Vice President Hu Sishe Attends the 8th Plenary Meeting of Council of Shaan Xi Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Delivers a Speech
Mr. Hu Sishe, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), attended the 8th plenary meeting of council of Shaan Xi Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (SXPPAFFC)?and?delivered a speech in Xi’an, capital of Shaan Xi Province on December 21st. Over 160 personages including Mr. Wei Zengjun, Vice Governor of the People’s Government of Shaan Xi Province,?and?newly elected members of the 8th meeting of council of SXPPAFFC, attended the meeting.
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?Vice President Hu Sishe read the directive from CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin had made about the new council meeting of SXPPAFFC?and?congratulatory letter from CPAFFC. On behalf of CPAFFC, Vice President Hu Sishe congratulated members of the 8th plenary meeting of council of SXPPAFFC on being elected. He pointed out in his speech that people-to-people diplomacy is to enhance people’s understanding, trust?and?friendship?and?to eliminate the trust deficit among the people, so as to serve the need of China’s overall diplomatic work by the way of carrying out all-directional, multi-level people-to-people friendship work. He stressed that the people-to-people diplomacy for a new era should strengthen political construction, uphold the centralized, unified leadership of the Central Committee?and?resolutely safeguard its authority?and?fully make use of China’s political?and?institution advantages to demonstrate more powerful vitality?and?creativity. Meanwhile, the people-to-people diplomacy should make efforts from the three aspects including strengthening ideological?and?political leadership, implementing foreign principals?and?policies,?and?serving the local social economic development. Vice President Hu Sishe also encouraged the comrades present to take this change as an opportunity to implement the spirit of the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs?and?to bring into play its advantages to make more contributions to serving China’s diplomacy.
Vice Governor Wei Zengjun was elected as the President of the 8th plenary meeting of council of SXPPAFFC, Mme. Yao Hongjuan, Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Shaanxi Province Committee, was elected as Executive Vice President, Mr. Cao Hui was executive vice president,?and?Mr. Gu Xuanhong was Secretary General.
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Vice President Song Jingwu Meets with Relatives of Former Japanese Prime Minister OHIRA MASAYOSHI
Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met in Beijing with Mme. WATANABE MITSUKO, the relatives of Former Japanese Prime Minister OHIRA MASAYOSHI?and?the Vice President of Japan-China Film Festival Executive Committee on December 18th. Mme. WATANABE MITSUKO visiting China this time was to attend the celebration of the 40th anniversary of China’s reform?and?opening up.
Vice President Song Jingwu extended welcome to WATANABE? MITSUKO?and?conveyed the cordial greetings from President Li Xiaolin to her. Vice President Song expressed warm congratulations on Mr. OHIRA MASAYOSHI being awarded?China reform friendship medal. Vice President Song said, the celebration of the 40th anniversary of China’s reform?and?opening up was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing this morning. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech?and?awarded ?China reform friendship medals to 10 international friends, which aimed to appreciate international society for supporting?and?assisting the cause of China’s reform?and?opening up. Mr. OHIRA MASAYOSHI is a Japanese politician with whom Chinese People are familiar. We would never forget the important contributions he had made to promoting the normalization of the diplomatic relations between China?and?Japan,?and?giving support?and?assistance in the cause of China’s reform?and?opening up. The film exchange is an important field for the cultural?and?people-to-people exchanges of the two countries. We spoke highly of the active efforts Mme. WATANABE MITSUKO had made for a long time to develop the exchange of the film of the two countries?and?also hoped that Mme. WATANABE MITSUKO could continue inheriting the spirit of Sino-Japanese friendship?and?making more contributions to the cultural exchange of two countries.
WATANABE MITSUKO thanked Vice President Song for taking time to meet her?and?asked Vice President Song to convey her sincere greetings to President Li Xiaolin. WATANABE MITSUKO said that it is encouraging she was invited to attend the celebration of the 40th anniversary of China’s reform?and?opening up?and?received China’s Reform?and?Opening-up Friendship Prize awarded by the Chinese government for her grandfather. I listened carefully to the speech made by the Chinese President Xi Jinping this morning. During serving as Japanese foreign minister, my grandfather assisted Japanese Prime Minister, Kakuei Tanaka, in realizing the normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations. After serving as Japanese Prime Minister, he paid more attention to?and?actively promoted the relationship with China. I lived with my grandfather since I was a child,?and?I was unconsciously influenced by what I constantly heard?and?saw. Over the years, I actively took part in the cultural exchange of the two countries. At present, I serve as the Vice President of Japan-China Film Festival Executive Committee, which aims to enhance mutual understanding?and?trust by the way of the films?and?other forms that the nations?like?to hear?and?see. I would?like?to take cultural?and?people-to-people exchanges as carriers to make efforts to push bilateral relations for improvement.
