The Two Heads of State Attend Commemoration Marking the 15th Anniversary of the Signing of Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between China and Russia
Chinese President Xi Jinping?and?President Vladimir Putin of Russia attended the commemoration marking the 15th anniversary of the signing of Treaty of Good-Neighborliness?and?Friendly Cooperation between China?and?Russia,?and?delivered important speeches on June 25th. The commemoration was jointly co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), China-Russia Friendship Committee for Peace?and?Development (CRFCPD)?and?Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech entitled "Jointly Build a Better Tomorrow for China-Russia Relations"?and?stressed that over the past 15 years, guided by the spirit of the treaty, China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination has rapidly moved forward at a high ? level with fruitful results in cooperation in various fields. We would take the joint celebration of the 15th anniversary of the signing of the treaty as an opportunity to strengthen the people-to-people exchanges, carry forward extensively the concept of the peace set in the treaty?and?promote the personages from all sectors of the society of the two countries knowing each other so as to pass down the long-standing friendship from generation to generation.
President Vladimir Putin said, Russia?and?China enjoy profound friendship?and?bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination is established on the basis of friendship, mutual respect?and?full consideration of respective interests?and?concerns. The relations are not only in line with the interests of the two peoples?and?long-term development goals of the two countries, but also conducive to regional?and?global stability?and?security. He thanked the Chinese side for holding the commemoration activity of the 15th anniversary of the signing of the important treaty.
Later, the two heads of state watched the performances of the night of friendship between China?and?Russia. The classical songs which were familiar to the Chinese?and?Russian audience sang by Philharmonic Boys Choir of Chinese Musicians Association?and?Children?and?Young Women's Chorus of China National Symphony Orchestra respectively. It was full of warm?and?friendly atmosphere in the site.?
Around 500 people attended the activity, including Vice-Premier of the State Council Zhang Gaoli, Liu Yandong, Wang Yang, Director of the General Office of the Communist Party of China Li Zhanshu, State Councilor Yang Jiechi, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference?and?President of China-Russia Friendship Association Chen Yuan?and?other top leaders, President of CPAFFC Li Xiaolin, Vice President of CPAFFC Song Jingwu?and?other leaders from relevant Ministries/Commissions, the official delegations?and?envoys from Russia, the persons from Chinese industries, media, academic fields?and?Chinese?and?Russian friendly personages.
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech
President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech
The performances of the night of friendship between China?and?Russia
Vice President Lin Yi Met with H.E. Mr. Alimamy Phillip Koroma, the New Ambassador of Sierra Leone to China
On June 17, CPAFFC Vice President Lin Yi met with H.E. Mr. Alimamy Phillip Koroma, the new ambassador of Sierra Leone to China.
Mme. Lin welcomed H.E. Mr. Alimamy Phillip Koroma to visit the CPAFFC soon after assuming his office in China. She reviewed the CPAFFC’s friendly exchanges with Sierra Leone in recent years,?and?gave a detailed introduction to the CPAFFC’s cooperation with friendship organizations around the world?and?the “Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation”. She said that the CPAFFC will stay in close contact with the embassy, further exchanges with local government?and?friendship organizations in Sierra Leone?and?facilitate the development of friendship cities between the two countries, so as to enhance China-Sierra Leone friendship.
H.E. Mr. Alimamy Phillip Koroma thanked Mme. Lin Yi for sparing the time to meet him,?and?spoke highly of the CPAFFC’s commitment to developing China-Africa people-to-people friendship. He said he will take the 45th anniversary of Sierra Leone-China diplomatic relations as an opportunity, to strengthen cooperation with the CPAFFC during his term?and?push forward the development of bilateral relations.
Vice President Song Jingwu Attends a Reception to Mark Queen Elizabeth II's 90th Birthday
On June 16th, Mr Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) attended a Reception to mark Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday hosted by the British Embassy in China?and?met with H.E. Ms Barbara Wood, British Ambassador to China.
Vice President Song extended congratulations on the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, thanked Ambassador’s support for China-UK local government cooperation,?and?exchanged ideas with her on the recent work of the two countries’ local government exchanges?and?cooperation. Song also passed on to her a congratulation letter to Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday written by an 11-year-old Chinese girl from Shandong Province?and?the invitation letter to China International Friendship Cities Conference 2016. Ambassador Wood thanked Vice President Song?and?the CPAFFC’s work in pushing forward China-UK local government cooperation?and?people-to-people?and?cultural exchanges.
Mrs. Hu Chunmei, Associated Counsel of the Department of European and Asian Affairs Meets with the Ambassador of Tajikistan Mr. Davlatzoda
On 16th June. 2016, Mrs. Hu Chunmei, Associated Counsel of the Department of European?and?Asian Affairs, Secretary General of China Central Asia Friendship Association, met with the Ambassador of Tajikistan Mr. Davlatzoda.
