International Department Central Committee of CPC

Cai Wu, Vice Minister of the IDCPC

Wang Guoqing, Deputy Director of the Information Office of the State Council

Yu Hongjun, spokesman of the IDCPC and Director of its Research Office

At the Press Conference

Cai Wu, Vice Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Spoke at the Press Conference Held by the Information Office of the State Council

September 25, 2003

　The Information Office of the State Council held a press conference at 10 a.m. on September 25, 2003. Vice Minister Cai Wu briefed reporters on the CPC's foreign contacts and answered their questions. Yu Hongjun, press spokesman of the International Department and Director of its Research Office, attended the press conference, which was presided over by Wang Guoqing, Deputy Director of the Information Office.

Wang Guoqing: Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen! We solicited opinions from some foreign reporters about press releases a few days ago. Many of them suggested that we invite people from relevant departments of the CPC to introduce the CPC's work here. Today we have invited Cai Wu, Vice Minister of the International Department, to introduce the CPC's foreign contacts and exchanges. Mr. Yu Hongjun, press spokesman of the International Department and Director of its Research Office, is also present. Now let me give the floor to Vice Minister Cai before he answers your questions. (10:03, September 25, 2003)

Cai Wu: Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends! I'm pleased to meet with friends from the news media. Since you have already received the handout entitled The Communist Party of China's Foreign Contacts, I'll make my introduction brief to allow more time for you to raise questions. You all know that the CPC has more than 66 million members and is the Party in power in a country with a population of 1.3 billion. I believe you're interested in the CPC's contacts with the outside world. Actually, for several decades the CPC has, with the aspiration of seeking peace, development and progress, had widespread friendly exchanges and cooperation with various kinds of political parties and organizations in other countries and regions. Our latest statistics show that we have established diversified forms of exchanges and cooperation with more than 400 political parties and organizations in 147 countries. (10:07, September 25, 2003)

Cai: Such friendly foreign contacts of the CPC, in their various forms, levels and channels, have become a very important component of the overall diplomatic work of the People's Republic, effectively promoting the establishment, stability and development of relations between China and other countries. My department is the functional department of the CPC Central Committee whose particular responsibility is the CPC's contacts and exchanges with political parties and organizations in foreign countries and regions.

>> more