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Vice President Song Jingwu Meets with Panasonic Vice President MATSUSHITA MASAYUKI Delegation
Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met in Beijing with Mr. MATSUSHITA MASAYUKI, Vice President of Panasonic, who was invited to attend the celebration of the 40th anniversary of China’s reform?and?opening up,?and?his delegation on December 18th. Mme. Zhu Dan, Deputy Director General of Department of Japanese Affairs of CPAFFC, Mr. Zhang Kai, Deputy Director of Panasonic Corporation of China?and?etc. attended the meeting.
Vice President Song congratulated Konosuke Matsushita on being awarded China reform friendship medal. Song said, this year marks the 40th anniversary of the Signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace?and?Friendship. This year also marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform?and?opening up. Today, the celebration of the 40th anniversary of China’s reform?and?opening up was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. General Secretary Xi Jinping?and?party?and?state leaders of China awarded Chinese?and?foreign reform pioneers medals?and?China reform friendship medals. Mr. Konosuke Matsushita received this honor as the pioneer of international famous enterprises participating in China’s reform?and?opening up, which fully demonstrated the highly commendation for the outstanding contributions Konosuke Matsushita?and?Panasonic had made to the cause of China’s reform?and?opening up. General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the conference, reviewing the glorious history of the development of China’s reform?and?opening up in the past four decades, declaring China’s determination to expand opening-up?and?build a community with a shared future for mankind. This was a huge opportunity for the countries all over the world including Japan. We sincerely expected Panasonic?and?friends from Japanese economic circles to further deepen the pragmatic cooperation with Chinese side?and?make more contributions to the friendship for generations of the two peoples?and?the development of the bilateral relations.
MATSUSHITA MASAYUKI thanked Chinese government for conferring on her grandfather China reform friendship medal, which is a great honor for her family?and?Panasonic. My grandfather dedicated his life to the cause of China’s reform?and?opening up. It was the first company among large enterprises in the world to make decision to invest in China, which made great achievements?and?also set a good example for Japanese companies entering China’s market. At present, Panasonic has 75 companies in China?and?around 60 thousand employees, which has become a vital pillar of Panasonic. I still work in Kansai Economic Federation as Vice President?and?other positions now?and?have led delegations to visit China?and?work with CPAFFC to co-organize the exchange meetings for the entrepreneurs of the two countries for 4 consecutive years. Looking to the future, Panasonic?and?Japanese economic circles would?like?to take China’s development as an opportunity to deepen the exchanges?and?cooperation with China in various fields, so as to realize common development, mutual benefit,?and?benefit to the people of the two countries.
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China-Azerbaijan Friendship Concert Held in Beijing
China-Azerbaijan Friendship Concert, co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the People’s Republic of China, Heydar Aliyev Foundation, was held successfully in National Center for the Performing Arts on December 17th, 2018. Over 1,400 people including Mr. Shao Hong, Vice Chairman of National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Mr. Ali Akhmedov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mme. Li Xiaolin, President of CPAFFC?and?audience from all walks of life in Beijing, attended the concert.
CPPCC Vice Chairman Shao Hong, Deputy Prime Minister Ali Akhmedov delivered speeches respectively. Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra named after Kara Karayev?and?several music artists performed classic Azerbaijan orchestra music?and?classical?and?ethnic music.
Before the performance, CPPCC Vice Chairman Shao Hong met with visiting Azerbaijan Deputy Prime Minister Ali Akhmedov on the invitation of CPAFFC.
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Photographed by?Wen Guangmei
Vice President XieYuan Meets with Presidents from the U.S. Historically Black Colleges and Universities
On Dec.17th, Vice President Xie Yuan met with Presidents from the U.S. Historically Black Colleges?and?Universities (HBCU).
Vice President XieYuan said that educational?and?cultural exchange is an important part of our bilateral relationship. Last year, over 350 thousand Chinese students were studying in the U.S., making China the largest sender of students to the U.S.. CPAFFC stands ready to cooperate with HBCU to deepen educational?and?cultural cooperation with the U.S..
President David Wilson of Morgan State University, who is the head of HBCU delegation,briefed on HBCU?and?said that HBCU, with its long history and? numerous superior disciplines, hopes to enroll more Chinese students?and?cooperate with China’s higher learning institutions in terms of students exchange?and?mutual credit recognition.
