CPAFFC Vice President Song Jingwu Meets with Japan-China Economic Association Guests
On July 14th, Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met in Beijing with Mr. IWAO OKAMOTO, the former President?and?Consultant of Japan-China Economic Association (JCEA),?and?Mr. TADASHI IZAWA, Newly-appointed President of JCEA.
Vice President Song Jingwu spoke highly of the efforts JCEA had made for many years on pushing the bilateral ties in economy?and?trade for improvement?and?maintaining the healthy?and?stable development relations. Vice President Song said, this year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations, next year will mark the 40th anniversary of the Conclusion of A Treaty of Peace?and?Friendship. The bilateral relations would confront with important opportunities to further improvement?and?development. Therefore, CPAFFC?and?CJFA (China?and?Japan Friendship Association) are willing to work with JCEA to catch the opportunities to deepen the exchanges?and?cooperation of the two countries in economy?and?trade , enhance the mutual understanding?and?friendship among the two peoples, so as to commonly improve the cause of Sino-Japanese friendship.
IWAO OKAMOTO expressed that JCEA would engage in the development of the cause of Sino-Japanese friendship as before.
He will continue to make efforts on promoting the bilateral relations in the future. New President TADASHI IZAWA said, he would?like?to inherit the fine tradition of JCEA?and?actively develop the exchanges?and?cooperation in economy?and?trade between China?and?Japan as well as make his contributions to improve the bilateral relations.
CJFA President Tang Jiaxuan Meets with Japanese Kansai Economic Federation Delegation
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Mr. Tang Jiaxuan, President of China-Japan Friendship Association (CJFA) met in Beijing with Japanese Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren) delegation led by Mr. MATSUSHITA MASAYUKI, Vice President of Kankeiren?and?Vice President of Panasonic on July 13. Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Mr. Yuan Mindao, Director-General of Department of Japanese Affairs of CPAFFC, attended the meeting.
President Tang welcomed Kankeiren delegation to China?and?spoke highly of the valuable contributions it had made as one of the most important economic organizations in Kansai region to working for the cause of Sino-Japanese friendship, promoting the exchanges?and?cooperation of the two countries in economy?and?trade as well as maintaining healthy?and?stable development of bilateral relations for many years. President Tang said, the cooperation in economy?and?trade between China?and?Japan will face new opportunities with the current bilateral relations being improved increasingly. Chinese President Xi Jinping met at request in G20 Hamburg Summit with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan. Both sides reached consensus on developing Sino-Japanese relations. Prime Minister Abe also expressed the willingness to develop cooperation with China within the “Belt?and?Road” framework?and?expected Japanese economic circles including Kankeiren to catch the opportunities to actively take part in the construction of the “Belt?and?Road” , so as to make? contributions to further deepening the exchanges?and?cooperation in economy, trade,?and?push the bilateral relations for improvement.
Vice President MATSUSHITA MASAYUKI said, Kankeiren attaches great importance to the exchanges?and?cooperation in economy?and?trade with China. Since 2015, Kankeiren had held Japan?and?China entrepreneurs exchange conferences with CJFA for 3 consecutive years,?and?yesterday the third entrepreneur conference was held in Shanghai successfully. The entrepreneurs from the two countries held a pragmatic discussion on the topics of health?and?beauty, city travel?and?etc., which achieved good results. There is a long?and?deep historic origin between Kansai region?and?China, which also have close economic contact. Therefore, Kansai economic circle will continue to carry forward the tradition, develop various? activities of friendly exchanges with China, actively support the construction of the “Belt?and?Road”, increasingly deepen the exchange?and?cooperation of the two countries in economy?and?trade, so as to improve the bilateral relations.
2017 BRICS Friendship Cities and Local Governments Cooperation Forum Successfully Held
On July 12th , hosted by CPAFFC, CIFCA?and?Chengdu Municipal People’s Government, undertaken by Chengdu Foreign Affairs Office, 2017 BRICS Friendship Cities?and?Local Governments Cooperation Forum was successfully held in Chengdu. Mr. Wang Jiarui, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC, Madame Li Xiaolin, President of CPAFFC?and?CIFCA, Mr. Deng Chuan, Vice Chairman of the Sichuan Committee of CPPCC, Mr. Luo Qiang, Mayor of Chengdu, Mr. Tang Chuanping, Chairman of CPPCC Chengdu Committee, Mr. Des Van Rooyen, Minister of Cooperative Governance?and?Traditional Affairs of South Africa, Mr. Luciano Nunes Santos Filho, President of UNALE, Mr. Shipilov Aleksei, First?Deputy?Governor?of?Khanty-Mansiysk?Autonomus Okrug-Ugra of Russia, Madam I Kundan, Additional Municipal Commissioner of Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai of India, etc. attended the forum?and?delivered speeches respectively.
