On October 11, 2025, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) held the Third Seminar on People-to-People Diplomacy in Beijing under the theme "Building the Four Bridges to Advance a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind." About 150 representatives from central government bodies, state ministries and commissions, mass organizations, universities, think tanks, media outlets, and enterprises attended the event.
In his remarks, President Yang Wanming recalled that exactly one year ago, President Xi Jinping delivered an important address during his meeting with foreign guests attending the China International Friendship Conference and Events Marking the 70th Anniversary of CPAFFC. To commemorate the first anniversary of that address, the CPAFFC held this third seminar to further highlight the importance of studying and implementing President Xi Jinping's important address, and to exchange insights and policy recommendations for advancing people-to-people diplomacy in the next stage.
President Yang noted that, at the theoretical level, efforts should be guided by General Secretary Xi Jinping's key statements—by correctly understanding the political nature of people-to-people diplomacy, fully appreciating its people-centered orientation, firmly grasping its objectives and mission, and carrying forward its fine traditions. At the policy level, driven by ongoing reform, it is necessary to strengthen policy research and development in such areas as working models, content, methods, target groups, and strategic planning. At the practical level, he emphasized taking the "Four Bridges" as the guiding framework—with people-to-people exchanges as the foundation, practical cooperation as the vehicle, cultural exchange as the bond, and youth friendship as the focal point—to better harness the distinctive role of people-to-people diplomacy, pursue high-quality and sustainable growth, and contribute to building a community with a shared future for mankind.
Following the opening ceremony, four roundtable dialogues were held, where participants engaged in in-depth discussions on the construction of the "Four Bridges". There was broad consensus that, in the face of new circumstances, it is crucial to be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, act with initiative and a strong sense of responsibility, continue to explore new frontiers in people-to-people diplomacy, and better serve both the country's overall development agenda and its broader diplomatic efforts.
