China-U.S. Internet Eco Innovation Forum Held in Beijing
On the morning of August 2, the China-U.S. Internet Eco Innovation Forum, hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC)?and?sponsored by U.S. Sino Friendship Association, Internet Eco Research Institute, Le Holdings (Beijing) Co. Ltd was held at the Great Hall of the People. Officials from China?and?the U.S., including Zhou Wenzhong, vice chairman of Committee of Foreign Affairs of the CPPCC, vice president of the China-U.S. People’s Friendship Association, former vice minister of Foreign Affairs, former Chinese Ambassador to the U.S., President Li Xiaolin of CPAFFC, Vice President Xie Yuan of CPAFFC, Zheng Xinli, former deputy director of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee, John Chiang, California State Treasurer?and?the Western U.S. Local Officials’ Delegation, as well as business leaders?and?experts on Internet industry, represented by Liu Hong, co-founder of vice chairman of Le Holdings (Beijing) Co. Ltd participated at the conference,?and?discussed about the new opportunities brought by Internet Eco Innovation, to bilateral economies?and?the global economy.?
Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong said that as the most developed countries on Internet application, China?and?the U.S. are major driving forces behind Internet technology advance. Cooperation between the enterprises of the two countries in this area will bring strong impetus to both economies,?and?vitality to the global economic development?and?technological innovation.?
CPAFFC Vice President Xie Yuan said that this Forum is the first one to incorporate the factor of Internet Eco Innovation into China-U.S. cooperation framework. It is aimed to provide a platform for the local governments, colleges?and?enterprises for exchange?and?cooperation,?and?for Internet practitioners to have comprehensive eco experience.?
During the Forum, the attendees had an in-depth discussion on the topics of “Internet Eco-business Ushered in a New Model of China-U.S. Boundary-breaking Innovation”?and?“Practice?and?Responsibility of China-U.S. Internet Eco Innovation”. The two sides agreed that Internet Eco Innovation will bring new cooperation opportunities?and?models for the two countries,?and?deepen their ties in the areas of Internet, electronic vehicles,?and?cultural creativity. ?
2016 China Africa Youth Gala Opens in Guangdong
The 2016 China Africa Youth Gala, hosted by the CPAFFC, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?and?the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League?and?organized by the Guangdong People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, Communist Youth League Committee of Guangdong Province?and?Guangdong Youth Federation, was inaugurated in Guangzhou on August 2, 2016. H.E. Mr. He Zhongyou, Vice governor of Guangdong Province, Mme. Lin Yi, Vice President of the CPAFFC?and?H.E. Mr. Victor Sikonina, Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps?and?Ambassador of Madagascar to China attended?and?addressed the opening ceremony.
The Gala aims to implement the Follow-up Actions of the FOCAC Johannesburg Summit in South Africa last December of enhancing China-Africa youth exchanges?and?hosting the China Africa Youth Gala in different countries in turn. During the four-day event, nearly 200 youth representatives from all walks of life from 18 African countries will carry out exchanges with their Guangdong counterparts in economy?and?trade, culture?and?social services.
During the Gala, a China Africa Startup Forum with the theme of "Young Start-ups?create?the Future"?and?a youth volunteer symposium will be held. The African youth will also visit the community administrative service center?and?high-tech enterprises in Shenzhen?like?Huawei, enjoy the lion dance?and?martial arts performances,?and?hold a gala with the Chinese youth. In this way, they will be able to learn about Guangdong?and?China from different perspectives?and?thus enhance China-Africa traditional friendship.
President Tang Jiaxuan Meets with Japan Association of Corporate Executives Delegation
Mr. Tang Jiaxuan, President of China?and?Japan Friendship Association (CJFA), met in Beijing with Japan Association of Corporate Executives (JACE) delegation led by Mr. KOBAYASHI YOSHIMITS,Chairman of JACE?and?Chairman of the Board of Mitsubishi Chemical Holding Group on August 1st. The both sides exchanged views on China-Japan relations, Chinese economic situation, economy?and?trade cooperation of the two countries.
