CAIFC Convenes the 1st Session of the 5th Member Congress and Council

On May 31st, the China Association for International Friendly Contact (CAIFC) convened the first session of the 5^th Member Congress and Council at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. Member representatives, members and consultants of the 4^th Council, leaders of the relevant departments, guests and representatives from branches at provincial, municipal and autonomous region levels, totaling 150 people, attended the meeting. 

The assembly began with the solemn national anthem, and Vice-chairman Xin Qi presided over the session. The session reviewed and approved the work report of Vice-chairman Yi Xian on behalf of the 4th Council and the Articles of Association of the CAIFC (Amendment) and the Election Program of the 5th Member Congress of the CAIFC (Draft), and it also elected the 5th Council and the Standing Council. At the session, Chen Yuan, vice chairman of the 12thCPPCC, was elected as the Chairman, Yi Xian, Deng Rong, Xin Qi and Cheng Guoping were elected as the Vice Chairmen, and Li Haoyu was elected as the Secretary General. Twelve consultants were engaged, including Li Zhaoxing, former minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the director of the 4th Council, Zhou Wenzhong, former vice minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and secretary general of Boao Forum, Zhang Deguang, former vice minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and former secretary general of Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and Justin Lin, full-time vice president of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and former president of World Bank.

Chairman Chen Yuan delivered a speech, stressing that the CAIFC must resolutely implement the decisions and arrangements of Party Central Committee and Chairman XiJinping, adhere to the development direction of “holding high the banner, working around the center and serving for the big picture”, further free our mind, tap into potentials, upgrade the platform and expand the channels based on the working principle of “staying focused, active and steady, and practical”, manage internal team building, gather wisdom and strength from all parties, strive to build itself into an important civil diplomatic platform for the Party and the country, build a formal, professional and national social organization brand, and continue to create a new chapter in the construction and development history of the CAIFC.

Consultant Li Zhaoxingpointed out in his speech that friendship between peoples is the fundamental force to promote world peace and development. He indicated that facing the new situation and tasks, the CAIFC would be a backbone that is long committed to civil diplomacy and would have a more important position and more glorious missions. He hoped that all the people at the CAIFC could make concerted efforts, forge ahead, do better job, and make new and greater contributions to serving the Party and the country under the strong guidance of the new leadership.

Professor Li Chenyang, dean of Burma Research Institute of Yunnan University, delivered a speech on behalf of council members. He said that the CAIFC is a broad platform that grasps first-hand domestic and foreign information and will be good for personal career and research level. He stated that he would take the job with the CAIFC as his responsibility in the future and would contribute to the innovation and development of the CAIFC by tapping into his strengths.

A photo taken at the session

Chairman Chen Yuan delivering a speech

Consultant Li Zhaoxingdelivering a speech

Council member Li Chenyangdelivering a speech