More than 100 advisors or members of the sixth Council of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA) gathered in Beijing Thursday to discuss people-to-people diplomacy.

 

Luo Haocai, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's top political advisory body, sent a written message, hoping that these diplomatic talents would make more contributions to China's diplomatic work.

 

Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing delivered a speech on the international situation at the gathering and CPIFA President Lu Qiutian briefed on the CPIFA's work in the past year and plan in the new year.

 

The sixth Council of the CPIFA was formed in December 2004, with advisors and members coming from all walks of life of China including activists in international affairs, senior diplomats and well-known scholars in international studies.

 

The CPIFA, founded in December 1949, on the initiative of the late Premier Zhou Enlai, is the first of its kind devoted to people-to-people diplomacy after the founding of the People's Republic of China.

 

Its objective is to conduct research on the international situation, global issues and foreign policy, and carry out exchanges with statesmen, scholars, research institutions and social organizations of various countries.

 

CPIFA statistics show that it received 1,108 people in 111 groups last year.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 26, 2006)