Ambassadresses and female diplomats of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Secretariat, its member states, observer states and dialogue partners met on April 5 in Beijing at the Former Residence of Soong Ching-ling amid to enjoy its midget crabapple trees in blossom and works of art celebrating Chinese traditional culture.

Hang Yuanxiang, Executive Vice-President of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (SCLF), welcomed Zamira Asimovo - wife of SCO Secretary-General Tajik Ambassador to China Rashid Alimov, and other guests from various countries to the 8th Midget Crabapple Cultural Festival. Hang introduced the life of Madame Soong Ching Ling and the great contributions the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation has made to promoting international friendship.

Hang Yuanxiang, Executive Vice-President of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation

Hang observed that China holds the rotating presidency of the SCO for the years 2017 and 2018. He added that people-to-people exchanges between the SCLF and SCO have built a solid foundation for mutual cooperation among the latter's member states.

SCO Deputy Secretary-General Wang Kaiwen thanked the SCLF on behalf of all guests for their cordial reception, remarking what a great honor it was to walk around this traditional Chinese courtyard arrayed in blooming midget crabapple trees. Wang commended the work of the SCLF in promoting people-to-people diplomacy, and expressed sincere wishes for future cooperation between the SCLF and SCO.

SCO Deputy Secretary-General Wang Kaiwen

Zamira Asimova expressed on the occasion of her first visit to the Former Residence of Soong Ching-ling her admiration for Madame Soong, and her lifelong dedication to China's construction and development.

The Midget Crabapple Cultural Festival at the Former Residence of Soong Ching-ling opened on March 28, and will close on April 18. The festival gives visitors the chance to stroll around the Foundation's gardens, with its flowers, miniature trees and rockeries, and enjoy calligraphy and painting exhibitions.