event at this important historical juncture, with a global perspective and sense of responsibility, provides an opportunity to reflect on history, learn from it, and continue strengthening the friendship between the two peoples.?The CPAFFC is willing to collaborate with the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding to foster closer people-to-people exchanges, deepen subnational cooperation, and innovate new channels for China-UK people-to-people exchanges. This collaboration aims to build a deeper consensus on cooperation, promote dialogue, and tell a more multifaceted, authentic, and vivid story of China-UK friendship, thereby ensuring the long-term stability of China-UK relations.Wang Qi, Chargé?d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in the UK;?Michael Wood, President of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding;?and Zoe Reed,?Honorary Chairperson?of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding,?attended the event and delivered remarks. Over 150 representatives from subnational governments, friendship organizations, universities, think tanks, and various sectors from both China and the UK gathered to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding. They reflected on George Hogg's contributions and discussed the historical friendship between China and the UK during World War II. Renowned international scholars such as Martin Jacques?and Michael Crook?shared their reflections on the Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The event also featured an awards ceremony for the UK/China Friendship and Understanding Competition, along with other activities. The theme was prominent, its content rich, and the atmosphere was warm and friendly. The?guests expressed that the history of China-UK solidarity during World War II is invaluable, and that the cause of China-UK people-to-people friendship holds great potential.During the visit, Vice President Lu Xiangdong, accompanied by Frances Wood, Vice President of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding, visited the China Centre at the University of Oxford and other institutions. He also held a collective meeting with the Mayor of Harpenden, George Hogg's hometown, and over ten experts and scholars from UK universities. The two sides engaged in extensive discussions on China-UK relations, people-to-people friendship, youth exchanges, and other topics.
Vice President Lu Xiangdong Attends the Victorian Government China Strategy Launch
On September 15, 2025, Lu Xiangdong, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), was invited to attend the Victorian Government China Strategy Launch in Beijing. Prior to the event, Vice President Lu held talks with Jacinta Allan, the Premier of Victoria.Vice President Lu Xiangdong emphasized that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of two?countries, China-Australia relations are currently at an important stage of improvement and development. Subnational cooperation is a vital component of the sound?and stable development of China-Australia relations. Over the years, Victoria has been at the forefront among Australian states in fostering exchanges and cooperation with China. It has maintained strong and friendly provincial relations with Jiangsu and Sichuan, with practical cooperation across various fields yielding significant results, benefiting the people of both regions. Vice President Lu expressed hope that, under the leadership of Premier Jacinta Allan, Victoria will continue to deepen its friendly cooperation with China and make further progress. The CPAFFC is ready to help Victoria and other Australian states expand exchanges and cooperation with China in areas such as trade, friendship cities, and youth exchanges.Premier Jacinta Allan?thanked the CPAFFC for its strong support during her visit to China and stated that China is one of Victoria's most important partners. Victoria cherishes its productive friendship city relationships with Jiangsu and Sichuan. The launch of the updated Victoria’s China Strategy?is aimed at further advancing and deepening cooperation between Victoria and China in areas such as education, agriculture, and technology.Over 100 representatives from governments, legislative bodies, universities, businesses, and the media from both China and Australia attended the launch event.