BEIJING, July 9 -- A seminar and launch ceremony for the book CPC's 90 Years of External Exchange was held here on Tuesday morning, attended and addressed by Vice minister Ai Ping of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC). Over 40 people including former IDCPC minister Li Shuzheng, vice minister Chen Jin of the Party Literature Research Office of the CPC Central Committee, former IDCPC vice minister Li Beihai and vice minister Ma Wenpu, former vice president Li Junru of the Central Party School, former vice minister Zhang Baijia of the Party History Research Office of the CPC Central Committee, and scholars and experts from the Central Compilation and Translation Bureau and China Foreign Affairs University were present at the activity.

Vice minister Ai stressed in his remarks that external exchange of the CPC is inextricably linked with its destiny, and constitutes an important part of the Party's general cause and a part and parcel of the country's all-round diplomacy. The history of the Party's external exchange is also a component of the Party's history. He said that the purpose of book is to comprehensively review the Party's external exchange over the past 90 years, and present in a systematic way the achievements of the Party in external exchange in different historical periods of China's revolution, socialist construction, and reform and opening up, so as to draw the lessons and laws from its nine decades of diplomatic work and make it more capable of servicing socialism with Chinese characteristics and Party building.

Ai pointed out that by thoroughly reviewing the Party's external exchange we have learned that mature theory underpins firm political will and that updated theory is the prerequisite for innovative action. Without the guide of ideas and theories that progress with the times, it is hard to achieve breakthrough and innovation in Party diplomacy. At present, given the growing connection between China's diplomacy and domestic programs, the Party diplomacy is faced with new opportunities and challenges at the same time. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized recently that history is the best textbook and that it is a compulsory course to learn the history of the Party and the nation in order to maintain and develop Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, and support the development of all causes of the Party and the nation. We must thoroughly review and draw experience and lessons from the Party's external exchange so as to stand on a new historical starting point, deepen our understanding about the theory and law on Party diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, and continuously advance the Party's work on the diplomatic front.

Former officials and functionaries from the IDCPC and experts present also shared their opinions, speaking highly of the book from different perspectives. They all agreed that the book combines theory with practice based on major events in different historical periods since the founding of the CPC. It makes a systematic review over the important ideas and thoughts, principles, practice and achievements, and summarizes the lessons and laws from the Party's 90 years of external exchange. Being a well-structured book with accurate data collection, precise analysis and fair comment, it is a highly professional book focusing on the research of the Party's history, and a quality textbook for educating Party members. It is therefore of great significance for the understanding of the history of Party's external exchange, for summarizing lessons, and for improvement in the endeavor.

CPC's 90 Years of External Exchange is the first book in China that gives a systematic review over the theory and practice of Party diplomacy over the past 90 years. Its editor in chief is Wang Jiarui, vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee and minister of IDCPC. The book has six parts with a total of 233,000 words, and is published by the Contemporary World Publishing House.