The First Spring of Diplomats
  On 28 March 2001,this activity was held in Jindujiuyuan Restaurant in Beijing.It was the first large-scale social activity of Chinese and foreign diplomats hosted by the Association of Former Diplomats since its founding in 1995.Being of China on this happy occasion,over 300 guests including Executive Vice-Minister Li Zhaoxing,Assistant Ministers Zhou Tianshun and Zhou Wenzhong,leading members of some departments and bureaus of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,some retired leaders of the ministry and former ambassadors as well as 87 foreign envoys to China,some representatives of international organizations resident in Beijing,foreign and Chinese entrepreneurs renewed friendship and heraided the advent of the first spring of the new century.

  Addressing the activity,Tian Zengpei,President of the Association of Former Diplomats of China,said he felt pleased to see that leaders of the ministry and members of the AFDC meeting foreign envoys and diplomats on this occasion,joining old friends and making new ones and that they enjoyed in their conversation about friendship and cooperation.He also said that Spring of Diplomats was a good form of social activities between Chinese and foreign diplomats and that the AFDC would continue to make its contribution in various ways to promoting friendly exchanges and cooperation between the people of China and other countries.

  The ambassador of Cameroon to China,dean of the diplomatic corps in Beijing,pointed out in his speech on behalf of foreign envoys that this social activity hosted by the AFDC would facilitate exchange of ideas between foreign envoys and their Chinese friends and promote mutual understanding and he sincerely wished everlasting friendship between the people of China and other countries.

   Brightly-lit,the reception hall was filled with warm atmosphere.In high spirits,senior Chinese and foreign diplomats greeted each other with frequent toasts,and those who were old friends felt especially happy about their reunion at this moment.Famous Piano Maestro Liu Shikun played classical Chinese and foreign tunes on the spur of the moment to the enjoyment of all the guests present.
   This first Spring of Diplomats has successfully expanded the influence of the AFDC,thus laying a good foundation for holding more rounds of Spring of Diplomats to promote exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and foreign diplomats in the years ahead.