2019 witnessed fruitful external work for the CPC. After online voting organized by the Information Office of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), the top ten news of the Party’s external work in 2019 was unveiled. Now, let us review the wonderful moments of the Party’s external work over the past year (in chronological order).

1. Xi Jinping Welcomes Kim Jong Un’s Fourth Visit to China

From January 7th to 10th, Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea and Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), visited China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping. This has been Kim’s fourth visit to China in 10 months. Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un met with each other and held talks. Both sides exchanged in-depth views on China–DRPK relations and issues of common concern and reached important consensus.

2. 1st Meeting of CPEC Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism Held in Beijing

On March 19th, the 1st meeting of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism was held in Beijing and the Beijing Declaration was approved. The conference set up a mechanism platform for China-Pakistan political parties to negotiate, invited Pakistani ruling party, opposition party, local political parties and other stakeholders of the corridor to discuss the joint construction of it, and consolidated a new consensus on building the Belt and Road Initiative.

3. CPC’s External Liaison Work Forum Held in Beijing

From March 19th to 20th, the 2019 External Liaison Work Forum of the CPC was held in Beijing with relevant central and local responsible comrades attending. The meeting held in-depth discussions on further giving play to the advantages of the Party’s external work and reaching a new stage for the Party’s external work, which met the purpose of exchanging, mutual learning, raising awareness, clarifying directions, and further collaboration.

4. Thematic Forum on People-to-People Connectivity of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) Held Successfully

On April 25th, the thematic forum on people-to-people connectivity of the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) was held at China National Convention Center. The theme of the thematic forum was “Working Together for Better Lives: People-to-People Connectivity and Cooperation". Leaders from Myanmar, Mozambique, Serbia and other countries attended the forum and delivered speeches. 11 touching stories about the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative were presented on the forum in various forms. Chinese and foreign guests jointly launched the Silk Road Community Building Initiative.

5. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese President Replies Letter to Students from the China-Laos Friendship Nongping Primary School

On April 30th, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese President sent a reply letter to students from the China-Laos Friendship Nongping Primary School, encouraging them to help promote friendship between the Chinese and Lao people. Representatives of students and teachers from China-Laos Friendship Nongping Primary School joined in a thematic forum on people-to-people connectivity of the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, expressing Lao’s sincere gratitude to China for its help to build this primary school and Lao’s strong willingness in participating in the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative.

6. Xi Jinping Pays State Visit to the DPRK

From June 20th to 21st, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese President, paid a state visit to the DPRK at the invitation of Kim Jong Un. This visit marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the DPRK. This is the first visit to the DPRK by Chinese top leader in 14 years and it plays a key role in consolidating China-DPRK friendly relations, advancing the political settlement of the Peninsula issue, and maintaining peace and stability on the Peninsula.

7. Introducing the Founding Mission of the CPC to Foreign Political Parties

On June 27th, the IDCPC held a thematic session on the “Staying True to Our Founding Mission” Campaign of the Communist Party of China in Zhengzhou, Henan. This is the first time to brief foreign political parties on the CPC’s party education campaign since the 18th CPC National Congress. Nearly 50 foreign political party leaders or representatives from 19 countries attended this session.

8. Song Tao, Minister of the IDCPC Gives Exclusive Interview to People’s Daily Online

On October 17th, Song Tao, Minister of the IDCPC, gave an exclusive interview to People’s Daily Online and answered questions from netizens. The content of the interview was widely spread on the Internet, and received praise from netizens. Minister Song Tao became the first head of a Party’s department to debut on Douyin.

9. 11th China-U.S. Political Party Leaders Dialogue Opened in Beijing

The 11th China-U.S. Political Party Leaders Dialogue was held in Beijing on November 18th. With the theme of China-US political parties and China-US relations, it is attended by around 50 representatives from the Republican and Democratic Parties of the United States and important think tanks and enterprises, as well as the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Ministry of Commerce.

10. Special Briefing on “Stories of CPC Held in Jiangxi

On November 21st, a special briefing on “Stories of CPC—Jiangxi’s Achievements in Practicing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, jointly organized by the IDCPC and CPC Jiangxi Provincial Committee, was held in Nanchang, Jiangxi. With the theme of “Working for the happiness of the People: Mission of Political Parties”, this briefing for the first time demonstrates the CPC’s original mission of working for the happiness of the people from the perspective of the fundamental mission of political parties. More than 300 political party leaders and representatives from more than 60 countries and over 50 political parties attended the briefing.

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