Vice President Song Jingwu Meets with the Ambassador of Uzbekistan Mr. D. Kurbanov
On June 6th, Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC, met with Mr. D. Kurbanov, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to China.?
Mr. Kurbanov informed the CPAFFC of the working scheme of the Embassy?and?the preparations for the SCO Summit.?
Mr. Song extended gratitude to Mr. Kurbanov for The support of the Embassy to CPAFFC over the years?and?indicated that the CPAFFC will keep close contact with the Embassy to carry on?and?develop the traditional friendship between the two countries.
Mrs. Hu Chunmei, Associated Counsel of the Department of European?and?Asian Affairs attended the meeting.
International Seminar on “Translation and Chinese-Arabic Humanity Exchange” Held in Shanghai
The International Seminar on “Translation?and?Chinese-Arabic Humanity Exchange, Co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC)?and?Shanghai International Studies University (SISU), jointly organized by Arab Translation Organizations?and?Arabic Translations Association , was held in SISU from June 4 to 5, 2016.
With the theme of commemorating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China?and?Arab countries, this seminar is the largest conference comparing with the Arabic language conferences held over the past decade in China?and?Arab countries?and?is also the first international academic activity about humanity exchange between China?and?Arab countries after the seventh ministerial meeting of the China-Arab countries cooperation forum in May this year. The SISU made their efforts for this seminar?and?other participants paid high attention to it. About 150 representatives, including the experts?and?the scholars came from more than 20 Arabic teaching?and?research institutions, such as, Shanghai International Studies University (SISU), Peking University, Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), University Of International Business?and?Economics (UIBE), Beijing Language?and?Culture University (BLCU), Beijing International Studies University (BISU), the leaders came from Arabic Translation Organizations ?, Arabic Translations Association , The League of Arab States Arabic Advanced Translation Institution , Morocco’s King Fahd School of Translation, The Agency of the League of Arab States in China,?and?the representatives from Xinhua News Agency, China Central Television (CCTV), Central Compilation?and?Translation Bureau, China Radio International (CRI), China Today, China International Publishing Group (CIPG), attended the seminar.
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Vice President Song Jingwu Meets with New Ambassador of Moldova Mr.Ciocoi
On June 2rd, Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC, met with Mr. Aureliu Ciocoi, the new Ambassador of ?Moldova to China. ?
Mr. Song extended gratitude to Mr.Ciocoi for the support of the Embassy to CPAFFC over the years?and?indicated that the CPAFFC will work with the Moldova side to further promote bilateral exchanges?and?cooperation between people-to-people friendship organizations?and?local governments. Mr. Song hoped that Mr.Ciocoi can support the cause of people-to-people friendship between China?and?the Moldova in the future. ?
Mr.Ciocoi spoke highly of CPAFFC’s contribution in bilateral relations as well as CPAFFC’s unique role in promoting friendship-city relations?and?local government cooperation. The Embassy will keep close contact with CPAFFC to carry on?and?develop the friendship between the two countries during his term. ?
Mrs. Hu Chunmei, Associated Counsel of the Department of European?and?Asian Affairs,attended the meeting.
President Tang Jiaxuan Meets with YOKOI YUTAKA, New Japanese Ambassador to China
Mr. Tang Jiaxuan, President of China-Japan Friendship Association (CJFA), met with Mr. YOKOI YUTAKA, New Japanese Ambassador to China, on June 2. Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), attended the meeting.
President Tang extended his welcome to Ambassador YOKOI YUTAKA for taking his new post in China. He expressed that the current bilateral relations developed stably, the exchanges at different levels began to restore, the personnel exchanges increased gradually?and?the pragmatic cooperation developed in an orderly manner. But, the bilateral ties are still very fragile?and?are interfered by some sensitive factors from time to time. Since China?and?Japan are the first?and?the second largest economy in Asia, peace, friendship?and?cooperation are the only correct choices for both countries. Whatever difficulties they might confront with, the both sides should focus on the overall situation, overcome the challenges?and?grasp the general direction of lasting friendship from generation to generation. President Tang emphasized that the both sides should strengthen the political mutual-trust, promote the pragmatic cooperation in various fields, deepen the pragmatic exchanges?and?cooperation in the fields of the economy, trade, humanity, culture, youth, environment, media?and?etc. so as to consolidate the foundation for improving?and?developing the bilateral relations. Next year marks the 45th anniversary of the Establishment of the Diplomatic Relations between China?and?Japan, the year after next will marks the 40th anniversary of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace?and?Friendship. He hoped that the both sides should catch the rare opportunities to strive to develop the new situation of the improved bilateral ties after summarizing the experience?and?lessons.
Ambassador YOKOI YUTAKA thanked President Tang Jiaxuan for taking his time to meet him. Ambassador YOKOI YUTAKA said that the Japan-China relations experienced many difficulties in these years, now the bilateral ties are in the important period of improving the relations. Under the new situation, the two countries should work together to build a new type of relationship to meet the new times’ requirements?and?benefit to the both sides. As the Japanese Ambassador Extraordinary?and?Plenipotentiary to China, he felt a great responsibility?and?also decided to try his best to further deepen the friendship?and?cooperation between the two countries.