Mr. Wang Jiarui pointed out that the Communist Party of China?and?Chinese government attach great importance to the cooperation among local governments, especially friendship cities of BRICS countries. On July 7th, President Xi Jinping presided over the BRICS Leaders’ Informal Meeting on the margins of the G20 Summit in Hamburg, reaffirming China’s intention?and?unchanging stand of highly valuing its cooperation with BRICS countries. The overall situation of the present world is still complicated?and?fraught with uncertainty. Developing countries have a common goal of national stability?and?people’s happiness. China has always been adhering to the principle of friendship with foreign countries. We hope that on the basis of mutual understanding, the BRICS countries will uphold the concept of openness, inclusiveness, mutual benefit?and?cooperation,?and?achieve higher cooperation at the Xiamen Summit in September.
Madam Li Xiaolin said that, with the increasingly close ties among BRICS countries, the BRICS Friendship Cities?and?Local Governments Cooperation Forum has become an important content of BRICS cooperation. Being responsible for the coordination?and?management of Chinese friendship cities, CPAFFC?and?CIFCA have worked together with friendly organizations?and?personnel from BRICS countries?and?made gratifying accomplishments in cooperation at the local?and?regional level. As a representative of emerging countries in transition, the BRICS countries have already formed a community of common destiny. There still leaves great space?and?potential for the development of friendship cities among the five countries. The forum is expected to serve as a bridge of exchange?and?mutual learning for cities?and?local governments of BRICS countries to seize opportunities?and?meet changes together.
About 200 delegates, including around 100 ministers, state governors, mayors, heads of local organizations from the four other BRICS countries,?and?over 100 Chinese local leaders?and?representatives, experts?and?scholars, as well as entrepreneurs from 17 provinces, municipalities?and?autonomous regions attended the forum.
As one of the series of activities of the BRICS Xiamen Summit, the forum is concentrated on the theme of “Interconnected Development, Joint Innovation?and?Shared Benefits”. Top Talk among leaders of provinces?and?cities, as well as theme forums on “Urban Internationalization: Opportunity?and?Challenge”?and?“Education Exchange: Mechanism Innovation?and?Resource Sharing” were held. Also, the “Chengdu Initiative” was issued.
The BRICS Friendship Cities?and?Local Governments Cooperation Forum was a mechanism aimed to promote exchanges?and?cooperation at the local?and?regional level among BRICS countries, initiated by CPAFFC?and?CIFCA when China held the BRICS Presidency in 2011. It is held every year by the BRICS Presidency?and?embraces its second time to be held by China this year.
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CJFA President Tang Jiaxuan Meets with Japanese Guests
Mr. Tang Jiaxuan, President of China-Japan Friendship Association (CJFA), met in Beijing with congresswoman delegation from Japanese ruling party which was led by Mme. NODA SEIKO, member of House of Representatives?and?former Secretary General of the Liberal Democratic Party on July 12th. Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Mr. KOICHI ITO, Minister of Japanese Embassy in China, attended the meeting.
President Tang expressed that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China?and?Japan diplomatic relations. Next year will mark the 40th anniversary of the Conclusion of the Treaty of Peace?and?Friendship between China?and?Japan. Therefore, the bilateral relations are facing the important opportunities to improve. Recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping held a meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan during the G20 Hamburg Summit?and?pointed out the general direction of the development of the two countries in the current time?and?in the future. Both sides should earnestly implement the consensus reached by two heads of states, properly handle relevant sensitive issues, steadily push forward the exchange?and?cooperation in various fields?and?make practical efforts to the improvement of bilateral ties.
NODA SEIKO said, it is in line with the basic interests of the two peoples?and?also benefits to the prosperity?and?stability of Asia?and?the whole world to develop the friendly bilateral? relations. Japanese side would?like?to further strengthen the exchange?and?cooperation with Chinese side in future. She will actively improve the bilateral relations from the female politician’s perspective?and?power.
