The Sino-American Friendship Association (SAFA) is a nonprofit organization based in New York City whose stated aim is to develop cross-cultural collaboration between the United States and China. SAFA assists schools in running Chinese cultural clubs and hosting "Chinese culture weeks."[1] SAFA also promotes traditional Chinese medicine,[2] participates in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade[3] and Times Square Ball Drop,[4] and has organized trips to mainland China for members to meet with officials of the United Front Work Department.[5][6] SAFA has organized trips for American mayors to China with the support of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.[7] In 2012, SAFA paid for a promotional slideshow of Xi Jinping on a Times Square jumbotron during one of his visits to the United States.[8]
| Formation | 1992 |
|---|---|
| Type | 501(c)3 organization |
| Headquarters | New York City |
| Website | www |
SAFA's honorary president is Yuan Xikun.[9][5] The group's advisory board includes officials such as Bingde Zhou, former vice president of China News Service, and former Chinese consul general in New York Zhongwen Qu.[5]
The group garnered public attention in August 2022 following its sponsorship of a New York Mets game that included memorabilia with the flag of the People's Republic of China.[5][10] SAFA subsequently stated that it is "not involved in united front work."[11]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Palit, Parama Sinha (2017-03-31). Analysing China′s Soft Power Strategy and Comparative Indian Initiatives. SAGE Publishing. pp. 165. ISBN 978-93-86062-67-3.
- ^ "Chinese, US experts join symposium on integrating Western, Chinese medicines". State Council Information Office. Xinhua News Agency. August 26, 2022. Archived from the original on 2023-09-08. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
- ^ "Beijing beauty adds to Thanksgiving fun". State Council of the People's Republic of China. China Daily. November 29, 2014. Archived from the original on September 8, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
- ^ Quinn, Jimmy (January 2, 2024). "Chinese Official Brings Propaganda Message to Times Square Ball-Drop Event". National Review. Archived from the original on January 2, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Quinn, Jimmy (August 30, 2023). "The Mets Quietly Plan to Host Another Event with Pro-CCP Group — This Time without Chinese-Flag Baseball Caps". National Review. Archived from the original on September 5, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ "Previous Events & News". Sino-American Friendship Association. Archived from the original on 2 August 2022. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
- ^ "President of CPAFFC Xiaolin Li Meets with the Chairman of Sino-American Friendship Association". www.mebo.com. March 22, 2016. Archived from the original on 2023-09-08. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
- ^ Herbert, David (February 17, 2012). "Chinese State-Run Media Depicts Xi Visit as Victory Lap, Lecture Tour" (PDF). United States–China Economic and Security Review Commission. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 19, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
- ^ "SAFA Honorary President". Sino-American Friendship Association. August 25, 2020. Archived from the original on 2 August 2022. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
- ^ Kruger, Meghan (2022-08-05). "The Mets should stand for baseball — not Chinese Communist Party propaganda". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 2023-03-06. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
- ^ Chasmar, Jessica; Cawthorne, Cameron (January 4, 2023). "Times Square NYE celebration featured Chinese official who said Communist Party is 'great party'". Fox News. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.