Beijing, December 15th—International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC) held here today a video conference between the CPC and Marxist Political Parties from Europe, North America and Oceania themed on democracy, justice, development, and progress. Song Tao, Minister of the IDCPC, attended the conference and delivered a keynote speech. About 100 leaders and representatives of over 20 Marxist political parties and left-wing political organizations from Europe, North America and Oceania, attended the meeting, including Vinnie Molina, National President of the Communist Party of Australia, Elizabeth Rowley, leader of the Communist Party of Canada, Henrik Stamer Hedin, Chairman of the Communist Party of Denmark, Juha-Pekka Vaisanen, Chairperson of the Communist Party of Finland, Gyula Thurmer, Chairman of the Hungarian Workers’ Party, Mauro Alboresi, National Secretary of Italian Communist Party, Enrique Santiago, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Spain, Robert Griffiths, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Britain and Rossana Cambron, Co-chairperson of the Communist Party USA.

Song said that in recent years, the CPC and Marxist political parties from Europe, North America and Oceania have constantly enhanced dialogue and communication, supported one another in issues involving their core interests and major concerns and played an active role in boosting the cause of international socialism. The Resolution on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century adopted by the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee held lately emphasizes the decisive significance of establishing Comrade Xi Jinping’s core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and defining the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It reflects the high consciousness of CPC to observe the rules of building a Marxist party and to undertake historical missions. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the Marxism for contemporary China and the 21th century. It embodies the best of the Chinese culture and ethos in our times and represents a new breakthrough in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. The continuous success of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and modernizing Marxism reflects the vitality of Marxism and the historic contributions of CPC to the building of Marxist parties. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the CPC will join hands with Marxist political parties of the world, including those from Europe, North America, and Oceania, to advance the cause of international socialism.

Song said, since the 18th National Congress of CPC, the CPC has been leading the Chinese people to actively develop whole-process people's democracy, which has effectively ensured the people’s status as masters of the country, making significant contributions to the progress of democracy in the world. Democracy is the right of the people in every country, rather than the prerogative of a few nations. The focus of promoting democracy should be continuously meeting the people's aspiration for a better life, and continuously enhancing their sense of benefit, happiness and security. The CPC is willing to move forward with all progressive forces in the world, stand for the interests of the people, adhere to openness and cooperation, and practice true multilateralism, while promoting the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom for mankind. The CPC is ready to join hands with the rest of the world to enhance the common welfare of all peoples and build a better world.

Leaders of Marxist political parties from Europe, North America and Oceania warmly congratulated the CPC on its centenary, and the successful convocation of the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, and spoke highly of the major achievements and the contributions to the world of the CPC and the Chinese people in promoting economic and social development, fighting the COVID-19 epidemic, addressing climate change, advancing the Belt and Road Initiative under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core. They agreed with the important concepts put forward by General Secretary Xi Jinping, such as a community with a shared future for mankind and whole-process people's democracy. The leaders reiterated their firm support to the Joint Statement of World Political Parties, Social Organizations and Think Tanks on Making Independent Efforts to Explore the Path toward Democracy and Working Together to Promote Common Development, which was issued recently. They agreed that there are various paths to democracy, and that the promotion of democracy should focus on the continuous improvement of people's lives. They expressed their opposition against interference in the internal affairs of other countries in the name of democracy. Their Parties highly valued the relations with the CPC, and hoped to strengthen strategic communication, solidarity and coordination with the CPC, jointly safeguard multilateralism and world peace and stability, and advance the cause of world socialism and the progress of mankind.

Qian Hongshan, Vice-minister of the IDCPC, presided over the conference.

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