Recently, the Beijing Reception for the China International Friendship Conference and Events Marking the 70th Anniversary of CPAFFC (1954-2024) was held at the Grand Canal Museum of Beijing. Yin Li, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, delivered a speech, and Yin Yong, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Mayor of Beijing, hosted the event. Li Xiuling, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Beijing Municipal People’s Congress; Wei Xiaodong, Chairman of the CPPCC Beijing Municipal Committee, and Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), attended the event.

In his speech, Yin Li saluted international friends who have long been committed to promoting friendship among peoples, expressing gratitude for their care and support for Beijing’s development. He remarked that under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China has followed a development path suited to its national conditions, building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and ensuring both rapid economic growth and long-term social stability. This has made significant contribution to global development. At present, the Chinese government is advancing Chinese modernization characterized by peaceful development. We will deepen reforms, promote high-standard opening-up, and pursue mutually beneficial cooperation for shared prosperity. As the capital of China, Beijing boasts profound historical and cultural heritage, a large pool of educational and tech talent, and a livable ecological environment. The city plays a crucial role in driving regional economic development, as evidenced by its endeavor to pursue the high-standard development of the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center (BMC), support the Xiong’an New Area in Hebei Province, and facilitate Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei coordinated development. After five years of diligent efforts, the BMC is emerging as a thriving new city. Beijing strives to take the lead in basically realizing socialist modernization, and the city is moving faster to build itself into an international innovation center, a global pacesetter in the digital economy, and a high-caliber talent hub. The city is also expediting efforts to foster a market-oriented, law-based and accessible business environment up to international standards. Beijing welcomes international friends and institutions to share development opportunities, promote practical cooperation in various fields, and pursue high-quality development and a better life together.

Yang Wanming emphasized in his speech that since its establishment 70 years ago, the CPAFFC has upheld the principles of “friendship, cooperation, peace, and development”, working tirelessly to foster friendship among peoples, build bridges between nations, and facilitate international cooperation. Through its efforts, the CPAFFC helped enhance “state-to-state relations” through “people-to-people bonds”. This commemoration, themed “Deepening Sino-Foreign People-to-People Friendship and Promoting the Building of a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind”, aims to further leverage the unique role of people-to-people diplomacy to consolidate consensus, gather strength, and contribute wisdom to building a better world.

Danilo Türk, Former President of Slovenia, Former President of the World Leadership Alliance, and Member of the InterAction Council, also delivered remarks. He noted that as an important platform for promoting people-to-people diplomacy, the CPAFFC has played a key role in enhancing cross-border cultural exchanges, understanding, and trust. In light of the current complex global challenges, Beijing’s success in urbanization, sci-tech innovation, and sustainable development offers valuable insights to other countries. He expressed confidence that Beijing will continue to lead global urbanization and contribute more wisdom to global cooperation and green development.

Before the reception, international guests toured the BMC to learn about its urban planning and development progress, as well as the outcomes of the “two zones” initiative in promoting openness. After cruising along the Grand Canal to experience its history, culture and natural scenery, they visited the Beijing Performing Arts Center, Beijing Library, and Grand Canal Museum of Beijing. At the reception, guests from home and abroad were treated to a spectacular performance.

Zhao Lei, Member of the Standing Committee and Secretary-General of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee; Wang Jianzhong, Secretary-General of the Standing Committee of the Beijing Municipal People’s Congress; Zeng Jin, Secretary-General of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality; Han Yu, Secretary-General of the CPPCC Beijing Municipal Committee; former foreign dignitaries, heads of international friendship organizations, representatives of foreign institutions and multinational enterprises in China, and other friendly individuals attended the event.

(Written by Qi Mengzhu and Fan Junsheng)