CAIFC Holds the Third Plenary Session of the Fifth Council

With the approval of General Secretary Xi Jinping, the China Association for International Friendly Contact (CAIFC) held the Third Plenary Session of the Fifth Council of the China Association for International Friendly Contact in Beijing on March 27. At the session, the CAIFC reviewed and planned future work and elected new consultants and directors to itsboard of directors. Nearly 90 representatives attended the session, including  Vice Chairman of the 12th Session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative ConferenceNational Committee and Chairman of CAIFC Chen Yuan; vice presidents Yi Xian, Deng Rong and Xin Qi; consultants Sun Xiaoyu, Cao Weizhou, and Liang Shi; Secretary-General Li Haoyu; deputy secretary-generals Zhao Jun and RenShuangjie; and CAIFC directors and members. The session was presided over by Vice President Xin Qi.

The session followed the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, implemented XiJinping’s diplomatic thoughts, focused on meeting overall goals, strengthened reform and innovation, paid close attention to implementation, strove to open new horizons for the CAIFC in the new era, and celebrated the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and its great achievements.

The session started with the work report by Vice President Yi Xian on behalf of the Fifth Council. He pointed out that, since the establishment of the current council in May 2016, it has prioritized the Communist Party of China’s political construction and ensured firm and correct political direction; contributed to the overall goals of Chinese diplomacy and conducted in-depth high-level friendly exchanges with the world; engaged in people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, helped the world better understand China and built stronger friendshipsaround the world; and strengthened research on major hot issues of international and regional significance and contributed to the strategic decision making of the Party and the State. It was proposed at the session that, as future priorities, the CAIFC will adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and ensure the steady and long-term development of the CAIFC; carry out friendly exchanges with the world and fulfill the mission of the CAIFC; and pool together the power and wisdom of all sides and motivate entrepreneurship and enthusiasm.

The session reviewed and approved the work report. Five people including Li Zhaoxing will no longer serve as consultants and seven people including Zhou Gang will no longer served as directors. The session voted 11 people including Wang Yuan to the Board of Directors of the Fifth Council of the CAIFC. Before deliberation and voting, Secretary-General Li Haoyu briefed the session on the relevant situation.

Finally, President Chen Yuan delivered a speech, pointing out that under the strong leadership of the Party committee at a higher level, the CAIFC implemented the principles of Xi Jinping’s important instructions, worked with the Party and the Government in their overall diplomacy work, achieved remarkable results in recent years in various areas, and laid a solid foundation for innovation and development for the CAIFC in the future. He then proposed three points for future work. First, the CAIFC should firmly establish the guiding position of Xi Jinping's diplomatic thoughts and ensure the healthy development of the CAIFC in the new era. Second, it should focus on contributing to the overall diplomatic work of the Party and the Government and give full play to the unique role of people-to-people diplomacy. Third, it should continue to build stronger capability and ensure smooth work in various aspects.

At the session, the leaders of the CAIFC presented letters of appointment to newly elected directors. Liu Zhiqiang, former board chairman of CITIC XinBang Asset Management Corporation Ltd., and Liang Qi, deputy director of the International Energy Cooperation Center of the Macroeconomic Research Institute of the National Development and Reform Commission, spoke on behalf of the newly elected directors.

Under the leadership of the higher-level Party Committee and the Standing Council, the session, with clear guiding principles, was well organized, highly efficient and frugal, and achieved the intended purposes of unifying thoughts, defining tasks and promoting implementation.

The session venue

President Chen Yuan delivers a speech

Vice President Yi Xian presents the work report

The session deliberates and votes on decisions

The leaders present letters of appointment to newly elected directors and representatives and the newly elected directors make speeches

A photo of representatives