More than 100 advisors or members of the sixth Council of the
Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA) gathered in
Beijing Thursday to discuss people-to-people diplomacy.
Luo Haocai, vice chairman of the National Committee of the
Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's top
political advisory body, sent a written message, hoping that these
diplomatic talents would make more contributions to China's
diplomatic work.
Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing delivered a speech on the
international situation at the gathering and CPIFA President Lu
Qiutian briefed on the CPIFA's work in the past year and plan in
the new year.
The sixth Council of the CPIFA was formed in December 2004, with
advisors and members coming from all walks of life of China
including activists in international affairs, senior diplomats and
well-known scholars in international studies.
The CPIFA, founded in December 1949, on the initiative of the
late Premier Zhou Enlai, is the first of its kind devoted to
people-to-people diplomacy after the founding of the People's
Republic of China.
Its objective is to conduct research on the international
situation, global issues and foreign policy, and carry out
exchanges with statesmen, scholars, research institutions and
social organizations of various countries.
CPIFA statistics show that it received 1,108 people in 111
groups last year.
(Xinhua News Agency January 26, 2006)
