Internal working platform of Yunnan Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries

The November issue of the 2025 "Learning and Research" magazine of the Policy Research Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China published a signed article by Yang Wanming, Secretary of the Party Group and President of the All-China Association for Foreign Friendship, titled "Guided by the Important Expositions of General Secretary Xi Jinping, Contribute Civilian Strength to Promoting the Construction of a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind".

The full text is as follows:

Be guided by the important exposition of General Secretary Xi Jinping

Contribute civil forces to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Yang Wanming

At the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese people's war of resistance against Japanese aggression and the world's anti-fascist war, the World Youth Peace Congress was successfully held in Beijing on July 29th. More than 3,000 youth representatives from over 130 countries on five continents, international students in China, and youth representatives from all walks of life in our country participated in the meeting. General Secretary Xi Jinping sent a letter to the Congress, which elaborated on the preciousness of peace, the responsibility of youth, and the grand vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind with a high-level perspective and sincere feelings. He expressed his earnest expectations for the youth of all countries to join hands, work together to maintain peace, promote development, and create a future, which resonated strongly.

National relations depend on people-to-people exchanges. Our Party has always attached great importance to people-to-people diplomacy. Especially since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping has, from the strategic height of the Party and the state's foreign work, set the direction and steered the course for people-to-people diplomacy in the new era with the diplomacy of state heads as the flag. General Secretary Xi Jinping has personally participated in and set an example for supporting major people-to-people diplomatic activities organized by the China Association for International Friendship (hereinafter referred to as the "National Association for International Friendship") in many ways, including attending the China International Friendship Conference and the 70th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony of the China Association for International Friendship, meeting with foreign guests attending the China International Friendship Conference, attending the meeting of Sino-Vietnamese friendly people, writing letters to the "Guliling Yuan" China-US People-to-People Friendship Forum and the Youth Exchange Week, replying to Brazilian friendly people, writing messages to the American Youth "Youth伴侣" exchange group, delivering video messages to the From蒲国际 Forum, writing congratulatory letters, etc., and made a series of important statements such as "the hope of Sino-US relations lies in the people, the foundation lies in the grassroots, the future lies in the youth, and the vitality lies in the local level", and "persist in and maintain multilateralism, and actively promote the construction of a community of shared future for mankind", which have pointed out the direction for the work of people-to-people diplomacy in the new era and provided fundamental guidance.

On the new journey, we will adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially Xi Jinping's diplomatic thought, deeply study and implement the important exposition of General Secretary Xi Jinping on people-to-people diplomacy, focus on promoting the high-quality development of people-to-people diplomacy in the new era, and contribute more people-to-people strength to the cause of building a strong nation, rejuvenating the nation and building a community with a shared future for mankind.

1. Deeply study and understand the important letter from General Secretary Xi Jinping and his important exposition on people-to-people diplomacy.

General Secretary Xi Jinping's important exposition, which combines the basic principles of Marxism with the actual work of China's people's diplomacy and with the excellent traditional Chinese culture, inherits and carries forward the fine traditions of our party-led people's diplomacy, and opens up a new realm of people's diplomacy theory and practice with the times. It has epistemology, methodology, both deploys the task of "crossing the river" and guides the solution of the problem of "bridge or boat", and has strong pertinence, guidance and practicality.

Deeply feel the people's position of people's diplomacy.The people are the creators of history. General Secretary Xi Jinping has always been committed to the family and the country, and has served the people with his body and soul. He has repeatedly emphasized the crucial role of the people in international relations, pointed out that "international relations ultimately boil down to the relationship between the people of two countries", and emphasized that "people-to-people friendship is the foundation for the stable development of international relations, the inexhaustible motive force for promoting world peace and development, and the basic premise for achieving win-win cooperation". "Chinese diplomacy is the diplomacy of the people". In this letter, General Secretary Xi Jinping once again profoundly pointed out from the perspective of historical depth that "80 years ago, the Chinese people, together with the people of the world, fought with blood and sweat, completely defeated fascism, and won the hard-won peace", further emphasizing the decisive role of the people in the process of human history. General Secretary Xi Jinping's important exposition adheres to the Marxist view of history of the people, and profoundly expounds the people's position and the fundamental purpose of centering on the people in people-to-people diplomacy.

