On Jan 26, 2019, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries organized the Philharmonic Choir to travel to the camp of 's peacekeeping force in Lebanon and held the event "We are Here for Peace".

On Jan 26, 2019, the delegation sang "Ode to Peace" and unveiled the "Ode to Peace" sculpture at the camp of the Chinese peacekeeping force in Lebanon. Contents

FOCUS New Year's Greetings Voice of Friendship stems from Shi Jing (Book of Songs). 04 New Year’s greetings from CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin

Interview

05 Interview with Slovak Republic’s Ambassador to China H.E. Dusan Bella

/ Staff Reporter

04 View

07 Chinese folk music touches India / Mu Yu

09 My predestined love for La Voz de la Colonia China / Meng Kexin

11 The Belt and Road Initiative as I understand it / Dr K. Gopi Achari PhD

Cultural Exchanges 05 13 Miyoseki Shimura’s enthusiasm for Chinese calligraphy and seal cutting

/ Gao Hui

14 Behind the scenes of the 2018 China International Friendship Cities

Conference / Wang Qi

16 The First Session of China-Britain Culture & Art Festival: Academic

Exchange Exhibition of Famous Chinese Artists held at the British Museum 19 / Yu Xiaodong

Between Friendship Cities

19 holds Second International Friendship Cities Conference

/ Shaoxing Foreign Affairs Office 30

2 NO.195 March 2019

21 Friendship City platform lends force to Belt and Road construction

/ Shaoxing Foreign Affairs Office

23 Exchanges between Shaoxing and Japanese youths / Shaoxing Foreign Affairs Office

26 A picture scroll that never stops unfolding / Johannah Cook

28 Charming ancient city: A fusion of classics and modernity / Kim Nam Hyun

Warm Reminiscences

29 My memory of Chu Tunan / Gu Zixin Published in Chinese and English 30 Nicholas Platt / He Yan

36 In memory of Sergey Leonidovich Tikhvinsky / Li Yonghui Front Cover: On Dec 6, 2019, CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin was 39 K.S. Silin, bridge builder of China-Russia friendship / Cai Yunzhe awarded the Goodwill Ambassador for Protecting Endangered Animals- --Animal Paradise Show. Express News

41 President Li Xiaolin meets with AmCham chief / Zhang Yang

41 Vice-President Xie Yuan meets guests from Utah / Jin Hanghang

42 Vice-President Hu Sishe attends opening ceremony of animation exhibition in Sponsored and published by the Chengdu / Liu Wenwen Chinese People’s Association for 42 Vice-President Lin Yi meets with ambassador of Senegal to China / Yang Xuehe Friendship with Foreign Countries

43 Vice-President Song Jingwu meets with Ambassador Zeynalli of the Republic of Editor-in-Chief: Gao Weimin Azerbaijan /Feng Miao Address: 1 Taijichang St., Beijing, 43 Secretary-General Li Xikui attends Autoperson Development Foundation’s annual 100740, China meeting / Shao Shuai Fax: (010) 65122782 44 Chengdu’s Spring Festival atmosphere spreads into the cradle of Western civilization E-mail: [email protected]

– Athens / Chengdu Friendship Association http://www.cpaffc.org.cn 44 Famous German photographer visits SYPAFFC / Shenyang Friendship Association http://www.qikan.com ISSN 1000-9582 CN11-1234/D

3 New Year's Greetings New Year's greetings from CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin

s the New Year begins, everything multilevel and wide-ranging manner China International Import Expo; the A starts anew. The year 2019 marks that enhances understanding, develops third China- Governors Forum; the 70th anniversary of the founding friendship and strengthens cooperation the fourth China-US Governors Forum; of the People’s Republic of China and between countries. It works hard to the third US-China Sub-national will be a year full of vigor and hope. lay a solid foundation of friendship Legislatures Cooperation Forum; the On behalf of the Chinese People’s between China and other countries third Forum on China-Africa Local Association for Friendship with Foreign and plays an active role in building a Government Cooperation; the 2018 Countries, I would like to extend my harmonious world of lasting peace and EU-China Tourism Year: Chinese sincere greetings to all Chinese and common prosperity. Lanterns Light Up the Heart of Europe; foreign friendly organizations and Last year marked the 40th the Chinese cultural exhibition series people for your longtime concern and anniversary of China’s reform and titled Meet China in celebration of support for the work of our association! opening-up policy. Over the past the 200th anniversary of Karl Marx’s The aims of the CPAFFC are to four decades, China has undergone birth; the Tang Xianzu Drama Festival enhance people’s friendship, further remarkable changes and developments & International Drama Exchange international cooperation, safeguard with more frequent exchanges and close Month; and the 2018 Imperial Springs world peace and promote common contacts with the rest of the world. International Forum. development. On behalf of the Chinese Looking back at 2018, our association These activities have enhanced people, the organization makes has achieved fruitful results in people- the friendship between the Chinese friends and deepens friendships in to-people diplomacy. Sixty-seven more people and those of other countries. the international community, serves pairs of cities established friendly ties Understanding and trust of China the great cause of China’s peaceful during the year, taking the number of was deepened. Fruitful results have development and national reunification cities that have established friendly not come easily. They embody the painstaking efforts of all CPAFFC staff and works for the cause of human relations with foreign countries to 2,599. progress and solidarity. Rich and colorful bilateral and State relations rely on their multilateral activities have been people’s friendship. Understanding successfully held at home and abroad, and friendship between peoples is such as the special session of the the foundation of relations between Round-Table Summit of the Global countries. Since its establishment in CEO Council; the reception celebrating 1954, the CPAFFC has worked hard the 40th anniversary of the signing to implement China’s independent of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and policy of peace and to observe the Five Friendship; the 2018 China Principles of peaceful coexistence. It International Friendship Cities serves as a bridge with the support and Conference; the photo exhibition concern of the Chinese government on China’s reform and opening-up and all circles at home and abroad. and Vietnam’s reform and innovation It carries out people-to-people drive; the Belt and Road eco- friendship work in an all-around, agriculture and food safety forum at the

4 Interview and the full support of foreign friendly organizations and people. Interview with Slovak Here, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to you all. Thank you for your hard work! Republic's Ambassador to Looking ahead to 2019, which marks the 70th anniversary of the China H.E. Dusan Bella founding of the People’s Republic of China, the CPAFFC will celebrate its own 65th anniversary. The current Staff Reporter international situation is complex, with both opportunities and risks. No matter how the situation changes, it is believed that peace and development are always Q: Last year marked the 40th the shared aspiration of people around anniversary of China’s reform and the world. We will organize a series opening-up, while this year is the 70th of activities with greater enthusiasm anniversary of the founding of the and stronger determination, centering People’s Republic of China and the on significant historical events such as establishment of diplomatic relations the 70th anniversary of the founding between China and the Slovak of the People’s Republic of China; the Republic. Would you like to share 20th anniversary of Macao’s return; the with us your views on the development 100th anniversary of the May Fourth of friendly ties between China and Movement; the 70th anniversary of Slovakia? the establishment of China-Russia diplomatic ties; the 55th anniversary A: The upcoming 70th of the establishment of China-France anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations; and the 40th diplomatic relations between our anniversary of the establishment of countries serves as a reminder of the China-US diplomatic ties. depth of our friendship, an opportunity in the near future. We will give full play to the to reflect on our achievements and a It should also be noted that leading role of the CPAFFC in people- chance to look ahead into the coming our relations are multifaceted and to-people diplomacy, further advance decade. We are ready to develop our go beyond mere bilateral ties — the cause of friendship between the dialogue further — especially in the multilaterally, we cooperate within the Chinese people and people of other areas of trade, investment, connectivity framework of relations between the countries and strive for a new landscape and R&D — and to focus on people- European Union and China, as well as in people-to-people diplomacy. I’d like to-people contacts, including cultural the 16+1 format (China and Central and to send my sincere invitation to all the exchanges and tourism. In particular, Eastern European countries), within friends who love peace and care about we are currently working on bringing which Slovakia focuses on science and China to join us and work together for more Slovak food and beverages to technology. a better future! China and hope that the certification I wish you all good health and process for Slovak milk, meat and other Q: At the heart of Europe, good luck in 2019! agricultural products will be concluded Slovakia has superior geographical

5 Interview advantages. It is also one of the soaring in the country. Can you share with us your expectation on the earliest European countries to sign share with us your views on further exchanges between these friendship a memorandum with China on deepening the traditional friendship provinces/states and cities? cooperation under the Belt and Road between the two peoples and boosting framework. What is your expectation cultural exchanges between the two A: Actually, the number of for pragmatic cooperation between countries? provincial and sister city pairings China and Slovakia under this is much higher. As far as provinces framework? A: There is a growing interest are concerned, Bratislava province in the in Slovakia, cooperates with Shanghai, Zilina A: Slovakia sees the potential of as confirmed by the existence of province with and Trnava its engagement in the Belt and Road two Confucius Institutes, which with Hainan. The list of intercity Initiative mainly through the utilization are affiliated with Slovak Technical relationships is even longer — Kosice of its strategic geographic position. In University and Comenius University with , Žilina with Changchun, specific terms, our priority is to increase in Bratislava. I would like to highlight Martin with , Liptovsky Slovakia’s share of the dynamically the unique project of a bilingual Sino- Mikulas with Zhangye, Trencin with growing rail freight transport between Slovak high school in Banska Bystrica, Qingdao, Nitra with , Poprad China and Europe. In the eastern part hometown of famous architect Ladislav with Tai’an, Lucenec with Hengshui of Slovakia is one of Europe’s few Hudec, who is known as the man who and Ziar nad Hronom with Linzi. transfer terminals from the broad gauge changed Shanghai. From September We are also working on used in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia 2016 onward, the Bilingual High connecting one Slovak UNESCO- to the standard gauge used in Europe. School of Mikulas Kovac has been listed city with a Chinese UNESCO- From a technical perspective, the route offering studies in Chinese and Slovak listed city. This pairing should lead to through Slovakia is a great choice for in all subjects. It is unique, not only in exchanges of experiences with tourism China-Europe trains as it offers fast, Slovakia but in all of Central Europe. promotion and management, as well as reliable and secure passage. It is also important to emphasize heritage preservation within the context In November 2017, the first direct that interest in our cultures is mutual. of their status as World Heritage sites. train from China to Slovakia arrived Beijing Foreign Studies University One further example of successful in Bratislava from Dalian. Besides offers a degree in Slovak language cooperation is the Farm of Sino-Czech- lying in the important East-West and culture, and Beijing International Slovak Friendship in Zhongjie, corridor, Slovakia is also located on Studies University started teaching province, where we support trade and the developing North-South transport Slovak at the beginning of the current investment, organize performances corridor. Last but not least, the Danube, academic year. I believe in the long- by Slovak artists and events in Europe’s greatest river and a crucial term success of our cooperation in collaboration with the Primary School transport waterway, flows through education in general and these projects of Sino-Slovak Friendship. Slovakia. Therefore, in the longer in particular, which foster greater In general, it is my hope that pro- term there is considerable potential understanding between our people. vincial or twin city relations will be for taking advantage of this strategic actively developed on both sides by position and turning the transport and Q: According to the website of proposing and executing concrete proj- logistics sector into one of the new the China International Friendship ects and initiatives that will add another dynamic parts of the Slovak economy. Cities Association, there are four pairs layer to the fabric of relations between of friendship province/state and city Slovakia and China. More effort is Q: In recent years, with more relations between China and Slovakia, needed on both sides, and our embassy people learning the Chinese language which indicates huge potential can in Beijing is ready to offer a helping in Slovakia, Chinese fever has been be tapped in this regard. Can you hand.

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Chinese folk music touches India

Mu Yu

n Connaught Place, New Delhi, student majoring in Chinese language capital to be so inferior!” I the sound of a suona horn, created and literature, who had come to pick us This was my first impression of using the “circular breathing” method, up at the airport. On hearing my native the country. I have to admit that bias was soaring and the audience was Chinese, I quickly developed an affin- played a negative role. It’s true that at fever pitch. As I stood beside the ity toward this alien land. seeing is believing. mixing console behind the audience, I To be honest, I had felt a little Art knows no rules saw two young boys in the front row fidgety upon learning that I would take cheering and applauding excitedly. the trip. There had been many negative The first performance was Their enthusiasm touched me, and I too media reports about India — such arranged at a film center in New Delhi, became excited. As the suona sound things as unfriendliness to females, where schools, workshops and a film- died away, applause and cheers broke outdated infrastructure, severe air production center were located. The out again, filling the night sky with pollution and cows walking randomly stage was built in an open square an air of festivity. At the end of the on the road. When I got off the plane, and young people could be seen performance, I took a deep breath and the warmhearted flight attendant told everywhere, busy preparing for the said to myself, “incredible India”. me: “Be sure to drink bottled water show. A band from Singapore was In September 2018, at the invita- only, and for brushing your teeth, too.” rehearsing, and our delegation was tion of institutions in India, the Chinese Hearing that, I asked, “Then, what guided to a lounge by volunteers to People’s Association for Friendship about taking a shower?” wait for the coming performance. with Foreign Countries sent the Beauty Leaving the airport, we saw an Want a program beforehand? Not Melody folk music group, which is un- interesting picture. Running on the available, even with a request to the der the Sichuan Symphony Orchestra, asphalt roads as common as anywhere working staff. The best result you might to attend the Delhi International Art in the world were Tutu, motorcycles, get was being told about the number of Festival. That started a journey that in- cars, trucks and buses, seemingly free the performance groups. How about the cluded three incredible performances in of any worry about traffic fines. And sequence of performances? Just as it the South Asian country. the swirling dust didn’t bother them at may happen. Rehearsal? No way. Want all. Suddenly, a question struck me. I to audition? Don’t wait to be called for No cows on the road in New Delhi? asked one of my colleagues who had your turn, just run for it. Be prepared A greeting in Chinese, “Nihao. visited India several years ago, “Why for unexpected situations, such as an Huan ying lai Delhi” (Nice to meet are there no cows on the road in New announcement inviting you onto the you and welcome to Delhi), gave me Delhi?” stage to give awards or make remarks the first surprise of the trip. The greet- She answered, “This is the capital — there will be no notice beforehand. ing came from a young man, a college of India. How can you imagine their Standing beside the mixing