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The Global Mayors' Forum & the 4th Edition of Guangzhou Award Held in Guangzhou
From December 6th to 8th, co-hosted by CPAFFC , Guangzhou Municipal Government, UCLG??and?the World Association of? Major Metropolises(METROPOLIS), the Global Mayors' Forum & 2018 Urban Innovation Conference and? the 4th Edition of Guangzhou Award for Urban Innovation? (Guangzhou Award) was held at Baiyun International Conference Center in Guangzhou. More than 700 guests?and?representatives from 105 cities?and?local governments in 39 countries were present at the Conference.
On December 7th, Mr. He Wei, Vice-Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee,? Mr. Ma Xingrui, Governor of Guangdong Province, Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC, Emilia Saiz, UCLG Secretary-General,?and?Rudi Vervoort, Representative of METROPOLIS, Minister President of Brussels Capital Region, Belgium, addressed the opening ceremony. Maimunah Mohd Sharif, United Nations Under-Secretary-General?and?Executive Director of UN-Habitat sent a video remarks. Mr. Wen Guohui, mayor of Guangzhou, chaired the opening ceremony.? Tri Rismaharin, Mayor of Surabaya?and?President of UCLG ASPAC also attended the conference.
Vice-Chairman He Wei pointed out in his speech that, the Chinese Government attaches great importance to?and?actively supports international exchanges?and?cooperation in urban governance innovation.. Guangzhou Award as an important exchange platform will better serve global cities?and?benefit global citizens.???
Vice President Song Jingwu said that the Global Mayors' Forum is established with the purpose of further implementing the United Nations’ SDGs?and?the New Urban Agenda,?and?encouraging cities worldwide to participate in global governance?and?to contribute insights to a more fair, sound?and?balanced global governance mechanism.
The theme of the forum is titled Global Openness?and?Inclusive Innovation. A three-day activities was organized. The Guangzhou Declaration at the Global Mayors’ Forum is also released.
Five cities are awarded as the winning cities of the 4th Edition of Guangzhou Award: Milan of Italy, Guadalajara of Mexico, Wuhan of China, Mezitili of Turkey?and?New York City of the United States. Surabaya of Indonesia received the largest number of votes to win the Online Popular City.
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Vice President Song Jingwu Attends the First UCLG ASPAC Retreat
On December 7th, Mr. Song Jingwu Vice president of CPAFFC attended the First UCLG ASPAC Retreat in Guangzhou. As the newly elected co-president, Vice president Song Jingwu co-chaired the Retreat together with? Tri Rismaharin, Mayor of Surabaya?and?President of UCLG ASPAC,?and?Secretary General of? UCLG ASPAC.
Vice president Song expressed his gratitude to the Executive Board?and?Council for their long-term support to CPAFFC?and?the 25 city members of China. He said that under the framework of the Belt?and?Road Initiative CPAFFC?and?the Chinese city members will work closely with UCLG ASPAC to promote implementing the United Nations’ SDGs?and?the New Urban Agenda,?and?to jointly build Asia-Pacific Community of Shared future.
The Retreat was held simultaneously with the Global Mayors’ Forum?and?the 4th Edition of Guangzhou Award. The members reviewed 2015-2020 Strategic Plan, also known as the Manifesto,?and?discussed the challenges?and?expectations for ASPAC.????
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Vice President Xie Yuan Attends the First BRLC General Assembly & Seminar on “Artificial Intelligence Facilitates Urban Governance”
Co-hosted by Hangzhou Municipal government?and?CPAFFC the fist assembly of the Belt?and?Road Local Government Committee (BRLC) met in Hangzhou from December 2nd to 5th. Mr. Zhou Jiangyong, member of Standing Committee of Zhejiang Party Provincial Committee?and?Hangzhou municipal party secretary, Mr. Xu Liyi, Mayor of Hangzhou, Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice president of CPAFFC, Dr. Bernadia, Secretary General of UCLG?and?Tri Rismaharin, Mayor of Surabaya?and?President of UCLG ASPAC attended the meeting?and?delivered speeches.
More than 150 delegates from 20 countries attended the meeting. The members adopted the constitution of the committee, elected the leaders?and?deliberated the working plan down the road.