Both sides informed each other of the working scheme?and?discussed the work plans for observances of Tajikistan's 25th independence.?
Vice President Xie Yuan Meets with Official from U.S. Department of State
Vice Presdient Xie Yuan met with Dr. Jonathan Strosmeth, policy planning staff from Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of State on June 8.?
Vice President Xie Yuan introduced about the history of CPAFFC?and?its work in recent years in promoting China-U.S. people-to-people exchanges, especially at sub-national level. Xie noted that CPAFFC will keep in close communication with the U.S. Department of State on how to further promote China-U.S. sub-national exchanges, including city exchanges.?
Dr. Jonathan Strosmeth said that sub-national cooperation is important in helping build a stable?and?strong U.S.-China relationship. The U.S. Department of State is supportive of U.S.-China sub-national exchanges,?and?is hoping to expand new exchange platforms for both sides in the areas such as city governance?and?urban planning, so as to advance the practical cooperation between cities of the two countries.?
Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-Ahn of ROK Meets with Delegates Attending the First China-Korea Governors Conference
On June 8, Mr. Hwang Kyo-Ahn, Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea, met with delegates from China?and?Korea attending the first China-Korea Governors Conference in Seoul.
Prime Minister Hwang sang a high praise of the outstanding roles played by CPAFFC?and?Governors Association of Korea (GAOK) in promoting the cooperation of local governments. ?He hoped that the Conference would make new contributions in developing Korea-China relations.
On behalf of the Chinese delegation, Madame Li Xiaolin, President of CPAFFC, briefed Mr. Hwang on the exchanges conducted by CPAFFC with Korea in recent years. She hoped that the local governments in China?and?Korea would learn from each other, explore more fields of cooperation on the basis of mutual respect?and?win-win result, thus to inject more vigor into the development of bilateral relations.
Present at the meeting were Mr. Luosang Jiangcun, Chairman of Tibet Autonomous Region, Mr. Liang Gui, Member of the Standing Committee?and?Director-General of the Publicity Department of the CPC Shaanxi Committee, Mr. Zhao Haishan, Vice Mayor of Tianjin Municipality, Madame Wang Yanling, Vice Governor of Henan Province,?and?Mr. He Duanqi, Vice Governor of Yunnan Province, Mr. Yoo Jeong Bok, President of GAOK?and?Mayor of Incheon, Mr. Kwon Young-Jin,Mayor of, Daegu Metropolitan City, Mr. Song Ha-Jin, Governor of Jeollabuk-do Province, Mr. Ahn Hee-Jung, Governor of Chungcheongnam-do Province, Mr. Yoon Jang-Hyun, Mayor of ?Gwangju Metropolitan City,Mr. Choi Moon-Soon, Governor of Gangwon-do Province,Mr. Lee Nak-Yon, Governor of Jeollanam-do Province, Mr. Won Hee-Ryong, Governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province,?and?Mr. Qiu Guohong, Ambassador of China to Korea.
Hwang Kyo-Ahn(second from left) ?with Li Xiaolin(second from right)
The First China-Korea Governors Conference Held in Incheon
Organized by CPAFFC?and?Governors Association of Korea (GAOK), the first China-Korea Governors Conference was held in Incheon of Korea on the afternoon of June 8. ?Mr. Hwang Kyo-Ahn, Prime Minister of Korea, met with delegates from both sides in Seoul before the Conference.
The Conference was presided by Madame Li Xiaolin, President of CPAFFC,?and?Mr. Yoo Jeong Bok, President of GAOK?and?Mayor of Incheon. ?Delegates from China included Mr. Luosang Jiangcun, Chairman of Tibet Autonomous Region, Mr. Liang Gui, Member of the Standing Committee?and?Director-General of the Publicity Department of the CPC Shaanxi Committee, Mr. Zhao Haishan, Vice Mayor of Tianjin Municipality, Madame Wang Yanling, Vice Governor of Henan Province,?and?Mr. He Duanqi, Vice Governor of Yunnan Province. ?Delegates from Korean side included Mr. Kwon Young-Jin,Mayor of Daegu Metropolitan City, Mr. Song Ha-Jin, Governor of Jeollabuk-do Province, Mr. Ahn Hee-Jung, Governor of Chungcheongnam-do Province, Mr. Yoon Jang-Hyun, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City,Mr. Choi Moon-Soon, Governor of Gangwon-do Province,Mr. Lee Nak-Yon, Governor of Jeollanam-do Province, Mr. Won Hee-Ryong,?and?Governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. ?All of the above-mentioned delegates?and?Mr. Qiu Guohong, Ambassador of China to Korea, made speeches at the Conference.?