President Tang extended his welcome to Chairman KOBAYASHI YOSHIMITSU for visiting China?and?congratulated on the 70th anniversary of the founding of JACE. He positively evaluated that JACE made important contributions to improving the bilateral relations for a long time?and?encouraged the Japanese economy industry to develop its technology?and?experience advantages, set a new growth point ?of the economy?and?trade cooperation of the two countries,?create?a new situation of the win-win cooperation between China?and?Japan,?and?enhance the regional cooperation?and?prosperity of the East Asia.
KOBAYASHI YOSHIMITSU said that since JACE founded ?70 years ago, it had been positively engaging in the exchange?and?cooperation of the two countries. He expressed that they have confidence in the Chinese economy. The visiting to China this time was to put emphasis on studying the sectors of Chinese IT, internet, virtual economy?and?etc.. They also planned to have an in-depth discussion with Chinese professional personages?and?relevant institutions to expect to strengthen the mutual beneficial cooperation in the fields of new economy?and?others, so as to promote the relations of the economy?and?trade between China?and?Japan forward.
A Farewell Meeting for Chinese Youth Delegation and College Graduates Village Official Delegation Held in Beijing
The Embassy of Japan in China held a farewell meeting in Beijing for the Chinese youth delegation?and?college graduates village official delegation in the evening of August 1st. Mr. Song Jingwu, the Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC)?and?head of the delegation, Mr. Wang Zhanqi, Deputy Secretary-General of China-Japan Friendship Association (CJFA), Mr. YAMAMOTO TAKASHI, Minister of the Embassy of Japan in China, attended the meeting.
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?Mr. Song Jingwu, the Vice President of CPAFFC?and?head of the delegation, delivered a speech
Vice President Song Jingwu thanked the Embassy of Japan in China for giving support?and?assistance to this visiting. He said that China?and?Japan are close neighbors. Promoting the mutual understanding?and?friendly feeling of the two peoples, especially among the youth, is an important basis for further improving the bilateral relations. The both sides should know each other correctly, comprehensively?and?objectively by the way of the extensive?and?thorough exchanges. CPAFFC?and?CJFA are willing to continue pushing the friendship of the people-to-people?and?the exchanges of the youth.
On behalf of the Japanese government, Minister of Japanese Embassy, Mr. YAMAMOTO TAKASHI extended his warm welcome to the delegations for friendly visiting. He wished the visiting a complete success?and?thanked CPAFFC?and?CJFA for making efforts?and?contributions to promoting the youth exchanges of the two countries.
Mr. YAMAMOTO TAKASHI, Minister of the Embassy of Japan in China, delivered a speech
A total of 95 people in the Chinese youth delegation, who came from Beijing municipal civil servant at the basic level, economy circle?and?medical staff. There are 92 people in the Chinese college graduates village official delegation, who came from Beijing, Hebei?and?Chongqing. At the invitation of the Japanese government, the two delegations would visit Tokyo, Kyoto-fu, Yamanashi prefecture, Nagano prefecture?and?other places respectively from August 2 to 6,?and?from August 2 to 9. They would visit?and?study the facilities in their own relevant sectors?and?had friendly exchanges with relevant Japanese people.
Vice President Song Jingwu Meets with the Ambassador of Latvia
On 25th July, Mr Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met with Mr. Maris Selga, the Ambassador of Latvia.
Vice President Song expressed his welcome to Mr. Selga for his visiting,?and?introduced the main functions of CPAFFC. Mr. Selga believed that twinning sister cities could be the potential of the bilateral relations. Otherwise, the Ambassador would?like?to expand more cooperative fields with the assistance of Mr. Song?and?CPAFFC.
The two sides also discussed about the issue of the Celebration of 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Baltic Countries?and?China in this September.
Mr. Andzejs Kasevskis, Second Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia, Mr. Lv Hongwei Deputy Director General of the Department of European Affairs of CPAFFC, attended the meeting.?
