Press conference: CPC's united front and international relations

Speakers:Mr. Zhang Yijiong, executive vice minister of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee
Mr. Ran Wanxiang, vice minister of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee
Mr. Guo Yezhou, vice minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee

Chairperson:Guo Weimin, spokesperson for the 19th National Congress of the CPC and deputy director of the State Council Information Office

Date:Oct. 21, 2017

The press center of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) holds a press conference on the united front work and the external work of the CPC, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 21, 2017. Executive Vice Minister Zhang Yijiong (2nd L) and Vice Minister Ran Wanxiang (1st R) of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, and Guo Yezhou (2nd R), vice minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, attended the conference. [Photo/Xinhua]

Guo Weimin:

Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the media, good morning. Welcome to the third press conference held at the Press Center of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Today, we invited Mr. Zhang Yijiong, the executive vice minister of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, Mr. Ran Wanxiang, also a vice minister of the department, and Mr. Guo Yezhou, the vice minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, to attend the press conference, and introduce the Party's united front work and external exchanges.

Now, I'll give the floor to Mr. Zhang Yijiong.

Zhang Yijiong, executive vice minister of the United Front Work Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), speaks at a press conference held by the press center of the 19th CPC National Congress in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 21, 2017. The press conference was themed on the united front work and the external work of the CPC. [Photo/Xinhua]

Zhang Yijiong:

The united front is a political alliance led by the Communist Party of China (CPC) with the aim of joining together various political parties, social classes, ethnic groups, organizations and personages from all walks of life. At the opening of the 19th CPC National Congress, Xi Jinping, the general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, said that the united front is an important way to ensure the success of the Party's cause, and included developing the broadest possible patriotic united front into the basic policy that underpins our endeavors to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the CPC Central Committee has held a series of meetings on work related to the united front, ethnic groups, religions, Xinjiang, Tibet, and people belonging to new social groups. The CPC United Front Work Regulations (Trial), the first document of its kind, and a batch of other normative guidelines were enacted. Uninterrupted progress has been made in the development, innovation, consolidation and expansion of the united front, which has played an important role in the cause of building socialism with Chinese characteristics.

First, the strengths of the multi-party cooperation system have become increasingly prominent. The multi-party cooperation and political consultation system under the leadership of the CPC, a political party system with Chinese characteristics, is an important way for China to achieve socialist democracy. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party has exerted great efforts to ensure better regulation of consultation among political parties, encourage the participation in the deliberation and administration of state affairs, and upgrade overall democratic oversight. In this way, the multi-party cooperation system has played an unparalleled role in extending political engagement, coordinating various interests, reaching a broad consensus and enhancing social harmony. General Secretary Xi chaired four or five party consultative conferences every year to hear the opinions of the primary leaders of non-CPC parties on major Party and state affairs. An "Express Train" system has been established in which the non-CPC parties are able to provide suggestions and constructive criticisms directly to the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, thus ensuring Party and government decisions are made in a sound and democratic way. The central committees of eight other political parties provided democratic oversight of poverty eradication, which is an innovation in the supervision of major Party and state decisions. Members of eight other political parties, as well as personages with no party affiliations, have taken an active part in strengthening state power. Many non-CPC personages hold leading positions in the people's congresses, government departments and judicial organs at all levels. The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), as an organization of the patriotic united front of the Chinese people, conducts regular political consultation, democratic oversight and participation in the deliberation and administration of state affairs, embodying the strengths and distinctive features of China's socialist democracy.

