Foreign representatives given views of progress in rural areas of Henan

A series of events in Henan province, including discussions, seminars and field studies, are helping representatives from foreign political parties better understand the Communist Party of China and its successful experiences.

One of the purposes of the events, organized by the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, aims to introduce to the outside world an ongoing education campaign themed "staying true to our founding mission" within the CPC, which started on May 31.

It has been the first time for the CPC to show how an education campaign is conducted within the Party to foreign political parties since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in late 2012.

As part of the events, a session was held in Zhengzhou on Thursday evening, and about 50 representatives from political parties in 19 countries attended the session, according to the organizer.

During the session, Song Tao, minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, talked about the ongoing education campaign.

He said this year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and the CPC has been the ruling party for 70 years.

"The purpose of the campaign is to ensure that the CPC stays progressive, pure and energetic, and to ensure that the Party receives support from the people," he said.

President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, has reiterated that seeking happiness for the Chinese people and striving for national rejuvenation are the Party's original aspiration and mission. He has also called for deepening the self-reform of the Party in the new era.

Song added that the CPC would like to push forward its own construction through more communication and mutual learning with other parties from around the world.

On Friday, foreign guests paid a visit to rural areas of Henan province to get a better understanding of how the CPC has revitalized these less-developed areas and lifted people out of poverty.

Somphanh Phengkhammy, vice-president of the National Assembly of Laos, said that his party has paid great attention to the CPC's "secret of success" and during this visit he got a better idea of the original aspiration and the mission of the CPC.

"The education campaign will help the CPC lead people nationwide to realize the goals set at its 19th National Congress," he said.

Simplice Sarandji, national executive secretary of the United Hearts Movement and former prime minister of the Central African Republic, said the CPC has many good thoughts, experiences and practices in governance, which could be applied to many developing countries.

"The CPC, which seeks truth from facts, is very innovative and has set a very good example for the newly founded United Hearts Movement," he said.

Sarandji added that the trip to Henan let him know that the CPC's secret of success is "always staying close to the people and serving the people".

Ricardo Rosas Romera, secretary of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, said he believed the ongoing education campaign within the CPC is necessary and will help Party members, particularly officials, to look back into the Party's history and founding mission.

Knowing little about the CPC's history or founding mission before joining the trip, Romera said he believed the CPC was founded to safeguard social equity, serve the people and strive for social progress.

In this regard, the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party shares a lot of similarities with the CPC, he said.