7 View console, I felt anxious. What if knows no boundaries. plane landed late at night and there something went wrong with the was something wrong with their room Indian people’s hospitality microphone or accompaniment? I reservation. After two hours of effort, had already prepared for the worst. When it comes to knowledge of the young man managed to settle the However, the miracle happened. The India, many people’s first recollection is problem by contacting the Indian performance went perfectly. The warm- the country called Tianzhu, or Thindu, organizing committee and negotiating up music was Seven Moments, a piece in the novel Journey to the West or with the hotel. Only after seeing that played with Chinese folk musical its eponymous TV version. In the everything was all right did he feel free instruments, the pipa and zhongruan. masterpiece, Monk Tang (San Zang) to leave the hotel with the driver. No Way Go Out, a popular pipa and his three disciples trekked through In an interchange activity at the solo in China, was well received at many hardships to Tianzhu, where the Hansraj Model School in New Delhi, the scene. Just as a line from the Song Western Heaven was believed to be, to we once again felt Indian people’s of the Lute Player goes — the high obtain Buddhist scriptures. From this hospitality. Heemal H Bhat, principal notes wail like pelting rain — the perspective, China and India have a time- of the school, told us that in India all performance reached its first climax honored friendship. As one of the world’s guests are regarded as God. I promise with a pipa solo. A Hundred Birds oldest civilizations, India has coexisted this is true. Serenade the Phoenix, a suona horn with its northern neighbor in peace. On Dec 6, 2018, we went to the piece, wrapped up the performance. I had a question in mind before school to perform with local students The sound was so bright, straight up the visit: What do the Indian people as planned. Early in the morning, into the sky, that hundreds of birds think of the Chinese? Although school buses and two teachers were flew in our direction. The thunderous people-to-people friendship holds the already waiting outside the hotel. applause was prolonged. key to state-to-state relations, many Spacious and bright, the buses had The second show was in examples tell us that the relationship clear school signs. I assumed that the Connaught Place, which I think is between two countries is not always so-called weakness in infrastructure of the Indian equivalent of Tian’anmen proportional to the ties between their India definitely did not include their Square. Since the first performance people. Sometimes official diplomacy investment in education. had gone smoothly, we had become faces difficulties while people-to- The principal, wearing sari, and more confident. As expected, the people diplomacy goes well, and vice two young girls waited for us in the performance went well. In fact, what versa. Only by visiting India personally schoolyard. They hung garlands around appeared disordered had its own can one truly know whether the Indian our necks, put a red dot between our order. I had but to admire the Indians’ people are friendly, or accurately eyebrows, guided us to the lounge resourcefulness. described by the media. and treated us with traditional Indian Once our music began to resonate My question found a pleasing refreshment. The protocol finished, in Connaught Place, the audience answer: India is a country as hospitable the Chinese performers were anxious responded warmly — even more as China. That was beyond my to go to the stage for the audition. The warmly than the previous night. When expectation. principal insisted that we wait for one the performance concluded, all the The greeting in Chinese to the more moment and go together with her Chinese performers praised the Indian delegation when we arrived at the later. She assured us that there would audience for their civility, forgetting airport was the first friendly signal I be enough time for preparation. We did all the chaos and anxieties before the received from the Indian people. When not understand what she meant until we show. They talked enthusiastically I met the Chinese performers who had entered the auditorium to see hundreds about the possibility of integrating arrived a day earlier, they told us they of students stand up and turn around to traditional Indian music with the had also been received by a college welcome us with warm applause. Chinese folk music. Why not? Art student majoring in Chinese. Their Seeing a figure of a person hold-

8 Voice of Friendship No. 195 March 2019 ing a pipa painted on the stage back- drop, we thought that might represent Indian students’ direct impression of Chinese culture. Fortunately, pipa- playing was on the program. When the Chinese performers finished their show, My predestined love for they played a Chinese classic — Jas- mine Flower — with the student band. La Voz de la Colonia China Finally, we left the stage like superstars amid students’ applause and salutes. In the discussion session after the performance, the students played tra- Meng Kexin ditional Indian instruments and shared their views with the Chinese perform- ers. Inspiration sparkled during the discussion, which lingered on as all were reluctant to leave. When we had to leave, the principal and teachers always think of my relationship Chinese Freemasons Society a room in brought many Indian snacks and forced I with La Voz de la Colonia China a dilapidated building near Chinatown the food into our bags. Indian people’s as predestined love. in Peru for its editorial office. Newspa- hospitality was unforgettable. When I left my five-month old pers were printed by letter press at that My first trip to India lasted only baby to go to Peru to work at the news- time, and La Voz’s equipment was out- three days, but I saw a multifaceted paper in 1995, it was like migrating dated. The metal type used in typeset- country, different from what I had from one end of the world to the other ting was not of uniform size and quite a learned from other people’s accounts. It end. There I found myself a complete few characters were missing. Some of is a colorful country with a rich culture stranger who even didn’t speak the lan- the characters had to be substituted by and hospitable people. guage. I considered it predestined — a other marks. Anyone on the staff who On the school bus, one of the In- stranger predestined to be in a strange returned to Guangdong to visit family dian teachers asked me what impres- land. would be given the mission to purchase sion India had left on me. But I knew I still remember the day I arrived type blocks in . how one-sided and narrow-minded my in Peru. Two leaders from the office Later, conventional typesetting previous impression had been and how and three senior Chinese community became obsolete and type blocks were ignorant the two peoples are about each leaders, all my predecessors at La Voz, no longer available. So we had to other. came to pick me up at the airport. I manage with a hodgepodge of type of In the internet era of information could read their strong expectations for different sizes and styles, making the explosion, we are all net friends. How- me in their eyes. reading of La Voz a guessing game ever, it is better to talk face to face than It has been more than 20 years for the reader. How we wished the to give a like to each other’s online posts. since then. Only one of them, Luo Ji- equipment and working conditions People-to-people friendship will ulti- anzhong, is still alive today and in very could be improved! mately promote state-to-state relations. I good health. Although more than 80 Finally, in 1995, computer hope the Chinese music played in New years old, Luo reads La Voz de la Colo- composition replaced the conventional Delhi has opened a new chapter in Sino- nia China every day. typesetting and the pages of the Indian friendship in the new era. The newspaper borrowed from the newspaper were doubled from four to

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eight. Along with the upgrade came At every critical moment of-fact reports about the new China another problem: how to fill all the of modern history, La Voz took so as to “make La Voz an even better pages with quality content, given the responsibility and played a special role. newspaper”. poor communication in Peru. After all, In the dying years of the Qing In an inscription he wrote for La even the telephone in the office was Dynasty (1644-1911), La Voz had Voz de la Colonia China in October secondhand, bought from a Chinese been embracing the idea of a republic 1995, Premier encouraged us neighbor. and firmly supported Dr Sun Yat-sen’s to make it a good newspaper and help At that time, some of the news revolutionary movement to overthrow enhance the friendship between China from the world and China was provided the feudalistic government. and Peru. by Xinhua News Agency’s New York During the Chinese people’s The year 2018 marked the branch by fax. Sometimes a dispatch War of Resistance Against Japanese newspaper’s 108th anniversary. For could take hours to be received because Aggression (1931-45), La Voz more than a century, it had weathered of bad wire signals. We also used called for donations from Chinese suspensions and recoveries caused by stories excerpted from Ta Kung Pao communities in Peru to support the war financial and other problems. However, that were mailed from Hong Kong by effort in China. sea, which usually took several months After the founding of the People’s it always maintained its vitality and to arrive. Even though what we read Republic of China, La Voz took pains now has acquired more through the about had happened months ago, we to introduce the new government to the start of cooperation with Beijing-based still regarded the out-of-date news as a local Chinese community, despite the Global Times in 2016. precious information resource. diverging political stances of overseas When La Voz de la Colonia China Every day we spent a great Chinese, and correcting their inaccurate resumed publication in 2016, I was amount of time reading those papers to understandings. The paper’s efforts appointed editor-in-chief. It was this search for articles that could be used made a special contribution to the predestined love — one that cannot in La Voz. Voluminous material had establishment of diplomatic relations easily be let go — that led me back to be put into the computer character between China and Peru. to the newspaper after more than a by character, making typing a daily Although it is based in South decade’s absence. chore. In addition, I did interviews, America, far from the motherland, With the advance of technology, photography and page composition. It La Voz de la Colonia China received readers’ preferences have greatly was common for me to work from 9 in attention and care from Party and State shifted from print to e-media. I do feel the morning until 10 in the evening. leaders back home. the question right in front of me: As a The painstaking efforts paid off. After the end of the “cultural traditional newspaper with a history of A new version of La Voz featured not revolution”, the editor-in-chief, He 100 years, how can La Voz stand the only richer content but also a new Lianxiang, joined a delegation of stress and emerge victorious in the face layout. The improvement greatly overseas Chinese in returning to the of new challenges? boosted the paper’s circulation and motherland for a visit and was warmly To keep up with the times and turned years of losses into gains. received by Deng Xiaoping. My love for La Voz de la Colonia During the meeting, Deng told continue playing its role, La Voz has China stemmed from its history. The He to rely on the broad masses of started to reach out into the e-media longest-standing Chinese newspaper in overseas Chinese and give full play network. South America started its publication to everyone’s initiatives to overcome I will try my best to do a good job on March 7, 1910, with the purposes of difficulties. He hoped that He and her telling China’s stories to the world, live making overseas Chinese voices heard team would answer to the Chinese up to the older generation’s expecta- and protecting their interests. community’s needs and publish matter- tions and keep up with the times.

10 Voice of Friendship No. 195 March 2019

The Belt and Road Initiative as I understand it

Dr K. Gopi Achari PhD

Secretary-General, India-China Friendship Association

am extremely happy to be invited resilience and courage. The countries is very keen on making use of every I to share my feelings and thoughts along the route reaped the fruits of the opportunity for economic growth and is to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the thriving commerce. committed to overall development that Belt and Road Initiative Friendship About 1,600 years ago, Fa Hsien, connects the past to the present. Forum on Oct 24, 2018, at Colombo. the Chinese Monk, made his maiden When visiting Central and The very name “Silk Road” re- pilgrimage to India seeking Buddhist Southeast in September and calls the glorious history of the well- scriptures and literature. October 2013, President known trade route from Europe to Asia The route along which he traveled proposed creating the Silk Road and the endless flow of caravans and was later called the Silk Road and the Economic Belt and 21st Century active presence of businessmen, trad- route he chose to go back to China via Maritime Silk Road. The Chinese ers, craftsmen and travelers. the Indian Ocean became known as the government issued an official document To have a suitable route, brave Maritime Silk Road. There is no doubt in March 2015, laying out the major and industrious people more than 2,000 that the Silk Road embodies the spirit principles and priorities for the Belt years ago opened several trade routes of peace, cooperation, mutual learning and Road Initiative. According to the connecting major civilizations across and hard work. That is its history. Chinese government, the initiative Asia, Europe and Africa. In the 21st century, the political, would help promote economic For generations, despite frequent economic and social situation of the prosperity and regional cooperation, skirmishes and wars in Eurasia, traffic entire world has drastically changed. strengthen exchanges and mutual on the Silk Road never stopped com- Modern science and technology, learning between different civilizations pletely. Though the transportation facil- and rapid advancements in the and promote world peace and ities and technologies were backward, communication sector have influenced development. The strategy has since nothing would keep away the mer- the way of life and people’s outlook. been extensively discussed among chants, the wise and the envoys from People want economic development scholars and policymakers both inside traveling across mountains and rivers and better living conditions. The and outside China. amid untold difficulties with utmost international community, therefore, The motivation behind the

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initiative can be viewed from billion people and 29 percent of global and executed in the very specific economic, domestic and strategic GDP ($21 trillion). It will be backed political context of the US’s ideological dimensions. First of all, while some by the New Silk Road Fund of $40 and geopolitical competition with the might debate whether it is designed as billion, the China Development Bank’s Soviet Union in postwar Europe. an economic development strategy or $900 billion and the bulk of the Asian China will continue to vigorously a political strategy, there is no doubt Infrastructure Investment Bank’s $100 pursue the Belt and Road Initiative to that the initiative has a key economic billion. Economists estimate that more create new opportunities for social and component. As an extension of China’s than $1 trillion of government money economic development in participating economic development strategy, it will will be involved in building the BRI. countries and for the implementation potentially impact 55 percent of global The economic logic of of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda GNP creation and 70 percent of the connectivity on a transcontinental for Sustainable Development, which world's population. scale envisaged by the BRI is provides a comprehensive action plan From an economic perspective, strong, particularly at a time when for the international community. the initiative was designed to deal globalization appears to be in retreat The Belt and Road Initiative, with the economic boom in China, in the face of rising protectionism and guided by the principle of seeking which has resulted in vast capacity and economic nationalism in the United shared benefits through extensive a need to find new markets abroad. States and the West. The slow recovery consultation and joint contribution, The organizational structure of the of the global economy from the 2008 originated in China but belongs to the Belt and Road Initiative also indicates crisis and its diminished prospects world. All Asian, African and European that it is at least initially an economic mean that the world needs new impetus countries will forge strong partnerships development strategy. for growth. The BRI could certainly be under this initiative so that its benefits While scholars and strategists one. will reach more countries and people might continue debating whether it is We in India have pointed out for while boosting interconnectivity and primarily an economic strategy or a some time that there is an infrastructure fostering better cooperation. political one, the reality is that political gap in Asia that needs to be filled. The Before concluding my speech, I and economic factors are inseparable Asian Development Bank estimates would like to note that there are serious in its design and implementation. As that Asia requires an investment of concerns as to how the BRI will affect China’s new global action plan, the about $1.7 trillion in infrastructure. the existing geopolitical and strategic initiative could be largely viewed as a The connectivity proposed to be built situation in the Indian Ocean region new geo-economic strategy. under the BRI is also clearly of benefit and the complex relations between The Belt and Road Initiative is to all those exporting countries in Asia neighboring countries, particularly in a gigantic, multi-dimensional global that seek better access to markets and South Asia. development project, which has been supplies. I am of the firm opinion that the described as the most significant and The postwar Marshall Plan is Chinese government is committed to far-reaching plan that China has ever often mentioned as a precedent for addressing the concerns of the BRI, and put forward. what is being attempted in the BRI. above all to the notion that this grand It is an ambitious attempt to unify In fact, the BRI is about development multidimensional global development and build a web of connectivity linked not reconstruction, unlike the Marshall project should be implemented with to China on a scale that has never been Plan. mutual trust, understanding, consensus seen before. The significant difference is and utmost transparency in the China estimates that the initiative that the Marshall Plan had limited participating countries. will directly involve 65 countries, 4.4 geographical scope. It was conceived Thank you.

