Chinese, African parties meet to share wisdom on modernization

2017-11-30
Xinhua

The 3rd China-Africa Political Parties Theoretic Seminar is held in Beijing, capital of China, Nov 29, 2017. Song Tao, director of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attended the opening of the seminar. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING —The Communist Party of China (CPC) on Nov 29 held a seminar with African political parties to explore the mission and role of parties in building a China-Africa community of shared future.

Song Tao, director of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, addressed the opening of the seminar, which was held ahead of upcoming CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting in Beijing.

Song briefed the attendees on the 19th CPC National Congress, including the concept of building a community of shared future.

In the process of exploring paths toward modernization, China and Africa should share ideas, draw on each other’s strengths and support each other’s undertakings, Song said.

Acknowledging that political parties exert great influence in the development of countries and their engagement with other countries, Song said that the CPC is willing to maintain close relations with African political parties.

Over 60 representatives of political parties from some 20 African countries attended the seminar.

Evariste Ndayishimiye, secretary-general of CNDD-FDD of Burundi, said his country hope to learn from Chinese experiences, especially in promoting comprehensive development and people’s welfare.

Solomon Lechesa Tsenoli, Central Committee member of the South African Communist Party and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, said his party is curious about the CPC experiences in capacity-building and how to run programs.

In his keynote speech, Song also called for more mutual trust and learning, as well as practical and win-win cooperation, as the Chinese and African economies are highly complementary to each other.

He also recommended strengthened security cooperation and coordination on international affairs to contribute insights and solutions on global economic governance, sustainable development and the reform of international institutions.

“Together, we shall give a voice to the developing world and be the constructors of world peace, contributors to global development and guardians of international order,” said Song.

On the same day, Song met with Samdech Techo Hun Sen, president of the Cambodian People’s party and Cambodian prime minister, and held talks with Abdulrahman Omari Kinana, secretary-general of Chama Cha Mapinduzi of Tanzania, both in China to attend the high-level meeting.

Earlier on Nov 28, Song met with a delegation headed by Demeke Mekonnen, deputy prime minister of Ethiopia and vice chairman of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front, who is also attending the seminar and the upcoming high-level meeting.