On the occasion of celebrating the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), on June 7, Chinese Ambassador to India H.E. Sun Weidong held an online dialogue with Confederation of Young Leaders (CYL) and students and faculty from Indian Universities, sharing stories of the CPC and China's development. Ambassador Sun gave a keynote speech entitled "Understand China's development, Keep Faith in Cooperation", and took questions from participants. The dialogue was hosted by CYL and attended by representatives of youth leaders in India, students and faculty from Indian universities.
Ambassador Sun said that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC. To understand China's development, it is essential to have a good understanding of China's history and the CPC. Ambassador Sun reviewed the great journey of the CPC leading the Chinese people from standing up, getting rich to becoming strong. With pictures and video clips, he vividly shared the story of "a halved quilt" in China's revolutionary period, the story of Jiao Yulu during the construction period and the touching deeds of Zhang Dingyu, the "People's Hero" in the fight against COVID-19 epidemic, emphasizing that the leadership of the CPC is the choice of history and the choice of the people. "Putting People First" is one secret of success behind all achievements made by China under the leadership of the CPC. It is also the consistent values and spiritual concept in the Chinese civilization for thousands of years.
Ambassador Sun said, the past 100 years witnessed the history that the CPC practiced its original aspiration and mission, and shared weal and woe with the people, winning the heartfelt support of the people. If China's peaceful development can be described as building an edifice in the world, then the CPC members are its iron and steel supporting framework.
Ambassador Sun stressed, the CPC is a political party that seeks happiness for the Chinese people and strives for the cause of human progress. President Xi Jinping clearly points out that the overall goal of China's diplomacy is to foster a new type of international relations and build a community with a shared future for mankind. Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy provides fundamental guidance for China's foreign policy in the new era, and clarifies to the world the general direction in which we hope to work with other countries.
Focusing on three key words of "peace, development and cooperation", Ambassador Sun elaborated on the CPC's view of international order and global governance. Peace is the foundation. For the national interests and future of mankind, we must cherish peace, and stick to the path of peaceful development. We must uphold peace, and address differences through dialogue. And when peace is undermined, we must strive to defend peace. Development is the goal. Development is the eternal theme of human society and the master key to solving almost all the problems. China's development has not only provided more cooperation opportunities for other countries, but also offered Chinese wisdom to solving the problems facing humanity. Cooperation is the path. If development is the goal, cooperation is the bridge to get there. We need to build more bridges instead of destroying or demolishing them. To pursue beggar-thy-neighbor practice, conduct isolation and exclusion, and build small circles seeking zero-sum confrontation always failed. Only openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation are the right way forward for the mankind.
Ambassador Sun emphasized that, in facing profound changes unseen in a century,no country alone can address the many challenges facing the mankind. No matter how the international situation evolves, China will firmly hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit. We will be committed to the mankind's common values of peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom. We will work together unswervingly with the people of all countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind, and we will endeavor to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security, and common prosperity.
Ambassador Sun pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic shows again that no country or nation can be safe in the face of the virus. And the destiny of the mankind is more closely linked than ever. China-India cooperation on fighting the COVID-19 pandemic is such an example. After the outbreak of second wave of pandemic, President Xi Jinping sent a message of solidarity and support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing our sincere sympathies to the Indian government and people. He stated that China is willing to strengthen anti-pandemic cooperation with India, and provide support and help to India. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone conversation with External Affairs Minister Dr. Jaishankar. State Councilor Wang Yi proposed several measures that China was willing to take in accordance with India's demand to help India fight the pandemic. China has delivered on its commitment. After the outbreak of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in India, China was one of the first countries to offer support to India and take actions. When India fought the pandemic, China was not absent or sat back apathetically. Ambassador Sun extended his best wishes to India to defeat the pandemic at an earlier date.
Ambassador Sun highly appreciated CYL and all the Indian friends for their endeavor to promote China-India people- to-people friendship and understanding. He encouraged the youth present to be open-minded, to search for and discover a true, 3-dimensional and comprehensive picture of China, increase their understanding of China, and to make more contribution to friendship and cooperation between China and India.
Ambassador Sun then interacted with Indian youth representatives and answered questions on China-India relations, Indian students' appeal to return to China to continue their studies etc.
Mr. Himadrish Suwan said that, the stories between the CPC and the Chinese people are touching, China's development achievements are amazing, and Chinese experience and wisdom are worthy of learning. He sincerely thanked China for the strong support and help in India's fight against the pandemic. He said that India and China are both ancient civilizations, the friendship between India and China is in line with the fundamental interests of the two countries and the expectations of the two peoples. He believed that the two countries could firmly develop good-neighborliness, continue to promote cooperation and achieve common development.
The presenting Indian youth leaders and faulty and students from universities expressed that, the online event enhanced their understanding of China and the CPC, and inspired the young generation of India to reflect deeply on India-China relations and win-win cooperation.
