Beijing, December 21st—Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), held a video talk here today with members of the International Advisory Board of the Silk Road Think Tank Association (SRTA), including George Papandreou, President of the Socialist International and former Prime Minister of Greece, Ayad Allawi, former Iraqi Prime Minister and Bhokin Bhalakula, former President of the National Assembly of Thailand.

Song made a comprehensive brief on the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, as well as the major historic significance of the Resolution of the CPC Central Committee on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century considered and adopted by the CPC Central Committee at the session, and stressed that the establishment of Comrade Xi Jinping’s core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and the defining of the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is of decisive significance for advancing the causes of the Party and the country in the new era and for national rejuvenation. Song also noted that the CPC’s major achievements and historical experience have provided important reference for developing countries to independently explore development paths that suit their own characteristics, and expected to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning with political parties from all over the world to make greater contributions to the development and progress of human political civilization.

Song emphatically introduced General Secretary Xi Jinping's important statement on the whole-process people's democracy, saying that democracy is a common value of humanity and an ideal that has always been cherished by the CPC and the Chinese people. Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, with a deeper understanding of China's path to democracy and the political system, the Party has developed whole-process people's democracy as a key concept and striven to translate it and relevant democratic values into effective institutions and concrete actions. Practice has proven that China’s democratic political development path is the correct path. And the Chinese people will resolutely follow the path. Recently, political parties, social organizations and think tanks of many countries issued a joint statement, emphasizing that there are many ways to achieve democracy, opposing interference in other countries’ internal affairs in the name of democracy, and calling for promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind with the common values of all mankind as the guide. This reflects the international community’s common aspirations.

Song also introduced the spirit of the General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech at the third symposium on Belt and Road development as well as the Global Development Initiative proposed by General Secretary Xi at the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly, noting that the joint construction of the Belt and Road originated from China but benefits the world. China is willing to promote the in-depth integration between the Belt and Road cooperation and the Global Development Initiative and the development strategies of various countries, and work together with all parties to create a dynamic engine for the recovery of the world economy and move towards prosperity and development.

Papandreou, Allawi and Bhokin congratulated on the successful convening of the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee. They spoke highly of the great achievements and important contributions to the world made by the Chinese people under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core in COVID-19 control, poverty alleviation, climate change, and sustainable economic development and hoped to strengthen the global health system, promote the recovery of the global economy, and improve the well-being of people in all countries through the Belt and Road cooperation. They stated, the democratic systems vary from country to country, and what kind of democratic system a country adopts is determined by the country's own history, culture, and economic and social development level. There is no democratic model that can be applied to all countries. Countries should respect each other, treat each other as equals, and work together to jointly tackle the major challenges facing human society. The Winter Olympics is an occasion for people of all countries to enhance unity, strengthen friendship, and promote peace. They opposed the politicization of the Winter Olympics and wished the Beijing Winter Olympics a complete success.

Li Mingxiang, Assistant-minster of the IDCPC, was present.

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