Vice President Lin Yi Attends “China Arab Friendship Youth Ambassadors Program 2016 ”
The opening ceremony of “China Arab Friendship Youth Ambassadors Program 2016” was held in Beijing on July 20th. Lin Yi, vice president of CPAFFC, Mona Saad, chief coordinator of Arab China Friendship Association Federation, youth representatives from 8 countries, Chinese students from Arabian Language departments from more than 10 universities, Ambassadors?and?diplomatic officers from some Arab States, media representatives, amounting to 120 persons were present. After the opening, China?and?Arab youth had a friendship dialogue on the subjects of mutual concern.
“China Arab Friendship Youth Ambassadors Program 2016” is jointly held by CPAFFC?and?Arab China Friendship Association Federation. Around 50 youth from Palestine, Lebanon, Sudan, Algeria, Oman, Libya, Morocco?and?Egypt, attended the activities. The one-week program is to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relationship between China?and?Arab,?and?to enhance mutual understanding?and?friendship between Chinese?and?Arabian younger generation.
CPPCC Vice Chairman Wang Zhengwei Meets with Lebanese Friend
Mr. Wang Zhengwei, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, met with our Lebanese friend Mr. Adnan Kassar, Chairman of the Fransabank Group, at the Great Hall of the People on 19th July.
Vice Chairman Wang Zhengwei recalled his visit to Lebanon last May when he met Mr. Kassar for the first time. He congratulated Mr. Kassar on being conferred the “China Arab Friendship Outstanding Contribution Award”?and?having the opportunity of taking a photo with President Xi Jinping of China on that occasion. Vice Chairman Wang appreciated Mr. Kassar for his outstanding contribution for the development of China-Lebanon, as well as China-Arab friendship over the past decades,?and?hoped that the Lebanese side could actively participate in the “Belt?and?Road” construction, to further enhance China-Lebanon, as well as China Arab friendly cooperative relations.
Mr. Kassar thanked Vice Chairman Wang Zhengwei for sparing time for this meeting out of his busy schedule. He?and?his brother Mr. Adel Kassar have been dedicating to the friendship-with-China cause throughout their life. From his first visit to China as a 23 year-old young man when first landed in China till now as an old man of over 80 years old, Mr. Kassar has always been devoting to the development of relations between China?and?the Arab countries, as well as the whole world. Being conferred the “China Arab Friendship Outstanding Contribution Award”?and?met by President Xi this January is the most important honor of his lifetime. He wished that cooperation in the fields of trade, finance,?and?culture could be ever strengthened between China?and?Lebanon. He also conveyed greetings from Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Saeb Salam to Vice Chairman Wang Zhengwei,?and?welcomed Wang to visit Lebanon again.?
CPAFFC Vice President Lin Yi?and?Lebanon Charge D'Affaires Hatem Nasrallah were present at the meeting.
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Urban Innovation Practices Exchange Workshop Held in Beijing
Urban innovation Practices Exchange workshop was held in Beijing from July 18th to July 19th in Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries with the purpose of enlarging the eye scope of Chinese cities for international exchanges, increasing their knowledge to the rules?and?procedures of international organizations?and?awards,?and?promoting the best practices of urban innovation in the world. Mr. Song Jingwu, the vice-president of CPAFFC?and?Mr. Liu Baochun, the director general of Guangzhou foreign office attended the meeting?and?delivered a speech.?
The Guangzhou Award is the first international award named after Chinese city.This biannual award solicits urban innovation practices of cities?and?local governments around globe. Its third session officially kicked off in November, 2015. To date, 389 applications ?from 217 cities around the world are received. The third session of Guangzhou Award ceremony hosted by CPAFFC?and?Guangzhou Municipal government will be convened this December.?
Vice President Song Jingwu Meets with Former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama
Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC, met on July 17th in Beijing with Mr. Yukio Hatoyama, former Japanese Prime Minister who attended the fifth World Peace Forum in Beijing.