Mr. Xiao Qian, Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dou Zhongyi, Secretary of President Tang Jiaxuan, Mr. Cheng Haibo, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Japanese Affairs of the CPAFFC, Mr. ISHIKAWA KOJI?and?Mr YAMAMOTO TAKASHI, Ministers of the Embassy of Japan in China, attended the meeting.?
Celebration Reception Marking the 25th Anniversary of China-Brunei Diplomatic Ties held in Beijing
On June 1st, CPAFFC?and?Embassy of Brunei to China jointly held the reception to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China?and?Brunei. H.E.Mr.Zhang Qingli, Vice Chairman?and?Secretary-General of CPPCC, Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin,Vice President Song Jingwu of CPAFFC, Major General Ciguowei, Deputy Chief of International Military Cooperation Office of the Central Military Commission, Mme. Meng Xiaosi, Vice President of All-China Women’s Federation, H.R.H.Princess Masna?and?other 400 guests from two countries including Chinese?and?Bruneian representatives from foreign affairs,national defence, economic?and?trade, culture?and?media fields as well as ambassadors?and?envoys from other foreign countries’ Embassies to China.
Zhang Qingli said in the speech that China?and?Brunei are traditional good neighbors?and?the friendship between our two peoples enjoys time-honored history. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 25 years ago, the two sides respect each other?and?treat each other equally, which set a good example for the harmonious existence?and?mutually-beneficial?and?win-win cooperation between big?and?small countries. China is willing to link the Belt?and?Road initiative with Brunei’s Vision 2035, deepen the pragmatic cooperation in each field?and?bring more benefit to the two peoples?and?promote the further development of the bilateral relations.
Princess Masna said in his speech that Brunei?and?China established the strategic cooperative relationship to bring the benefit?and?wellbeing to the two countries?and?peoples. The Bruneian side is willing, on the occasion of the 25 anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties as well as ASEAN-China dialogue relations, to promote the development of bilateral relations?and?strengthen the pragmatic cooperation in tourism, culture?and?people-to-people area.
Vice President Song Jingwu?and?Ambassador Mangdelene Teo delivered welcome speeches respectively.
Before the reception, Vice Chairman Zhang Qingli met with Princess Masna?and?her delegation.
Vice President Lin Yi Attends International Conference on China and Russia: Taking Bilateral Relations to a High Quality and Delivers a Speech
On behalf of Chinese Chairwoman of China-Russia Friendship, Peace?and?Development Committee Think-Tank Council Li Xiaolin, CPAFFC Vice President Lin Yi attended the 2th international conference which was held in Moscow on China?and?Russia: Taking Bilateral Relations to a High Quality?and?made a speech entitled leading humanity?and?culture exchanges, building friendly cooperation base.
In her speech, Vice President Lin Yi made an introduction on the China?and?Russia humanity?and?culture exchanges programs which were held by CPAFFC?and?CRFA (China-Russia Friendship Association) in recent years. She spoke highly of the important role of the humanity?and?culture exchanges played in the development of the bilateral relations.
Sponsored by Russia International Affairs Committee, the conference aimed to evaluate the current situation?and?the future development trend in bilateral relations, analysis the main achievements?and?unsolved problems of the bilateral cooperation,?and?give some advice?and?suggestions to the leaders of the two countries on further developing the strategic partnership. Chinese Chairman of China-Russia Friendship, Peace?and?Development Committee Dai Bingguo, Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov, President of Russia International Affairs Committee Ivanov, attended the conference.
Vice President Song Jingwu Meets with the Mayor of Marathon, Greece
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On May 31st, Mr Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met with, the President of Amphictyony of Ancient Greek Cities, the Mayor of Marathon, Greece.
Vice President Song?and?Mayor Psinakis reached consensus on holding ‘China - Ancient Greek Cities Forum’ in this November during the ‘Athens Authentic Marathon’ .
On behalf of the Marathon Foundation, Mr. Psinakis presented the ‘Medal of Marathon Ambassador to Vice President Song.
Mr. Euthumios Athanasiadis, Press Counsellor of Embassy of Greece, Mr. Shen Xin, Deputy Director General of the Department of European Affairs of CPAFFC, attended the meeting.?
President Gu Xiulian of China-ASEAN Association Meets H.R.H.Princess Masna of Brunei
On May 30th, Mme. Gu Xiulian, President of China-ASEAN Association(CAA) met H.R.H.Princess Masna, Ambassador-at-Large of Foreign Affairs?and?Trade of Brunei.
