On June 17th, Shenyang People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (SPAFFC) held its second session of the Fourth Council. Sun Ye, Party Secretary and Director of Shenyang Foreign Affairs Office was elected President of the Fourth Council of SPAFFC. Zhang Guoliang, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Full-time Deputy President of Liaoning People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, attended the meeting and delivered a speech.

The meeting reviewed the work accomplished since the Fourth Council assumed its duties, including serving China’s overall diplomacy, deepening the development of international friendship city relationships, promoting mutual learning among civilizations and providing targeted services to council member units. It also clarified the direction of work for the next stage. In accordance with the Articles of Association of SPAFFC, the meeting elected Sun Ye as President of the Fourth Council and appointed additional council representatives.

In her remarks, President Sun Ye emphasized that the Fourth Council will consistently uphold the correct political direction of people-to-people diplomacy, closely align its work with the overall national diplomacy and the city’s central priorities, and unite all council members in fulfilling their duties with a strong sense of responsibility. She stressed the importance of maintaining firm political orientation, broadening cooperative bridges, and telling Shenyang’s stories well, so as to demonstrate Shenyang’s commitment in serving the overall national diplomacy and to highlight Shenyang’s role in expanding high-level opening-up. The Council will continue to improve services for its members, rely on and engage them extensively, and work hand in hand with all council members to write a new chapter in Shenyang’s people-to-people diplomacy in the new era, through firm political resolve, practical work styles, and innovative approaches.

Zhang Guoliang fully affirmed the fruitful achievements of SPAFFC’s Fourth Council since its establishment, including broadening its international “circle of friends”, optimizing the network of international friendship city relationships, enhancing people-to-people bonds between China and other countries, and strengthening support services for council members. He stressed that SPAFFC should continue to carry forward its fine traditions, actively leverage its role as a primary channel for people-to-people diplomacy, and go all out to build “four bridges”, demonstrating the “Shenyang spirit” in serving national diplomacy, polishing the Association’s brand in driving high-quality development, and setting a benchmark for provincial people’s friendship associations in building a coordinated work framework.

Two council representatives—Ma Ying, Party Secretary of Shenyang Foreign Affairs Service School, and Song Yadong, General Manager of Shenyang LiaomaoTong Digital Technology Co., Ltd.—shared their practical experiences in their respective fields. They focused on expanding international educational exchange and cooperation channels and building platforms for enterprises to “go global”. They also expressed their determination to give full play to their organizations’ strengths, actively engage in Shenyang’s people-to-people diplomacy efforts, and contribute to the quality and efficiency of Shenyang’s people-to-people diplomacy through cultural and people-to-people connectivity as well as economic and trade cooperation, thereby supporting Shenyang’s high-level opening-up and high-quality development.