At the invitation of the 48 Group Club of Britian, the Institute of International and European Affairs(IIEA) of Ireland and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iceland, a six-member CAFIU delegation led by Mr. Ai Ping, Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference(CPPCC),former vice-minister of IDCPC and CAFIU Vice-President visited the three countries from 16^th to 25^th March.

 

In Britain, the delegation discussed on China’s 13^th Five-Year Plan, the “One Belt and One Road” Initiative, recent economic situation and new development philosophies and exchanges opinions on the development of China-Europe relations with personages from economic, academic circles, think tanks and NGOs like Mr. Stephen Perry, Chairman of the 48 Group Club, Mr. Adam Ward, Director of Studies of the Institute of International Strategic Studies(IISS),renowned scholar Mr. Martin Jacques, Mr. Rana Mitter, Director of University of Oxford China Center, Ms. Natascha Gentz, Director of the Confucius Institute for Scotland of Edinburgh University, Ms. Zoe Reed, President of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding(SACU). Vice-President Ai Ping made a speech titled “Embracing the dream: China-UK relations enter a new era” at University of Oxford China Center.  

 

In Ireland, the delegation met with and held discussions with former political figures, experts and scholars like Mr. Pat Cox, former Speaker of European Parliament, Mr. Ruairi Quinn, former Education Minister of Ireland, Ms. Juliette Hussey, Vice-President for Global Relations of Trinity College Dublin, Mr. Brendan Halligan, Chairman of IIEA and Mr. Tom Arnold, Director General of IIEA. Vice-President Ai Ping gave a public lecture at IIEA on China’s Economic Situation and the 13^th Five-Year Plan. 

 

In Iceland, the delegation met with Mr. Stefan Johannesson, Permanent Secretary of State of the Foreign Ministry of Iceland and Mr. Arnbor Helgason, Chairman of Iceland China Culture Society and exchanged views on how to promote bilateral friendly exchanges and cooperation on the occasion of the 45^th anniversary of the founding of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.