Grasp the goal and mission of people-to-people diplomacy.The Communist Party of China is a party that seeks happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, and it is also a party that seeks progress for humanity and a better world. Faced with the epochal question of "what kind of world to build and how to build it," General Secretary Xi Jinping has, with a broad international perspective and a grand vision of the world, creatively proposed the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind. Building a community with a shared future for mankind is the core concept of Xi Jinping's diplomatic thought and the noble goal of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era. General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out that "building a community with a shared future for mankind is the future of all countries and all people in the world," and he has put forward the Chinese proposal to play a unique role of people-to-people diplomacy under the new situation, with the spirit of "working together to help the world," the concept of win-win cooperation, and the open and inclusive mind, to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. In this letter, General Secretary Xi Jinping has expressed his deep expectation for the youth of all countries to contribute their wisdom and strength to the promotion of the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. General Secretary Xi Jinping's important exposition closely connects people-to-people friendship with the common destiny of mankind, profoundly expounds the goal and mission of people-to-people diplomacy in the new era, that is, to enhance people-to-people friendship, unite the people of all countries, and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind by condensing consensus, gathering strength, and providing wisdom.

Grasp the direction of efforts in people-to-people diplomacy.People-to-people diplomacy has the advantages of diverse channels, rich levels, flexible forms and extensive exchanges. It is an important window for promoting people-to-people friendship and understanding. General Secretary Xi Jinping has made a profound summary of the historical practice of people-to-people diplomacy, and has clarified the focus of work and the direction of efforts for carrying out people-to-people diplomacy on the new journey by building "four bridges" of people-to-people exchanges, pragmatic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges and youth friendship. Among them, General Secretary Xi Jinping attaches great importance to the basic and long-term role of the younger generation in the development of inter-state relations, and profoundly points out that "the youth are the future of the country and the world" and that "state-to-state relations lie in the hearts of the people, and the hearts of the people should start with the youth". In this letter, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized more that "the future of peace is entrusted to the youth", and hopes that the youth of all countries will "work together to advocate the concept of peace and to be the doers of peaceful development". General Secretary Xi Jinping's important exposition, from the perspective of the long-term development of the cause of people-to-people friendship, profoundly expounds the strategic position of youth work in people-to-people diplomacy, and points out the direction for us to carry out exchanges between Chinese and foreign youth through people-to-people channels, to strive to cultivate the inheritors of people-to-people friendship, and to create a better future together.

2. The new era of people-to-people diplomacy continues to show new actions and achieve new achievements.

Under the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, as an indispensable part of the overall diplomacy, people-to-people diplomacy has made positive contributions to our country's revolutionary, construction, and reform undertakings at different historical stages. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, under the guidance of Xi Jinping's diplomatic thought, especially the important exposition of General Secretary Xi Jinping on people-to-people diplomacy, people-to-people diplomacy has made a series of historic achievements by pioneering and innovating and taking positive actions. As a national people's organization engaged in people-to-people diplomacy, the All-China Association for Foreign Friendship bearing in mind the instructions of the leaders, adhering to the purpose of "friendship, cooperation, peace, and development", insisting on "making friends for the country", and actively playing the main channel role of people-to-people diplomacy, it has continuously opened up new situations and shown new actions.

Serving the head of state diplomacy, demonstrating the people's sentiment of a great power leader.Solemn diplomacy plays a strategic leading and shaping role in the overall diplomatic work and state-to-state relations. The National Committee of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries has been continuously enhancing its sense of the overall situation, strengthening strategic planning, and actively serving the head of state diplomacy. Around the major foreign affairs activities attended by General Secretary Xi Jinping, it has carefully designed and successfully organized a series of colorful auxiliary activities, such as the China-Russia Local Leaders Dialogue, the China-Germany Youth Football Friendship Match, the China-Australia Provincial and Municipal Leaders Forum, the China-New Zealand Mayors Forum launch ceremony, the award ceremony of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence Award and the China-Arab Outstanding Contribution Award, etc., creating a warm and friendly atmosphere and enriching the achievements of the head of state diplomacy. Facing the people of various countries, it has made external publicity and interpretation of the historic achievements and historic changes made by the Party and the state since the new era in various forms, through multiple channels and perspectives, vividly expounding the core principles, practical power and world significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially Xi Jinping Diplomatic Thought, and fully demonstrating the outstanding political wisdom and profound people's feelings of General Secretary Xi Jinping as the leader of the great Party and the great country.

In line with overall diplomacy, it is important to build a solid popular foundation for state-to-state relations.General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that "people-to-people diplomacy is the foundational work to enhance people-to-people friendship and promote the development of state relations, and it is an important part of the overall national diplomacy". The National Committee of the Overall Foreign Policy of China has been closely focusing on the strategic deployment of the overall national diplomacy, systematically promoting people-to-people diplomacy in all directions. Implementing the deployment of the Party Central Committee on work with the United States, focusing on green development, climate change and other fields of concern to the US, organizing activities such as the China-US Friendly Cities General Assembly and the China-US Bay Area Dialogue, taking the initiative to work with all circles of society in the United States in the face of difficulties, and striving to stabilize the basic disk of people-to-people exchanges and local exchanges between China and the United States; Implementing the spirit of the Central Working Conference on the Periphery, coordinating the promotion of activities such as the China-ASEAN Year of People-to-People Exchanges, giving full play to the advantages of being geographically close, kinship close, and cultural affinity close to neighboring countries, and consolidating the popular foundation of the neighboring community of destiny; Carrying out people-to-people exchanges and cooperation with other countries and regions, actively expanding channels of communication and friendly connections, and widely building the United front of international friendship for China.