12 Cultural Exchanges

Miyoseki Shimura’s enthusiasm for Chinese calligraphy and seal cutting

Gao Hui

n Aug 8, 2018, through the joint O efforts of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and China-Japan Friendship Association, an exhibition of Miyoseki Shimura’s seal cutting and calligraphy was held at the National Museum of Chinese Writing in Anyang, Henan province. It was the first time the museum had undertaken a foreign friend’s exhibition since it was opened. Marking the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, the exhibition cutting with color. It also included such recalls his first visit to the country. In was fittingly arranged at the National serial works as The Chinese Dream: 12 October 1972, against the backdrop Museum of Chinese Writing in Anyang, Wishes and Luxiudagang (roll up the of the normalization of diplomatic Henan province. Shimura explained: sleeves and work hard), which reflect relations between the two countries, “We chose Anyang because it is the China’s core socialist values. Shimura’s he visited China with a Sino-Japanese home of oracle bones and the cradle of works are a record of China’s develop- friendship organization from Fukuoka Chinese characters.” ment as seen from a Japanese perspec- prefecture, Japan. At the Great Hall of The exhibition, themed “From tive. He uses Chinese cultural elements the People in Beijing, Chinese premier Chinese characters to Hiragana”, show- and shrewd observations of China’s so- met and stood for a photo cased the long history of cultural ex- cial conditions. They also conveyed his with the delegation, which became changes between China and Japan from friendly feelings toward China. Shimura’s most important memory the perspective of the transmission and As a member of the Nitten and from his youth. evolution of Chinese characters. The honorary member of the Xiling Seal Art Though the Sino-Japanese exhibition was full of Chinese char- Society, Shimura has been dedicated to relationship has experienced ups and acteristics. For example, the display friendly exchanges, especially cultural downs over the past 40 years, Shimura included Chinese surnames in ancient communication, between China and has been committed to promoting forms, which were inspired by Chinese Japan over the decades. When it comes the development of bilateral ties. He culture and created by combining seal to his contact with China, he excitedly visited China 210 times and held 29

13 Cultural Exchanges exhibitions of his calligraphy and seal cutting works in the country. Together with other calligraphers and seal engravers, including Sha Menghai, former president of the Xiling Behind the scenes of the Seal Art Society, he has compiled several dictionaries and made great achievements in teaching, writing and 2018 China International research. In 2011, he gave a piece of his seal cutting work to the China Friendship Cities Conference Japan International Youth Exchange Center — a stela called The everlasting Wang Qi friendship between the Chinese and Japanese peoples — which was displayed at the Shanghai Expo. The gift will be stored at the center in henever the biennial China International Friendship Cities Asso- Beijing. In 2017, the Japanese foreign W International Friendship Cities ciation (CIFCA) sent an advance team minister awarded him a prize for his Conference is mentioned among to the city for research and held discus- decades of effort in advancing cultural colleagues in the Department of sions with the local association branch. exchanges between China and Japan. Friendship Cities, we call the year in Though the conference would take which the conference will be held a “big During the exhibition in Anyang, place in November, preparations were year” and one without the conference a Henan province, Shimura often made throughout most of the year. To “small year”. At the beginning of every interacted with the audience, including give the Wuhan Friendship Cities Con- big year, one would naturally think of students at the museum. He said that ference strong publicity, we promoted preparations for the conference, usually without Chinese characters there it in all domestic and foreign activities scheduled for year’s end, as a tough wouldn’t be his beloved calligraphy in 2017. Every time we went abroad battle and would voluntarily mark on and seal cutting. It has been his for visits, we told every friend we met the calendar the dates when the whole cherished desire to go back to the home about the Wuhan conference, hoping department will be busy both before of Chinese characters and renew his a delegation from that country would and afterward. original aspiration cultivated during his Begun in 2008, the conference has involve people from diverse social cir- studies in China. He is the same age been held in Beijing, Shanghai, Cheng- cles. as the People’s Republic of China, and du, Guangzhou and Chongqing, all of Letters of invitation began to be this year he will also celebrate his 70th which were very much representative sent out after Spring Festival, and we birthday. of friendship cities. The sixth session, began to taste the sweetness of success. He hopes that through calligraphy which was held in Wuhan on Nov 15, The seeds of friendship we had sowed and seal cutting exchanges the Sino- 2018, was the first time the conference in our daily work began to bear fruit, as Japanese friendship will be passed had been held in central China. It was positive responses from foreign friends down from generation to generation to also the first time for Wuhan to host a started to pour in. Every letter or call realize “harmony of hearts, harmony of non governmental diplomatic event on of confirmation generated a feeling of skills and perfect response of feelings” such a large scale. achievement — but also added pres- — the words he inscribed on the stela Preparations for the Wuhan meet- sure. We had to race against time to for the Shanghai World Expo. ing started in 2017, when the China arrange detailed accommodations for

14 Voice of Friendship No. 195 March 2019

With the delegation of the Association of Communes of Romania

every visiting delegation. the registration deadline with a lot of work seemed endless, since there was One of the happiest things about questions. Upon learning the deadline, always room for improvement. The working for the CIFCA is the chance the contact representative, Mugla, closer you get to the opening of a to communicate with friends of differ- immediately made an international conference, the busier you become. ent backgrounds and different cultures phone call to my office and explained Just as I felt up to my neck in around the world. However, starting their special situation and how they work, I got timely support and help from September, we often had to work treasured the opportunity to attend the from colleagues and friends: a cup of extra hours late into the night to com- conference. Mugla also invited me to refreshing coffee handed to me amid municate with the foreign delegations, become his WeChat friend for more telephone calls and the busy tapping because there were six to seven hours convenient communication. of keyboards in the office; someone in time difference between China and After getting approval from offering to go to the airport to meet their countries. Every detailed step, the leadership, Mugla and I worked arriving guests instead of me when I from visa application, registration and nonstop to finish preparing all relevant happened to be fully engaged in other accommodation, to arrangements for materials and finally got a successful business; and someone helping me speeches and meetings needed close at- registration for the nine-member interpret for a foreign guest when I was tention and timely handling. delegation. Mugla said to me afterward attending to another task. Sometimes we had to deal with by phone that he thought it was quite No one knew how many sleepless unexpected changes or requests. One a successful cooperation between us. nights the local team in Wuhan had. unforgettable experience was with “You are definitely my dear friend. Some of them lost weight in just a few the delegation of the Turkish Cities Give me a call whenever you come to days; some became hoarse; and some at League, which hadn’t responded to our Turkey. Don’t forget about it!” the check-in desk waited past midnight repeated contact attempts but jumped The phrase “everything is ready” for late arrivals in an empty lobby. But in virtually at the last minute before is undoubtedly wishful thinking. The whenever and wherever you looked

15 Cultural Exchanges for help, you would be greeted with a smiling face and you would never be disappointed. The on-site volunteers accompanying foreign guests were well-trained and had fully prepared The First Session of China- themselves to provide information about the city and meeting arrangements. An interpreter, Miss Liu, Britain Culture & Art who accompanied the cabinet minister of the Republic of Montenegro, spoke Festival: Academic Exchange excellent English and helped with several temporarily added meetings. Exhibition of Famous The two volunteers receiving the Russian delegation soon became close friends with its members. When they Chinese Artists held at the parted at the end of the conference, both the Russian guests and the British Museum Chinese volunteers shed tears of fond farewell. Everyone’s busy working Yu Xiaodong schedules were focused on one purpose: making sure the conference was a success so that foreign friends would acquire a better and more comprehensive understanding of China and that the cooperation between n November 27, 2018, the First Queen in the Central Region, Ms. Mary Chinese and foreign cities would OSession of China-Britain Culture Kingsburg, Director of Chinese Art at achieve greater results. & Art Festival：Academic Exchange the British Museum, Mr Wei Chaohe, From the opening keynote Exhibition of Famous Chinese Artists, Chairman of Confederation of Chinese speeches to the Wuhan Initiative issued co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Business (UK), Ms Pan Xinru, Direc- during the closing ceremony, the Association for Friendship with Foreign tor of Prince Charles Foundation, Mr three-day conference was a success. It Countries and the Confederation Zhao Xichen, Chairman of the Board ended with abundant praise from all of Chinese Business (UK), was of Daisy Institute, Mr Wang Ruobing, attendees. Proud of our achievements, inaugurated at the British Museum. Secretary General of ZHIsland Inter- I also thought it was a pity that I hadn’t Guests from the culture and art national (UK), Ms Su Haili, President had time to thank all the heroes behind circles, including Mr Hu Sishe, vice- of Beijing Guanghe Century Culture the scenes. president of the Chinese People’s As- Investment Management Co., and Dr I look forward to the next session sociation for Friendship with Foreign Tristram Hunt, Director of Victoria and of the conference in Kunming, Yunnan Countries, Baron Steven von Kohorn zu Albert Museum, as well as Chinese art- province, in 2020, which I believe will Kornegg and Baroness Anette von Ko- ists participating in the exhibition, such generate more fascinating stories to horn zu Kornegg, Mr Stephen A. Gold- as Li Yi, Wang Huanbo, Wei Hongyan, tell. stein CBE DL, spokesperson for the Wang Gangqing, Niu Chao, Zuo Jian-

16 Voice of Friendship No. 195 March 2019

hong, Liu Jiadi, Sun Xiaodong, Wang to a certain extent, can represent the nese People’s Association for Friend- Jiachun, Li Bing, Wan Ding and Xing artistic level of Chinese Contemporary ship with Foreign Countries, stressed: Qingren attended the inauguration cer- Art, were selected to participate in the “We have attached great importance to emony. Multiple media, including the First Session of China-Britain Culture this cooperation with the British Mu- Times, Financial Times, the Telegraph, & Art Festival：Academic Exchange seum. We hope to take this opportunity CCTV, Guangming Online and Ifeng. Exhibition of Famous Chinese Artists. to carry out more exchanges in the art com participated in and reported on the After the inauguration, the art field, introduce more outstanding Chi- event. works with unique features were nese artists to British people and intro- Being one of the museums warmly welcomed and enjoyed by duce British culture to China, so as to possessing the longest history and the local visitors, and the vastness and further improve mutual understanding most magnificent building in the world, profundity of Chinese culture contained and trust and contribute more to the the British Museum has established a in these works won plaudits. During steady and far-reaching development relatively strict admittance mechanism the exhibition, artists illustrated the art of bilateral relations. Baron Steven von for exhibitions. Therefore, the of Chinese painting with a profundity Kohorn zu Kornegg said that China inauguration of this exhibition not only and easy-to-understand approach for possesses extensive and profound his- reflected British Museum’s recognition foreign friends and local overseas torical and cultural traditions, as well to the artists, but also showed its full Chinese. It is worth mentioning that as rapid artistic progress. Many British confidence in the curation and the one of the paintings exhibited, which people, including himself, are fond of hosting organizations. was created by Wang Jiachun, was Chinese painting. He hoped that more As the first joint exhibition of collected by the British Museum, Chinese artists would come to Britain Chinese ink and wash paintings held at making it the first work by a Chinese for such exchanges. Mr. Stephen A. the British Museum, the exhibition has artist collected by the British Museum Goldstein CBE DL, spokesperson for been given great importance to by both after that of Wu Guanzhong. the Queen in the Central Region, sug- China and Britain. After eight months In his inauguration speech, Mr gested that the exchanges in culture and of rigorous screening, 12 artists who, Hu Sishe, vice president of the Chi- art are necessary at this crucial moment

17 Cultural Exchanges

for the development of Sino-British relations. And he believed that this ex- hibition will further enrich the friendly relations between the two countries. Mr Wang Huanbo, one of the artists in this exhibition said affectionately that “for hundreds of years, splendid cultures emerged in China and Europe, which are two pieces of land with ancient traditions, and formed two parallel peaks, namely Eastern culture and Western culture. There are big differences between the two, which create certain burdens for the two sides to understand the culture of the other. “However, there are also some things we share in common, which are love and beauty. When we brought our Against this background, the del- Countries. They hoped to launch a new works to exhibit at the British Museum, egation to Britain not only participated platform with the CPAFFC to promote we were trying to express our concept in the The First Session of China-Brit- exchanges between the two countries in about love and beauty and introduce ain Culture & Art Festival：Academic multiple fields and make contribution the Chinese view of art to friends in Exchange Exhibition of Famous Chi- to the development of bilateral rela- Britain.” nese Artists in this visit but also made tions. In October 2015, on his state broad contacts with local organizations, The Royal College of Art ex- visit to Britain, President Xi Jinping including the Confederation of Chinese pressed hope of working with China and then British Prime Minister David Business (UK); Sino-British Economic, and jointly cultivating talents and aca- Cameron decided to jointly build Trade and Investment Association; demic exchanges in the field of culture a Global Comprehensive Strategic Royal College of Art; Architectural and art. The Architectural Association Partnership for the 21st Century Association School of Architecture; School of Architecture said it would and open a golden era in China-UK Stratford-upon-Avon, where Shake- like to obtain more opportunities to relations featuring enduring, inclusive speare was born; the city of Rugby; and participate in construction in China, and win-win cooperation. This historic Gagosian Gallery, the top gallery in the provide China with professional servic- decision means that Sino-British world. Through the in-depth exchanges es, and get more involved in academic relations have reached a new level. of views, multiple cooperative efforts exchanges with China. Stratford-upon- With the development of Sino-British had been achieved. Avon and the City of Rugby welcomed relations, the two countries have Both the Confederation of Chi- the visit of the delegation. Having ex- carried out active exchanges in various nese Business (UK) and the Sino-Brit- perienced the vitality brought by the fields in recent years, which further ish Economic, Trade and Investment increasing number of Chinese visitors, strengthened the mutual understanding Association expressed a strong desire both cities hoped this trend would con- between the people of the two to cooperate with Chinese People’s As- tinue and the path of cooperation would countries. sociation for Friendship with Foreign be broadened.