The BRLC was initiated by Hangzhou Municipal Government?and?CPAFFC. BRLC which is based in Hangzhou was unveiled in the Belt?and?Road Forum for International Cooperation. With 70 members to date, the committee has carried out a variety of activities based on the philology of opening-up, cooperation, sharing?and?win-win result, playing an important role in building the Belt?and?Road by putting in place a platform for knowledge?and?resource sharing?and?cooperation.
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Vice President Song Jingwu Meets with First Counselor Thierry BERTHELOT
Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with visiting Mr. Thierry BERTHELOT, First Counselor of the French Embassy in China?and?his delegation on December 5th, 2018. Both sides had a brief discussion on the activities in commemoration of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China?and?France.
Vice President Song Jingwu introduced the work CPAFFC had developed for France this year?and?the work plans in next year. He also proposed the idea that the reception to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China?and?France will be held during the French high-level delegation visiting China next year.
Counselor Thierry BERTHELOT thanked CPAFFC for making the contributions to promoting the exchanges between China?and?France. He also said, the French important personages could be invited to attend the reception in Beijing during their visiting China in the first three months next year.
Both sides also exchanged their views on how to develop a series of activities in commemoration of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties of the two countries.
Mr. Alain GALAUP, Political Counselor of the French Embassy in China, Mme. Zhang Ruoning, Deputy Director General of Department of European?and?Asian Affairs of CPAFFC attended the meeting.
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Vice President Hu Sishe Attends the Opening Ceremony of “He Attracted the World’s Attention” - Exhibition in Commemoration of Late Premier Zhou Enlai
Co-sponsored by the CPAFFC, the China International Culture Exchange Centre (CICEC), the Chinese Cultural Exchange Association?and?the People's Publishing House, “He Attracted the World’s Attention”, an exhibition in commemoration of late Premier Zhou Enlai, was opened at the Handover Gift Museum of Macao on December 5, 2018. Edmund Ho Hau Wah, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC, Lionel Leong Vai Tac, Acting Chief Executive of Macao, Sun Da, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Hu Sishe, Vice President of the CPAFFC, Alexis Tam Chon Weng, Secretary for Social Affairs?and?Culture of the Macao SAR, Zhao Wei, Deputy Secretary General of the Sixth?and?Seventh CPPCC National Committee, Li Zhongjie, Advisor to the CICEC?and?former Deputy Director of the Party History Research Center Central committee of the CPC, Zhou Erjun, former Political Commissar of the PLA National Defense University, Lei Pui Lam, President of the Chinese Cultural Exchange Association, Chui Sai Peng, President of Executive Council of the Chinese Cultural Exchange Association,?and?around 100 guests from the Macao SAR government?and?cultural?and?educational circles attended the opening ceremony.
CPAFFC Vice President Hu Sishe?and?Secretary Alexis Tam Chon Weng address the opening ceremony
In his speech, Hu Sishe said that Premier Zhou Enlai is the advocate?and?practitioner of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The CPAFFC has always followed these principles when carrying out exchanges with other countries. At the same time, he never lost his heart?and?loyalty to the party, always adhered to the faith?and?bore in mind the mission. He is known as a model of every Chinese people. He also expressed his hope that the exhibition will enable more people to deeply understand?and?learn from Premier Zhou’s patriotism, promote the people-to-people bond, deepen exchanges?and?cooperation between the two sides,?and?take the opportunity of the 40th anniversary of reform?and?opening up to jointly work for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nations.
In his welcome speech, Alexis Tam Chon Weng stated that Premier Zhou Enlai enjoys a very high prestige in the compatriots in Hong Kong?and?Macao. This exhibition has a far-reaching?and?great significance in Macao. He believed that all Macao people will turn their longing for the late premier into power, to unite as one?and?work hard for the homeland.
Guests addressing the opening ceremony
Sun Da, Zhou Erjun?and?Chui Sai Peng also delivered speeches at the opening ceremony, expressing their longing for late Premier Zhou?and?recognizing the great significance of holding the exhibition at the crucial historical moment of building a great modern socialist country in every dimension.
Guests visiting the exhibition
The exhibition is divided into four parts, namely Accomplishments, Selflessness, Integrity?and?Love. A total of 137 pieces of exhibits, including calligraphy artwork about the late premier by celebrities all over the world, photographs, as well as other precious exhibits?and?historical materials provided by his relatives?and?staff. Most of the exhibits are authentic?and?have high historical value.
After the opening ceremony, the local citizens?and?students watched the exhibition?and?left messages to express their feelings.
Audience watching the exhibition?and?leaving messages
The exhibition will be held in Macao from December 5 to 12, 2018?and?have received large media coverage.
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Photographed by Liu Hongwei