Shanghai, June 16th—Diplomatic envoys from over 40 countries to China visited here today the site and memorial hall for the first National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and attended a symposium themed on "reviewing the journey in the past 100 years and looking into the future" at the invitation of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC) and the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee. Song Tao, Minister of the IDCPC, attended and addressed the activities.

Song said that it is of special significance to hold the event at the site of the first CPC National Congress in Shanghai at an important moment when the CPC is about to celebrate its centennial. The site of the first National Congress of CPC is the birthplace of the CPC. The entire history of the CPC began with the first National Congress of the CPC. Shanghai, the site of the first National Congress of CPC, is one of the sacred places of China's revolution and the forefront of China's reform and opening-up in the new era. Shanghai is the place where General Secretary Xi Jinping worked. General Secretary Xi Jinping has paid many visits to the site of the First National Congress of CPC and issued a call to the whole party for "keeping in mind our Party's founding mission and striving forever". Many important ideas of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era are in line with General Secretary Xi Jinping's exploration and thinking in Shanghai. Since the 18th National Congress of CPC in 2012, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as its core has put the people's interests first and led China in achieving historic achievements and bringing about historic changes. At present, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, China is firmly committed to following a development path suited to its national conditions and embarking on a journey to fully build a modern socialist China.

Song noted that the key to understanding China's success lies in understanding the CPC. The CPC is not only a party striving for the well-being of the Chinese people, but also a party seeking a world of universal harmony for all people. Under the new situation, the CPC is willing to strengthen political mutual trust with political parties all over the world, support each other on issues involving each other's core interests and major concerns, promote pragmatic cooperation through inter-party channels, share development opportunities, jointly cope with global challenges, and work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind. It is hoped that all the envoys would play a positive role in promoting the in-depth development of bilateral relations and building a better future.

The envoys from Namibia, Cuba, Sudan, Argentina and other countries to China delivered speeches at the symposium, extending warm congratulations to the CPC on the centennial. They spoke highly of the brilliant achievements of the CPC over the past 100 years and noted that the Belt and Road Initiative and the idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping have made important contributions to the development of all countries and mankind. The envoys said, through the visit and activities, they had clearly learned about the endeavor of the CPC to be strong, and deeply understood why only the CPC could win the support of the people and lead China to grow from a semi-colonial and semi-feudal country to the second largest economy in the world. The century-old history and brilliant achievements of the CPC have set a striving benchmark for political parties in many countries in the world. As diplomatic envoys to China, they are willing to actively promote close communication between our political parties and the CPC, strengthen the exchange of experience in state governance and administration, give full play to the political leading role of inter-party exchanges, and promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations and practical cooperation in various fields in the post-epidemic era.

Qian Hongshan, Vice-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, Zhuge Yujie, Member of the Standing Committee and Secretary General of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee attended the event.