18 Between Friendship Cities

Shaoxing holds Second International Friendship Cities Conference

Shaoxing Foreign Affairs Office

n Nov 5, 2018, the Second China O Shaoxing International Friendship Cities Conference was unveiled. More than 300 people in 37 international friendship delegations and 17 domestic city delegations gathered in Shaoxing, to attend a grand event of friendship and development. The conference was co-organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Zhejiang Provincial People’s As- sociation for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Shaoxing Municipal The 2nd Shaoxing International Friendship Cities Conference People’s Government. It unfolded with the theme “Friendly cooperation, inno- consulates-general in Shanghai and 17 extended a warm welcome to all vative development”, and aimed to in- domestic friendship city delegations. the foreign guests, and introduced vite friends from all walks of life in the Among them, Nanto and Nishinomiya, Shaoxing’s profound historical heritage international friendship cities to take Japan, and Daegu, South Korea, have and unique characteristics as a water part in Shaoxing’s construction and de- long established friendship city rela- town south of the Yangtze River, as velopment. The conference represents tions with Shaoxing, while other cit- well as the city’s economic and social Shaoxing’s intent to share resources ies such as Kandy, Sri Lanka, and development in recent years. with foreign friendship cities for com- Bobruisk, Belarus, have been court- He noted that 2018 marked the mon benefits. ing Shaoxing in recent years and hope 40th anniversary of China’s reform and The number of participating cit- to further expand friendly exchanges. opening-up policy, and that Shaoxing ies and people doubled from the First These cities all sent delegations headed was fully implementing its strategy of International Friendship Cities Confer- by their mayors to attend the event. establishing a new economic system ence in 2016. Participants totaled more At the main conference on Nov that is open to the outside world, than 300, including friends from 34 cit- 6, Ma Weiguang, secretary of the striving to build itself into an important ies in 19 countries, three delegations of Shaoxing Municipal Party Committee, hub along the Belt and Road routes; an

19 Between Friendship Cities international city well-connected with was first among all prefecture-level For example, it has launched the , Ningbo and Shanghai; and cities in Zhejiang province to launch East Africa Business Logistics Park, a city of unique culture. international friendship city relations. Tanzania Commercial Bank, Nadi Subsequently, mayors of During the Second China International Hotel and five other friendship cities introduced their Shaoxing International Friendship projects by cooperating with Suva and cities in a forum, anticipating Cities Conference, a ceremony was Dar es Salaam, with a total investment future development. Witnessed by held to mark the 35th anniversary of of $136.6 million. The Wolong Group foreign friends, Shaoxing signed establishing friendship city relations acquired ATB Seville Motor Co of memorandums of friendly exchanges between Shaoxing and Nanto-Awara, Subotica, Serbia. And Fangyuan with six cities and launched 10 Japan. Agricultural Technology Co cooperated educational cooperation projects International friendship city with Belarusian Bobruix Thermal and economic trade cooperation cooperation is an important channel Energy Network Coon a peat soil projects. Shaoxing and its international for opening up to the outside world. project. friendship cities will carry out Over the past 35 years, Shaoxing has In cultural exchanges, Shaoxing cooperation and exchanges in economy, established such relations with 50 culture, education and many other cities in 26 countries, ranking first uses its advantages as a historically fields on a higher level. among all Chinese cities of the same famous cultural city to carefully design During the three-day conference, administrative level. It has also signed vehicles for culture diffusion and give guests also participated in such memorandums on developing friendly a good account of the stories of its activities as the Friendship Cities exchanges with 29 foreign cities and people. Photography Exhibition, the won the International Friendship City In recent years, the city has Belt and Road Economic Trade Exchange and Cooperation Award in organized and participated in a series of Cooperation Forum, the Tourism 2014, 2016 and 2018. activities, such as the Majestic Princess Education Cooperation Forum and It is important to both establish cruise ship’s maiden Maritime Silk the Intoxicating Shaoxing Evening and maintain a friendly relationship. Road voyage; the Encounter Lu Xun Gala. It is noteworthy that this year’s While making continuous efforts in Marx’s Hometown photo exhibition; International Friendship Cities to expand the international friend the Lu Xun and World Literature Conference coincided with the annual circle, Shaoxing also attaches great Giants: Masters’ Dialogue; and the Shaoxing Yellow Wine Festival, so that importance to maintaining and People’s Premier, Zhou Enlai, During guests attended the wine gala’s opening upgrading friendly exchanges with its Wartime photo exhibition, among ceremony and visited the Yellow Wine friendship city partners and has taken several other activities. Museum for a taste of the charming that as a key point in its foreign affairs Shaoxing has often organized traditional culture of Shaoxing. work. Yueju Opera and Shaoxing Opera In the past 35 years, Shaoxing Friendship cities matchmaking troupes and calligraphers to visit for- has successfully conducted exchanges eign friendly cities to spread Chinese The 5,000 cherry trees planted and cooperation with friendship cities more than 20 years ago beside the in economy, trade, science, technology culture with positive results. It continu- Dayu Mausoleum at the foot of and humanities. ously deepens exchanges and coopera- Kuaiji Mountain are now a luxuriant In terms of economic and trade tion with international friendship cities forest and a symbol of Sino-Japanese cooperation, Shaoxing fully leverages in the field of education and promotes friendship. In 1983, Shaoxing officially private resources to develop friendly exchanges between teachers and youths established friendship city relations relations with foreign cities, and so as to prepare reserve forces for sus- with Fukumitsu, Toyama prefecture uses this relationship as a channel to tainable development of friendship city (now Nanto), in Japan. Shaoxing help private enterprises go global. relations.

20 Voice of Friendship No. 195 March 2019

Friendship City platform lends force to Belt and Road construction

Shaoxing Foreign Affairs Office

haoxing established its first S international friendship city relationship in 1983, much earlier than other Chinese cities. It was the first among all prefecture-level cities in Zhejiang province to do so. After Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, proposed the Belt and Road Initiative, Shaoxing’s work in developing friendship city relations was boosted immensely. At present, it has concluded agreements with 50 cities in 26 countries for friendship city relations or conducting friendly In June 2017, the Shaoxing Artistic Team participated in the Majestic exchanges, and has signed Princess cruise ship’s maiden Maritime Silk Road voyage. memorandums to enter friendly exchange relations with 29 foreign cities. Its friendship cities are comprehensive economic strength Foreign liaison interacts with distributed across five continents, with ranks second in the country, as well as foreign economic ties the number topping all other being one of the central cities on the Integration of four foreign-related prefecture-level cities of Zhejiang Black Sea coast; and North Dhaka, the undertakings is a strategy of Shaoxing province and ranking in the first tier of capital of Bangladesh (2016), which is to combine efforts in foreign affairs, all cities on its level in China. also the third foreign capital to enter a Shaoxing has entered into friend- foreign trade, foreign economic links friendship city relationship with Shaox- ship city relations with 48 cities along and foreign investment, while banking ing. the Belt and Road routes. The newly on the city’s advantages in its highly Because of its outstanding added major friendship cities in recent developed foreign-oriented economy. years are Kandy (2018), the second- performance in unfolding the The strategy aims to enhance the largest city in Sri Lanka, recognized friendship city work, Shaoxing won the quality and quantity of the city’s open by the UNESCO World Heritage Com- International Friendship City Exchange economy. Through the international mittee as the world cultural heritage in and Cooperation Award presented friendship city platform, it actively 1988; Bobruisk, the seventh-largest city by the CPAFFC and CIFCA three promotes cross-border development of in Belarus (2018); Burgas, the fourth- consecutive times — 2014, 2016 and Shaoxing enterprises. largest city of Bulgaria (2017), whose 2018. For example, the move has helped

21 Between Friendship Cities bring about the signing of a letter of Silk Road voyage with the CPAFFC. enterprises in Shaoxing. During the intent between Shaoxing Fangyuan Artists from Shaoxing presented seven conference, more than 60 Chinese Agricultural Technology Co and the cultural feasts to more than 7,000 and foreign companies talked about Belarusian Bobruix Thermal Energy guests from more than 40 countries, agriculture, infrastructure construction, Network Co for joint exploration of staging art performances with Shaoxing textile machinery, environmental peat soil. It also encouraged several characteristics — silk, Yueju Opera, protection and the chemical industry, important business moves: Zhejiang calligraphy and pottery works — which reaching agreements on the peat soil Wolong Group acquired ATB Seville inspired foreign guests on the ship to project and some other cooperative Motor Co of Subotica, Serbia; Zhejiang express their appreciation of Chinese programs. Guannan Knitting & Dyeing Co culture and desire to visit Shaoxing. In May 2016, the first acquired Vrsac Vineyard in Serbia; In the same month, to commemorate International Friendship Cities and Shaoxing Keqiao District Huatian the 45th anniversary of establishment Conference was successfully convened Investment Co invested and established of diplomatic relations between China in Shaoxing and attended by 20 New Zealand Huatian Investment Co and New Zealand, the New Zealand friendship city delegations from 17 in Taupo, New Zealand, for an overall Shaoxing Week series of activities countries, nine embassy delegations ecological healthcare resort hotel took place in Taupo, New Zealand, and nearly 150 foreign guests. Leaders project beside Taupo Lake. including concerts, a photo exhibition of the CPAFFC and various provinces Another example is the China- and economic trade talks, which and municipalities also attended and Foreign Friendship City Special illustrated Shaoxing culture’s profound, spoke highly of the conference. Product Exhibition, which promoted all-inclusive and diverse characteristics. During the meeting, the the construction of the New Zealand In addition, such activities as the China Friendship City Special Products product pavilion and enhanced the Shaoxing-Hungarian Pecs Friendly Exhibition and forums on economy, competitiveness and influence of Concert and the China (Shaoxing)-India trade, culture, education and tourism Shaoxing products in the global market. Second International Yoga Day were cooperation were held, along with Economic and trade cooperation held, along with other foreign cultural agreement-signing ceremonies for between Shaoxing and countries along exchange activities such as the Masters’ establishing friendship city relations the Belt and Road routes has reached Dialogue cultural exchange symbolizing and projects involving water treatment, a considerable scale. So far, 22 such dialogues between Lu Xun, Tolstoy and tourism and other economic and countries have invested in 447 projects Tagore. Shaoxing Wenli College set up technical fields. In November 2018, in Shaoxing, with contracted foreign the Lanting Calligraphy Overseas Class Shaoxing successfully convened investment standing at $370 million at the National University of Togliatti in the second International Friendship and actually injected funds of around Russia. Cities Conference. The number of $72.5 million. participating cities and personnel, as Shaoxing’s reputation enhanced in well as foreign guests, doubled from Cultural exchanges with nations Belt and Road countries the first session of the conference. along Belt and Road increased In November 2013, Shaoxing Meanwhile, the Belt and Road Meanwhile, we took measures held the 2013 Shaoxing-Central and Economic Trade Cooperation Forum to promote cultural exchanges with Eastern Europe Friendship Economic and the Belt and Road Tourism countries along the Belt and Road Trade Exchange Conference, which Education Forum were held, witnessing routes and tell them Shaoxing’s story was attended by city representatives the signing of agreements (including through culture and art. In June 2017, from seven countries in Central and memoranda) for establishment of the Shaoxing Artistic Team was Eastern Europe, foreign consuls general seven pairs of friendship cities, three organized to participate in the Majestic to Shanghai, business personnel and educational cooperation projects and Princess cruise ship’s maiden Maritime leaders of more than 150 foreign seven economic and trade cooperation

22 Voice of Friendship No. 195 March 2019 projects. Mutual visits enhance Exchanges between Shaoxing communication with countries participating in the Belt and Road and Japanese youths Since 2013, Shaoxing has re- ceived 530 visitors in 66 groups from 18 countries along Belt and Road Shaoxing Foreign Affairs Office routes, including Russia, India, Sri Lanka, Bulgaria, Poland and Singa- pore. Among them were high-profile delegations led by such VIPS as a for- mer Czech prime minister, the vice- chairman of the Czech Governors Association, the vice-chairman of the China-CEEC Provincial Governor As- sociation, the Indian textile industry minister, the Indonesian governor of Sulawesi province, Sri Lanka’s Central province governor, the international re- lations assistant to the Albanian presi- dent and the Russian Federation presi- dent’s culture adviser. The city also attached importance to the role of local In February 2018, amid the friendly exchanges of a youth envoy high-level leaders in communicating delegation from Shaoxing city to Nishinomiya, Japan, Japanese middle school students delivered a drum performance. with international friendship city part- ners by organizing group visits to coun- tries along the Belt and Road routes. s close neighbors separated by a — Shaoxing undertook exchanges with Since 2013, 39 groups of 204 personnel A strip of water, China and Japan its neighbor earlier than other Chinese led by municipal leaders have visited share interlinked culture and long- cities. In 1983, it launched the first in- those countries. The city’s top leaders term people-to-people communication. ternational friendship city relationship. personally led the teams to sign agree- High-level leaders have attached It was with Fukumitsu (now Nanto), ments for establishing friendship city great importance to youth exchanges Japan. So far, the city has established relations with their foreign counterparts between the two countries, which have friendship city relationships or friendly and hold trade negotiations and an in- become an important part of bilateral exchange relationships with seven Jap- vestment briefing. The visits helped efforts to improve the two peoples’ anese cities and signed a memorandum set up official contacts with the cities mutual friendly feelings and cultivate for such exchanges with another city. along the Belt and Road and created a successors in the cause of friendship. For more than 30 years, Shaoxing positive international environment for Thanks to Shaoxing’s profound has maintained active exchanges exchanges and cooperation. They laid historical and cultural heritage — and and frequent visits with Japan in a solid foundation for developing posi- the special relationship of some of the sectors such as the economy, culture, tive relations between China and many city’s past prominent citizens with Ja- education, health and sports and has countries. pan — such as Zhou Enlai and Lu Xun achieved good results.

