Chinese President Xi Jinping and more than 10,000 representatives of over 500 world political parties from 160-plus countries participated in the Communist Party of China (CPC) and World Political Parties Summit held virtually on Tuesday.
On Monday, Chinese state-owned media house Global Times reported that Hu Zhaoming, the spokesperson for the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, announced that the event’s theme would be “For the People’s Wellbeing: The Responsibility of Political Parties.” In line with this, the summit aimed to share the CPC’s experience in governance and help parties understand its history.
In his keynote address, Xi urged participants to uphold multilateralism, seek cooperation in addressing current global challenges, and pursue development. Calling for joint efforts to bring greater equity, higher efficiency and stronger synergy to global development, The Straits Times reported Xi as saying: “We should stand opposed to the practice of unilateralism disguised as multilateralism and say no to hegemony and power politics… We need to enable all countries to step up development and cooperation, and see to it that the fruits of development are shared by all.”
“Viewed from the perspective of my own country first, the world is a cramped and crowded place perpetuated in fierce competition. Viewed from the perspective of a global community with a shared future, the world is a vast and broad place full of cooperation opportunities...We need to enable all countries to step up development cooperation and see to it that the fruits of development are shared by all,” Xi added.
Moreover, Xi said the CPC is willing to contribute more Chinese insight to the poverty reduction process worldwide and will spare no effort to support international cooperation against COVID-19. “In the face of the ongoing Covid-19, we need to continue with a science-based response approach and advocate solidarity and cooperation to close the ‘immunisation gap’. The achievements of the Communist Party of China cannot be separated from the support of people around the world,” he said.
As China’s relations remain strained with the West following its human rights violations in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, Xi echoed sentiments similar to his speech at the Tiananmen Square on the CPC’s centenary a few days ago. “The Chinese people will never allow any foreign forces to bully, coerce and enslave us,” he declared.
Concluding the address on a positive note, Xi said that “The CPC is willing to enhance communication with political parties worldwide and jointly lead the economic globalisation toward a direction that is more open, inclusive, shared, balanced and win-win.”