Friendship Cities Conference and Friendship Forum

A fourteen-member delegation led by USCPFA Robert Sanborn met in Shanghai for the China International Friendship Cities Conference, hosted by Youxie  (Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries or CPAFFC).  The delegation, selected by application, was composed of members of USCPFA at chapter, region and national levels.  From September 7-17, 2010, the delegation participated in meetings, discussions, panels, and friendly discourse over many delicious meals and also toured the northern part of Jiangxi Province, the cradle of Chinese revolution.  The ten days included taking part in the Friendship (Sister) Cities Conference in Shanghai from September 7-10, flying to Nanchang, capital of Jiangxi Province for the Fourth Friendship Forum on September 11, and touring Jiangxi Province from September 12-16, 2010.

Text by USCPFA Secretary, Diana Greer - Richmond
Photos by Linda Hanley, Kansas City Chapter

Friendship (Sister) Cities Conference

The USCPFA thanked Mme. Li Xiaolin, Vice President of CPAFFC and CEO John Hardman of The Carter Center for making it possible to meet and honor Mr. Carter in Shanghai.  With assistance of members of the USCPFA Atlanta Chapter, Tour Coordinator Barbara Cobb, and others, USCPFA finally was able to honor Mr. Carter for his untiring efforts in building friendships between the People’s Republic of China and the United States.  On meeting Mr. Carter, one is reminded of how humble and gracious he is and how deeply he has endeared himself to so many people, and especially to the people of China and the United States.  This was quite an auspicious occasion for all and one that those present will never forget.

The USCPFA delegation rejoined the conference to hear speeches on important topics including the impact of the global financial crisis, energy conservation, emission reduction, new energy resources, and urban environmental protection.  Speakers discussed urban infrastructure relating to public transport and cultural and sports facilities, as well as new city brand building.  That afternoon Mr. Li Jianping, Vice President of CPAFFC presided over the Signing Ceremony for Newly-Twinned Friendship Cities.  Those cities included Xi’an, Shaanxi Province & Cuenca City, Ecuador;  Jinzhong, Shanxi Province & Hoi An City, Vietnam;  Jincheng, Shanxi Province & Cacadu District, South Africa  and Jiading District, Shanghai & Hauraki, New Zealand.  After a formal welcoming dinner hosted by CPAFFC and CIFCA, the delegations were invited to take a cruise tour for a night viewing on the Huangpu River.   This proved to be a memorable day for the USCPFA delegation members and the trip had just started! 

On September 9, delegations left at seven o’clock in the morning to board buses to go to the Shanghai Expo.  Poised high in the sky like a regal red abstract pagoda, the China Pavilion was a breathtaking sight with its unusual trapezoid design.   Our hosts took us straight into the building without any waiting.  The section titled “National Treasures” exhibited an amazing 130-meter wall of people, animals, water and things moving digitally on a recreated ancient landscape painting called “Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival” by artist Zhang Zeduan of the Song Dynasty.  It was unbelievably beautiful and enchanting with its pulsating movement of people, flickering lanterns and rippling waters.   

On September 10, during the closing ceremony for the Friendship Cities Conference, Mme. Li Xiaolin announced the winners of the Friendship Awards.  Many awards were given to Friendship Sister Cities representatives in different categories, such as communication, cooperation with China and special contributions.  Many celebratory speeches were given by representatives from all over the world with closing speeches by Mr. Tang Dengjie, Vice Mayor of Shanghai, Mr. Han Zheng, Mayor of Shanghai, Mr. Chen Haosu, President of CPAFFC.

The final speech was by Mme. Li Xiaolin, Vice President of the CPAFFC, who announced that the next Friendship Cities Conference would be in Chengdu in 2012.  Between China and 125 countries, the new total of 1721 twinned friendship cities was flashed across the screen.  The USCPFA delegation members thank CPAFFC, CIFCA  and the Shanghai City leadership for hosting us.  For some of us it was our very first Friendship Cities Conference; one never to be forgotten.  Friendship Forum delegations departed for Hongqiao Airport for Nanchang, capital of Jiangxi Province for the second part of the journey.

Fourth Friendship Forum - Nanchang

The Fourth Friendship Forum took place in Nanchang, provincial capital of Jiangxi Province.  Nanchang  is a center for politics, science, culture and economics and is known for the Communist Party’s uprising in 1927, which led to the founding of its army.