23 Between Friendship Cities

In March 1991, the attached middle school of Shaoxing University established friendly ties with the middle school of Awara city, Japan. Among the activities, the Sino- young people. Encouraged by the friendship city Japanese youth exchanges have been The education committees across mechanism, 14 Shaoxing primary and especially noteworthy. Since Fukumitsu Japan also took steps to cooperate with secondary schools have established sent the first group of youth envoys their Shaoxing counterparts. They friendly relations with counterparts in to visit Shaoxing in 1984, both sides designated people to take charge of Japanese friendship cities. The schools have exchanged visits regularly with Sino-Japanese youth exchanges and all planted trees symbolizing friendship educational delegations, teen envoys set up the Japan-China Friendship for generations. From the time Awara and youth delegations. The visits Education Association to promote city dispatched a Japanese youth envoy involved 2,961 people in 226 groups, school communication, sent educational group for the first time in 1986, it has leading to the establishment of 14 pairs delegations to visit Shaoxing regularly insisted on dispatching the group every of friendship schools and contributing to plan for exchanges of youths and year, no matter how the relationship immensely to fostering the future force education workers. between China and Japan might have of Sino-Japanese friendly exchanges. The youth envoys from changed. In all, the city has sent 781 both places were generally led by youths to visit Shaoxing. During each High-level leadership leaders from education bureaus and visit, the envoys felt the warmth of Over the years, the Shaoxing education committees, and the host home. They walked hand-in-hand with municipal government — along schools were responsible for detailed Chinese students on the campus, sat with its lawmaking body and implementation. The practices have side-by-side in the classroom and sang legislative advisory committee, and developed into a regular pattern in and danced together at parties. They the governments and lawmakers which education authorities take the felt especially at home when staying from Japanese friendship cities — all leadership while the foreign affairs with their Chinese friends’ families. attached great importance to exchanges department gives support. This has laid Through the colorful exchange between the two nations’ youths. a solid foundation for the exchange activities, Chinese and Japanese youths Shaoxing’s government officials have crossed national and language mechanism between Chinese and received Japanese youths and briefed barriers to achieve friendships and Japanese youths to continue into the them about the city’s economic and indelible lifetime memories. foreseeable future. social development. So far, Shaoxing When Shaoxing’s middle school has received more than 2,000 Japanese Nongovernmental contact student delegation visited Fukumitsu,

24 Voice of Friendship No. 195 March 2019 local households hung five-star red The activities helped develop an Expanding influence flags, and residents along the way effective mechanism for Sino-Japanese Shaoxing’s long-standing waved colorful homemade balls, youth exchanges. Shaoxing and its friendship with Japan stems from its which they presented to the young Japanese counterparts have participated fame as an ancient city with a rich peacemakers from China. in the national table tennis competition cultural heritage. It is the birthplace of In the 1990s, a Japanese girl many times. many historical figures and a trademark visited Shaoxing and stayed with a A musical band comprising 220 rice wine. Shaoxing middle school student’s students from Nishinomiya Middle family. She became good friends School and a wind instrument orchestra To help the visiting Japanese with the daughter of the family. The from Nanto Yoshie Middle School, youths understand Shaoxing and two girls played together and slept which was acclaimed for having China better, we tailor-made the “See in the same bed like sisters. After reached the Japanese national level, Shaoxing for South China Culture” tour the Japanese girl returned home, the both came to perform in Shaoxing, route, which catered particularly to the friends kept up correspondence. Many expressing the friendly feelings of the interests of young people. In the former years later, the mother of the Shaoxing younger Japanese generation toward residence of Lu Xun, the Japanese girl visited Japan and came upon the Shaoxing. youngsters learned about the great Japanese girl at a banquet given by the This year, the mayor of Oyama, Chinese writer’s relations with Japan. Japanese host. The two hugged and Japan, led an early childhood education In the Sanwei Study, they were told shed warm tears. Another example is group to visit Shaoxing, to promote about Lu’s stories as a primary school the reception of a Japanese friend in relationships between kindergartens in pupil. And they read poetry at the 2013 who told us that he had come to both cities and advance cooperation in Lanting Pavilion, beside the brook, and Shaoxing more than 20 years earlier early childhood education. Shaoxing practiced calligraphy beside the Mohua when he was a student, and afterward also sent medical, agricultural and Pavilion. They also went boating on had dedicated himself to developing language trainees to study in Japan. It East Lake and strolled in the water Japanese-Chinese exchanges. He said sent young doctors to train at Hyogo town that features small arch bridges he was over 40 years old and had a College of Medicine and the Medical and a maze of alleys. Shaoxing’s child in middle school. He promised to University of Toyama, covering the history of more than 2,500 years and bring the child with the youth envoy fields of brain neurosurgery, obstetrics the time-honored folk customs of the group for a Shaoxing visit. and gynaecology, pediatrics and South China water town left a deep There are many other stories of clinical pathology. They learned first- impression on the Japanese teenagers. Chinese and Japanese students planting class techniques and professional Meanwhile, we also organized the seeds of friendship from generation ethics there, while experiencing sincere the Japanese youth delegation to tour to generation by participating in the friendship. These young medical Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou and student exchange program. workers trained in the friendship cities experience the splendid 5,000-year returned to Shaoxing to become the Diverse form, rich content backbone of the city’s hospitals. culture of China. Awed by the majestic Shaoxing and Japanese youth The residents of Japanese Great Wall and the magnificent Forbid- exchanges cover a wide range of fields, friendship cities have so far donated den City, and then losing themselves including lectures, calligraphy, boarding 10 million Japanese yen to support in the beautiful rippling waters of West with families, “hope project” donations, Shaoxing’s Hope Project — building Lake, the Japanese youths developed a exchanges of students for training in primary schools and libraries, love for China and Shaoxing. They said medicine, cooking, agriculture, language improving school computer equipment they wanted to become inheritors and and team participation in the Sino- and setting up a Japanese speech successors of the Sino-Japanese friend- Japanese youth table tennis competition. contest fund. ship tradition.

25 Between Friendship Cities

A picture scroll that never stops unfolding

Johannah Cook

he other day, I visited a museum T in Shaoxing’s Dongpu town that displayed a scroll running around all four walls of the room. It represents the people of Shaoxing going about their daily lives. The guide said the 15-meter-long work depicts the most human figures in a painting anywhere in the world and is considered to be the Shaoxing equivalent of the Qingming Scroll from the Song Dynasty (960- 1279). Completed over a period of three years, the Dongpu scroll was the pains- taking work of artist Shen Houfu, who fell ill toward the end but refused to put Johannah Cook (New Zealand) , Shaoxing honorary citizen down his brush. He continued to paint, even while dying. The people and ac- tivities were painted vividly, and the variety of subjects during my time here, work is located near Shaoxing North scenes are full of vitality and life. including English, Western culture and Railway station. High-speed trains take I have lived in the ancient city of etiquette, cross-cultural communica- 20 minutes to reach Hangzhou and just Shaoxing for almost four years now, tion, Chinese language for interna- under two hours to reach Shanghai. and I can observe that same vividness and color of the ordinary citizens of tional students and even literature, with Although I live far from my Shaoxing, which continues to bring the a particular emphasis on poetry. The home country of New Zealand, there city to life and enhance its charm. subjects I have had the opportunity to are direct flights to Auckland from I am currently employed as a for- teach here reflect the broad vision and Hangzhou and Shanghai, which makes eign teacher at Zheijiang Yuexiu For- international flavor of this city, which me feel as if I’m never too far away eign Language University in Shaoxing. has an eye towards the future. from home. There is also an abundance I have had the opportunity to teach a The campus where I live and of foreign restaurants here.

26 Voice of Friendship No. 195 March 2019

Shaoxing has more than 30 treasures that are too much for the eye sister cities in foreign countries. It’s to take in. Sporadic bursts of the aroma and a welcoming place where people are I have participated in a variety sizzle of smelly tofu, friendly and hospitable. You can feel of events in the city. One such event Cues of hungry patrons line the the truth of a saying by Confucius was the 33rd Wang Xizhi calligraphy cobblestone streets. about welcoming friends from afar. commemoration held at Lanting It’s been almost two years now My mother and her friend recently pavilion, which was attended by and still I never tire of visited me in Shaoxing. The friend many calligraphy experts from China the white plastered walls and came down with a health problem, and abroad. In this way, Shaoxing is sloping black tiled roofs. and some citizens of Shaoxing kindly a transmitter of traditional Chinese Turning a corner in these twisting offered to drive her to the hospital. culture to the world. lanes, The medical staff was friendly and It was the surrounding mountains Unfolds a view that is so different helpful. She was surprised that she did of Shaoxing that inspired Wang Xizhi from the last. not have to wait long and received her to produce his preface to the poems Black-awning boats crowd the prescription quickly. written at the Orchid Pavilion in the narrow canals, I have already visited many of year 353. The boatman carefully navigates the tourist sites this city has to offer. I On one occasion, when I visited the undulating waves. have sailed around the bluestone cliffs the pavilion, white geese popped out There are pavilion rest stops in of East Lake, admired the Buddhist from the trees and into the pond. I the nooks of hidden corners, statue carved in rock in the Keyan could almost imagine Wang Xizhi to sit back and watch scenes Scenic Area and feasted on Shaoxing seated on the riverbank gazing at his brimming with life and vigor. delicacies in the streets surrounding the beloved swans. Wandering among birthplace of China’s greatest modern sculptures of literary figures from the In the style of the ancient literati writer, Lu Xun. past who chose to make Shaoxing their of the past who yearned for the moun- On a hot summer’s day last home, it is not difficult to imagine that tains of Zhejiang in order to transcend year, I boarded a boat and enjoyed you are living in another age. the world and to live a life inspired by a ride down one of the many canals Other famous literati from later art, music, wine and poetry, one can with an American friend of mine. dynasties, such as Wang Yangming, while away the days in Shaoxing by Relaxing with the sun on my face, I who were either born in Shaoxing strolling about on the cobblestones or heard nothing but the sounds of the or chose to make it their home, had sitting in a canal boat and enjoying the paddle hitting the water. On alighting distinctive personalities and followed sights. The traditional black awning from the boat, we found ourselves at their own hearts in their views on life boats of Shaoxing can be controlled Shen Garden, and for a moment I was and philosophy. with one’s feet so that the hands are left transported back to the lulling and Shaoxing has modernized while free to sip the famous Shaoxing yel- dulcet sounds of Shaoxing Opera that retaining a sense of tranquility. There low wine. At nightfall, when the red told the tragic story of the poet Lu You, is an elegance and sophistication in the lanterns are reflected in the shimmer- who caught a glimpse of the woman he traditional architecture here that does ing waterways, it does feel as if you loved while visiting the same garden. not need bright lights or audacious are living in a dream! I have thoroughly The traditional opera performances that colors. Simply wandering along the enjoyed my stay in Shaoxing so far and I have attended reflect the gentleness cobblestone streets of Shaoxing without it has been an extraordinary privilege to and grace of the people of this city. any particular destination in mind can be named an honorary citizen of this de- The city of Shaoxing has an bring many unexpected delights. I was lightful place. abundance of cultural and literary inspired to write the following poem:

27 Between Friendship Cities

Charming ancient city: A fusion of classics and modernity

Kim Nam Hyun

am Kim Nam Hyun from South I Korea. I have worked at Shaoxing Zhejiang Yuexiu Foreign Language College for more than 10 years. Over the period, I have established profound friendships with the teachers and students of the college. It has been a great pleasure to see batch after batch of students graduate from the school and start their professional careers. Meanwhile, I’ve also witnessed tremendous changes in Shaoxing in the past few years, and increasingly real- ized that Shaoxing is not only an an- cient cultural city with a long history Kim Nam Hyun (South Korea), Shaoxing honorary citizen but also an emerging modern city. I remember that when I first came to Shaoxing, Jiefang Road was the city square had just been completed. fitness tools. New business districts rise most bustling place, featuring white Every evening, it was the most popular one by one. Di Dang New City, Jing walls, black tile buildings and red lan- place for people to stroll and for older Hu New City and Yin Tai Business terns hanging along the roadside. It was women to perform square dances. It District have replaced Jiefang Road to simple and beautiful, showing typical Chinese characteristics. Jiefang Road was there I learned square dance for the become Shaoxing people’s preference was the main shopping venue. Every first time. for leisure and entertainment. day, people went back and forth, bi- Seemingly unnoticeably, huge The construction of a high- cycles were commonplace and tricycles changes began to happen in Shaoxing. speed railway, intercity railway, shuttled over the road. As a foreigner, I As the city grew bigger, roads became express highway, elevated road and felt everything was novel. wider. There are more cars on the street, bus rapid transit has made travel more At that time, construction of the while bicycles have become people’s convenient. With the popularity of

28 Warm Reminiscences family cars, Shaoxing, which never knew gridlock in the past, has begun My memory of Chu Tunan to suffer from traffic jams from time to time during peak hours. This, I think, Gu Zixin is probably something inevitable in any will always cherish the memory hotel precisely at, or even ahead of, the city’s urban development. As people’s living standards I of Chu Tunan, one of the founders time scheduled. Every time he met a improve rapidly, lifestyles have also and the first president of the Chinese member of the Indian working staff, he changed dramatically. Online shopping People’s Association for Friendship greeted him or her with the same cor- has become a trend. with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC). diality, regardless of rank. B.N. Pande, Now, even though I am a foreign- From 1978 to 1986, Chu served as who was president of the India-China er, I have become a full-fledged Taobao the CPAFFC’s vice-president, assisting Society, spent most of his time accom- addict, seeking cheap but nice stuff the then-president Wang Bingnan. An panying us. online every day. Popular forms of mo- elderly man of compelling integrity, he Then in his late 70s, he was one bile payment allow us to conveniently commanded universal respect. People of the founding members of the Indian pay for things anywhere, whether that addressed him as Venerable Chu. National Congress and a veteran means at a restaurant, taking a bus or I have long been an admirer of statesman with a high reputation in his buying an airplane ticket at the airport, Venerable Chu. When I was a middle country. When Pande was with Chu, the so long as we have a mobile phone school student, I read his literary trans- two were courteous and often walked along. lations, including Gods and Heroes hand in hand. As there was a well- Now, when I go back to South and Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass. known slogan among Indian people — Korea, I find I’m no longer accustomed He was a great man of letters and I felt “Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai” (the Indian to a life with bank card payments. I that I was standing before a prestigious and Chinese peoples are brothers) — must applaud China for playing a lead- teacher when I first met him in the Chu said to Pande, “We are bhai-bhai.” ing role in the world in that respect. CPAFFC compound. Pande answered, “Yes. We are brothers, Shaoxing’s growth has accelerated At that time, 1983, he doubled as and I am your younger brother.” in recent years. The city has also taken president of another friendship organi- Chu stressed in his remarks on a new look. It boasts clear rivers, zation. In that year, he visited India in made in India that the Chinese people flat roads, higher houses and enhanced the capacity of China-India Friendship should learn from and be grateful quality of life for the public. In the new Association president at the invitation to their Indian counterparts for their international Shaoxing, many foreign- of the India-China Society. As secre- great support. In his words, Chinese ers come for work, study and business. tary-general of the delegation he led, I culture originated from Confucianism, Whenever I bring Korean friends to accompanied Chu throughout the jour- Taoism and Buddhism, and the latter visit the local scenic spots, sip yellow ney, which left a deep impression on was brought from India to China. wine and taste the stinky tofu in the me. Chinese culture has thus drawn Xianheng restaurants described in Lu Considering that Chu was ad- strength from Indian culture, he said, Xun’s literary works, they say this is vanced in age and in an important posi- adding that in modern history both like life in Heaven. tion, the Indian side carefully asked me China and India had suffered under I like to live in this city, which for advice on his itinerary. Chu always colonialism. He noted that when China has both modern convenience and told me that a guest should suit the was in dire straits after the invasion ancient charm, such as small bridges convenience of the host, and no spe- by Japan, an Indian medical team, over streams. I believe Shaoxing has a cific demands should be made. Every including Dwarkanath Kotnis and promising and splendid future. People time we were about to attend an activ- B.K. Basu, was sent to China to assist will lead a happier life here. ity, he would arrive in the lobby of the the Chinese people in their resistance.

29 Warm Reminiscences

Kotnis dedicated his young life to the liberation of the Chinese people. India was one of the first coun- tries to recognize the People’s Repub- lic of China after its founding in 1949. Nicholas Platt The recognition played a positive role in breaking the blockade imposed on He Yan the new China by the imperialists. Chu said the Chinese people were grateful to the Indian people for all their help. Chu firmly believed that the differences n the fall of 2018, Kansas City ment, he held many important posi- between China and India could be set- tled in the long run and that friendship I — the hometown of Edgar Snow, tions, including Asia affairs officer between the two peoples would con- a noted American journalist known of the US National Security Council, tinue. Chu’s sincere remarks won wide throughout China for his strong deputy assistant secretary of defense, acclaim in India. relationship with the country — assistant secretary of state for United In my memory, Chu was an held a grand conference to mark the Nations affairs and administrative sec- amiable figure, with smiles always 80th anniversary of the publication retary-general of the State Department. on his face. However, during the visit of Snow’s classic book Red Star He was president of the of to India, I saw him fly into a rage for Over China. More than 50 experts the US from 1992 to 2004 and is now the first time. On that morning, the and scholars from the its honorary president. delegation was informed by the India- and China gathered on Oct 4 to 6 to In 1972, Platt accompanied China Society that one of Pande’s remember this old friend of the Chinese , the US president, relatives had died the night before and people and discuss topics such as US- to China and witnessed the formal he had to arrange for the funeral. As a China relations. normalization of US-China relations. result, all the activities would be put Ambassador Nicholas Platt, an In 1973, he became one of the first back one hour. American diplomat who had witnessed members of the US Liaison Office in Hearing this, Chu asked me to the establishment of diplomatic rela- Beijing and was appointed director of send his condolences to Mr Pande. tions between China and the US, trav- the office’s political department. He When Chu was ready to set off one eled from New York to attend the con- called it “the highlight of my career”. hour later, he saw through the French ference. At midday on Oct 4, after the At the dinner table, Platt said window two of our colleagues playing opening ceremony of the 18th Edgar Nixon’s visit to China played a on a swing and teasing a peacock in the Snow Symposium, participants gath- different role from the liaison offices yard. He burst into anger and said to ered at a barbecue restaurant for lunch established by the two sides in their me, “Call them back! How can they be and conversation. I sat at a square table respective capitals. Nixon’s visit so childish! Our friend is sad with the with Xie Yuan, vice-president of the to China was more about seeking a loss of a relative, but these two guys CPAFFC; Gao Zhendong, vice-presi- political balance between great powers, glow with joy. Ridiculous!” dent of the China Society for People’s while liaison offices promote people- I ran to the garden immediately, Friendship Studies; and Nicholas Platt. to-people exchanges between two called them in and asked them to admit Platt was in his eighties and has countries. their error and apologize before Chu. been engaged in Asian diplomacy for In 1973, the first groups of The scene was etched into my mind. 34 years. He had served as US ambas- American swimmers and divers visited What a venerable gentleman! What a sador to , the and China. At the end of June, the American benevolent heart! . During his tenure in govern- College Men’s Basketball Team and

30 Voice of Friendship No. 195 March 2019 the Patriotic Women’s Basketball Team of the Kennedy School played friendly matches in China. Subsequently, in autumn, the Philadelphia Orchestra toured China. These people-to-people exchanges became milestones in the development of friendly China-US relations. Meanwhile, Platt actively lobbied David Bruce, director of the US Liaison Office, as well as Chinese officials, to involve their staffs in these activities. Bruce was worried at first but eventually gave his consent. In his diary, Bruce called Platt the “shepherd of the sports delegation”. In August, 1973, Bruce asked Platt to take charge of the Philadelphia Orchestra’s show in China. It was a In 1972, Nicholas Platt joined then US President Nixon during his trip to China and was received by Premier Zhou Enlai. large-scale exchange activity funded by the government and also the first cultural activity with great influence is a revolution of peasants, and the I took the name card Platt gave between the two countries. Platt fourth movement embodies their me and noticed the title: Senior Adviser realized the significance of the job and struggle through the storm.” “The of the Philadelphia Orchestra. He said, felt great pressure. final movement, calm and triumphant, “I suggested that the orchestra should He recalled that the two sides reveals the new look of China under the perform not only in one city of China, sparred over details of the visit, and that leadership of the Communist Party.” but also more places. Besides shows, negotiating over the show’s program Ormandy sighed and said, “If the orchestra should hold training was like making a treaty. Despite that’s what they want, so be it. When in courses, visit libraries and hospitals and repeated requests from the Chinese side Rome do as the Romans do. I’ll forget perform on a small scale for ordinary to play Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony, my principles.” His only condition was audiences. known as the Pastoral Symphony, the that he should have the music score by “The Chinese people believe that orchestra’s world-renowned conductor the next afternoon. Platt was relieved. soft power works both ways. On one Eugene Ormandy didn’t like the piece. The Philadelphia Orchestra hand, they invite American artists to On a flight from Shanghai to brought a huge lineup of more than 130 perform in China; on the other, they Beijing in early September, Platt people, and the impact of its first tour hope Americans will offer assistance, sat next to Ormandy. He carefully of China was tremendous. As the New such as training musicians, helping relayed the requests of the Chinese York Times commented, if ping-pong Chinese bands reach international level side and found every reason possible diplomacy paved the way for President and performing abroad.” to persuade him: “Chinese authorities Nixon’s visit to China in 1972 and The Philadelphia Orchestra have a special political preference for ushered in a new era of US-China has toured China several times since the piece.” “Chinese people love its diplomacy, it was the Philadelphia 1973. In 2015, Platt facilitated a theme, which shows the rural life of Orchestra’s tour to China that really joint performance of the Philadelphia the peasants.” “The Chinese revolution bound the two countries together. Orchestra and the Shenzhen Symphony

31 Warm Reminiscences

Orchestra — a large-scale Confucian cultural choral symphony, Ode to Humanism — for the first time. He said, “Music does not need language and is very useful for communication between the two peoples.” At the end of the meal, I said, “The trade war between China and the US is very fierce right now. What do you think of current China-US relations?” Platt answered, “There are indeed some people in the US government who want to change the current US-China relations, but people-to- people exchanges, which are up to the individual, should not be affected by At the 18th Edgar Snow Symposium, Nicholas Platt signed his name in his memoirs for readers. the government. For example, the boss who invited you to have barbecue for of Kansas, delivered speeches respec- thick, long cigar and a large whisky and lunch today wants to sell barbecue tively. More than 200 guests from the soda in each hand. He looked a little to China. He doesn’t care what the two countries attended the dinner. tired, but seemed quite satisfied with government does with China. In my Platt delivered the keynote what had been achieved. He looked so opinion, people-to-people exchanges speech, China-US Relations: Then and special when you took a closer look. and local exchanges are more extensive Now. He made an impromptu comment With a big head and small body, he and important than government based on films he had made in China. walked a little stooped, and his cheeks relations.” The first frame that came up was were swollen. As written in my notes, He added: “This is one of the best President Nixon stepping off the plane ‘His bulging cheeks are three times barbecue restaurants in Kansas City. on Feb 21, 1972 and holding Premier the size of a walnut’. His double chin The food is so delicious that you will Zhou Enlai’s hand as long as he could. also sagged slightly and there was an lick your fingers.” Under the left engine of Air Force One, unmistakable stateliness about it.” I was curious about his ice- Platt found a low angle to capture the “My superior, William P. Rogers, breaking trip to China with Nixon historic moment. the secretary of state, walked in. H.R. and asked for any anecdote he could As a diplomat traveling with Haldeman, the White House chief of remember. Platt demurred: “Wait until Nixon, Platt was both excited and staff with a crew cut who kept a stack tomorrow,” he said. “I’ll talk about it in slightly apprehensive when he first set of yellow standard notebooks and my speech at the dinner.” foot in China. sharpened pencils at hand, was also “My first and last conversation present. Henry Kissinger was nowhere Speech at the InterContinental Hotel with Richard Nixon was on Feb to be seen. Marshall Green, assistant On the evening of Oct 5, the Ed- 28, 1972, the night the Shanghai secretary of state, and John Holdridge, gar Snow Memorial Foundation hosted Communique was signed,” said he in Kissinger’s assistant, arrived a little a grand dinner at the InterContinental his speech. late. Then the discussion began. The Hotel. Xu Xueyuan, minister of the “I arrived at the hotel early for the next day, all these top experts on Asian Chinese embassy in the United States; meeting and found the president sitting affairs of the US government would Liu Jun, acting general of China there in a cutter shirt and trousers, travel to Asia to explain what President in Chicago; and Jeff Colyer, governor draped in a printed silk pajama with a Nixon accomplished in China last

