Vice President Song Jingwu Attends the Third Meeting of China-France High-level Culture Communication System and Signs the Cooperation Agreement
The Third Meeting of China-France High-level Culture Communication System was held on June 30. Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong?and?French Foreign Minister Ayrault hosted the meeting together.
Vice Premier Liu Yandong said, rich achievements have been obtained since the China-France High-level Culture Communication System was established two years ago. The development of the mechanism, expansion of communication?and?cooperation,?and?the innovation of content?and?form were all promoted in these two years. In the future, both of countries should gather wisdom?and?resources from the people of two countries’, in order to enhance the peoples’ participation, perception?and?sense of gain, promote the mechanism?and?long effect of culture communication, develop the cooperation in education, science?and?technology, culture, heath etc., ultimately to make contribution to the creation of a new era of the close?and?lasting China-French comprehensive strategic partnership. French Foreign Minister Ayrault said, the development of China-France High-level Culture Communication System is very promising. The system has made great achievements,?and?become one of the most important parts of China-France relationship. Both sides should value?and?promote the two countries’ culture communication from a higher level?and?a wider vision,?and?make effort to gain more achievements in culture communication cooperation, in order to benefit the people of two countries?and?face the common challenges together. ??
After the meeting,Vice Premier Liu Yandong?and?French Foreign Minister Ayrault signed Joint Statement?and?witnessed the signing of cooperation documents in ?culture, heath, education, media etc. At the meeting, CPAFFC, China Culture Administration Society, French International Association for Economic?and?Cultural Cooperation,?and?France's Most Beautiful Town Association jointly signed Chinese-French Cooperation Framework Agreement on Beautiful Town Protection?and?Development. Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC, signed the agreement as the representative of CPAFFC. In the future, China?and?France will cooperate in conservation?and?restoration of heritage, as well as benign development of historical?and?cultural ancient villages; meanwhile,both sides will jointly conduct cultural heritage studies?and?hold relevant exhibitions?and?promotion activities.?
The RCFA Delegation Visits China
At the invitation of The CRFA, Member of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, President of China-Russia Friendship Association Mr. Dmitry Mezentsev?and?his delegation visited Beijing?and?Changchun from June 24th to 30th. The delegation attends the 10th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness?and?Friendly Cooperation. This is the first visit after his election. During the visit, Mr. Chen Yuan, Vice President of CPPCC?and?President of CRFA, Mr. Jiang Chaoliang, The governor of jilin province,?and?Mr. Sui zhongcheng, The vice governor of jilin province, met with the delegation.?
“Friendship Ambassador ”Conferred on VUFO Chairman Vu Xuan Hong
On June 30, Mr. Wang Jinshan, President of China-Vietnam Friendship Association met with Mr. Vu Xuan Hong, Chairman of Vietnam?union?of Friendship Organizations (VUFO),?and?conferred on him the title of “Friendship Ambassador” on behalf of CPAFFC. Madame Lin Yi, Vice President of CPAFFC,?and?Mr. Vu Tien Dung, charge d'affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Vietnam, were present.
President Wang highly praised Chairman Vu’s contribution during past years in pushing forward the China-Vietnam relations, enhancing the friendship of the Chinese?and?Vietnamese people?and?deepening the people-to-people cooperation. ?President Wang said that Chairman Vu deserves the title of “Friendship Ambassador”.?
Chairman Vu thanks CPAFFC for conferring “Friendship Ambassador” on him as the first Vietnamese receiving such title. ?He said that “Friendship Ambassador” not only is a personal honor, but also reflects CPAFFC’s high value on the China-Vietnam relations?and?the work of VUFO. ?The Vietnam side is willing to closely coordinate with the Chinese side?and?make greater contribution in carrying forward the Vietnam-China friendship cause along the route started by older generations of state leaders.
