At the invitation of Jean Jaures Foundation of France, the Maltese Parliament and the 48 Group Club, Mr. Zhang Baowen, Vice-Chairperson of the Standing Committee of NPC, Chairman of the Central Committee of China Democratic League and Vice-President of CAFIU visited France, Malta and the UK from April 6 to 15. Vice- President Ai Ping and Secretary-General Ni Jian accompanied the visit.

 

The visit of Vice-President Zhang is intended to enhance mutual understanding and trust among the peoples and consolidate people-to-people friendship of the three countries through the exchanges at the levels of government, parliament, NGO and think tank.

 

During the visit to France, Mr. Zhang met with Mme.  Sandrine Mazetier, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Herve Marseille, Deputy Speaker of the French Senate and Mr. Serge Degallaix, advisor to the President of Vision and Innovation Foundation. He also attended China-France NGO Roundtable Discussion of 2017 Understanding and Cooperation Dialogue co-hosted by CAFIU and Jean Jaures Foundation, and discussed topics concerning ways to strengthen understanding and cooperation with representatives from France-China Committee of Employers. 

 

During his visit to Malta, Vice-President Zhang met with President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, Speaker Angelo Farrugia and Foreign Minister George William Vella. He also attended a piano concert commemorating the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Malta, visited the Confucius Institution of Malta University and talked with some teachers and students representatives.

 

During his visit to the UK, Vice-President Zhang met with Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons Mr. Lindsay Hoyle, attended China-UK NGO Roundtable Discussion of 2017 Understanding and Cooperation Dialogue co-hosted by CAFIU, the 48 Group Club and Asia House, and exchanged views with Professor Ewan McKendrick, the Registrar of Oxford on topics concerning global economic governance and China-UK cooperation.

 

Vice-President Zhang introduced in particular the proposals of President Xi on globalization and building a community of shared destiny, the “Belt and Road” initiative and the “Belt and Road” High-level Forum of International Cooperation. The visit has achieved a lot and met the original expectations.

 

The Ambassadors to the three respective countries have attended some of the events.