Second, all social strata are fully invigorated. To adopt a holistic approach and promote all social strata to play their role and get along well is an important task for the united front work. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, our Party has united people from all walks of life on the basis of consolidating the alliance of workers and peasants, further cementing the class and mass foundation for the governance of the Party. We have unwaveringly encouraged, supported, and guided the development of the non-public sector of economy. We have provided support to leading figures in this sector to promote entrepreneurship, and to help them play an active part in the supply-side structural reform, the acceleration of economic transformation and upgrading, service to society and the people, and the endeavor to eradicate poverty. So, coincident with the development of their enterprises, they can give back to the country and society. We have also provided guidance and support to non-CPC intellectuals and Chinese students returning from overseas, allowing them to fully utilize their knowledge and skills in innovation and starting businesses. A batch of outstanding non-CPC intellectuals have made significant breakthroughs in science and technology, many of which reached a world-class level. We have adapted to changes of the social strata, and worked hard to expand the united front. So, non-CPC managerial and technical staff in private and foreign enterprises, employees of intermediary organizations and social organizations, freelancers and staff of new media are included in the united front, and rally closely around the Party and the government.

Third, common development and prosperity achieved from the common endeavor of national unity. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party has adhered to the correct path of addressing ethnic issues according to China's special conditions. The system of regional ethnic autonomy has been upheld and further improved. Great efforts have been made to support the economic and social development of minority ethnic groups and areas inhabited by large ethnic minority populations. The cultivation of skilled individuals in minority ethnic groups has been enhanced. In areas with large ethnic minority populations, more efforts have been made to promote the development of the internal driving force for growth, accelerate poverty eradication, and provide people with equitable access to public services, thus bringing the benefits of reform and opening up to all. We have focused on creating a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, and heightened public awareness of ethnic unity and progress. Active efforts have been made to foster a social atmosphere, in which people of all ethnic groups can live, study, work and enjoy the benefits of development together. The exchanges, communication and integration among them have been further intensified. We have conformed to the principle of addressing ethnic affairs on a legal basis, faithfully implemented the CPC Central Committee's strategies on the governance of Tibet and Xinjiang, and improved the coordinated management of our work to serve the migrant ethnic population. We have relentlessly fought against secessionism, which safeguards the national unity, ethnic solidarity and social stability.

Fourth, active guidance was provided to religions, so that they can adapt themselves to socialist society. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party's basic policy on religious work has been implemented. Following the general requirement of providing active guidance to religions, we have effectively enforced the policy on the freedom of religious belief, stuck to the principle that religions in China must be Chinese in orientation, used socialist core values to lead the development of religions, and effectively protected the legal rights of the religious community. We have focused on elevating the level of regulation of religious work. In accordance with the principles of "protecting the legal, curbing the illegal, curtailing the extreme, resisting the infiltration and combating crimes," we have enhanced the administration of religious affairs concerning national interests and public interests. In addition, we have intensified the crackdown on activities that use religion to endanger national security, propagate extremism, conduct terrorist activities, or sabotage ethnic unity. Thus, religious activities are ensured to be conducted under the Constitution and within the law, effectively promoting harmonious relations between religions.

Fifth, united as one, all Chinese both at home and abroad are striving to realize the Chinese Dream. Compatriots from Hong Kong and Macao, as well as overseas Chinese nationals are all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation related by blood to their compatriots in the mainland. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the united front, aiming at realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, has achieved unity to the greatest extent, and drawn a wide range of overseas Chinese to promote the reform and development of the country and defend the country's core interests. Adhering to the policies of "one country, two systems," "the people of Hong Kong governing Hong Kong," "the people of Macao governing Macao," and a high degree of autonomy for Hong Kong and Macao, we have provided support to the two regions for the development of the local economy, the improvement of people's livelihood, the promotion of democracy, and the fostering of social harmony. We have helped boost the exchange and cooperation between the mainland and the two regions in various fields. We have also guided people in the two regions to strengthen their sense of identity as citizens of China and as members of the Chinese nation. These efforts have greatly promoted the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao. We have unwaveringly upheld the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, resolutely opposing "Taiwan independence." We have actively promoted people-to-people exchange and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait, worked hard to win popular support, and effectively strengthened the bond and promoted the well-being of people across the Strait. We have committed to putting people first and serving overseas Chinese. Focus has been put on further winning the hearts of overseas Chinese, pooling their wisdom and strength, and safeguarding their interests. Thus, they are being guided to work together for the tasks of advancing modernization and realizing China's reunification, for the global endeavor of opposing "independence" and advancing reunification, for the inheritance and development of fine Chinese culture, and for the friendship of the Chinese people and people all over the world.

