Chinese VP stresses importance of people-to-people diplomacy in int'l relations

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Friday underscored the importance of people-to-people diplomacy in enhancing relations between different countries, while attending the China International Friendship Conference and conference marking the 70th founding anniversary of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) in Beijing.

In his speech, Han noted President Xi Jinping had a group meeting with foreign guests attending the conference earlier this day.

President Xi elaborated on the unique role of people-to-people diplomacy under the new circumstances, and expounded China's position on deepening people-to-people friendship with other countries to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, according to Han.

The vice president praised CPAFFC's fruitful work over the past seven decades, saying people-to-people diplomacy becomes even more important with a more prominent position and broader stage under the new circumstances.

He pledged consistent support from the Chinese government for the CPAFFC in promoting exchanges, practical cooperation and youth friendship among countries.

Han also put forward a four-point proposal: first, strengthen solidarity and friendship and actively implement the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind; second, pursue mutual benefit and win-win results to promote common development and prosperity; third, deepen cultural and people-to-people exchanges to enhance mutual learning among civilizations and people-to-people ties; and fourth, take a long-term perspective to boost the friendship of people from different countries.

China is ready to work with other countries to foster deeper people-to-people friendship, make unremitting efforts toward the lofty goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and create a better future for mankind, said Han.

Other figures who attended the conference and made speeches include former Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso, former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, former Tanzanian Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda, former speaker of the New Zealand Parliament David Carter, former Thai Deputy Prime Minister Korn Dabbaransi, Bruneian Princess Hajah Masna, and Ali Yousuf Al-Shareef, chairman of the Association of Arab-Chinese Friendship Societies.

Themed "Enhancing people-to-people friendship and building a community with a shared future for mankind", the conference was attended by about 500 people, including the heads of friendship organizations and international friends of China as well as Chinese representatives.

Chinese VP stresses importance of people-to-people diplomacy in int'l relations

Chinese VP stresses importance of people-to-people diplomacy in int'l relations

China's top legislator Zhao Leji met with Annita Demetriou, president of the House of Representatives of Cyprus, in Beijing on Friday.

In their meeting, Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said China looks forward to strengthening exchanges and cooperation with Cyprus at all levels and in various fields to enrich the content of the two countries' strategic partnership and better benefit the two countries and their people.

Zhao said China appreciates Cyprus's adherence to the one-China principle, expressing hope that Cyprus would continue to provide firm support on issues related to China's core interests. China will continue to firmly support Cyprus' efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said.

Stressing that exchanges and cooperation between legislative bodies are an important part of China-Cyprus relations, Zhao said the NPC is willing to strengthen cooperation with the Cypriot House of Representatives to share experiences and facilitate exchanges.

Sharing China's achievements and experience in development, Zhao noted that every nation has the right to pursue a development path that suits its own national conditions. He underlined that China is willing to increase exchanges and mutual learning with Cyprus as companions and partners on the path of modernization.

Demetriou reaffirmed Cyprus's firm commitment to the one-China principle. Cyprus is willing to further deepen cooperation with China in areas such as the Belt and Road Initiative, trade, and culture, thus promoting the development of Cyprus-China and Europe-China relations, according to the parliamentary speaker.

She also said the House of Representatives of Cyprus looks forward to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the NPC of China, and to make legislative contributions to the friendly relations between the two countries.

China's top political legislator meets president of Cypriot House of Representatives