Video tribute to SPAFFC released

A documentary celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (SPAFFC) made its debut on January 24 during a ceremony at the Shanghai Natural History Museum.

The 20-minute documentary, titled Connection of Hearts - A Chronicle of the 60 Years of Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, was screened to more than 200 people, including officials from different consulates in Shanghai, representatives from Shanghai's sister cities, as well as winners of the Shanghai Magnolia Award.

The documentary starts off by recalling the friendship between Xu Guangqi, a top official and agricultural scientist during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), and Matteo Ricci, an Italian Jesuit priest. It then reveals how the city evolved into one with cross-cultural traditions and how it cultivated people who possess inclusiveness and a thorough understanding of Chinese and Western concepts.

The production team had spoken to 70 people in a span of 10 months to gather research and prepare for the show. Some of the interviewees include Grandoni Dario, vice-president of Matteo Ricci International Foundation of Italy, Akihisa Sato, a Japanese recipient of the Magnolia Silver Award of Shanghai, Zhou Muyao, former president of SPAFFC, and Li Xiaolin, president of Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

According to SPAFFC President Zhang Xiaosong, the association has constantly championed the value of friendship, cooperation, peace and development since it was established in 1956. He added that the organization has helped foster cooperation between the city and other nations in a variety of arenas, including political, economic, cultural, educational, scientific and technological. As of 2015, the organization had forged relationships with 345 organizations in 100 countries.

"People-to-people diplomacy is playing an increasingly important role in the friendship between countries. I'm glad to be part of a group that is making contributions to the enhancement of such communication and coordination," said Raj Khosa, president of the Indian Association which falls under the Consulate General of India in Shanghai.

Pan Yixuan contributed to this story.

wangzhenghua@chinadaily.com.cn