CPPCC Vice Chairman Ma Biao Meets with VUFO Chairman Vu Xuan Hong
On June 30, H.E. Ma Biao, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met with Mr. Vu Xuan Hong, Chairman of Vietnam?union?of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), in Beijing. ?Madame Lin Yi, Vice President of CPAFFC,?and?Mr. Vu Tien Dung, charge d'affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Vietnam, were present.
Mr. Ma Biao said that the Chinese side attaches great importance on the development of China-Vietnam relations?and?is willing to joint efforts with the Vietnam side in enhancing political mutual trust, deepening pragmatic cooperation?and?promoting a healthy?and?steady development of China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation. ?Mr. Ma Biao hoped that CPAFFC?and?VUFO will strengthen cooperation, blaze new trails to make new achievements in consolidating China-Vietnam traditional friendship?and?realizing win-win results on mutual benefit. ?Mr. Vu Xuan Hong said that Vietnam?and?China are important neighbors?and?partners. ?The new leadership of Vietnam highly values the relations with China. ?VUFO is willing to?join?efforts with the Chinese side to safeguard, develop?and?carry forward the “Comrade?and?Brother” traditional friendship between Vietnam?and?China.
At CPAFFC’s invitation, VUFO Chairman Vu Xuan Hong led a delegation to visit Beijing, Lhasa from June 26 to 30 with transit in Chengdu. ?Mr. Ma Biao, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, Mr. Wang Jinshan, President of China-Vietnam Friendship Association, Madame Lin Yi, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mr. Qimei Renzeng, Vice Chairman of Tibet Autonomous Region People’s Government,?and?Mr. Zhao Weiping, Deputy Secretary General of Sichuan Provincial People’s Government met with Vu Xuan Hong respectively. ?On June 30, Mr. Wang Jinshan conferred on Chairman Vu the title of “Friendship Ambassador” on behalf of CPAFFC.
Deputy Director General Zhang Ruoning of the European and Asian Department Meets with Julie Brink, Chairman of the Friendship Association Denmark-China
On June 30th, Deputy Director General Zhang Ruoning of the European?and?Asian Department of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met with Julie Brink, Chairman of the Friendship Association Denmark-China.
Deputy Director General Zhang extended her welcome to Chairman Brink, ?introduced recent work in people-to-people?and?cultural exchanges?and?local governments cooperation between China?and?Denmark,?and?exchanged ideas on future cooperation projects between the CPAFFC?and?the Friendship Association Denmark-China.
Brink briefed the CPAFFC on her Association’s recent work,?and?expressed willingness to work with the CPAFFC.
Celebration of the 40th Anniversary of China-Seychelles Diplomatic Relations and Independence of Seychelles Held in Beijing
The CPAFFC?and?the Embassy of Seychelles in China co-hosted a reception celebrating the 40th anniversary of China-Seychelles diplomatic relations?and?independence of Seychelles in Beijing on June 29, 2016. H.E. Mr. Zhou Xiaochuan, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC, H.E. Amb. Maurice LOUSTAU-LALANNE, Secretary of State of Seychelles?and?other 200 guests from both sides attended the reception. The CPAFFC Vice President Mme. Lin Yi?and?the Ambassador of Seychelles to China, H.E. Ms. Vivianne FOCK TAVE delivered speeches in the reception.
Before the reception, Mr. Zhou Xiaochuan met with Amb. Maurice LOUSTAU-LALANNE. Zhou said that since China?and?Seychelles established diplomatic ties 40 years ago, bilateral relations have long maintained a sound momentum of development?and?become a model which shows that all countries, big?or?small, are equal?and?countries with different conditions can have mutually beneficial cooperation. China is willing to work with Seychelles, with focus on the implementation of the results of the FOCAC Johannesburg Summit, to further promote pragmatic cooperation in all areas?and?bring more benefits to the two peoples.
Amb. Maurice LOUSTAU-LALANNE said that China is Seychelles’ sincere friend. Seychelles is grateful to China for providing valuable support to Seychelles’ economic?and?social development. Seychelles-China people-to-people exchanges enjoy a long history. With the launch of direct flight between the two countries?and?the constantly deepened mutual understanding of each other, he believed the friendship between the two peoples will be more solid.
