Photo Exhibition of “Improvisation: The US jazz masters embrace the world” Held
From May 7 to May 18, 2012, the Photo Exhibition of “Improvisation: The US Jazz Masters Embrace the World”, jointly organized by the Chinese People''s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA), the US Embassy in China and the Meridian International Center, was held at the NCPA. The exhibition includes more than 80 photos on show recording the classical scenes of “Goodwill Jazz Ambassador” world tour by US famous Jazz masters during the 50s to 70s.
Seminar for Leadership of the Friendship-with-China Organizations of French-Speaking African Countries
Sponsored by Ministry of Commerce of the People''''s Republic of China, "Seminar for Leadership of the Friendship-with-China Organizations of French-Speaking African Countries" was held successfully from May 4 to 17, 2012. There were totally 25 participants for the seminar. They participated in different activities like classroom study, sightseeing and the "FOCAC-4th Seminar on China-Africa NGOs". They also paid a study tour to Sichuan Province. Programs in Sichuan included visits to Leshan Hi-tech Development Zone, Zigong Jiuda Salt Company, and the re-construction site of Yingxiu Town after the Wenchuan Earthquake; and study tours to a new socialist countryside, a base of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and Sichuan Chuanlong Tractor Plant.
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The conference of the 10th National Council of CPAFFC was convened successfully
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???????? ?Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping meeting with the?representatives and delivering important speech
The conference of the 10th National Council of CPAFFC was held on 15, May in Beijing.More than 300 council members and representatives from units directly under the central government,provinces(districts,cities), and all sectors of society attended the conference. Member of Standing Committee of Political Bureau, the CPC Central Committee,Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping met with all representatives and delivered an important speech.Li Yuanchao,Ling Jihua, Uyunqimg, Jiang Shusheng, Chen Changzhi, Sang Guowei, Dai Bingguo, Bai Lichen, Abdul''ahat Abdurixit, Zheng Wantong, Jiang Zhenghua, Gu Xiulian and other leaders were also present at the meeting. State Councilor Dai Bingguo addressed the opening ceremony. During the conference, the executive council members of the 10th National Council were elected; 11 honorary advisers and 12 advisers were appointed. The work report of the 9th National Council and revised report of statutes were approved after the deliberation. "People''s Friendship?Contribution Award" were conferred during the meeting. President Li Xiaolin deployed working tasks and objectives in the next five years of the?CPAFFC. The representatives reviewed and summarized the work and had an explicit orientation of the people-to-people diplomacy development. The conference achieved complete success and won positive and enthusiastic response from council members. The press made a detailed report for the conference.
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??????????????????????????? ?State Councilor Dai Bingguo addressing the opening ceremony
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?????????????????????Li Xiaolin reporting to reveal the CPAFFC''s development strategy,work pattern,
???????????????????? ?main direction of progress,construction and scheme for internal resources
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????????????????????????? ?Former president of the CPAFFC Chen Haosu hosting selection for
????????????????????????????????????????????? ?new excutive council of the CPAFFC
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??????????????????????????????????? ?New Excutive Council members of the CPAFFC
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????? ?Vice President Jing Dunquan declaring the decision of??"People''s Friendship Contribution Award"
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???????????????????????????????????? ? Vice President Feng Zuoku hosting the reception
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???????????????? ?Vice President Li Jianping making the report on the revised statutes of the CPAFFC
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?????????????????????????????????????? Secretary General Lin Yi presiding the conference
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?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?Award-winning Group
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????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Award-winning persons
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????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????? ?Conference site
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Friendship-cities Delegation Visited Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea and Held Photo Exhibition of China-Korea Friendship Cities
At the invitation of Mrs. Kim Young Aeh, Chairman of Korea-China Friendship Association of Culture & Economy, the friendship-cities delegation led by Mr. Li Liguo, Secretary General of China International Friendship Cities Association paid a friendly visit to Korea from May, 8 to 13. During the visit, the delegation visited Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea and held Photo Exhibition of China-Korea Friendship Cities in the Korea pavilion for 3 days with a theme of celebrating the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Korea. They also signed the Strategic Partnership Agreement with Korea-China Friendship Association of Culture & Economy. The delegation consists of mayors and foreign affairs officers from 17 cities of 12 provinces in China. Korea-China Friendship Association of Culture & Economy attached great importance to the visit which achieved great success.