The South Africa-China Local Government Dialogue Successfully Held
On July 11, the South Africa-China Local Government Dialogue, which was co-hosted by the CPAFFC, Department of Cooperative Governance?and?Traditional Affairs (COGTA) of South Africa?and?Chengdu Municipal Government, was successfully held in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Mme. Lin Yi, Vice President of the CPAFFC, Hon. Des Van Rooyen, Minister of COGTA, Mme. Liu Xiaoliu, Vice Mayor of Chengdu Municipal Government?and?nearly 100 local government representatives from both countries attended the Dialogue.
In her remarks, Mme. Lin Yi hoped that through this Dialogue, local governments of China?and?South Africa can focus on the construction of 'Belt?and?Road', communicate ideas of cooperation, discuss?and?explore the areas of cooperation, so as to make the 'Belt?and?Road' provide a new platform for local government cooperation between the two countries?and?bring more real benefits to the two peoples.
Minister Van Rooyen said that South Africa gives firm support to the resolutions of the FOCAC Johannesburg Summit. He expects the Dialogue can enhance pragmatic cooperation between South African?and?Chinese cities?and?advance their joint efforts to address the challenges?and?opportunities,?and?facilitate the sharing of experience in urban governance?and?the establishment of friendship cities between the two countries as well.
The theme of this Dialogue is 'Promote OUR Belt & Road through Local Cooperation'. Local government representatives?and?entrepreneurs from Shandong, Henan, Chongqing, Xiamen?and?Chengdu held in-depth discussions with South African delegates from South Africa Local Government Association, Limpopo?and?KwaZulu-Natal provinces on topics of Local Industrial Matchmaking?and?Industrial Capacity Cooperation?and?Youth Employment?and?Vocational Training. This Dialogue was moderated by Dr. He Wenping, Chief Senior Researcher, Institute of West-Asian?and?African Studies (IWAAS) of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
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Vice President Lin Yi Meets with the President of Morocco-China Friendship & Exchanges Association
On July 10th, the CPAFFC Vice President Lin Yi met with Dr. Mohamed Khalil, President of Morocco-China Friendship?and?Exchanges Association (MCFEA), one of the winners of China-Arab Friendship Outstanding Contribution Awards. Mr. Abdelmalek Lakehayli, Vice-President of Casablanca?and?Mr. Mohamed Ouaoua, Deputy Chief of Mission?and?Minister of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in China attended the meeting.
Vice President Lin Yi welcomed President Khalil to visit the association?and?said the CPAFFC would?like?to strength the communication with the MCFEA?and?the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in China to promote the friendship exchanges in all areas including local governments, culture, tourism?and?young people between the two countries.
President Khalil thanked Vice President Lin Yi for meeting with him?and?said the MCFEA would?like?to strength the exchanges?and?cooperation with the CPAFFC. Next year will be the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Morocco?and?China?and?he hopes to take it as an opportunity to make joint efforts to promote Sino-Moroccan people-to-people friendly relations to a new level.
The Fifth Chinese-German U-16 Football Friendship Tournament Held Successfully in Germany
Jointly organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC)?and?German-Chinese Friendship Association in Mannheim/Rhein-Neckar, Germany, the Fifth Chinese-German U-16 Football Friendship Tournament was successfully held in Mannheim?and?Worms, Germany from 1. July to 2. July 2017. Leading by vice resident of CPAFFC Mr. Song Jingwu ,the Chinese delegation attended the Tournament. Four Chinese teams including Muslim Middle School Shenyang, Second Middle School Xiamen, FC Yanbian Fude?and?Qingdao Huangdao District?and?six German teams including FC Walderhof Mannheim, FC Womatia Worms, FA Baden?select?and Bergstrasse Select, etc. competed in the field.
Eventually the U-16 team from FC Walderhof Mannheim won the championship of the Tournament. Xiamen Second Middle School was the only Chinese team entering the semi-finals of the Tournament, who was edged out with a final score of 0:1 by his German rival.
?Peter Kurz, Mayer of Mannheim, Klaus Schlappner, the first foreign Chief Coach of the Chinese national football team, Ronny Zimmermann, Vice President of German Football Association etc. as well as the Chinese delegation attended?and?co-watched the games?and?the prize-presentation ceremony.
The Tournament was initiated by Felix Kurz, President of German-Chinese Friendship Association in Mannheim/Rhein-Neckar, Klaus Schlappner?and?Norbert Egger, the former Vice Mayer of Mannheim, aiming to promote the Chinese-German Football exchange in youth?and?to?create?a communication Platform for youth in both countries, which has been held successfully for five times since 2012. According to incomplete statistics, near a thousand youth from over 20 schools in more than 40 cities both in China?and?in Germany have taken part in this Tournament.