CPPCC Vice Chairman and CRFA Chairman Chen Yuan Meets with Mr. Dmitry Mezentsev, New Chairman of RCFA
At the invitation of CPAFFC, Mr. Dmitry Mezentsev, new Chairman of Russia?and?China Friendship Association (RCFA), paid a special visit to China to attend the commemoration marking the 15th anniversary of the signing of Treaty of Good-Neighborliness?and?Friendly Cooperation between China?and?Russia. Mr. Chen Yuan, Vice Chairman of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)?and?Chairman of China?and?Russia Friendship Association (CRFA) met with Mr. Dmitry Mezentsev in Beijing on June. 29th.?
Chairman Chen Yuan congratulated Mr. Dmitry Mezentsev on being elected as Chairman of RCFA?and?said that under the promotion of the two heads of state, the bilateral relations developed to a high level nowadays, the supports of the social?and?the public of the two countries were also given the meaning of the new times. RCFA would?like?to make unremitting efforts with CRFA on strengthening the mutual understanding?and?friendly feeling between the people of the two countries, especially the young generations of the two countries. Moreover, the two countries’ nongovernmental friendly institutions would also promote the cultural exchanges?and?pragmatic cooperation ?so as to provide an effective platform for the both sides’ cooperation in the fields of the energy, fiance, tourism, education?and?culture.
Mr. Dmitry Mezentsev thanked Chairman Chen for giving some opinions?and?advice on deepening the nongovernmental cooperation between Russia?and?China. Mr. Dmitry Mezentsev said that the two friendly organizations, CRFA?and?RCFA, would have broad prospects in the sides of promoting the cooperation of the industries?and?the exchanges of the local governments between Russia?and?China, which would give more substantive connotation to the traditional friendship of the people-to-people of the two countries. Next year will mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the RCFA,?and?it will take this as an opportunity to develop its advantages to supply new energy to the cooperation?and?exchanges of the people-to-people in various fields. Moreover, Mr. Dmitry Mezentsev spoke highly of the commemoration marking the 15th anniversary of the signing of Treaty of Good-Neighborliness?and?Friendly Cooperation between China?and?Russia organized by CPAFFC.
Mr. Chen Yuan?and?Mr. Dmitry Mezentsev also signed “Annual Cooperation Plan of 2016-2017 of CRFA?and?RCFA”.
Mr. Dmitry Mezentsev, who was Secretary General ?of ?Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Governor of Irkutsk?and?Vice Chairman of Russian Federation Council before, was elected as new Chairman of RCFA now. It is the first time for Mr. Dmitry Mezentsev to visit China. Mr. Hu Sishe, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mr. George Zinoviev, charge’ d'Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Russia, were present.
The Chinese Civil Organizations Seminar on Ecuador Earthquake Relief Held in Beijing
The Chinese Civil Organizations Seminar on Ecuador Earthquake Relief co-hosted by CPAFFC?and?China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation(CFPA) was held in Beijing on June 29th.
On behalf of CPAFFC, Vice President Xie Yuan expressed his gratitude to CFPA?and?the Chinese civil organizations along with Chinese companies which had been actively participating the earthquake relief in Ecuador this April. He made the commitment that CPAFFC would carry on the cooperation with all partners, aiming at assisting the other developing countries to establish?and?improve the mechanism for disaster reduction, prevention?and?relief, as well as strengthen capacity building in their countries without any additional conditions. We will?join?hands with people all around the world to deal with natural disasters,?and?realize the harmonious development between human, nature?and?society. ?
Vice President of CFPA Jiang Shaogao, H.E. Ambassador of Ecuador to China Jose Borja?and?Vice Secretary General of China NGO Network for International Exchanges Yue Yanghua also delivered their speeches on the seminar. Mr. Ji Yongjun, Deputy Director General of Department of American?and?Oceania Affairs hosted?and?summarized the seminar.?
