Yinchuan, July 9th—The International Seminar on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and Its Relevance to the World was held here today under the theme "Path to Modernization: Takeaways from China's Theory and Practice in Poverty Alleviation." Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC); Li Yifei, Secretary of the CPC Ningxia Hui Autonomous Regional Committee; Zhang Yupu, Chairman of the People's Government of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region; and Chen Yong, Chairman of the CPPCC Ningxia Hui Autonomous Regional Committee attended the seminar. They were also joined by more than 120 foreign political party leaders, some diplomatic envoys in China, think tank scholars and media representatives from over 50 countries, including Mabel Chinomona, Member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and Secretary for the Women's League and President of the Senate; Mohamed Ouzzine, Secretary General of the Popular Movement and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Morocco; and June Bohórquez Garcés, Vice President of the Andean Parliament. 

In his keynote speech, Liu noted that eliminating poverty is a common challenge facing all countries on the path to modernization. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has placed poverty alleviation in a prominent position on its state governance, and through eight years of determined effort, led the Chinese people in achieving the historic resolution of absolute poverty. China has blazed a poverty reduction path with Chinese characteristics and developed a theory of anti-poverty with Chinese characteristics, which has become an important component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. China's success in poverty alleviation has added courage and confidence to developing countries in their fight against poverty, and has explored new paths for human poverty reduction. The CPC is ready to work with political parties, think tanks and the media of all countries to build a consensus that "development is the fundamental answer to poverty" and consolidate the foundation of global sustainable poverty reduction; to build a consensus that "poverty reduction must be grounded in realities" and explore anti-poverty theories and distinctive poverty reduction paths suited to each country's national conditions; to build a consensus on "multilateral coordination" and forge a global synergy of mutual assistance in poverty reduction; and to build a consensus on a "shared future" and jointly build a community with a shared future for humanity that is free from poverty and embraces common prosperity. 

Li noted in his speech that under the care and concern of General Secretary Xi Jinping, the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the scientific guidance of the theory of poverty alleviation with Chinese characteristics and the demonstration of the Fujian-Ningxia pairing program, Ningxia has remained true to its original aspiration of seeking happiness for the people. Adhering to development as the master key to addressing poverty, practicing the principle that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, and tapping the inner drive that "happiness comes through hard work," cadres and people of all ethnic groups in Ningxia have worked with determination and continued their efforts, decisively winning the battle against poverty, completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and embarking on a new journey of modernization. These achievements fully demonstrate the practical power of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the theory of poverty alleviation with Chinese characteristics, and vividly showcase the distinctive strengths of the CPC's leadership and the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Ningxia is ready to strengthen communication and cooperation with all parties, share its poverty alleviation experience, deepen practical cooperation and work together to contribute greater strength to building a better world free from poverty and embracing common prosperity. 

The foreign participants warmly congratulated the CPC on its 105th anniversary. They noted that over the past century, the CPC has always remained true to its original aspiration of seeking happiness for the people, led the country in achieving long-term development and made China the world's second largest economy. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, under the strong leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, China has achieved a historic victory in the complete elimination of absolute poverty, a landmark achievement in the course of human civilization. This year also marks the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army and it is particularly moving that the CPC continues to lead the people in their escape from poverty just as the Red Army once helped those in difficulty wherever it went. China's practice proves that poverty is not an unchangeable fate. With firm political will, correct theoretical guidance, well-targeted institutional design and broad mobilization across society, the CPC has achieved the goal of eliminating poverty and provided rich experience worth learning from for developing countries. It also convinces us that if China can succeed, other developing countries can succeed as well. General Secretary Xi Jinping has put forward the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity, the Belt and Road Initiative and the four global initiatives, fully reflecting the broad vision of the CPC and General Secretary Xi Jinping, who care deeply about humanity and the world at large. The participants expressed readiness to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning with the CPC, intensify study of General Secretary Xi Jinping's thoughts in particular, draw wisdom and inspiration from it, and work together to advance the modernization process of their own countries. 

The foreign participants also spontaneously wrote a joint letter to General Secretary Xi Jinping, which was read out at the venue by Mushahid Hussain Syed, Co-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) and Chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute. The letter said that poverty alleviation practices such as the Fujian-Ningxia pairing program are a microcosm of China's success story in targeted poverty alleviation, a vivid illustration of the historic transformation of China under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and an inspiration and important insight for countries of the Global South. They expressed the readiness to further intensify study of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, further deepen exchanges and mutual learning, and further advance poverty alleviation reduction practices with their own national characteristics, so as to march hand in hand with the Chinese people toward a community with a shared future for humanity that is free from poverty and embraces common prosperity. 

In a story-sharing session, grassroots CPC members and representatives of the public from Ningxia shared vivid stories from their own work and experience of the battle against poverty from different perspectives. 

The Chinese and foreign representatives also held exchanges and dialogues on poverty alleviation situations in Asia, Africa and Latin America and on promoting related cooperation. 

Sun Haiyan, Vice-minister of the IDCPC, presided over the opening ceremony. Zhuang Yan, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Ningxia Hui Autonomous Regional Committee; Han Dong, Member of the Standing Committee and Head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Ningxia Hui Autonomous Regional Committee; Wang Heshan and Ma Wenjuan, Vice-Chairpersons of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region; and Zheng Zhen and Li Xiaobo, Vice-Chairpersons of the CPPCC Ningxia Hui Autonomous Regional Committee, and others attended the event.