Vice President Song Jingwu first conveyed CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin’s greetings to Mr. Yukio Hatoyama. Vice President Song said that Mr. Yukio Hatoyama is an old friend of China. He has always paid great attention to China?and?Japan relations whether when he was the Prime Minister,?or?was not in the post. Especially in recent years when the bilateral ties confronted with difficulties, Mr. Yukio Hatoyama always upholds justice?and?speaks out for the Sino-Japanese friendship?and?greatly promoted the exchanges?and?cooperation in various fields between the two countries with the spirit of peace?and?love. Vice President Song hoped that Mr. Yukio Hatoyama would continue concerning about?and?supporting the development of the bilateral relations?and?the friendly people-to-people exchanges of the two countries.?
Mr. Yukio Hatoyama expressed his appreciation for it. He said that at present, there are still unstable factors in the world, the terrorist attacks threaten to the people’s security, the conflicts?and?struggles between the regions become more?and?more serious?and?dangerous. He hoped that the people should adhere to the spirit of peace?and?love to solve the problems by the mean of dialogue. He also felt appreciation for CPAFFC which has been engaging in promoting the friendly exchanges of the people-to-people with Japan under the leadership of President Li Xiaolin?and?is willing to work together with China to improve the bilateral ties in future.
Vice President Xie Yuan Attends the 60th Anniversary Commemorative Activities of U.S. Sister Cities International
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From July 15 to 16, 2016, CPAFFC Vice President Xie Yuan led a delegation to attend the 60th Annual Conference of Sister Cities International(SCI),?and?the commemorative activities. Totally 400 people from the U.S.?and?over 10 countries participated in the conference. The attendees had in-depth discussions on topics such as smart cities?and?international cooperation, sister cities?and?global security, economic benefits of sister city relationship, etc. The Chinese Embassy in the U.S.?and?the government of Washington D.C. co-hosted a reception marking the 60th anniversary of SCI during the conference. Vice President Xie Yuan, Minister Li Kexin of the Chinese Embassy, Assistant Secretary of State Evan Ryan, President Mary Kane of SCI, Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington D.C. gave remarks at the opening ceremony?or?reception. Zhang Heqiang, director general of the Department of American & Oceanian Affairs, CPAFFC spoke at the concurrent session “The Etiquette of Diplomacy: A Discussion on International Protocol” as a panelist.?
In his remarks, Xie Yuan thanked the U.S. State Department?and?SCI for their efforts in promoting China-US sub-national?and?sister city cooperation. He said that, as an important entity of global cooperation, city successfully linked the relations between nations?and?peoples after the World War II. Sister city movement has won great support from the Chinese national government. China-U.S. sub-national cooperation has been very active during recent years, with many sister cities carrying out productive cooperation in broad areas. The CPAFFC has worked with American organizations?like?SCI to implement several China-U.S. sub-national exchange mechanisms, among which the Third China-U.S. Sister Cities Conference is going to be held in Nanchang, Jiangxi this November, with the theme of healthy cities. All sectors from the two countries are welcome to?join?this conference.?
Mary Kane said that as an oldest organization in the U.S. engaged in people-to-people exchanges, SCI has been dedicated to the exchange?and?cooperation between the U.S.?and?other countries in such areas as economy?and?trade, education, culture, environment, youth, as well as promoting understanding?and?peace through people-to-people activities. She announced that July 15 is “The day of SCI” across the U.S,?and?hoped conference attendees to deepen sister city exchanges in their respective countries?and?regions, with the U.S.?
The U.S. Department of State, SCI?and?Washington D.C. government highly appraised the CPAFFC on its indispensable role in promoting U.S.-China sub-national?and?sister city exchanges. They hoped the two sides continue their efforts to make more achievements in this area, to benefit two peoples. CPAFFC group also held ?meeting with leadership of SCI?and?reached consensus on working together to make the Third China-U.S. Sister Cities Conference a great success.?
?SCI was founded in 1956, on the initiative of then U.S. President Eisenhower,?and?is an important partner of CPAFFC in conducting China-U.S. sub-national cooperation.?