CRFA President Chen Yuan Attends Commemorative Conference of 60th Anniversary of Founding of Russia and China Friendship Association
Mr. Chen Yuan, Vice Chairman of National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)?and?President of China?and?Russia Friendship Association (CRFA), led a delegation which consisted of CRFA members to attend the commemorative conference of the 60th anniversary of founding of Russia?and?China Friendship Association which was held in Russian National Theater on October 9th, 2017.
In the conference, Mr. MATVIENKO, Chairman of Russia Federation Council (RFC),?and?Mr. Li Hui, Ambassador of Chinese Embassy in Russia, announced the congratulatory letters of the two heads of states respectively. Chairman MATVIENKO, Vice Chairman Chen Yuan?and?RCFA Chairman Mezentsev, made speeches respectively. They all spoke highly of the active role RCFA had played in promoting the friendship of the two countries?and?developing the activities in various fields. Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out in the congratulatory letter that RCFA had been adhering to the friendly concept to lay a solid public support?and?social foundation for the bilateral relations for the last 60 years since the founding of RCFA. Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his congratulatory letter that CRFA?and?RCFA had made outstanding contributions to the humanity exchanges?and?local cooperation of the two countries.
After that, the Russian Alexander Red-Flag Song?and?Dance Troupe gave an excellent performance. It was full of warm?and?friendly atmosphere.
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Views of Chinese Provincial Leaders on the Second China-US Subnational Legislatures Cooperation Forum
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?Zhang Xuan, Chairwoman of the Standing Committee of Chongqing Municipal People's Congress
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The interaction between subnational people’s congresses of China?and?subnational parliaments abroad are advised to focus on strengthening the experience exchanges in subnational legislation?and?supervision so as to promote pragmatic cooperation. The topics of this Forum are scientific?and?specific reflecting real situations?and?common interests of China?and?the United States. Through candid?and?in-depth exchanges, participants have enhanced mutual understanding?and?mutual trust?and?deepened friendship, which is of positive significance to furthering mutual pragmatic cooperation. Chongqing Municipality would?like?to strengthen joint venture cooperation with the US in the fields of integrated circuit, intelligent equipment, automobile manufacturing, internet of things, big data?and?cloud computing, as well as deepen the exchanges?and?cooperation in education, science?and?culture.
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Fan Zhaobing, Executive Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of Hebei Provincial People's Congress
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This Forum has built a new platform?and?developed new space for deepening subnational cooperation between China?and?the United States. The cooperation between subnational legislatures will promote the healthy?and?stable development of China-US relations. We suggest we utilize this platform to promote multi-layer, wide-range?and?high-quality China-US subnational pragmatic cooperation, especially to provide successful experience, advanced urban management concept?and?technology in easing international metropolis function for the planning?and?construction of Xiong’an New Area of Hebei Province. Hebei would?like?to carry out pragmatic cooperation with the US in the fields of information?and?technology industry, equipment manufacturing, energy saving, environmental protection, agriculture, new energy resources, biological pharmacy?and?etc.
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Sun Yongchun, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of Guizhou Provincial People's Congress
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Topics of this Forum reflect the needs of times?and?exchanges at the Forum are in-depth?and?pragmatic. The business participation from China?and?the US has added more substantive significance to the bilateral collaboration. Guizhou Province is now accelerating the development of electronic information industry led by big data, pharmaceutical?and?health-preservation industry with comprehensive health as the goal, modern high-efficiency mountainous agriculture with green, organic?and?pollution-free as standards, cultural tourism featuring ethnic?and?mountainous? characteristics,?and?new construction?and?building materials industry which focuses on energy saving, environmental protection?and?low-carbon emission. Guizhou looks forward to substantive cooperation with the US in the above fields.
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Gong Pixiang, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of Jiangsu Provincial People's Congress
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This Forum is of rich content?and?plentiful highlights. It is a need of times to? strengthen cooperation between Chinese provinces?and?US states of the Yangtze River?and?Mississippi River Basins, which may achieve demonstration effect?and?inject new driving force into the China-US subnational cooperation. Jiangsu Province has taken one seventh of total China-US trade volume for many consecutive years?and?has been playing a leading role in China-US subnational cooperation. It is our hope to further strengthen trade?and?investment with the US, especially in the fields of scientific?and?technological innovation, infrastructure construction, so as to achieve mutually beneficial?and?win-win development.