Deepen friendly city cooperation and strengthen the bond of mutual benefit and win-win results.General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that "we should vigorously carry out the work of friendly cities between China and the world, promote the exchange of local governments between China and foreign countries, and promote the realization of resource sharing, complementary advantages, and win-win cooperation", and has specifically given instructions on strengthening the work of international friendly cities. At present, our country has established more than 3,100 pairs of friendly city (provincial) relations with more than 150 countries. As an important part of people-to-people diplomacy, international friendly cities play an important role in promoting local exchanges, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, and enhancing people-to-people friendship. The National Committee for Foreign Friends has thoroughly implemented the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions on the work of international friendly cities, and has continuously strengthened the guidance, coordination, management, and service of the national friendly city work, guiding various regions to carry out friendly city exchanges with the outside world, and supporting local governments to use friendly city platforms to connect with external resources and promote practical cooperation. Since the new era, the number of national friendly cities has increased by more than 50%, among which the number of friendly cities with countries participating in the "Belt and Road" initiative has increased by 80%. Various regions have carried out a series of "ground-level" people's livelihood projects such as poverty reduction, health, education, and women and children through the channel of international friendly cities, so that the results of practical cooperation can better benefit ordinary people.

Promote people-to-people exchanges to enhance mutual understanding and value recognition.Culture and art know no boundaries. They embody a spiritual power that transcends social systems, ideological orientations, and differences in civilizations. They are an important driving force for promoting people-to-people exchanges between China and foreign countries, the progress of human civilization, and world peace and development. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that "people-to-people diplomacy is the deepest force for promoting civilizational exchanges and mutual learning." The National Committee of Foreign Friends has been deeply rooted in the fertile soil of people-to-people diplomacy, and has vigorously promoted exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and foreign civilizations. On the one hand, it actively "invites in", inviting the Philadelphia Orchestra, the German Music Mountain Chamber Orchestra, the Brazilian Rio de Janeiro Fortress Orchestra, and more than a dozen American youth choirs to visit China for exchanges and performances. On the other hand, it actively "goes out", holding activities such as the "Poetic China·Romantic Style" United Nations Chinese Language Day event, the "Civilization Code in Chinese Characters" exhibition, the Tang Xianzu International Drama Exchange Month, and the "Narita" tour in Japan, building bridges of people-to-people exchanges through art, and subtly enabling people of all countries to transcend ideological differences, accommodate differences in history and culture, and achieve "heart-to-heart communication, emotional integration, and strength cohesion".

Adhere to the principle of upholding the original aspiration and innovating, and expand the rich practice of people-to-people diplomacy.General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that "people-to-people diplomacy should be innovative, and carry out people-to-people friendly exchanges in various fields, through multiple channels and at multiple levels."The NPCA fully developed the fine tradition of people-to-people diplomacy, adhered to the principle of sincerity, warmth and emotion, and actively explored the rich practice of people-to-people diplomacy. It innovated its work methods, encouraged, supported and guided the participation of various entities, including enterprises, think tanks, universities and art groups, mobilized resources and forces from various fields, and formed an "1+1>2" aggregation effect; it innovated the forms of activities, included ecological hiking, live broadcasting, non-legacy experience and other "immersive" communication scenarios in the activities, and enhanced the freshness and experience of people-to-people diplomacy; it innovated the way of communication, established a news spokesperson system, built a new media account matrix, and accurately and timely conveyed authoritative information. It encourages the outside world to share their experiences in China through social media, breaks the "information cocoon", and forms a real-time interaction and circle resonance communication effect; it innovates the discourse system, takes into account "meaningful" and "interesting", balances "big scenes" and "small perspectives", relies on the vivid materials of people-to-people diplomacy, tells China's story in a vivid and lively, easy to understand way, and shows a China image that is lovely and credible.

