At the invitation of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA), H.E. Mr. Jerry John Rawlings, Former President of Ghana and the African Union (AU) High Representative for Somalia, paid a visit to Zhejiang, Shanghai and Beijing from October 24 to November 1, 2011.

       In Zhejiang, Mr. Rawlings attended the Opening Ceremony of the 1^st Meeting of the China-Africa Think Tank Forum (CATTF) which was held in Hangzhou city and made a speech. Mr. Rawlings also made a keynote speech of Neocolonialism and African Unity in Zhejiang Normal University. H.E. Mr. Abulaiti Abudurexiti, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Amb. Cai Jinbiao, Vice President of CPIFA, Madame Feng Ming, Vice Chairman of Zhejiang Provincial CPPCC Committee, Mr. Jin Zhongliang, Vice Mayor of Jinhua City, Mr. Mi Bin, Vice Mayor of Yiwu City, Mr. Zhao Bin, Vice director of Foreign Affairs Office of Shanghai Municipal Government, Mr. Wang Hui, Vice President of Zhejiang Normal University, met with or hosted welcoming banquets in honor of H.E. Mr. Rawlings respectively. Mr. Rawlings also visited the International Commodities City in Yiwu, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and Urban Planning Exhibition Center in Shanghai, and the Olympic Venues and the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing.

       Mr. Rawlings expressed his deep appreciation on China’s achievements and exchanged in-depth views with Chinese counterparts on African situation, Sino-African Cooperation and Somalia issue.