Exchanges

Chinese and Afghan Leaders Exchange Congratulations

Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on January 20， 2015， the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the Year of China-Afghanistan Friendly Cooperation .

Xi Jinpings message noted that since establishing diplomatic relations， China and Afghanistan have always understood， respected and supported each other. The Chinese government attaches great importance to relations with Afghanistan and firmly supports Afghanistan in its peaceful reconstruction and peace process. Ashraf Ghanis message thanked China for its contributions to the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan， affirming that Afghanistan is ready to join efforts with China towards a better future in the region.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Afghanistans Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah exchanged felicitations as well. Li noted that China and Afghanistan enjoy traditional friendly relations. The Chinese government cherishes SinoAfghan friendship and is devoted to their strategic cooperative partnership. He also pledged to support the peaceful reconstruction of Afghanistan and make joint efforts with Afghanistan to promote economic development， improve peoples livelihoods and maintain lasting peace and stability. Abdullahs message said that the Afghan people value their profound friendship with the Chinese people. Afghanistan is willing to take the Year of China-Afghanistan Friendly Cooperation as an opportunity to enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples.

Xis Book on Chinese Dream published in Bulgaria

A translation of Xi Jinpings book， The Chinese Dream of the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation， was recently published in Bulgaria. The launch took place in Sofia on January 19， 2015. Over 100 politicians and scholars， including Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev， former president Petar Stoyanov， Chinese ambassador to Bulgaria and a representative of the Chinese Communist Partys Literature Research Office， attended the ceremony.

In his speech， President Plevneliev said that the Chinese Dream is a dream of prosperity for the Chinese people， and a shared ideal of China as a key promoter of global peace and development. Plevneliev said that during his visit to China in January 2014， the two countries established an all-round friendly partnership. Cooperation between the two sides is expected to be strengthened in the future.

Research institutes in Bulgaria will organize symposiums to exchange ideas with Chinese scholars on such topics as the Chinese Dream and the worlds dreams， and the relationship between Chinese rejuvenation and the construction of a harmonious world.

Li Keqiang Holds Talks with President of the Swiss Confederation

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang held talks with Swiss President Simonetta Sommaruga in Davos on January 21， 2015.

Li Keqiang observed that this year marks the 65th anniversary of Sino-Swiss diplomatic relations， and declared Chinas intent to advance bilateral relations for mutual benefit. Premier Li also said that both sides should fully leverage the outcomes of free trade and improve investment and trade relations between the two countries. He welcomed Switzerlands increased use of the RMB and supported the creation of an offshore RMB market in Zurich. China stands ready to grant Switzerland a quota of RMB 50 billion for Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors. Li expressed hope that Switzerland will facilitate Chinesefunded banks in opening new branches in the country. Both sides agreed to facilitate personnel exchanges by waiving visa requirements for travellers with diplomatic passports. They also agreed to cooperate in repatriation， asset recovery， and crackdowns on cross-border crimes. Simonetta Sommaruga said that Switzerland is ready to expand cooperation and promote friendship with China， and looks forward to developing Switzerland as an offshore hub for RMB business.

Second India-China Media Forum Held in Beijing

The Second India-China Media Forum was held on February 1 in Beijing. Jointly sponsored by the State Council Information Office （SCIO） of China and Indias Ministry of External Affairs， the forum attracted delegates from some 40 leading media organizations and scores of scholars from both sides.

Participants discussed the role of Chinese and Indian media as promoters and key players in strategic and economic cooperation. They also discussed the opportunities and challenges posed by the growth of new media.

In his speech at the forums opening ceremony， Jiang Jianguo， minister of the SCIO， pointed out that Sino-Indian cooperation is creating new opportunities for media exchanges. He called on Chinese and Indian media to keep the trend of friendly cooperation in mind， and enjoined the media to report more on economic and trade ties. In addition， he proposed that media organizations in the two countries explore new channels for communication and collaboration.

Visiting Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said in her speech that the media forum was envisaged as a platform to encourage appreciation and understanding of one anothers societies. As strategic cooperation deepens， it is vital that both sides have a good understanding of one anothers interests and viewpoints.