On June 9th, the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC) held a video conference with communist parties of several Latin American countries. Taking the theme of Strengths of CPC’s People-centered Philosophy in COVID-19 Response, all participants had an in-depth exchange of views on adhering to the original aspirations of the CPC, enhancing cooperation in COVID-19 response and opposing using the pandemic for stigmatization. Song Tao, IDCPC Minister, attended and addressed the conference. Leaders of communist parties from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela also attended the event. The conference was the first multilateral online video conference held this year under the framework of the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting.

Song said that in the face of a crisis and at a critical juncture, what is the first priority for a political party or a government to consider can best show its nature and characteristics. Confronted with the COVID-19 pandemic, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core has adhered to a people-centered governance philosophy and put the life and health of the Chinese people first, coordinated all available resources and spared no efforts to save lives, vividly illustrating the original aspiration of the CPC and profoundly revealing the significant difference between the CPC as a Marxist political party and other political parties.

Song noted that since the onset of the pandemic, the communist parties of Latin America have supported and joined in a joint appeal advocated by the CPC and political parties around the world for carrying out closer international cooperation to combat COVID-19, showcasing the fraternal friendship of both sides helping each other through thick and thin and defeating the virus together. The Latin American communist parties have voiced their strong opposition to the attempts by some countries to politicize the pandemic and stigmatize China, opening a new chapter for China-Latin America friendship. The CPC is prepared to continue to provide assistance within its capacity to countries in Latin America, work together to promote international cooperation and inject confidence and strength into global fight against the pandemic. Song also briefed on relevant information on Hong Kong-related national security legislation and China’s position in this regard.

Speaking highly of the major strategic deliveries China has made under the CPC’s leadership, leaders of communist parties of Latin American countries believed that China’s response to the pandemic demonstrates the CPC’s people-centered development philosophy and the pioneering and exemplary role played by Chinese Communists in the new era. China and other socialist countries have achieved much better results than other countries, which increases the confidence of Latin American communist parties in future development. The Latin American communist parties thanked the CPC for offering anti-pandemic assistance via inter-party channels, and condemned the attempts of certain countries to politicize the pandemic and stigmatize China. They expressed their support for the one-China principle and the “one country, two systems” policy and their opposition to any external interference in China’s internal affairs. The Latin American communist parties stand ready to enhance exchanges and mutual learning with the CPC to promote party-to-party cooperation between China and Latin America for in-depth and substantial progress. Following the conference, the foreign communist party leaders also watched an online thematic party day held by an IDCPC party branch.

Li Jun, IDCPC Vice-minister and relevant comrades from Party School of the CPC Central Committee attended the video conference.

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