Three, contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind with the power of the people

Under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, people-to-people diplomacy has entered a new stage in which it plays a more important role, enjoys a more prominent position and has a broader stage. The National Committee of the China Association for Promoting Friendship with Foreign Countries will continue to adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially Xi Jinping’s diplomatic thought, conscientiously study and implement the important discussions of General Secretary Xi Jinping on people-to-people diplomacy, set its sights on the strategic goal of building “four bridges”, better play the main role of people-to-people diplomacy, and create a new situation in the work of people-to-people diplomacy on the new journey of national rejuvenation and strong country construction, and contribute more people-to-people strength to the cause of promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

First, we need to adhere to the principle of "a shared world", and build a broad consensus to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind..People of all countries live in the same global home and should unite and respond to the intertwined changes and turmoil in the international situation and the numerous global challenges with the spirit of “the same earth, the same destiny”. We will build more bridges for people-to-people exchanges, make friends with people from all countries, and promote mutual understanding, support, and affinity between the Chinese people and people from other countries. In line with the overall diplomatic work of the country and in combination with important time nodes, we will hold supporting activities for people-to-people diplomacy and parties to celebrate the anniversaries of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and relevant countries and regions, and continue to strengthen the brands such as the From Paris to Beijing International Forum, the International Forum for Parliamentarians’ Friendship, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization People-to-People Friendship Forum and Forum on Friendly Cities, and explore the establishment of more regular platforms for exchanges. We will actively publicize and promote the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative, and continuously enhance the international influence of the equal and orderly world multipolarization and the inclusive and beneficial economic globalization, promote the values that all humanity shares in common, and enhance the understanding and recognition of the global community of shared future among people of all countries.

Second, we will pursue win-win cooperation and pool strength to promote a community with a shared future for mankind.The practice of more than a decade since the proposal of the global community of shared future has brought many enlightenment, one of which is that only win-win cooperation can help us achieve things, do good things and do great things. China does not pursue modernization at the expense of others. It will continue to provide new opportunities for world development with new achievements in its modernization. We will build more bridges for pragmatic cooperation, rely on various people-to-people and local cooperation projects such as the CIFF, actively promote the bright theory of China's economy, and continuously enhance our international influence, appeal and shaping power. We support local governments to take international friendly cities as the carrier, connect with high-quality resources from abroad, expand the space for international cooperation, guide foreign institutions and outstanding talents to participate in the construction of China's modernization in various ways, and share China's development opportunities. On the basis of consolidating the traditional cooperation fields such as economy and trade, education and culture, and sports, we will expand the exchanges and cooperation in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, green and low-carbon, and smart cities, help develop new productive forces, cultivate new driving forces for development, and promote the realization of world modernization of peaceful development, win-win cooperation and common prosperity.

Third, we will uphold openness and inclusiveness, and paint a picture of advancing the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.Exchanges and mutual learning are the essential requirements for the development of civilization and an important driving force for promoting the progress of human civilization and world peace and development. Since its establishment, the China Association for International Friendship has always attached great importance to playing the role of a bond in cultural exchanges to communicate hearts and minds and enhance friendship. It has carried out extensive, in-depth, and diversified cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries, promoted the going-out of Chinese culture, and promoted the exchange and mutual learning of civilizations between China and foreign countries. We will build more bridges for cultural exchanges, hold activities such as the "Chinese Character Connection" International Storytelling Competition and the "China in My Eyes" Short Video Competition, actively disseminate the excellent traditional Chinese culture and the spiritual connotation and contemporary value contained therein, and continuously enhance the influence of Chinese culture. We will coordinate the activities of the China-Africa Year of Cultural Exchanges, hold friendly exchanges among the ancient civilizations along the China-Europe Railway, the China-Korea Connection Culture Festival, and other bilateral and multilateral cultural exchange projects, promote the concept of equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness, and promote the exchange and mutual learning of civilizations between China and foreign countries and the communication of people's hearts.

Fourth, we will continue to focus on the long-term, and inspire the youth vitality to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.From the "ping-pong diplomacy" that facilitated the turn around of Sino-US relations, to the "ballet diplomacy" that promoted the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, and then to the "Gulang Story" that continued the friendship between the two peoples, the youth have always been an important force in inheriting people-to-people friendship. At present, the attitude of the youth in various countries towards China is more rational and objective, and is less influenced by ideological prejudices. Several public opinion polls show that the proportion of Western youth with a positive view of China is significantly higher than that of older groups, creating a favorable opportunity for our work among the youth of various countries, especially Western countries. We will carefully summarize the experience and practices of the World Youth Peace Congress, increase our efforts, highlight the youthful elements, and innovate the forms of exchanges, build more bridges of friendship between young people, and implement in high quality the series of initiatives for exchanges between Chinese and foreign youth put forward by General Secretary Xi Jinping, hold youth exchanges between China and the United States, China and Russia, China and Japan, etc., encourage political elites, business leaders, scholars, journalists, internet bloggers, etc. of various countries to come to China, understand China, make friends with Chinese youth, learn from each other, reduce cognitive biases, enhance emotional resonance, and personally experience a real, multi-dimensional and comprehensive China.