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Chongqing Children Art Troupe Participates in VII International Children Festival of Folk Choreography
Chinese People''s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) had organized and dispatched Chongqing Children Troupe in total of 26 members to take part in the VII international Children Festival of Folk Choreography "Barvinkove KruZhalo" in Vinnytsya, Ukraine. As the only delegation from eastern countries, our young dancers made a full demonstration of Chinese children''s vigor and vitality as well as the rich artistic expression of Chinese folk choreography, thus enjoyed a big applause from the local audience and other delegations. During the stay in Vinnytsya, Mr.Vladimir Grossman, the city mayor, met all members of our delegation.
It was the forth time since our first participation in 2008. Over the past four years, CPAFFC sent children''s art troupes from the city of Tianjin, Xiamen, Xuzhou and Chongqing to join the festival consecutively. It is hoped that by participation in the festival, we could help Ukraine people to gain fresh impression on a real China through learning its various regional cultural characteristics and the graceful demeanor of its young generation.
Delegation of Turkish-Chinese Friendship Association Visited China
At the invitation of CPAFFC, a 9-member delegation headed by Mr. Kemal Baytas, Chairman of Turkish-Chinese Friendship Association, paid a visit to China from 4-11 May 2012, on the purpose of further promoting the exchanges between Chinese and Turkish local governments as well as deepening cooperation between CPAFFC and Turkish-Chinese Friendship Association.
During the delegation’s stay in Beijing, H.E. Madame Gu Xiulian, Advisor to CPAFFC, held a breakfast banquet for the delegation. H.E. Mr. Chen Haosu, former President of CPAFFC held a welcome dinner for the delegation, attended by Mr. Feng Zuoku, Vice President of CPAFFC, Ms. Lin Yi, Secretary General of CPAFFC and H.E. Mr. Murat Salim Esenli, Turkish Ambassador in China.
In Zhejiang Province, H.E. Madame Li Xiaolin, President of CPAFFC, met with the delegation after participating in the China-Middle Asia Cooperation Forum. H.E. Mr. Li Qiang, Vice Secretary of CPC Zhejiang Committee and President of Zhejiang Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Affairs met with and held banquet for the delegation.
In Guangdong Province, Mr. Wang Shitong, Vice President of Guangdong Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sun Huaizhong, Vice President of Shenzhen Municipal People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Affairs and Mr. Li Gang, Deputy Director of Guangzhou Panyu District Foreign Affairs Office respectively met with and held banquets for the Turkish delegation.
The CPAFFC Delegation Visited to Indonesia, Brunei & Timor Leste
At the invitation of the Association for Indonesia-China Economic, Social and Cultural Cooperation(AICESCC) and Brunei-China Friendship Association(BCFA), the CPAFFC delegation, composed by Vice President Feng Zuoku as the head of delegation and Mr. Wang Jinshan, Vice President of China-ASEAN Association as the advisor of the delegation and other 29 delegates, paid a friendly visit to Indonesia and Brunei from April 20th to 27th,2012. Then, at the invitation of the Ministry of State Administration and Territorial Management of Timor Leste, Mr. Feng and his work team visited Timor Leste? from April 28th to May 2nd 2012 as the first delegation to Timor Leste dispatched by CPAFFC.
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Premiere of Film Nine-Mile Fragrance Held in Kenya
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlement Program (UN-HABITAT) in Kenya staged the premiere of the film Nine-Mile Fragrance depicting the Wenchuan earthquake relief efforts. The film, showing the unique culture of the Qiang ethnic group and the great spirit of love of the Chinese people in their earthquake relief work, left a deep impression on the African audience. The January 12 premiere was the first time a Chinese film had been shown in the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON).