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Zhu Hong, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of Jiangxi Provincial People's Congress
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China-US Subnational Legislatures Cooperation Forum is an innovative exchange mechanism. This Forum is of high standards?and?rich contents which has achieved great resonances?and?favorable effects. Legislative leaders, experts?and?business representatives from both countries have extensive communication. It has demonstrated the great importance of legislation?and?rule by law to infrastructure construction, data innovation?and?regional cooperation,?and?featured the needs of times. Jiangxi Province hopes to carry out substantive cooperation with the US in five fields that are new manufacturing economy, new service economy, green economy, smart economy?and?sharing economy.
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Liu Liwei, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of Zhejiang Provincial People's Congress
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The Standing Committee of Zhejiang Provincial People's Congress serves the province’s economic?and?social development?and?attaches great importance to deepening multi-layer pragmatic cooperation with other countries?and?plays a bridging role for the “going-out” enterprises of Zhejiang province. At present, Zhejiang is making great efforts to foster?and?develop eight-trillion-yuan-worth industries including information, environmental protection, health, tourism, fashion, finance?and?high-end equipment manufacturing. Through the cooperation with the US, Zhejiang hopes to promote import volume of mechatronic high-tech products, develop cross-border electronic commerce,?and?continue bringing in excellent US-funded companies especially those in World top 500.
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Chu Yaping, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of Henan Provincial People's Congress
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U.S. Trade?and?Investment Promotion?and?One-on-One Meetings between US States?and?Chinese Provinces are the most important highlights of this Forum. US state legislative leaders answered questions raised by Chinese enterprises from the legislative perspectives?and?meanwhile they learned the Chinese demands in the cooperation with the US. In addition, this Forum created a great opportunity for exchanges of sister-city programs between China?and?the United States. Both subnational governments could strengthen existing sister province-state?or?city relationship, meanwhile establish new connections?and?expand communication channels. In the future, Henan Province hopes to strengthen the cooperation with the US in the fields of economy?and?trade, air logistics, science?and?technology innovation, high-end manufacturing, education?and?infrastructure.
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Wang Jianming, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of Hubei Provincial People's Congress
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The Standing Committee of Hubei Provincial People's Congress has been attaching great significance to foreign exchanges?and?established friendly relations with subnational legislatures of many countries?and?regions. It serves as a bridge for Hubei Province’s international cooperation in various fields?and?contributes to the local economic?and?social development. Concrete experiences learned from other countries in legislation?and?operations has also benefited its own work. As one of the hosts of this Forum, we hope that all participants can take the opportunity of this Forum to put joint efforts in key ares?and?programs?and?achieve complementary advantages by utilizing diverse forms of cooperation?and?bilateral?and?multilateral channels. Hubei looks forward to expanding the cooperation with the US in automobiles?and?auto-part manufacturing, environmental protection, agricultural technology, biotechnology?and?new energy.
The Second US-China Subnational Legislatures Cooperation Forum Opening in Wuhan
The Second US-China Subnational Legislatures Cooperation Forum was opened in Wuhan, Hubei Province, on September 25 with the joint hosts of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), State Legislative Leaders Foundation (SLLF)?and?the Standing Committee of Hubei Provincial People’s Congress.??
The VIP guests attending the opening ceremony included Vice Chairman Arken Imirbaki of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Jiang Chaoliang, secretary of the CPC Hubei Provincial Committee?and?chairman of the Standing Committee of Hubei Provincial People’s Congress,? CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin, SLLF President Stephen G. Lakis, as well as leaders from Standing Committees of eight Chinese Municipal?and?Provincial People’s Congress,?and?16 legislative leaders from 12 states of the United States. Nearly 300 representatives from various sectors were present at the opening ceremony.
Vice Chairman Arken Imirbaki pointed out in his speech that, China?and?the United States shoulder significant responsibilities in maintaining the world peace?and?stability, as well as promoting global development?and?prosperity, while they also share wide-ranging common interests. The China-US subnational legislatures exchange mechanism has provided a good platform for both sides to strengthen dialogues, enhance mutual understanding?and?advance cooperation. He hoped that more subnational legislators from both countries would participate in this mechanism?and?share their experiences, in order to?create?a better law environment for the pragmatic cooperation in all fields between our two countries,?and?continuously deepen our friendly cooperation at subnational level.???????