All together 60 participants attended the seminar, including representatives from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Civil affairs, CFPA, China NGO Network for International Exchanges, Tsinghua University, China National School of Administration, Beijing Normal University, China Charity Alliance, Zhuoming Information Platform, Pearl Humanitarian Rescue Team, Rescue Team of Ramunion, Ifeng.com etc.
The 1st China-U.S.Sub-national Legislatures Cooperation Forum Held in Hawaii
The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries(CPAFFC)?and?the State Legislative Leaders Foundation (SLLF) co-hosted the 1st China-U.S.Sub-national Legislatures Cooperation Forum in Honolulu, Hawaii of the U.S.A from June 24 to 26, 2016.?
?About 150 people, including CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin, Vice Chairman Shi Heping of the Standing Committee of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Congress, Vice Chairperson Ma Lancui of the Standing Committee of Hebei Provincial People’s Congress,Vice Chairman Wang Jianming of the Standing Committee of Hubei Provincial People’s Congress, Vice Chairman Liu Daoping of the Standing Committee of Sichuan Provincial People’s Congress, President Stephen Lakis of SLLF, 28 state legislative leaders from 21 states,?and?representatives from governments, universities,?and?business communities, attended this Forum. This year marks the China-U.S. Tourism Year. With the theme of tourism cooperation, the two sides carried out in-depth discuss on three topics including the “State?and?Provincial Governments’ Role in Promoting Tourism”, “China?and?the U.S.-Forging Partnerships Between Provinces?and?Cities”, “Creating a Business Friendly Environment”. During the Forum, Hawaii Governor David Ige hosted a welcome dinner for the conference attendees.?
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Madam Li Xiaolin said that China-U.S. relationship owes its continuous development to sub-national cooperation. State legislative leaders?and?provincial congressional leaders are pioneering, managing?and?contributing to the social-economic development of their own states?or?provinces. They are also participating in, spearheading?and?actively promoting China-U.S. sub-national cooperation. CPAFFC is willing to work with SLLF?and?the state legislative leaders, making full use of the existing China-U.S. Sub-national Exchange Mechanism, further expanding?and?innovating cooperation between sub-national legislatures, bring tangible benefits to both the two countries?and?their people.
Leaders from the four provincial people’s congress at this conference said that, the system of people’s congress is the fundamental political system of China. The provincial people’s congresses?and?their standing committees are important components of this system,?and?just as the U.S. state legislatures, they play an important role in the nation’s social?and?political activities. Enhancing cooperation?and?personnel exchanges at the sub-national legislature level, will help to build political mutual trust, promote practical cooperation, people-to-people exchanges?and?friendship.?
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Stephen Lakis, president of SLLF said that U.S. states?and?Chinese provinces play the adhesive?and?catalytic role in the U.S.-China relations. The sub-national legislative leaders of the two countries will leverage their political wisdom?and?capability to solve the common problems faced by both sides?and?the world. They have a great sense of responsibility to?create?a more secure?and?happy life for future generations.
The U.S. state legislative leaders vowed to actively promote their individual state legislature’s cooperation with Chinese counterparts, to guide their state governments in strengthening cooperation with China in areas of economy?and?trade, people-to-people exchanges, education?and?tourism, to assign special department in communicating with Chinese provinces, so as to form a long-term practical cooperation mechanism.?
The Forum reached a great success. Hubei Province?and?Sichuan Province signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Standing Committees of their ?Provincial People’s Congress, with Ohio House of Representatives,?and?the Wisconsin State Assembly respectively. Jiangsu Provincial Tourism Administration?and?Hawaii Tourism Authority signed the Tourism Cooperation Agreement. Nanjing Municipal Tourism Commission?and?Preferred Hospitality Group signed the Promotion of Nanjing as a Tourist Destination in the Market of North America. At the closing ceremony of the Forum, Madam Li Xiaolin announced that next year’s Forum will be held in Wuhan, Hubei province.?
To establish the China-U.S. Sub-national Legislature Cooperation Forum is an important outcome of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the U.S. in September 2015.?