Moscow, February 16th—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, attended and addressed here today the opening ceremony of the Forum of Supporters of the Struggle Against Modern Practices of Neocolonialism “For the Freedom of Nations”.

Entrusted by the CPC Central Committee, Liu extended warm congratulations on the establishment of the forum and the convening of the conference. He said, in the current world intertwined with turbulence and changes, mankind faces many common challenges. The establishment of the forum conforms to the trend of the times for countries around the world to pursue peace, development and cooperation, and builds a good dialogue platform for political parties in various countries to jointly respond to challenges. Colonialism once brought grave disasters to the world and left a very disgraceful page in human history. Even today, it continues to appear in new ways, bringing pain and disaster to the world. China, like most of the countries represented by the participating political parties, emerged from the historical quagmire of colonialism. After going through untold hardships and making huge sacrifices, China achieved national independence and people's liberation. China, a member of the Global South, cares about and takes root in the Global South. China breathes the same breath with other countries of the Global South and pursues a shared future with them. China is willing to work with all progressive forces to jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, resolutely oppose colonialism of all forms and manifestations, and work for a more just and equitable international order.

Liu said, China is currently advancing the noble cause of building a great country and national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. China adheres to the path of peaceful and high-quality development, and high-level opening up to the outside world. In advancing modernization, China will neither tread the old path of colonization and plunder, nor the crooked path taken by some countries to seek hegemony once they grow strong. Instead, China will provide new opportunities brought by Chinese modernization for all countries in the world to realize modernization. The CPC calls on all sides to jointly defend all countries' rights to develop and prosper, maintain world peace, promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, promote the reform of the global governance system, and help build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory letter to the conference. Dmitry Medvedev, Chairman of the United Russia Party and Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Faustin-Archange Touadera, President of the Central African Republic, Fikile Mbalula, Secretary-General of the African National Congress of South Africa, Kim Su-gil, Alternate Member of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee and Chief Secretary of the Pyongyang WPK City Committee, Emilio Lozada Garcia, Head of the International Relations Department of the Cuban Communist Party Central Committee, Gleisi Hoffmann, President of Workers' Party of Brazil and others delivered speeches at the opening ceremony. Leaders of more than 60 political parties and political organizations from over 50 countries were present. In their speeches, the participants said that many countries in the world suffered from colonialism and firmly opposed to all forms of neocolonialism. Political parties in various countries should strengthen exchanges and cooperation, safeguard the common interests of the Global South, defend the international order underpinned by the UN Charter, and promote international fairness and justice. The participants from many countries spoke highly of the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and the global significance of the Belt and Road Initiative. They believed China's solutions to the common problems facing the world today will help the international community strengthen unity and cooperation, and promote human prosperity and progress.

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