From March 19th to 20th, the Symposium on External Liaison Work of the CPC was held in Beijing. Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, attended the symposium and made a work report. Qian Hongshan, Vice-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, chaired the symposium.

Song pointed out that the main task of this meeting is: under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we should thoroughly study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and General Secretary Xi Jinping's important statements on the Party's external work; accurately grasp the situation, summarize the work experience and listen to opinions and views of all parties to further give play to the Party’s advantages in external work; stay focused and make joint efforts as well as forge ahead and make innovations to jointly promote the Party's external work to a new level; so as to make greater contributions to the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, to securing a decisive victory in building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Song said that in 2018, we have, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, closely focused on the main line of thoroughly implementing and publicizing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, given full play to our special advantage, constantly made innovations in ideas and methods, and comprehensively strengthened the political guidance of the international community, scoring substantial results. Local authorities and departments, bearing the overall picture, have become more and more conscious of working in coordination, and become more and more active and creative in participating in the Party's external work, showcasing the wholistic character of the Party’s external work.

Song stressed that to create a new situation in the Party's external work, it is necessary to integrate thoughts and actions into Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, and consciously place oneself under the leadership of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. First, the practice of "resolutely upholding General Secretary Xi Jinping’s core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and resolutely upholding the Party Central Committee’s authority and its centralized, unified leadership" should be carried out in the whole process and all aspects of external work, giving full play to the characteristics and advantages of the Party's external work; Second, we must have a correct outlook on history, on the bigger picture, and on the role of our country and plan and advance the Party's external work comprehensively from the new historical starting point; Third, we need to strengthen the sense of greater coordination, constantly consolidate and deepen the new pattern of the Party's external work featuring unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, overall planning and coordination of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, orderly participation of all local authorities and departments, and active support from Party members and cadres.

Song pointed out that the Party's external work should not only make all local authorities and departments have a full sense of participation, but also have a full sense of gain. The Party's external work will help all local authorities and departments expand their international influence, carry out foreign exchanges, promote practical cooperation and realize scientific decision-making.

The symposium was hosted by the International Department of the CPC Central Committee. The Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision at the Office of Foreign Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, principal comrades of relevant departments and units of central state organs, deputy secretary generals of the Party committee and main principals of office of the foreign affairs committee of all provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and cities under separate state planning, some leading comrades from cadre institutes and local party schools and counselors of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee stationed abroad attended the symposium. Relevant responsible comrades from the Office of Foreign Affairs of the CPC Central Committee and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were invited to attend the event.

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