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Entity Type: Domestic Association or Organization

Confederation of Young Leaders of India

The Confederation of Young Leaders of India is a youth development organization established in 2017 under the guidance of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri’s family. Shastri, India’s second Prime Minister (1964-1966), led the country during the challenging period following the 1962 Sino-Indian War while maintaining India’s non-alignment policy. The organization claims to have “engaged more than 50,000 youth” through various initiatives. Its patrons include Member of Parliament Dr. Sonal Mansingh, a Padma Vibhushan recipient and classical dancer nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 2018, and former Union Minister Suresh Prabhu, who held multiple ministerial portfolios but is no longer serving as a minister. The organization states its “Youth Dialogue Series” has “drawn wide attention” from India’s political circles, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Confederation operates the Indian Institute of Governance and Leadership and received a “Global Youth Promotion and Development” Award in 2018 from the International Association of Educators for World Peace, which is affiliated with UN-ECOSOC, UNICEF, UNESCO, and DPI.

Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians’ Union

The Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians’ Union is one of seven Japanese organizations that Beijing identifies as “friendship” groups for engaging with Japan. It evolved from earlier parliamentary trade promotion efforts established in the 1950s when Japan maintained diplomatic relations with the Republic of China but not the People’s Republic of China. Following the 1972 normalization of Japan-PRC relations, the union was formally established in April 1974 with approximately 400 members from multiple parties under the leadership of Aiichirō Fujiyama (藤山愛一郎). On January 31, 2025, Hiroshi Moriyama (森山裕) assumed chairmanship from Toshihiro Nikai (二階俊博), following Moriyama’s participation in the China-Japan Ruling Party Exchange Mechanism. While Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian (林簡) characterized it as a group “dedicated to Japan-China friendship” that focuses on “promoting exchanges and cooperation,” the organization’s structure differs from other parliamentary exchange groups — the Japanese side consists of elected Diet members, while Chinese counterparts are designated by the Chinese Communist Party. In his new role, Moriyama said he would seek “dialogue and consensus with China” and pledged to encourage more parliamentary visits. 

Cambodia-China Journalists Association

Launched in Phnom Penh in May 2019, the Cambodia-China Journalist Association is part of Beijing’s broader media engagement across Southeast Asia. Co-presidents Soy Sopheap (Cambodia) and Liu Xiao Guang (刘晓光) (China) established the organization to “promote friendship and cooperation,” though the association’s stated objectives raise questions about its journalistic independence. Chinese embassy political counselor Zuo Wenxing (左文星) framed the CCJA’s role as promoting “positive news” about both countries while “fighting against fake news”—language that aligns with China’s approach to media narratives. The association pledges to “professionally disseminate factual information about Chinese investments in Cambodia,” suggesting its function may lean toward advocacy rather than independent reporting.

Portuguese Press Association

The Portuguese Press Association was founded in 1960 as the National Guild of Regional Press (Grémio Nacional de Imprensa Regional), then transformed in 1975 into the Association of Non-Daily Press (Associação de Imprensa Não-Diária) before adopting its current name in September 2004. As Portugal’s largest and most representative press employers’ association, it currently represents over 200 member companies covering approximately 450 titles across national, regional, local, technical-professional, and specialized publications. The organization operates within Portugal’s media landscape.

Lao Chinese Chamber of Commerce

The Lao Chinese Chamber of Commerce was established on July 29, 2015, after receiving approval from Laos’ Ministry of Industry and Trade. Initially proposed in 2011 by Lin Zhenchao (林振潮), then-chairman of the Vientiane Chinese Council, the organization was formally launched in 2014-2015 under the leadership of Zhang Mingqiang (張明強) as its first president. Based in the Longbasha Villa district, the Chamber claimed it would serve as a platform to “unite overseas Chinese businesspeople” and “contribute to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.” The organization said it aimed to facilitate Sino-Lao business cooperation under the guidance of the Chinese Embassy in Laos while maintaining close ties with overseas Chinese community organizations. The Chamber described itself as the first Chinese business organization established in Laos by overseas Chinese residents.