The theme of the Conference was “Welcome the China-Korea FTA Era?and?Effectively Play the Role of Local Governments”. ?Both sides held broad?and?in-depth discussions on subjects of mutual concern such as “Green Development?and?Industrial Cooperation”?and?“Promoting People-to-People?and?Cultural Exchanges by Tourism Cooperation”.
A Joint Declaration was released by the Conference?and?it was agreed that the second China-Korea Governors Conference be held in China in 2018.
Vice President Hu Sishe Meets with Macedonia-China Friendship Association Delegation
At the invitation of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Macedonia-China Friendship Association (MCFA) delegation visited China. CPAFFC Vice President Hu Sishe met with?and?hosted a dinner for them in CPAFFC on June 8.
Vice President Hu extended his warm welcome to the delegation. He said that President Xi Jinping’s Belt?and?Road Initiative will bring a good opportunity to China?and?Macedonia in the fields of the economy?and?trade pragmatic cooperation?and?the humanity?and?culture exchanges. He hoped that the two countries’ associations should strengthen the exchanges in the future?and?play a positive role in promoting the cooperation between the two countries in various fields.
Chairman Ljupco Malenkov expressed that supported by the Ministry of Culture?and?the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MCFA held many large-scale activities?and?got a good results. Since there are poets, musicians?and?painters in the delegation, it will jointly hold the exhibition of paintings with the Art Exchanges Institute of CPAFFC in Beijing. The paintings will be auctioned after the exhibition?and?the proceeds will be donated to Chinese children in poor area. He said he would?like?to keep positive contact with CPAFFC, promote mutual understanding?and?expand the cooperation.
Mr. Lv Hongwei, Deputy Director-General of the Department of European?and?Asian Affairs of CPAFFC, held talk with the delegation before the meeting.?
The Fourth Round-Table Summit of “Global CEO Council” Held Successfully
On June 7th, 2016, the Fourth Round-Table Summit of “Global CEO Council” initiated by the CPAFFC was held successfully at Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Premier Li Keqiang met with 15 CEOs attending the summit?and?had an in-depth communication with them.?
The CEOs expressed their views?and?offered suggestions on innovation-driven growth in China, green development, the Belt?and?Road Initiative?and?other issues, based on the theme set for the round-table summit -- “The 13th Five-Year Plan: Opportunities?and?Challenges to Multinational Corporations”.?
The summit posed this question: after more than 30 years of rapid growth, how should China steadily?and?effectively deal with the problems, confusions, challenges?and?opportunities.?
World economy has been through weak recovery,?and?is experiencing international trade slowdown. China are also faced with many difficulties?and?challenges. However, hope?and?difficulties are co-existed,?and?the former is greater than the latter. In the process of economic transformation?and?upgrading, services?and?consumption has accounted more than half of economic growth. China will provide new opportunities for investors in communication, medical treatment, sports?and?other emerging consumer markets, according to the premier.
As the largest developing country, China still has great development space?and?market potential,?and?China will open wider to the world, "to share opportunities with foreign investors to reach win-win results," Li said.
Attendees considered China a economic opportunity more than challenge,?and?China is still an attractive destination for investment. They are willing to take parts in China’s entrepreneurial innovation?and?green development, to achieve common development of their enterprises?and?China economy.
Initiated by Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries on June 5th, 2013, “Global CEO Council” aims to bring together the specially invited CEOs of the world’s largest multinational corporations to have the highest level of direct communications with Chinese leaders for understanding, friendship, cooperation?and?common development between China?and?the world. The Round-Table Summit of “Global CEO Council” was held yearly from 2013, Premier Li Keqiang attended the summit?and?exchanges views with attendees for four consecutive years.
DG Zhang Heqiang Attends the Seventh Annual China-U.S. High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange (CPE)
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On June 6, Director General Zhang Heqiang of American?and?Oceanian Affairs attended the Health Pillar Dialogue of the Seventh CPE.
DG Zhang detailed about the Third China-US Sister City Conference?and?China-US Healthy City Forum which will be held in Nanchang, capital city of Jiangxi Province, on November 19-20, 2016. He said the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries?and?Sister Cities International (US) appreciates the opportunity to co-host the above events with National Health?and?Family Planning Commission of China(NHFPC)and US Department of Health?and?Human Services. China-US Sister City Conference is one of the important subnational exchange platforms for the two countries, while the Healthy City Forum is a significant consensus reached at the Sixth CPE last year. The November events will highlight the importance of China-US cooperation. By in-depth discussion on the relations between health?and?life, aging society, climate change, city transportation?and?innovation, it is hoped that the events will deepen the concept of healthy city?and?generate more concrete bilateral cooperation so that they will not only benefit our two peoples but also set good examples for the rest of world. ??
The Pillar Dialogue was also attended by representatives from NHFPC,US Department of Health?and?Human Services,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, American Heart Association, Fu University, Harvard University?and?other organizations.