The screening of the film, jointly produced by the CPAFFC, the Publicity Department of the CPC Gansu Provincial Committee, the CPC Longnan Municipal Committee and the Longnan Municipal Government, was held in the First Conference Hall of UNON presided over by Peter Mutie, CEO of the Kenya Film Commission. Liu Guangyuan, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Sahle-Work Zewede, UNON Director-General, and Dr. Joan Clos, UN Undersecretary General and Executive Director of the UN-HABITAT, delivered speeches to about 400 people present, including UNON officials and members of the Kenyan government, foreign diplomats in Kenya, representatives of Chinese enterprises and the Chinese community in Kenya, Kenyan teachers and students. Also present were the film’s director, Wang Xingjun, and leading actress Yu Na.
Liu Qian, Acting Secretary General of the Chinese-African People’s Friendship Association (CAPFA), read out the message of congratulations sent by CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin in which she extended congratulations on the premiere and hoped the film would help more Africans know that the Wenchuan earthquake had not only brought disaster, but had also stimulated the staunch, unyielding spirit of the Chinese people. She wished great development of Sino-African friendship.
Ambassador Liu said in his speech: “The film vividly portrays the traditional culture of the Chinese minority ethnic groups and the essential meaning of the saying:“A friend in need is a friend indeed”. It also serves as a spiritual gift to the people of different cultures all over the world. Cultural exchange is a unique avenue for the meeting of minds, interaction of feelings and a bridge of friendship between different countries. Both China and Africa have their own brilliant cultures in which all take great pride. More and more
Africans have become interested in China. It is the best time for Chinese culture to come to Africa.” Ambassador Liu expressed the belief that there would be more Chinese films and art performances in Africa and more would be jointly produced as the result of closer exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and African artists.
In their remarks, Director General Sahle-Work Zewede and Executive Director Clos warmly congratulated the film’s successful premiere at the UNON. They said it told a beautiful love story and showed how people help each other when facing disasters, which is very moving and encouraging, and positive for China-Africa cultural exchanges. They noted that culture is an important channel for mutual assistance and benefit between peoples and the UNON hall was not only a venue for political conferences, but also a platform for various cultural events. The United Nations was always open to high-quality events of cultural exchanges and cooperation.
The audience gave warm response to the film. Jasmine, a student at the Kenya Confucius Institute, said, “It’s so wonderful. I am very glad to see the film and through such a simple and direct way to know about the profound culture of the Chinese Qiang ethnic group. ”
Executive Director Clos said the film tried to expound to the world the importance of cultural preservation. It was a good film with beautiful songs, and a gift to the people of the world that would have great influence. The Chinese government’s efforts to preserve cultures of ethnic groups, particularly Qiang culture, and the Chinese people’s spirit of helping and assisting each other in times of need left a deep impression.
Sahle-Work Zewede said: “The film is very significant for preservation of culture. The ideas expressed are very important to the preservation of not only Chinese culture but also the cultures of other countries in the world. The film teaches us an important lesson.”
Ruth Baru, a Kenyan journalist, praised the film, saying, he could see the great love the Chinese people possessed and showed in helping each other confront disaster.
Ambassador Liu said: “We try to communicate with others and show Chinese people’s pursuit of love and happiness through films. It can enhance understanding between the people of China, Africa and the world at large and promote our friendship.”???
Background
The film Nine-Mile Fragrance tells a heart-warming love story set in a Qiang village in Western China when the catastrophic earthquake occurred on May 12, 2008. It vividly portrays the unique customs and culture of the Qiang ethnic group and praises people’s heroic deeds in the earthquake relief efforts and the great achievements made by the people of various ethnic groups under the leadership of the Chinese government in rebuilding their home. The production crew went to Li County of Aba Prefecture, Wenchuan and Danba of Ganzi Prefecture to shoot scenes. The film adopted Qiang traditional music, songs and dances with rich local flavor and geographic features including the dance at a sacrificial ceremony, Guozhuang dance as well as Qiang flutes and original folk songs such as Asking Bunkers, Sister Erma, The Mother’s Red Belt, etc. It gives the audience a chance to appreciate the vast and miraculous land in Western China.
