On November 24th, the Fourth China-Africa Political Parties Theoretic Seminar, themed on “development paths suitable for national conditions: explorations and practices of political parties of China and Africa” was held via videolink. Nearly 300 people attended the meeting, including representatives of leaders of political parties from 14 countries such as Richard Todwong, Secretary-General of the National Resistance Movement of Uganda, Peter Lam, acting secretary-general of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) of South Sudan and Lechesa Tsenoli, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa and member of the Central Committee of the South African Communist Party (SACP), and party cadres. Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting and delivered a keynote speech.

Song mainly introduced the CPC’s course and experience in successfully leading the Chinese people to explore socialism with Chinese characters over the past 100 years. Song said that the success of a country, a nation and a political party hinges on the development path, which is a major theoretical and practical issue. The success of socialism with Chinese characters lies in the leadership of the CPC. Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, socialism with Chinese characters has seen new remarkable achievements. The CPC has made historic achievements in solving the problem of extreme poverty that has plagued the Chinese nation for thousands of years, built a moderately prosperous society in all respects, greatly raised China’s standing in the international community, and significantly improved Chinese people’s sense of happiness, benefit and security, winning sincere support from the Chinese people.

Song said that the CPC has all along integrated safeguarding the interests of the Chinese people with promoting the common interests of mankind. China’s road to modernization explored by the CPC has expanded developing countries’ paths to modernization. Since political parties of China and Africa make and execute domestic and foreign policies, they all shoulder the responsibilities of exploring and leading the development paths suitable to national conditions. Both sides should, in a spirit of seeking common ground while shelving differences, mutual respect and mutual learning, support each other in developing, continuously enhance the ability of seeking happiness for the people, and jointly building China-Africa community with a shared future.

Leaders of the African political parties warmly congratulated the CPC on its centenary and the upcoming 72nd anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, spoke highly of China’s remarkable achievements made in the past 100 years since the founding of the CPC, particularly achievements in various areas made since the 18th CPC National Congress under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, such as economic development, poverty alleviation, and fighting against the COVID-19. They believed China’s successful experience is worth learning, and sets an example and provide impetus for African countries to follow development paths suitable to their national conditions. They expressed the willingness to strengthen intra-party communication and cooperation with the CPC to further promote Africa-China relations.

Li Mingxiang, Assistant Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting. Relevant Chinese ambassadors to African countries, such as Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Chen Xiaodong, relevant comrades from the Party School of the Central Committee of CPC (National Academy of Governance) and China's national rural revitalization bureau were present.

Enditem