The International Seminar on Poverty Eradication and Responsibility of Political Parties was opened in Fuzhou, Fujian on October 12, 2020. President Xi Jinping, also General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, sent a congratulatory letter to this seminar.

Xi said, “as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is around the corner, I would like to extend warm congratulations on the International Seminar on Poverty Eradication and Responsibility of Political Parties convened in Fuzhou.”

Xi pointed out, to eliminate poverty, to improve people’s livelihoods and achieve common prosperity is the essential requirements of socialism with Chinese characteristics and important missions of the CPC. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, China has made poverty eradication a key task in achieving its first centenary goal, and has made a series of major plans and arrangements to fully launch the poverty reduction battle. The issue of absolute poverty, which has haunted the Chinese nation for thousands of years, is about to be solved for the first time in history. China has the confidence and ability to resolutely win the battle against poverty and realize the poverty reduction goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule, which is greatly significant to the Chinese nation and human society.”

Xi Jinping emphasized, despite progress made in global poverty eradication by concerted efforts of all parties, grave difficulties and challenges remain. It is urgent for the international community, including the political parties of all countries, to build a consensus and work together to uphold multilateralism, maintain peace and stability, and accelerate the process of global poverty reduction. It is hoped that through sharing experience and summarizing rules, seminar participants can discuss ways to advance the cause of global poverty reduction, enhance confidence in fighting poverty, and contribute to the realization of the goals of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The seminar was co-organized by the International Department of the CPC Central Committee and the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee. Bounnhang Vorachith, General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao President; Hage Geingob, President of the South West Africa People's Organization and Namibian President; Emmerson Mnangagwa, President and First Secretary of the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front and Zimbabwean President; Faustin-Archange Touadéra, founder of the Mouvement Coeurs Unis and President of the Central African Republic; Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, leader of the Malawi Congress Party and Malawian President; Alberto Fernández, Argentine President; and Chandrikapersad Santokhi, Leader of the Progressive Reform Party and Surinamese President, sent congratulatory messages either in writing or via videolink to the seminar. They spoke highly of China’s historic achievements in poverty alleviation under the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and agreed that political parties of various countries should give play to their political leading role to build consensus and promote cooperation in global poverty eradication. Nearly 400 guests from more than 100 countries, including representatives of political parties, diplomatic envoys to China, representatives of international organizations to China, media representatives of developing countries to China, and think tank scholars, attended the event online or offline.

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