All in all, we have further consolidated the ideological and political foundation for the united front to work together. All political parties, social classes, ethnic groups, organizations, personages from all walks of life have shown unprecedented pride and confidence in the nation's development, fully demonstrating confidence in the path, the theory, the system and the culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics. We firmly believe that, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the Chinese people will forge ahead on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. Thank you.

Guo Weimin:

Thank you, Mr. Zhang. I now give the floor to Mr. Guo Yezhou.

Guo Yezhou, vice minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), speaks at a press conference held by the press center of the 19th CPC National Congress in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 21, 2017. The press conference was themed on the united front work and the external work of the CPC. [Photo/Xinhua]

Guo Yezhou:

Good morning, everyone. I am pleased to meet you all. Just now, I heard a journalist from a TV station introducing the IDCPC to the audience, saying that "this is a department with which you may not be familiar." I'd like to thank the press center of the 19th CPC National Congress for this opportunity to introduce the CPC's foreign relations work. The IDCPC, a functional organ directly under the CPC Central Committee, is responsible for interactions and exchanges between the CPC and political parties and political organizations from other countries. In the past few days, we've been conscientiously studying, discussing and seeking to comprehend the report to the 19th CPC National Congress delivered by General Secretary Xi Jinping on behalf of the 18th CPC Central Committee. In that report, he made a systematic review of the extraordinary undertakings and historic changes made by the Party in the past five years, as well as the country's overall diplomacy.

General Secretary Xi Jinping described the Party's foreign relations work as "one of the important fronts of the Party and an important integral part of the country's overall diplomacy." This dual role seems to be a logical starting point for my introduction of the CPC's foreign relations work, which has made extraordinary strides and achieved historic shifts in the past five years.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and thanks to the full support and broad participation of the entire Party membership as well as the various localities and all the central Party and government departments, the IDCPC has pressed ahead with its work under the principle of "independence, complete equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs." It has constantly sought to deepen exchanges with political parties and political organizations from other countries. In the past five years, this can be summed up in the following five aspects.

First, we have deepened inter-party exchanges and promoted communication and understanding of each other's central ideas.

Political parties play an important role in the political life of most countries. Dialogues between political parties facilitate deeper consensus in terms of values and developmental orientation, and strengthen political power for developing international relations.

This is quite true.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, our Party has been constantly deepening bilateral and multilateral exchanges with all walks of life in various countries as well as with fraternal political parties.

During the process, the CPC has not only emphasized exchanges with political parties from other countries with similar ideas and concepts, but also those differing from us. To date, the CPC has maintained regular exchanges with over 400 political parties and organizations in more than 160 countries. A new omni-dimensional, wide-ranging and multi-channel framework for exchanges between political parties has now been established.

One thing I want to emphasize is how General Secretary Xi Jinping and other leaders of the CPC Central Committee and the central government meet personally with the leaders of political parties from other countries and engage in exchanges and communication with them, which facilitates strategic mutual understanding and political guidance.

Second, it is very important to tell stories well to win more understanding and support.

The CPC forms the core of the leadership for the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. To understand China, one needs first to know the CPC. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the international community has been paying closer attention to China, the CPC, and General Secretary Xi Jinping's new thoughts on the governance of China.

To respond to this closer attention from the international community, we have worked hard to tell stories of the CPC and interpret the major policies of the Party as well as General Secretary Xi Jinping's new thoughts on the governance of China.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, we have always hosted themed briefings and seminars, not only after the conclusion of the 18th CPC National Congress but also every plenary session, to provide a comprehensive introduction to foreign friends showing interest in these events. After the end of the 19th CPC National Congress, we will host a themed briefing in Beijing to which we will invite several experts, document drafters and heads of related departments of the CPC to discuss the overall guiding principles of the Congress. Moreover, we will also send delegations abroad to provide similar introductions. I can say that the footprints of CPC delegations now cover the five continents.