President Gu welcomed Masna for her 10th visit to China?and?sang a high praise to Princess’s contribution to the development of bilateral relations?and?people-to-people friendship. President Gu said that China?and?Brunei are friendly neighbors?and?the bilateral ties set a good example for countries with different social systems to treat each other equally, conduct mutually-beneficial?and?win-win cooperation?and?coexist in harmony. On the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the China-Brunei diplomatic ties, the Chinese side is willing to deepen the strategic cooperative relationship, strengthen the cooperation in each fields?and?promote the people-to-people exchanges.
Princess Masna thanked President Gu for sparing the time out of her busy schedule for the meeting?and?expressed that Brunei is willing to take the 25 anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations as a good opportunity to promote the further development of the relationship as well as the cooperation in the fields of economic?and?trade, social?and?cultural affairs. Brunei appreciates the government-dispatched Chinese volunteers to Brunei on Chinese language, medical?and?business,?and?look forward to more cooperation regarding civil servant, finance?and?agriculture.
Mr.Liu Xinsheng, Vice President of China-Brunei Association?and?the first Chinese Ambassador to Brunei, Mr. Min Yongnian, former Chinese Ambassador to Brunei?and?H.E.Magdelene Teo, Ambassador of Brunei to China were present during the meeting.
Deputy Director General Zhang Ruoning of the European and Asian Department meets with the Delegation of Edinburgh Napier University of UK
On May 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 Iain Davie, Programme Leader of Edinburgh Napier University of UK?and?his delegation, together with First Secretary John Somers?and?staff from the Scottish Affairs Office of the British Embassy in Beijing.
Deputy Director General Zhang extended her welcome to the delegation?and?her congratulations on their brilliant performance at the “China-UK in Drama”—China-UK Youth Drama Exchange Project. She introduced CPAFFC's work in people-to-people diplomacy, local governments cooperation?and?charity,?and?exchanged ideas with the delegation on furthering drama exchange?and?cooperation between China?and?the UK.
Mr Davie thanked the CPAFFC for the considerate arrangements it provided. He said that he has gained a deeper understanding of the Chinese drama?and?culture through this exchange,?and?stands ready to carry out more cooperation with the CPAFFC.
“China-UK in Drama”—China-UK Youth Drama Exchange Project was Successfully Held in Beijing
On May 28th, the “China-UK in Drama”—China-UK Youth Drama Exchange Project was held in the auditorium of Beijing Foreign Studies University. Hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU),?and?Edinburgh Napier University of UK (Napier), this Project was put forward after Chinese President Xi’s state visit to the UK when he proposed to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the passing of William Shakespeare?and?the Chinese playwright Tang Xianzu. Around 1,000 people watched the performance, among which are Vice President of the CPAFFC Song Jingwu, Deputy Party Secretary of BFSU Zhao Yu, Vice President of BFSU Jia Wenjian, Minister Counsellor of the British Embassy in China Tim Losty, Counsellor Nick Low, Professor of Communication University of China Zhang Jun, Artist of Beijing People's Art Theatre Li Bin?and?Yang Tiezhu,?and?teachers?and?students from Napier of UK who visited China for this project together with students from 13 Universities in Beijing.
The 6 classical?or?original drama pieces that reflected the two countries cultures were played by students from China?and?the UK, which were indeed a feast for the eyes. A Midsommer Nights Dreame brought by teachers?and?students of BFSU gave the audience a glimpse of the Romanticism in Shakespearean drama; the original drama Promise of Loyalty showed the Chinese young students’ understanding?and?pursuit of honouring commitments; another original play, Crook?and?Isabel’s Choice, was based on the life story of David Crook?and?his wife, Isabel Crook, two of the first group of foreign teachers to work in China,?and?reviewed the glorious deeds made by the British friends in China to promote English teaching; The Merchant of Venice?and?Measure for Measure played by students from School of Arts?and?Creative Industries of Napier presented the original flavor of Shakespearean classics to the audience;?and?their English version of a famous Chinese drama Thunderstorm reflected the British young people’s understanding?and?appreciation of the Chinese drama, culture?and?art.
Vice President Song Jingwu of the CPAFFC said in his speech that mutual understanding?and?friendship between youths serve as the foundation of the culture exchanges?and?mutual reflection between China?and?abroad,?and?hoped the teachers?and?students made good use of the “China-UK in Drama” —China-UK Youth Drama Exchange Project as the bridge of art for the people-to-people exchange between the youths of the two countries. Vice President Jia Wenjian of BFSU commented in his speech that China-UK in Drama is a platform for youngsters of the two countries to demonstrate their vitality?and?creativity?and?to better their cultural literature?and?artistic taste. He is convinced that the Chinese?and?British youngsters will deepen their understanding of drama,?and?the two cultures can develop through constant sharing?and?exchange.
Students from both countries reflected that by communicating?and?performing with each other on the same stage, they have improved their language?and?acting skills,?and?more importantly, gained a deeper understanding of?and?passion for each other’s culture.
This event has been reported by mainstream media including Xinhuanet?and?People’s Daily Online.