Party Secretary Jiang Chaoliang extended his welcome on behalf of Hubei Province to all guests from home?and?abroad. He remarked that with distinctive characteristics of the times, the theme of the forum is in line with the fundamental interests of our two peoples,?and?hoped that the subnational legislatures from both countries would take this forum as an opportunity to implement in-depth exchanges, enhance mutual understanding?and?trust. He also aspired that Hubei Province would boost more pragmatic cooperation with different US states in broader sectors?and?higher levels, thus achieving mutual development.????
President Li Xaiolin shared her views in her speech that the China-US relationship is the most dynamic?and?important bilateral relationship in the world. The subnational exchanges?and?cooperation including the legislative collaboration serve as important foundation for the development of the bilateral relationship. This forum will provide a platform for Chinese?and?American legislators to share views?and?form new ideas for subnational cooperation through the channel of legislation.??
President Lakis held that the forum is an important platform for closer subnational exchanges between the two countries?and?that the SLLF remains committed to working together with CPAFFC to promote the US-China subnational legislative cooperation?and?contributing to the US-China relationship.
Themed on “For Closer Ties?and?Cooperation”, the representatives of the Second US-China Subnational Legislatures Cooperation Forum will carry out in-depth discussions on the topic of Bridging US?and?China through Infrastructure Cooperation, Big Data Technology?and?Technological Innovation,?and?Mississippi-Yangtze River Cooperation.
The US-China Subnational Legislatures Cooperation Forum was established in December 2015 as one of the results of President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the United States in September 2015. The forum aims at utilizing subnational legislatures to pragmatic cooperation between Chinese provinces?and?American states?and?to promote the healthy development of China-US relations at large. The first forum on the theme of Tourism Cooperation was held in Honolulu City of Hawaii State in the United States from June 25 to 26.???
Wang Zhengwei, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Attended the Opening Ceremony of "Tang Xianzu Drama Festival & International Drama Exchange Month"
On the evening of September 24th, the Tang Xianzu Drama Festival & International Drama Exchange Month saw a grand opening in the city of Fuzhou, Jinagxi province, which was organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, China Dramatists Association?and?Jiangxi Provincial People's Government. Wang Zhengwei, vice chairman of the CPPCC, Yao Zengke, deputy secretary of the Jiangxi Provincial Committee of the CPC, Hu Sishe, vice president of the CPAFFC, Gu Liqun, deputy secretary of the Party Committee of the Chinese Dramatists Association, Xiao Yi, secretary of the Fuzhou Municipal Party Committee, Gahru, Minister Counselor of the Spanish Embassy to China?and?Karen Maddocks, British Consul General in Guangzhou attended the opening ceremony. Besides, British ambassador to China Barbara Woodward sent a special video address. Abdullah Miguel, Ambassador of the Republic of Djibouti to China, Consul Generals of Singapore, Thailand?and?Philippines in Xiamen, delegations of foreign sister cities from Shakespeare's hometown of British Stratford District, Cervantes' hometown of Arkara city in Spain?and?Lusaka Province in Zambia as well as Chinese?and?foreign scholars engaged in the study of Tang Xianzu, Shakespeare?and?Cervantes. Representatives of social organizations?and?delegates from all walks of life also attended the opening ceremony.
?Wang Zhengwei, vice chairman of the CPPCC, remarked that Tang Xianzu is a great litterateur, dramatist?and?thinker in the Ming Dynasty, whose representative works are collectively known as the "Four Dreams of Linchuan", including The Peony Pavilion, The Purple Hairpin, Nanke Dream?and?Handan Dream. Particularly, The Peony Pavilion plays an overriding role in the history of Chinese?and?world literature. The “Four Dreams of Linchuan” is the mainstay of its era?and?a milestone with far-reaching implications on the development of the Chinese theatrical art,?and?it is thus hailed as a classic in China's theatrical?and?literary history. Four centuries later today, the artistic charm of Tang Xianzu's plays is still able to transcend time?and?nourish our souls. With the increasingly frequent?and?depended international cultural exchanges, Tang Xianzu's theatrical artistic achievements have evolved into a "common culture", shared by the whole world. The reason why we held such events to celebrate the Tang Xianzu Drama Festival & International Drama Exchange Month in Fuzhou?and?invited Chinese?and?foreign theatrical artists from around the world to convene here is that we not only pay a tribute to the classic theatrical master Tang Xianzu?and?his "Four Dreams of Linchuan", but also built a favorable platform for the exchanges between Chinese?and?foreign theatrical cultures.
