The Qingyuan People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries launched its 6th council on Sept 28, aiming to expand international exchanges and support the city's high-quality development.

Zhou Jijun, a second-level inspector of the Foreign Affairs Office of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, attended the founding meeting and delivered a speech. He said that the association's Fifth Council drew on Qingyuan's ecological, geographical and cultural strengths to establish people‑to‑people exchange platforms, yielding solid outcomes in sister‑city and cultural exchanges.

He also said that this year marks the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) and the APEC "China Year", bringing new opportunities for Guangdong's people-to-people diplomacy. He added that Qingyuan, located in the hinterland of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, has rich ecological resources and deep ties with overseas Chinese communities, giving it great potential for international exchanges. He hoped the new council would support Qingyuan's high-quality development and modern industrial system.

Su Jindan, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Qingyuan Municipal Committee and head of its United Front Work Department, said the association should focus on connecting people, promoting cooperation and serving the overall situation. She called for efforts to boost industries, expand partnerships and strengthen branding, with a focus on investment promotion, talent recruitment and international science and technology cooperation.