CLACFA Delegation Visits Three Latin American Countries
The delegation of the China-Latin America and Caribbean Friendship Association (CLACFA) led by President Cheng Siwei, former Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, paid a goodwill visit to Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados in early March.
The tour, March 1 to 13, was at the invitation of the Brazil-China Friendship Association (BCFA), the Trinidad and Tobago-China Friendship Association (TTCFA) and the Barbados-China Friendship Association.
Brazil and China are both rising developing countries with many common and complementary factors that offer broad prospects for future cooperation. In Sao Paulo, the biggest city, the delegation met with Flexa Ribeiro,
Honorary President of the newly established BCFA, William Wu, its President, and other friendly personages.
Speaking at a welcoming reception, President Cheng said China and Brazil enjoyed traditional friendship. Both had become known as BRICS member countries with bright prospects of friendly cooperation. He hoped the BCFA could act as a bridge for various exchanges in politics, economy and trade, and culture.
In Trinidad and Tobago, Speaker of the House of Representatives Wade Mark met the delegation and had a warm and friendly talk. President Cheng observed that, though China and Trinidad and Tobago differed in culture and social system, the two countries held similar views on world peace and development, combating terrorism, democracy and freedom, etc., all providing an important base for the development of friendship. He noted that the two countries were very complementary so that economic cooperation was rapidly progressing and that the Trinidad and Tobago National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) constructed with Chinese aid was a symbol of the friendship between the two countries. Both had a long history and splendid culture heritage, and this created vast space for development of cultural exchanges.
The delegation met with Lee Sing, Mayor of Port of Spain, the capital, and attended a working luncheon at the city hall.
During the stay in Barbados, President Cheng visited the Foreign Ministry, made a speech on China’s economy at the Central Bank of Barbados, and toured the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies.?
40th Anniversary of Ambassadorial Relations Between China and the UK Marked
The 40th anniversary of the establishment of ambassadorial relations between China and the UK fell on March 13. On the evening of March 20, people gathered in the brightly-lit Peace Palace of the CPAFFC at a reception to celebrate the occasion, which began with a performance of the Harrow Girls’ Choir from Harrow School in Beijing.
The UK recognized the People’s Republic of China on January 6, 1950, the first major Western country to do so. On June 17, 1954, the two countries exchanged diplomatic representatives. Finally, in 1972, they upgraded relations to the ambassadorial level.
Over the past four decades, China and the UK have seen steady development of their political relations. They have established a comprehensive strategic partnership and a range of structured dialogues including the annual Prime Ministers’ Meeting, and have maintained close communication and coordination on major world issues. They enjoy fast growth of trade and economic cooperation. In 2011, bilateral trade volume reached US$ 58.7 billion. The UK is China’s third largest trade partner within the EU; in the opposite direction, China ranks third after European Union and the United States. People-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries have deepened. Now, over one million Chinese and British nationals visit, study, work or live in each other’s country each year. Chinese students studying in the UK have reached 120,000.
With a theme of“40 Years Young”, the reception was co-sponsored by the CPAFFC and the British Embassy in China. Vice Foreign Minister Xie Hangsheng was present. CPAFFC Vice President Li Jianping and British Ambassador to China James Sebastian Wood made speeches.
Specially invited were people engaged in youth exchange programs, as well as young people. Chinese scholars who had studied in the UK and university students majoring in English met British students studying in China at the reception. Together they celebrated this important day in bilateral relations and took advantage of the occasion to increase understanding, make friends and share experiences.
Among the 200 people at the reception were former Chinese ambassadors to Britain Ma Zhengang, Jiang Enzhu and Ma Yuzhen, representatives from the foreign, education and cultural ministries, the All-China Youth Federation, the General Administration of Sport of China, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the China Institute of International Studies, diplomats of the British Embassy, representatives from the China-Britain Business Council and other British organizations in China.