Hu Sishe, vice president of the CPAFFC, noted in his speech that in 2014, President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the College of Europe?and?proposed to build a bridge of common prosperity among civilizations, in an effort to connect the two great civilizations of China?and?Europe?and?let the flowers of varying human civilizations bloom. On October 21, 2015, President Xi Jinping delivered another speech at the City Hall of London Corporation, saying that Tang Xianzu?and?Shakespeare were contemporaries?and?both died in 1616; next year would mark the 400th anniversary of their deaths, so China?and?Britain could jointly commemorate these two literary giants, in order to promote exchanges between our two peoples?and?deepen mutual understanding. To that end, in April 2016, the CPAFFC?and?the Jiangxi Provincial People's Government successfully held a symposium themed "Jointly Commemorating the 400th Anniversary of the Death of Shakespeare?and?Tang Xianzu" in the UK, bringing these two masters together through "time?and?space". In September of the same year, they also jointly organized such an event "Jointly Commemorating the 400th Anniversary of the Death of Tang Xianzu, Shakespeare?and?Cervantes", which stirred up vehement social repercussions?and?was the first time to commemorate such three world literary masters together. It is of great significance for us today to gather here again in Fuzhou?and?celebrate the Tang Xianzu Drama Festival & International Drama Exchange Month; together we rambled?and?enjoy ourselves in Tang Xianzu's "Four Dreams of Linchuan", sapping the distinctive glamor of Chinese theatrical cultures.
Ambassador Barbara Woodward said in her video address that when President Xi Jinping paid a historic visit to the UK in late October 2015, the leaders of the two countries reached a consensus, thus ushering in the golden age for the China-British relations. It was in this visit that President Xi Jinping proposed Britain?and?China jointly commemorate the 400th anniversary of the death of Tang Xianzu?and?Shakespeare, two world literary giants. In 2016, our two countries hosted a host of commemorative events in Fuzhou, Shanghai, Stratford?and?among other cities, which further propelled the exchanges between our two peoples?and?deepened our mutual understanding. I wish this year's events themed Chinese?and?foreign theatrical exchanges a complete success!
With the conclusion of the opening ceremony, grand theatrical performances?and?interactive parades were held, with tens of thousands of audiences actively participating, which was spectacular. More than 20 state media outlets, over 30 foreign ones?and?20 more provincial ones made their reports. The most mesmerizing?and?phenomenal performances were live broadcast to audiences both at home?and?abroad via ten media such as the People Live, Xinhua News Agency Live Cloud, Phoenix News?and?Today's Headlines?and?other live streaming platforms.
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The event was hosted by the Fuzhou Municipal People's Government, the Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Department, the Jiangxi Provincial Foreign Affairs?and?Overseas Chinese Affairs Office?and?the Jiangxi Dramatists Association, which would last until the mid-to-end of November. The event mainly included: Tang Xianzu Drama Festival & International Drama Exchange Month?and?Drama Fiesta , The 2nd International Forum on Cultural Heritage?and?Innovation, International Theatrical Exchanges?and?Performances (UK TNT Troupe, the National Theatre of Albania, Japan Shiki Theater Company?and?other nine foreign troupes as well as China National Peking Opera Company, Zhejiang Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe, Jiangxi Gan Opera Theater?and?other ten domestic theaters), serial public cultural activities (Recitation Competition of Tang Xianzu's Poetry, Opera Broadcast Gymnastics Competition, Dramas into Schools, Shows Themed Fuzhou's Intangible Cultural Heritages, Competitions of Classic Arias in Tang Xianzu's Operas?and?Selection the Most Beautiful Du Liniang?and?Liu Mengmei among public cultural events), all of which aimed to bolster cultural exchanges between China?and?foreign countries, make the Chinese story?and?our friendly voices well heard across the world.
China Netherlands Friendship Cities Conference Takes Place In Hague
On September 18?and?19, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC)?and?Vereniging Nederland-China (VNC) co-hosted China Netherlands Friendship Cities Conference in Hague. The theme of the conference is Wide consultation, joint contribution?and?shared benefits: The All-Round Local Cooperation between The Netherlands?and?China in the Framework of the Belt?and?Road Initiative. About 300 representatives from local government, institutes?and?enterprises of both sides attended the conference.