Delegations invited on the tour of northern Jiangxi Province included Tonga, Australia, Canada, Vanuatu, New Zealand, Maori, United States, Guyana, Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago.  Arriving in Nanchang, all checked into Jiangxi Hotel, enjoyed dinner and a few even had a soothing swim in the outdoor pool.  In the morning leaders, hosts, and delegates gathered for a group photo on the steps of the famous Jiangxi Hotel.

The opening ceremony of the Fourth Friendship Forum began with a brief introduction by Mr. Qing Boming, Deputy Director General of the Department of American and Oceania Affairs, CPAFFC.  Mr. Sun Gang, Vice Governor of Jiangxi Provincial People’s Government and President of Jiangxi Provincial Friendship Association gave the welcome speech, followed by Mme. Li Xiaolin and HRH PRINCESS SALOTE  Pilolevu Tuita, Princess of Tonga.  Robert Sanborn, President of US-China Peoples Friendship Association,  chaired the first of three sessions of the day, followed by the presidents of Australia-China and New Zealand-China friendship associations.  Representatives from each of the delegations present gave speeches recognizing and describing important friendship events, cultural ties and economic gains  made collaboratively between their country and China.  Mr. Bill Willmott, former President of New Zealand-China Friendship Society summarized the speeches of the day, with closing remarks by Mr. Qing Boming.  The full day of speeches and presentations emphasized the importance of building friendships and increasing cultural understanding to create a better world. 

In the evening each delegation was asked to share in a “performance” which would be fun, entertaining and help build camaraderie.  The USCPFA delegation gave a rendition of the Chinese folk song “Kang Ding Qing Ge,” with translation by Ed Lin, read by Dan O’Connell and sung by the delegation led by Diana  Greer.  Soon everyone in the room was singing and good spirits abounded.

Historic Tengwang Pavilion, located on the bank of the Ganjiang River, was originally built in 653 AD during the Tang Dynasty.   After being destroyed and rebuilt numerous times, it was finally rebuilt in 1989 with concrete and in an architectural style reminiscent of the Song Dynasty.  It was named after King Teng who was then governor of Nanchang.  Tang poet Wang Bo memorialized the pavilion in his famous work “Preface to Tengwang Pavilion.”  With sunny, clear weather, and exquisite views of the river, city and surrounding luscious, green gardens, picture-taking was a must. 

After leaving the farm village,  the tour group came to the Tianmu Hot Springs Hotel, located in the beautiful and mountainous area of Xingzi County to spend the night.  This was quite a lovely place to stay, where the mist in the mountains seemed to cover the alluring hills and the waters of the springs seemed so inviting.

There were only two days left to see Jiangxi Province.  We followed the Flower Path where long ago  blooming  peach blossoms enticed poet Bai Juyi to write on his way to Dalin Temple:

All flowers have withered outside
But the peach flowers at the mountain temple have just begun to bloom
I’d felt sad that spring had gone.
I had not expected to meet it here.

Jingdezhen City

The group bade farewell to Mt. Lushan as we departed for Jingdezhen City and checked in to Zijing Hotel.  Jingdezhen City is world-renowned for its long history of making porcelain.  While on the grounds of the Museum of Porcelain History, tour members were able to see porcelain objects from different historical periods, architectures of Ming and Qing dynasties and hear music played on porcelain instruments.  We saw first-hand a group of ancient kilns and walked inside one that is still fired once a year.  Master potters and painters making practical and decorative porcelain creations were at work while we toured.  On the last day of the tour, the delegations also visited the Porcelain Museum which housed many expensive and priceless works.  The nearby ceramics market featured all kinds of porcelain objects in myriad colors, shapes and sizes from which to choose.  Wanting to take more treasures  home, each traveler wondered how they would meet the luggage weight requirements and still bring back another porcelain gift.

The time came for us to fly out of Jingdezhen Airport on the eve of Thursday, September 16.  Some went to Shanghai and Beijing; others continued on separate journeys.  Many new friendships were started;    many old friendships were renewed.  One is silver and the other is gold.

Again, the USCPFA Delegation sincerely thanks the CPAFFC, CIFCA and Jiangxi Provincial People’s Government and all of those who made our stay in China such an amazing journey.  The kindnesses shown to us will always be remembered.

Diana Greer, Tour Leader
Photographs by Linda Hanley