Guest: Li Jinjun, Vice Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China
Host: Strong Nation Forum, People's Daily Online
Time: September 27, 2007
The 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China will commence on October 15. The CPC received more than 700 congratulatory letters from political parties around the world during the 16th National Congress five years ago. Li believes more will come this time. He thinks this is due to the CPC's expanding communication with political parties all over the world.
Contacts with parties around the world: not ideologically-based
The Communist Party of China has built up communication and exchanges with 400 political parties and organizations either with similar or different ideologies, from more than 160 countries and regions around the world. The four principles that the CPC follows are: independence and self-initiative, total equality, mutual respect and non-interference into each other's internal affairs.
In the past five years, the CPC has invited and more than 1,200 foreign delegations, of which more than 200 were led by major party leaders. Some 100 CPC delegations regularly visit other countries. Some of the leaders or heavyweights they are dealing with are from countries which have not established a diplomatic relationship with the People's Republic of China.
Transparency: open the door to the public
The International Department used to be somewhat mysterious. Now it makes announcements about inter-party activities every week. Chinese and foreign media are welcome to hold interviews about events they are interested in.
In September, some 60 citizens visited the International Department. They observed a meeting between International Department Minister Wang Jiarui and a Czech Social Democratic Party delegation led by Mr. Paroubek, party Chairman and former Premier. It was the first time the department had been open to the public. More is to come.
Party diplomacy: more flexible than government diplomacy
Inter-party diplomacy does not deal with the specific affairs that governments do. Exchanges between parties and politicians are a more flexible way of promoting mutual understanding and cooperation. This is how parties influence governments' decision making.
What foreign political parties want to know most is how the CPC rules the country; and about this party with more than 72 million members. They are also interested in the important concepts and practices of the scientific development and construction of a harmonious society.
Foreign party delegations visit both developed and less developed parts of China so that they can understand the real situation of the country. Other ways of communication include regularly scheduled seminars and exchanges.
The Party of European Socialists, a European party alliance, has invited the CPC to attend its council conference in November; and the European People's Party, another party alliance, will hold a seminar with the CPC on strengthening Chinese-European relations. As a result of the increasing face-to-face discussions between the CPC and the Socialist International, and major European Parliament groups in recent years, many European political heavyweights have developed more objective and rational perspectives of China.
Li reiterated that it is one of the bases of China's diplomatic policy to consolidate and develop the friendship and cooperation with African countries. The CPC has established contacts with more than 80 parties in more than 50 African countries. A delegation led by Li was warmly welcomed by Africa during their visit there in September. Many leaders of political parties and governments there expressed their hope to Li that a closer exchanges and cooperation with more ways be established with the CPC. Discussions between CPC and African political parties, Li said, usually focus on the development issue and the improvement of people's living condition, including poverty alleviation.
Political dialogues are not the only focus of communication between the CPC and political parties in other countries. Li concluded that another focal point is the CPC's role in providing a favorable platform for cultural exchange between China and the rest of the world.
By People's Daily Online
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