This year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between The Netherlands?and?China, 40th anniversary of VNC?and?10th anniversary of the Province of Zuid-Holland?and?Hebei. On such occasion, the conference gained great support from Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vereniging van Nederlandse Gemeenten (VNG), Zuid-Holland, Hague Municipal Government?and?Chinese Embassy.?
King’s Commissioner in Zuid-Holland, Governor Jaap Smit delivered a welcome speech. Vice President Song Jingwu of CPAFFC, Secretary General Ms. Yoka Brandt of Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Wu Ken from Chinese Embassy?and?Madame Wuyunqimuge, Former Vice Chairwoman of standing committee of NPC delivered opening speeches.
The local authorities from both sides joined the interactive panels to discuss the past, present?and?future of government cooperation,?and?new measures to promote new provincial?and?municipal relation as well as a new foundation for local cultural?and?economic cooperation.
The conference approached topics on sustainable urbanization, agriculture?and?food safety, going global, life science?and?health, education?and?cultural differences with six parallel sessions.
President Hank Cool of VNC?and?Vice President Song Jingwu delivered closing speeches, followed by a banquet in Hague museum.
The second day fell on Prince Day celebration parade, King?and?Queen of Netherlands with a royal procession moved from Noordeinde Palace to the Ridderzaal in Hague,?and?delivered speech to all citizens. Invited to?join?the celebration, the attendances of conferences afterwards visited Dutch enterprises.
By far there are 29 pairs of friendly cities between China the Netherlands.
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Governor of Illinois of the United States Visits China
At the invitation of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), a 12-person delegation led by Governor Bruce Rauner of Illinois of the United States visited China from September 14 to 17, 2017.
Xu Kuangdi, president of China-US People’s Friendship Association?and?vice chairman of the 10th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Che Jun, party secretary of Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, Zhang Endi, vice chairman of Shanghai Municipal CPPCC?and?Zou Xiaodong, secretary of the Party Committee of Zhejiang University, met with the delegation respectively in China.
The delegation also visited Zhejiang University, met with representatives of Bank of China, Wanxiang Group, Caterpillar etc.; signed an MOU between Wanxiang Group Corporation?and?the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois; attended China-US Investment Cooperation Symposium co-hosted by CPAFFC?and?China Investment Corporation,?having?a group discussion with more than 40 Chinese institutions?and?companies from fields of finance, agriculture, food processing, medical?and?health care, energy, manufacture, logistic?and?retail etc.
Governor Rauner said that this fruitful visit to China was his first official visit to foreign countries since he took office. Illinois would?like?to deepen the exchanges?and?cooperation with China in economy, trade?and?education, strengthen friendship?and?achieve mutual development.
Heinz Fischer, President of Austria-China Friendship Association and Former Austrian President Visits China
At the invitation of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Mr. Heinz Fischer, President of Austria-China Friendship Association (ACFA)?and?former President of the Republic of Austria, led a delegation to visit China from September 7th to 17.
Mr. Li Yuanchao, Vice President of People’s Republic of China (PRC), met in Beijing with Heinz Fischer on September 7th. Vice President Li Yuanchao said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China?and?Austria 46 years ago, the bilateral ties had developed well?and?the cooperation between the two countries in the fields of economy, trade?and?humanity had achieved remarkable results. The Chinese side spoke highly of the active support Austria side had given for the construction of The Belt?and?Road?and?the cooperation between China?and?Europe. The Chinese side also hoped that both sides should expand pragmatic cooperation, deepen the friendship of the two peoples?and?push bilateral relations for improvement with the spirit of mutual respect, equal treatment?and?win-win cooperation.
Heinz Fischer said that Austria paid more attention to the relations with China?and?was happy to see the prosperity of Chinese development. He is willing to strengthen the cooperation of the two countries in the fields of politics, economy, trade, culture, winter sports?and?etc..
On September 9th, during their meeting, President Li Xiaolin spoke highly of the Heinz Fischer for insisting on attaching great importance to the relations with China?and?expressed her willingness to work together with Austria-China Friendship Association to promote the development of the cause of the people-to-people friendship between China?and?Austria. The delegation also visited Sichuan Province, Chongqing Municipality?and?Shanghai,and attended China-Austria Enterprises Cooperation Fair in Jieyang, Guangdong Province. Mr. Mitterlehner, former Deputy Prime Minister of Austria?and?Minister of Economy Ministry, Mr. Commenda, Chief of Staff of Austrian army, accompanied with the delegation.