Those events are designed mainly to introduce General Secretary Xi Jinping's new thoughts on the governance of China. The 19th CPC National Congress has introduced a new concept, that is, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. We are actively introducing the Party's governance concept, sharing its governing experience, and deepening international understanding and support for these new explorations and new practices of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Third, our activities serve to promote the overall diplomacy and safeguard national interests.

Safeguarding national interests is a vital part of all kinds of external interactions and exchanges. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out on many occasions that the biggest feature and the primary task of major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics is to uphold the CPC's centralized and unified leadership in foreign relations work, its ruling party status and the overall political security of the country. This is also the most important task for our external interactions.

In the past five years, we have focused on the country's major diplomatic agenda to safeguard national sovereignty, security and overall development interests.

From the Hangzhou G20 Summit to the Belt and Road Forum on International Cooperation, and to the recent BRICS Xiamen Summit, the Party's diplomatic work has been most active. Many international partners have offered strong support for the Party in those events, which has made us believe more than ever in the saying that one's "virtues will bring a wide circle of friends."

Fourth, there is a strong emphasis on promoting people-to-people connectivity and consolidating the social foundation for international relations.

General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized many times: "Friendship, which derives from close contact between the people, holds the key to sound state-to-state relations." Keeping close contact with the public is a good tradition of the Party. Therefore, when engaging in communication with political parties from other countries, we not only need to interact and make friends with political figures and leaders of those parties, but also enhance public diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy.

I will only offer one example: after the Belt and Road Initiative was put forward, the IDCPC has supported related think tanks to build an alliance for the initiative, which includes major national research institutions as well as 100 foreign organizations that cover mainstream think tanks in the Belt and Road countries. As the ruling party, the CPC also strongly supports domestic social organizations in their drive to go global and get involved in international events held by NGOs. We also support domestic social institutions and groups to cooperate with their counterparts in the Belt and Road countries, and thus promote people-to-people connectivity, deepen friendship and drive cooperation in the promotion of individual livelihood.

Fifth, we desire to make friends worldwide and work together for peace and development.

China's peace and development needs understanding and support from various circles. Similarly, the great cause of peace and development for the entire human race calls for wide participation and efforts.

As a department responsible for external interactions, the IDCPC has long been dedicated to the mission of making friends worldwide and working together for peace and development. In our specific work, we not only make friends with the ruling, participating and even non-ruling political parties and political organizations in various countries, but also maintain exchanges with friends from various sectors of society including think tanks, media and civil society groups.

If you keep up with the news, you will notice that there are political parties and political figures, including heads of state and heads of government, as well as some heads of organizations worldwide sending congratulatory messages every day to the CPC on holding the present congress since it opened. They have expressed good wishes for the CPC and also provided many good suggestions for international relations and inter-party communications in the future. We can say that the CPC has a wide circle of international friends that incorporates both ruling and non-ruling parties as well as State organizations and the civil society.

During his report to the 19th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping said: "The Communist Party of China strives for both the wellbeing of the Chinese people and human progress. To make new and greater contributions for mankind is our Party's abiding mission."

A party with such a lofty aim is bound to have more friends.

Dear friends, General Secretary Xi Jinping said in his report that the CPC will strengthen exchanges and cooperation with political parties and organizations from other countries. The amendment to the Party Constitution also requires that we should develop relations with the communist parties as well as other political parties in various countries in accordance to the principle of "independence, complete equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs."

As socialism with Chinese characteristics enters a new era and embarks on a new journey, we will, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, study hard and implement the guiding principles of the 19th CPC National Congress, make more progress in our work for external interactions, and make new and bigger contributions to carrying out our great struggle, developing our great project, promoting our great cause and achieving our great dream.

Thank You.