Exhibition of “Memories from China. David Iancu, Bucur and Gisela Clejan” Held in Romania
On June 30, the Exhibition of “Memories from China: David Iancu, Bucur?and?Gisela Clejan” was held in Romania by CPAFFC, China-Romania Friendship Association, Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Shanghai Soong Ching-Ling Mausoleum, Chinese Embassy in Romania, Romanian-Chinese House. CPAFFC Vice President Song Jingwu, Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong, Vice President of Romanian-Chinese House Ambassador Ioan Donca, Procurator General of Romania Augustin Laz?r, State Secretary of Ministry of Culture of Romania Alexandru Oprean attended the opening ceremony.
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Vice President Song Jingwu Giving a Speech
Vice President Song Jingwu said in the opening remarks that this exhibition aimed to promote the internationalism of the Romanian doctors, to deepen the traditional friendship between the two peoples?and?to enhance win-win cooperation between China?and?Romania in the new era.
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Chinese Ambassador to Romania Giving a Speech
Romanian guests all spoke highly of the exhibition in the speeches. State Secretary Alexandru Oprean said that the exhibition evoked the common values?and?view of history of the two peoples?and?was a significant program for promotion of world peace.
About 150 Chinese?and?Romanian guests from all walks of life attended the opening ceremony,?and?the story was covered by Romanian mainstream media, including an interview of Vice President Song Jingwu by National Television of Romania.
David Iancu, Bucur?and?Gisela Clejan came to China with the International Medical Corps during Chinese People’s war against Japanese aggression?and?made tremendous contribution. Gisela Clejan sacrificed her life in China due to severe injuries. The three heroes of internationalism have become the symbolic figures of the friendship between China?and?Romania.
State Secretary of Ministry of Culture of Romania Giving a Speech
Vice President of Romanian-Chinese House Giving a Speech
?Participants of the Opening Ceremony
Vice President Song Jingwu Giving an Interview
Vice President Lin Yi Meets with New Ambassador of Tunisia to China
On June 27th, the CPAFFC Vice President Lin Yi met with H.E. Mr. Dhia Khaled, New Ambassador of Tunisia to China.
Vice President Lin Yi welcomed Ambassador Khaled to take his new post in China?and?introduced the cooperation between the CPAFFC?and?Arab Countries during the recent years. She said the CPAFFC is willing to strengthen its ties with the embassy to promote bilateral friendship exchanges in various fields of culture, tourism?and?etc.
H.E. Mr.Khaled thanked Madam Lin for the meeting?and?said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China?and?Tunisia, bilateral friendship relations?and?cooperation between the two countries had developed smoothly. The Tunisian society is stable at present?and?it is willing to continuously strengthen its cooperation with China. Tunisia supports “The Belt?and?Road” initiative proposed by China?and?welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in Tunisia?and?take advantages of excellent geographical location?and?convenient trade environment of Tunisia to develop the markets in Europe, Africa?and?Arab Countries. The embassy regards the CPAFFC as an important partner?and?hopes to work closely with the CPAFFC to promote the friendship exchanges between Chinese and Tunisian peoples through joint efforts.
A Reception to Celebrate 45th Anniversary of Establishment of China- Guyana Diplomatic Relations Held in Beijing
On June 27th, a reception to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China- Guyana diplomatic relations was held in Beijing. Around 200 personages including Mr. Ma Peihua, Vice Chairman of National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)?and?President of China-Latin America?and?Caribbean Friendship Association (CLACFA), Mr. Hu Sishe, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Mr. Bayney Karran, Ambassador of Guyana Embassy in China?and?some of other Ambassadors to China, attended the reception. Before the reception, Vice Chairman Ma Peihua had a brief meeting with Ambassador Karran.
Vice President Hu Sishe said in his speech that, Guyana is the first English-speaking country in Caribbean to establish diplomatic relations with China. The peoples of the two countries enjoy profound friendship. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China-Guyana diplomatic relations, which is also the 45th year to deepen the friendship?and?win-win cooperation. He hoped that both sides should take this year as an opportunity to further push bilateral relations for improvement?and?carry forward the traditional friendship of the two countries.
Mr. Carl Greenidge, the second Guyana Vice President and? Foreign Minister, sent congratulatory video to the reception. He said, the development of Guyana is inseparable from the support?and?assistance from China. The cooperation in various fields between China?and?Guyana is pragmatic?and?effective. Both sides also keep good relationship in international affairs. He hoped that the bilateral relations would achieve greater development in next 45 year.
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