Havana, August 10th—Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), attended and addressed here today the opening ceremony of the First International Colloquium “Fidel, Legacy and Future” hosted by the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC). 

Liu first read out a personally signed letter from General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping to Cuban Revolution leader Raul Castro, and Miguel Diaz-Canel, First Secretary of the PCC Central Committee and Cuban President, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Fidel Castro. He emphasized that Fidel Castro was an outstanding leader of the PCC and the cause of the Cuban revolution, who devoted his entire life to the magnificent cause of the Cuban people's struggle for national liberation, safeguarding national sovereignty, and building socialism. He made immortal historic contributions to the Cuban people as well as to the development of the world socialist cause. Fidel Castro was the founder and promoter of China-Cuba relations and made historic contributions to the development of bilateral relations. It was precisely thanks to his vision and foresight and personal efforts that Cuba became the first Latin American country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. Through the long-term joint efforts of both sides, China-Cuba relations have become a model of unity and cooperation among socialist countries and of sincere mutual assistance among Global South countries. Under the current complex and volatile international situation, China firmly supports Cuba in exploring a path of socialist development suited to its own national conditions, firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding national sovereignty and security and opposing foreign interference, and is ready to work with the international community, including Cuba, to jointly safeguard international fairness and justice. 

Liu said that today, the profound changes unseen in a century are accelerating, hegemonism and unilateralism are running rampant, conflicts and confrontations are occurring one after another, and the peace deficit, development deficit, security deficit, and governance deficit continue to widen. Human society once again stands at a historical crossroads. In the face of changes in the world, the times, and history, President Xi Jinping put forward the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative, providing a Chinese solution to where the profound changes unseen in a century are heading, making China's voice heard, pointing out the right direction, and demonstrating the high degree of unity between the original aspiration and mission of the CPC and the trend of the times. 

Liu said that today, as we recall Comrade Fidel Castro, it is not only to remember those arduous yet heroic years, but also to carry forward his ideals and spirit and to continue forging ahead on the new historical journey. The more turbulent and intertwined the world becomes, the more we must build confidence and strengthen solidarity and coordination. The CPC is ready to work hand in hand with political parties and political organizations of all countries to safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core through concrete actions, promote global governance featuring extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, practice true multilateralism, firmly oppose bullying, high-handed, and hegemonic acts, firmly oppose foreign interference, firmly safeguard the sovereignty, security and development interests of all countries, promote the building of an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, steer the world to a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress. 

Miguel Diaz-Canel, First Secretary of the PCC Central Committee and Cuban President, attended the event and delivered remarks. More than 1,000 representatives from Marxist parties, left-wing parties, and political organizations from over 60 countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe attended the event. 

During the event, Liu also had extensive exchanges with delegates from various countries.