REMARKS BY AMB WU PENG MARKING 105TH ANNIVERSARY OF CPC

“It is my great pleasure to welcome friends old and new to the Embassy as we gather to celebrate the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Just two days ago, a grand gathering celebrating this historic occasion was held in Beijing. General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important address, reviewing the CPC’s extraordinary journey over the past 105 years and looking ahead to the bright future of the CPC and the Chinese people.

General Secretary Xi Jinping called on the entire Party and the Chinese nation to remain confident, stay united, and continue striving toward the goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and achieving the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that, in leading the Chinese people to advance Chinese modernization, the CPC has expanded the pathways to modernization for developing countries. By promoting the community with a shared future for humanity, China has contributed our wisdom, solutions and strength to addressing the common challenges facing all countries.

Looking ahead, China will remain firmly committed to the principles of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit. We will continue to champion the common values of humanity. We will advance the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, and contribute even greater positive energy to world peace and development.

Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends, The founding of the Communist Party of China was a defining moment in China’s modern history. Since its founding in 1921, the CPC has united and led the Chinese people through every major stage of China’s transformation.

The CPC advanced the socialist revolution and construction, launched reform and opening up in 1978 and ushered in a new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics following the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012.
Today, we in China are striving to advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese modernization.

I firmly believe that Africa can also achieve great development through Africa’s own approach to modernization.
Over the past 105 years, generations of Chinese Communists have remained true to the Party’s founding aspiration and mission, that is to seek happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation.
Inspired by the unwavering spirit as Chairman Mao famously said, “The Red Army fears no hardship on the Long March; countless rivers and mountains are but a test to overcome,” they have united and led the Chinese people on a remarkable journey—from standing up, to growing prosperous, and to becoming strong.

Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends, As one of the world’s largest governing parties, the Communist Party of China is committed not only to the well-being of the Chinese people, but also to the progress of humanity and the common good of the world.

This commitment is reflected in China’s actions. President Xi Jinping proposed the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, and this cooperation now covers more than 150 partner countries, with total investment exceeding one trillion US dollars.

Today, China is the number one trading partner of more than 160 countries and regions and contributes around 30 percent of global economic growth. Guided by the principles of equality and mutual benefit, China has continued to deepen practical cooperation with Africa and provide assistance without attaching any political conditions.

On May 1 this year, China implemented zero-tariff policy on 100 percent of tariff lines for products from the 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China. Through upgraded “green lanes” and other trade facilitation measures, China is further expanding market access for African exports.

It is my hope that South Africa and its development partners could attach importance to China’s favorable policies, so that there can be more investment in South Africa, for stronger local manufacturing exports to China.
Regarding the latest Ebola outbreak in Africa, I know President Ramaphosa is now in the DRC for a visit of support. On China’s part, we responded without hesitation by dispatching medical teams, providing emergency humanitarian assistance, and working side by side with African countries to combat the epidemic.

Today, 183 countries that have established diplomatic relations with China, including African countries, firmly uphold the one-China principle and support the efforts of the Chinese government to achieve national reunification.

Meanwhile, countries of the Global South continue to strengthen coordination within mechanisms such as BRICS and the G20, working together to uphold true multilateralism and contribute to a more just and equitable international order.

Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends, China and South Africa share a similar historical experience. As early as the middle of the last century, the Communist Party of China firmly supported South Africa’s struggle against apartheid.

Even when China faced mounting challenges ourselves, we provided, to the best of our ability, political support and practical assistance to the South African people in the pursuit of equality and justice.
Through those years of standing together, the CPC forged a Comrades plus Brothers special bond with the ANC and the Communist Party of South Africa.

Since China entered the new era, President Xi Jinping has put forward the principles of sincerity, real results, affinity, and good faith, together with the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests in our relations with African countries.

Guided by these principles, China-Africa cooperation has reached new heights. President Xi Jinping has visited the beautiful land of the “rainbow nation” six times, and President Xi and President Ramphosa have met on bilateral and other occasions eight times.

Today, China and African countries including South Africa, all stand at a new starting point for development and renewal. The CPC stands ready to work together with the ANC and other political parties in South Africa to explore development paths that suit our own realities and firmly keep the future of our national development and progress in our own hands, advance the Initiative on Supporting Africa’s Modernization, jointly write a new chapter in the building of a high-level China-South Africa community with a shared future, and make even greater contributions to peace, development and prosperity for our world.

Let us celebrate together the 105th anniversary of the Communist Party of China. Happy anniversary!

May the friendship between China and Africa, and between China and South Africa, be everlasting!

I thank you.”