32 Voice of Friendship No. 195 March 2019 week.” significant efforts to ensure the success delivered keynote speeches. John “The president spoke extensively of Nixon’s visit to China. He personally James Kennedy, assistant professor throughout the meeting. Based on approved key pages of People’s of political science at the University his own knowledge and personal Daily; he met with Rogers informally of Kansas, presided over the seminar. relationships with regional and national in Shanghai to make sure there was There was a lively discussion after the leaders of Asia, he gave his colleagues no conflict within the US delegation speeches, and Platt took questions from advice on how to deal with them. He over the wording of the Shanghai the audience. asked the experts to deliver a message Communique. Q: Around the world, great to each leader: “Tell Ferdinand Marcos Platt wrote in his memoir: “I was powers such as the US, China and (president of the Philippines) I said introduced to Premier Zhou Enlai, who Russia are competing for control that…’. ‘Make sure Park Chung- was told that I could speak Chinese. As of information technology. Most hee (the president of Korea) and Sato we stood facing each other, the premier countries develop their information Eisaku, (prime minister of Japan) began to speak, quoting ’s technologies based on the US remember that …’. poems in a thick Jiangsu accent. ‘He internet architecture, but China “Nixon expected that Asian who has never been to the Great Wall and Russia are building their own leaders in general would respond is not a true man.’ He asked me if it internet infrastructure. So, could positively, and only Taiwan would was appropriate to use it as a toast on you talk about what the future of be disappointed. Yet Chiang Kai- the day President Nixon came to the internet governance looks like? What shek should have faith in America’s Great Wall. I did not quite understand significance does it have for relations security commitments. Although the him, but nodded wisely and blurted out between the US, China and Russia? 9,000 American troops in Taiwan that it was certainly appropriate. I was A: It’s a very profound question, were insignificant compared with the quite surprised and didn’t expect him and no one knows the answer. The truth 450,000 in Vietnam, Chiang had no to come and talk to me, the youngest is that the US and China have found choice. The president also implied person at the party, about the matter.” a way to understand each other. This that he was well aware that his visit to The next year, while meeting with has been the case in the past and will China would upset the Soviet Union. David Bruce, first director of the US continue to be the case in the future. “Nixon did a fantastic job. He Liaison Office in China, Zhou said to One of the great forces shaping lived up to his name as the most Platt, who accompanied Bruce at that US-China relations is curiosity. We successful president of his time and was time, that he remembered talking to may have a little friendship, but great with foreign policy. At the end of him about poetry during Nixon’s visit curiosity and self-interest are primary. the meeting, Nixon thanked each of us to China. Every country wants to control the flow for our work. Secretary of State Rogers of information, but the problem is, if Q&As at the 18th Edgar Snow introduced me to Nixon as the new you want development and innovation, Symposium China expert in the State Department. I if you want to develop technology, told Nixon that I had prepared for this The 18th Edgar Snow Symposium you have to have as much free flow trip for a decade and was grateful that was held at the InterContinental Hotel of information as possible. A lot of he had made it happen. for three days, with nine group lectures. countries want absolute control of the “He walked me to the door of the At the Seminar of International internet and I think they’ve failed. suite and kindly put his hand on my Relations on the afternoon of Oct 5, shoulder. When we got to the door, he Sheena Greitens, assistant professor of Q: What do you think of current said, ‘So, from now on, you China boys political science at the University of US-China relations? Already in a very have more to do.’” Missouri; Grant Kettering, director of abnormal condition? Platt was deeply impressed by the Governance Institute of Cambridge, A: Competition is part of a normal the premier, Zhou Enlai, who made Massachusetts; and Nicholas Platt relationship. Now we emphasize

33 Warm Reminiscences

Group photo at the 18th Edgar Snow Symposium

competition and the government each other. The failure of the Great at least for now. So it has also allowed decides to take on China as a rival, Leap Forward has left me with a us to take on a lot of debt that will which is not a new concept. The US deep impression, as well as South have to be dealt with for many years to and China compete and cooperate with Korea’s economic takeoff. China has come. each other. Hundreds of planes fly combined the planned economy with between the two countries every day, the market economy and has achieved Platt emphasized at the seminar and even bad relations between the two rapid growth, especially in the private that “relationships between people are countries can’t stop the two peoples sector. Its great success lies in a single from exchanging with each other. We economy in which private and public the core of US-China relations. In the are all worried about the competition. ownership coexist, which is crucial. early days our relationship was like We must do as Chairman Mao said, a one-wire field handphone, with Dr and carry out cooperation at all levels Q: After 2008, the Americas and Kissinger calling on one end and Pre- between the two countries. Europe were in the doldrums. How mier Zhou Enlai answering on the oth- did China recover from the downturn er. Now our relationship is more like Q: Competition is very important by rebuilding its infrastructure? a fiber broadband, with thousands of in a market system. It works well in A: China has poured huge pieces of information flowing in both many places, but is less effective in amounts of money into the economy directions, much of which is outside others. The Chinese model is different and successfully avoided a crisis, the government. In an era of heightened and has contributed to China’s rapid with the consequence that its debt has development in the past few years. soared. China needs to find ways to tension and disagreement, carrying out Please comment on the two different diversify its economy. The large-scale cooperation in contentious areas is an models. tax reform of the US government has attractive strategy that will continue to A: I think we can learn from stimulated the economy to some extent, grow in importance.”

34 Voice of Friendship No. 195 March 2019

Editor’s note

The 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia

his year marks the 70th Three days later, on Oct 5, the Si- Over the past seven decades, T anniversary of the establishment no-Soviet Friendship Association was many memorable stories have taken of diplomatic relations between China founded in Beijing, and Liu Shaoqi was place between the governments and and Russia. elected as its president. people of the two great countries. On Oct 2, 1949, the Soviet Union On Dec 27, 1991, China and Voice of Friendship will publish became the first country in the world Russia signed the Minutes of Talks several articles in each issue of 2019 to to recognize and establish diplomatic in Moscow, confirming that Russia commemorate the 70th anniversary of relations with the People’s Republic of inherited the diplomatic relations the establishment of China-Russia dip- China. between the Soviet Union and China. lomatic relations.

35 Warm Reminiscences

In memory of Sergey Leonidovich Tikhvinsky

Li Yonghui

ikhvinsky, born in September1918, Academician Tikhvinsky in my eyes speaking in a confident and composed died at the age of 100 in manner about China’s reform. It was a T The first time I met Tikhvinsky February，2018. time when most of the young research- was in 1994 in a corridor on the fourth Sergey Leonidovich Tikhvinsky ers were leaving the institute to find floor of the Russian Academy of Sci- new jobs that made big money. I got was an outstanding Russian diplomat ences’ Institute of Far Eastern Studies. the chance to interview him. serving with experience and distinc- One day I went to the institute, and as I Tikhvinsky was a scholar with tion. He was a historian and leading stepped out of the elevator, an old man profound knowledge about Eastern authority in Russia’s Chinese studies with silver hair came into view. He countries, as well as a born diplomat who made immeasurable contributions stooped forward, supported by a walk- who had advanced to the senior level to East Asia studies, especially regard- ing stick, while I strode in haste in his of the Soviet foreign ministry very ing China. And he was an author with direction. He stopped to let me pass. I early. On Oct 2, 1949, Tikhvinsky many books to his credit. Actually, I heard him murmuring in a soft voice: was the consul general for the Soviet still haven’t finished reading through “Still waters run deep.” I immediately Union in Beijing and participated in all his works, which I believe demand slowed down and said “good morning” the process of establishing diplomatic time to acquire a thorough understand- and “thank you”. That was our first relations with China on behalf of his ing. Thus I venture to write this article meeting. His look was calm but pen- government. He also played a critical in respectful memory. etrating. I didn’t know he was the well- role in the process of establishing Here I’d like to share my impres- known academician Tikhvinsky. diplomatic ties with another Far-East sion of Tikhvinsky in the following The next time I met him was in neighbor, Japan, in the 1950s. From three aspects: first, what he was like in 1999, during my three-months of study 1956 to 1957, he was the head of the my eyes; second, what he has done to and research at the institute for my Soviet representative office and served popularize knowledge about Chinese doctoral dissertation. I attended the as minister-counselor in Japan. history and culture; and last but not institute’s annual meeting, which was The topic of my dissertation least, his continuous contribution to themed “China, Chinese Civilization was Russia-Japan relations. Thus my friendly relations between China and and the World”. Tikhvinsky was sit- interview with Tikhvinsky started with Russia. ting on the rostrum all by himself and one of his monographs — Russia and

36 Voice of Friendship No. 195 March 2019

Japan: Destined To Be Good Neighbors off. The San Francisco Peace Treaty was always about China. His master’s — in which he gave a comprehensive was proposed by Britain and the US thesis was about Dr Sun Yat-sen, and description of the negotiation process without taking the Soviets’ ideas into his doctoral dissertation was a study of between the Soviet Union and Japan account. That’s why, in the end, the China’s social reform movements in for their joint declaration. Tikhvinsky Soviet Union did not sign. Tikhvinsky the late 19th century. In China, he was insisted that it was the United States went on to talk about the international more like a witness and sometimes a that attempted to write off the decisions backgrounds for the reestablishment participant in a series of critical events made in the Cairo Declaration and of diplomatic ties between the Soviet that changed China’s destiny and Yalta Agreement regarding the Union and Japan, and the drastic affected the world. ownership of Taiwan, the Penghus, the change in Moscow’s foreign strategy. Tikhvinsky devoted his life to Ryukyu Islands, the Bonin Islands, the The interview lasted for more studies of Chinese history and culture. southern half of Sakhalin and the Kuril than an hour. However, Tikhvinsky He was one of the best-known experts Islands. The US tried to leave the status seemed always hale, hearty and quick in Russia on China’s contemporary of all above areas undetermined by of mind. He was like a mirror faithfully history. He dedicated his last 30 years asking Japan to relinquish sovereignty reflecting the history, into which one exclusively to academic studies. He while not breathing a single word on looked to find everything as clear and wrote over 10 treatises and more than those territories’ ownership in the San vivid as if one were back to the very 500 theses, among which Kang You- Francisco Peace Treaty, which left historical moment. His humor and wei and China’s Reform Movement at room for troubles to arise in later times. modesty impressed me greatly. When I the End of 19th Century (1959) and I then asked him why the Soviet praised him for his voluminous works, Sun Yat-sen’s Foreign Policies and Union didn’t sign the treaty and he said with a straight face, “Indeed. I Practices (1964) were regarded as the whether the decision now proved to have wasted quite a lot of paper in the most valuable works on the Chinese be a wise one. I raised the question course of my long life.” His visage was Revolution of 1911, winning broad because the Soviet Union’s decision calm and piercing, even though he was attention and praise from Sinology not to sign mattered significantly in 81 at the time. circles in both Russia and China. The later territorial disputes with Japan. two books, together with China’s Path Promoter of Chinese history Its gains and losses on this issue of Independence and Unity from 1898 and culture remained a hot topic of discussions and to 1949: Based on the Biography of debates in academic circles. In Nikita Tikhvinsky’s extraordinary Zhou Enlai, which was published Khrushchev’s Memoirs, which was life was closely related to China’s in 1996, constituted the basis of his published in 1991, Tikhvinsky quoted history and development process. As studies of the three different stages of Khrushchev as saying the Soviet a professional diplomat, he worked in China’s modern history. Union’s refusal to sign the treaty played China, Britain, and Japan in the 1950s His research methods, the rich and into the hands of the United States. He and 1960s, then later in the United accurate historical data he used and his believed that the Soviet Union should Nations General Assembly, and then viewpoints greatly influenced Sinology not always follow the US but open in the United Nations Educational studies in Russia. Modern History of up a representative office or even an Scientific and Cultural Organization China (1972), compiled by Tikhvinsky, embassy in Japan. as a Soviet delegate. Between 1980 has been translated into Chinese, Tikhvinsky commented that and 1986, he was the dean of the English, French, Polish and many other Khrushchev’s words did not conform Diplomatic Academy, while in charge languages. Its influence is still felt in to the actual situation in the late 1940s of the Soviet Academy of Sciences’ China study circles. and early 1950s, when the Cold War Institute of Historical Research. A series of books — China’s had already come into being and Wherever he worked or whatever Reform and Revolution — compiled by the two sides were bitterly standing post he held, his academic interest Tikhvinsky won the Russian Federation

37 Warm Reminiscences

National Award in 2000. President On Oct 5 he attended the struggles inside Russia were heightened Vladimir Putin presented the prize meeting for establishing the Sino- as the old Soviet order collapsed, personally. Soviet Friendship Association held in especially confrontations between Tikhvinsky has maintained Huairentang Hall in Zhongnanhai, the various political parties regarding close cooperation with the Institute seat of the new government. Liu Shaoqi the amendment of the Constitution, of Modern History and the Institute became the inaugural president of the economic reform and a cabinet of World History under the Chinese newly established nongovernmental reshuffle, and as the government Academy of Social Sciences. He was organization. Vice-presidents included decided to adopt a pro-West diplomatic often invited as the honored guest Soon Ching-ling, Wu Yuzhang, Shen policy. Many of the foreign friendship at various conferences on historical Junru, Li Jishen, Guo Moruo, Zhang associations founded during Soviet studies held in China. Lan, Huang Yanpei. According to its Union period had to shut down due to The Russian edition of General by laws, the association was founded lack of governmental funding. Only the History of China — from Ancient to develop and strengthen Sino-Soviet Russia-China Friendship Association Times to Early 21st Century was his friendly relations; enhance bilateral survived with the support of Institute most important academic work. The contacts and cooperation in cultural, of Far Eastern Studies of the Russian series covered almost all historical scientific, and economic fields; and Academy of Sciences, disregarding periods from the Paleolithic Period promote solidarity between China ideological controversies. to the beginning of the 21st century. and the Soviet Union in the joint In the 1990s, the institute also Academician Tikhvinsky was the fight for lasting peace in the world. suffered from a serious outflow of editor-in-chief of the book series. The association was the first national researchers and reduced finances A launching ceremony for the association founded in China’s people- because of a national economic crisis publication of the tenth and last volume to-people diplomatic system. at the time. However, its appreciation of General History of China was Tikhvinsky became tightly bound and support for China’s reform and held in Moscow in November 2017, to China, especially to the association. opening-up and the persistence of marking the completion of the five- After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Sino-Russian friendship encouraged year compilation by the whole Russian he became a defender and advocate it to maintain the operation of the Sinology circle. of friendly China-Russia relations. Russia-China Friendship Association. After finishing the most important The cultural and spiritual resonance The association has remained the thing in his life, Tikhvinsky left this he found in China became a bond. strongest promoter of people-to-people world in peace. Heaven got another Tikhvinsky once said: “My life was diplomacy between the two countries, Russian Sinologist. mostly linked with China. It was the playing a unique role in improving commonality of history that linked bilateral relations. As Russian writer Strong supporter of friendly Russia with China.” This was the and philosopher Nikolai Chernyshevsky China-Russia relations reason why, with strong determination once said: “The path of history is never While reading through the histori- and sense of responsibility, he adhered like the sidewalk of Neva Avenue. It is cal documents about Tikhvinsky, I hap- to friendly relations between China more like marching across the fields, pened to notice that in October 1949 he and Russia after the termination of through dust, mud, marshes, brambles participated significantly in the process the Soviet Union. He took the post and jungles.” However, few have the of the Soviet Union recognizing the of president of the Soviet-China insight to pierce through the mist of new regime of China in the capacity of Friendship Association in 1981 and time. general consul to Peking and interim then became the honorary president Upon the death of Tikhvinsky, charge d’ affaires of the Soviet Union. of the Russia-China Friendship Putin said that the academician He was also invited by Chairman Mao Association in 2003. had “contributed immensely” to to the founding ceremony on Oct 1. As is known to all, the political establishing and consolidating friendly

38 Voice of Friendship No. 195 March 2019 relations between Russia and China. Academician Tikhvinsky devoted his century-long life to friendly relations between Russia and China and people-to-people contacts between K.S. Silin, bridge builder of the two peoples. With his profound knowledge and understanding of Chinese history and culture, he built a China-Russia friendship bridge spanning the two nations to help the Russian people better understand China. He made an outstanding Cai Yunzhe contribution to the development of the China-Russia comprehensive partnership for strategic coordination in the new era. His name will be remembered by history forever. We should cherish the friendship he Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge Ambassador granted by the CPAFFC, of Sinologists who have, as Tikhvinsky T was one of the 156 projects China Silin died. He was buried in the old Ka- did, a good understanding of China. built with support from the Soviet litnikovskoe Cemetery in Moscow. On We should give full play to the function Union during the 1950s. In June1956, the front side of his black marble tomb- of friendship associations in making Chairman Mao Zedong wrote a poem stone is a picture of a serenely smil- friends with foreign scholars who know of praise: “A bridge will fly to span ing Silin. On the back is a picture of China well. Their careful thinking can the north and south, turning a deep the magnificent Wuhan Yangtze River create a common language between chasm into a thoroughfare”. It was a Bridge. peoples from different historical, cul- true portrayal of the important role of In 1948, the PLA’s Northeast Chi- tural and religious backgrounds, pro- the bridge in communication between na Field Army encountered difficulties mote mutual trust and understanding, northern and southern China. A major in its movements in the region, such as enhance friendly feelings, strengthen achievement of the first Five-Year Plan damaged bridges and blocked materi- als transportation. Silin came to China friendly relations between nations and of the People’s Republic of China, the with a Soviet emergency team and push practical cooperation between bridge’s design was included in the third set of RMB currency issued in helped repair railways and the Songhua China and Russia to higher level. We April 1962, becoming an important River Bridge in Northeast China, so the should offer foreign Sinologists and symbol of the national construction of army could move unhindered to other China-friendly people more practical the New China. battlefields for the liberation of China. help so they can play a greater role in On a monument at the bridgehead, In 1949, Silin came to China solidifying the social and public foun- characters cast in bronze recorded the again as an adviser to the Chinese dation for lasting friendship. That is the names of 28 Soviet experts who helped Ministry of Railways and participated best way to remember Sergey Leoni- China with the construction. At the top in the construction of bridges on the dovich Tikhvinsky. of the list was Konstantin Sergeevich Chengdu-Chongqing Railway, the The author is a researcher at the Silin, chief engineer of the project and Tianshui-Lanzhou Railwayand the Institute of Russian, East European head of the Soviet experts group. Lanzhou-Xinjiang Railway, leaving his and Central Asian Studies, Chinese On Feb 5, 1996, before he could footprints all over China. Academy of Social Sciences. receive the certificate of Friendship In 1950, the newly founded

39 Warm Reminiscences

People’s Republic of China decided to boosted the confidence of all the bridge nese and Russian people, will go down build abridge over the Yangtze in Wu- builders. However, the Soviet govern- in history forever. Railway minister han. In July 1954, the Soviet govern- ment had doubts about it. At the end Teng said as he presented a certificate ment sent a 28-member experts group, of 1955, a Soviet delegation headed by of appreciation to the experts group led led by Silin, to help. E.F. Kozhevnikov, minister of trans- by Silin: “The experts sent by the So- At that stage of the bridge’s tech- port and engineering, was sent to China viet government have made outstand- nical design, the builders had encoun- to inspect the construction. With the ing contributions to the completion of tered serious difficulties. The initial delegation were a large number of top the bridge. With their participation and design called for use of the pneumatic engineers, including the bridge expert help, we have successfully adopted the caisson method to build the bridge pier Kolokolov. large tubular column drilling method, foundation. This required workers to Silin felt very nervous about it. obtained excellent results in the foun- work in underwater and withstand the He forced a smile and said to his old dation engineering of a deep-water enormous discomfort of air and water friend, Peng Min, director of the en- bridge, trained a group of technical pressure. Working on the river’s floor, gineering bureau for the bridge, “I’m cadres and workers and improved the which was nearly 40 meters deep, each ready for the trial.” Teng Daiyuan, the engineering technology for building minister of railways, learned about the man could work only two hours a day. bridges.” It was difficult to breathe and nitrogen development and immediately sent It’s true our success could not anesthesia occurred easily. It was called a message to Silin, telling him: “The have happened without the help and “caisson disease”. method was approved by the Chinese support of the Soviet experts, which we The 41-year-old Silin was a man government. You needn’t worry.” The must never forget. who dared to think and act. He boldly minister asked the engineering team to Decades later, the CPAFFC in- put forward an alternative to test — the continue using Silin’s new technology. vited Silin to visit China several times. “large tubular column drilling method” The inspection, which lasted more When asked what he wanted to do in — which had been in his mind for a than 10 days, was actually a review China, he always answered without long time. He believed the pneumatic of the new method put forward by Si- hesitation, “I’m going to Wuhan to caisson method was outmoded, and the lin. The group studied documents and visit my iron son.” In 1983, when Silin large tubular column drilling method drawings, went to the construction site visited Wuhan, experts of the Bridge was a newborn baby. It had not been to survey the terrain and inspect the Bureau and old bridge workers hugged described in detail in any book. Since work and listened to Silin’s reasoning. there was no river comparable to the After a rigorous review, Silin’s method him in tears, telling the Russian how Yangtze in the Soviet Union, it had was finally endorsed by his fellow they missed him. been difficult to test the concept. Now countrymen. Silin died in 1996. The work he it would be tested in this deep, mighty On October 15, 1957, the Wuhan was most proud of in his life — the river. Yangtze River Bridge was officially Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge — is After careful study by experts of opened to traffic. Construction was deeply rooted in the hearts of the Chi- the two countries, the Chinese govern- originally planned to be completed in nese and Russian people as a monu- ment adopted Silin’s method, which four years and one month, with a to- ment to friendship. As Vice-President moved him deeply and made him feel tal investment budget of 172 million Kulikova of the Russia-China Friend- the pressure of responsibility. He said, yuan, but it only took two years and ship Association said, “Konstantin “I’ve taken root in the Chinese soil.” one month, with an actual cost of 138.4 Sergeevich Silin, a great witness of the By the end of 1955, piers No1 million yuan because of Silin’s large friendship between the Chinese and and 2, built with the new method, had tubular column drilling method. Russian people who smiled kindly and risen above the river’s surface. The This magnificent bridge, symbol- modestly, will live in our memory for- success of the new technology greatly izing the friendship between the Chi- ever.”

40 Express News

President Li Xiaolin meets with AmCham chief

Zhang Yang

President Li Xiaolin met with Timothy P. Stratford, the newly elected chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China on Jan 7. Li congratulated Stratford on his new position. She noted that the CPAFFC and AmCham China have maintained a long-term work- ing relationship. Last year, the two parties signed a memorandum of understanding for future cooperation. She expressed hope that the two organizations would deepen cooperation in economy, trade and peo- ple-to-people exchanges to make a positive contribution to the sound and stable development of relations. Stratford viewed US-China relations as of vital importance to the two countries, as well as to the world.

Vice-President Xie Yuan meets guests from Utah

Jin Hanghang

Vice-President Xie Yuan met with Dan Stephenson, executive director of Overseas Partnerships for Golden Spike 150th Anniversary — known as Spike 150 — and the executive director of Economic Bridge International on Jan 17. Stephenson told his host that Spike 150, which was initiated by Utah Governor Gary Herbert and Xie spoke highly of Utah’s govern- ment and legislature in commemorating the efforts and contribution of Chinese people. The CPAFFC would like to provide full support to Spike 150 and help promote the event to Chinese local govern- ments and companies. He said he hoped Utah would use Spike 150 as a platform to enhance pragmatic cooperation at the subnational level between China and the US to facilitate the sound development of the bilateral relationship.

41 Express News Vice-President Hu Sishe attends opening ceremony of animation exhibition in Chengdu Liu Wenwen

Co-organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friend- ship with Foreign Countries and Kouzan Fine-Arts Co, and hosted by the China Friendship Institute for International Art Exchange, the first touring exhibition of the world-class animation, One Piece, on the Chinese mainland came to an end on Jan 15 in Shenzhen. Attracting around 100,000 visitors, the exhibition was a success. The opening ceremony of the exhibition in Chengdu was held at the Sichuan Mu- seum on Jan 29. Hu Sishe, vice-president of the CPAFFC; Ono Sinnya, former vice-minister of Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Sci- ence and Technology; Wang Yi, vice-president of the Sichuan Provin- cial Department of Culture and Tourism and other leaders and guests, attended the opening ceremony. Vice-President Lin Yi meets with ambassador of Senegal to China Yang Xuehe

On Jan 2, 2019, Lin Yi, vice-president of the CPAFFC, met in Beijing with H. E. Mamadou Ndiaye, Senegal’s ambassador to China. Lin welcomed Ndiaye and thanked him for his visit at the begin- ning of the year. She said that Senegal is an important partner of Chi- na in Africa. Over the past year, the mutual political trust between the two countries has been continuously enhanced, and the mutually ben- eficial cooperation has yielded fruitful results, Lin said. The CPAFFC is willing to maintain contact and further coordinate with the embassy of Senegal to promote people-to-people and the cultural exchanges. Ndiaye spoke highly of the CPAFFC’s work with Senegal. The embassy of Senegal in China will continue to work closely with the CPAFFC to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, he said.

42 Voice of Friendship No. 195 March 2019 Vice-President Song Jingwu meets with Ambassador Zeynalli of the Republic of Azerbaijan Feng Miao

Song Jingwu, vice-president of the Chinese People’s Associa- tion for Friendship with Foreign Countries, met with Akram Zey- nalli, Azerbaijan’s ambassador to China, on Jan17. Song extended a warm welcome to Zeynalli and conveyed New Year’s greetings to him from CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin. Song spoke highly of the high-level cooperation with the Azerbai- jan embassy in China last year and said the CPAFFC would like to further strengthen cooperation and promote cultural exchanges and mutual understanding between the people of the two countries. Zeynalli thanked Song for providing a lot support in the work of the Azerbaijan embassy in China.

Secretary-General Li Xikui attends Autoperson Development Foundation’s annual meeting Shao Shuai

The China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Develop- ment’s Autoperson Development Foundation held its annual meet- ing in Beijing on Jan 8, 2019. Around 50 experts and scholars in the automobile industry attended, including Li Xikui, secretary- general of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and director of the China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development; Shen Jinjun, president of the China Automobile Dealers Association; Wang Jing, secretary-general of the China Road Traffic Safety Association; Chi Changsheng, ex- ecutive director of the China Leading Talents Special Committee; and Zhang Xu’an, chief executive officer and executive director and chairman of the board of YIXIN Group.

43 Express News Chengdu’s Spring Festival atmosphere spreads into the cradle of Western civilization – Athens Chengdu Friendship Association

On January 22nd, local time in Athens, the 2019 Spring Fes- tival Chengdu Cultural and Tourism Roadshow, hosted by Cheng- du Municipal Government was held in Athens, Greece. This is Chengdu’s first city marketing event in Greece. Wonderful perfor- mances with Chengdu characteristics were held at the event site, showing Chengdu's rich and diverse cultural characteristics and deepening the understanding of the resources of Chengdu among political, business and tourism circles of Greece through the intro- duction of tourist routes and display of creative products. During the period, Chengdu and Athens signed an agreement to establish friendly cooperation relationship.

Famous German photographer visits SYPAFFC Shenyang Friendship Association

On Jan 28, 2019, Mr Arne C. Gerson, famous German pho- tographer, international business consultant and famous scenar- ist, paid his visit to SYPAFFC. Mr Wang Zijiang, Vice-Secretary- General of SYPAFFC held a meeting with him and introduced the development of folk and humanistic exchanges between Shenyang and Germany in the recent years. Negotiations were held on the organization of the event of series photography exhibition in titled with “The 47th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and Germany – Shenyang in German eyes”. We have reached a consensus on cooperation in carrying out the above-mentioned Sino-German cultural exchange projects, expanding Shenyang’s popularity in Germany and other European countries, and promoting the exchange and cooperation between Shenyang and other European countries in various fields.

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