A ranking official of the Communist Party of China, the world’s biggest political party with more than 89.5-million members, has edified officials, cadres and members of the Duterte administration’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan about its party affairs, particularly the historic 19th National Congress of CPC held in Beijing last October, which laid down the blueprint for China’s development in the next 33 years.
During the PDP-Laban’s gathering at Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Manila on Thursday, Meng Xiangfeng, a member of the CPC Central Committee and deputy chief of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, pledged to strengthen CPC’s bilateral and party-to-party relations with PDP-Laban chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte, which was forged following the warming up of diplomatic relations between China and Philippines in 2016.
The successful visit of President Duterte to China in 2016 that marked a turning point in China-Philippines relations has paved the way for the establishment of party-to-party relations between CPC and PDP-Laban. The two parties signed a memorandum of understanding on strengthening party–to-party exchanges and cooperation.
The MOU resulted in various exchanges at different levels where many PDP-Laban members have visited China “where we have shared governing experience with each other, contributing to the fast development of our party-to-party relations,” said Meng, who also serves as executive deputy secretary of the Working Committee for Organs under the CPC Central Committee.
“With the direct care and encouragement from leaders of both countries, our relations have achieved positive turnaround. In the past year, political mutual trust has been deepened; practical cooperation in all fields has been flourishing, bringing tangible benefits to peoples of both countries,” the CPC official added.
“We hope to deepen friendship and contribute to the good neighborliness and mutually beneficial cooperation between our two countries,” Meng told the PDP-Laban members led by party president, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.
Nonetheless, Meng assured that while China will share its development experience with the Philippines, it will not interfere in the country’s internal affairs. “(It) will not export its social system and development model; will not impose its own will on others,” he said.
In giving thematic briefing on the CPC 19th National Congress, the CPC official enlightened PDP-Laban officials and members of the latest political developments in China and the world’s largest Marxist party, particularly the historic 19th National Congress of CPC that, according to him, provides an optimal window through which the world can see more of China, and know more about the CPC’s achievements and future directions.
Meng explained that the 19th National Congress, which was convened on Oct. 18, 2017, was a meeting of great importance because it was taking place during what President Xi Jinping declared as “the decisive stage in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and at the critical moment as socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era.”
According to him, the party congress exhorted CPC officials, cadres and its 89.5 -million members to: “Remain true to your original aspiration and keep our mission firmly in mind, hold high the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, secure a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, strive for the great success of socialism with Chinese characteristic for new era, and work tirelessly to realize the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.”
He noted that the 19th National Congress has captured the attention of the world, including the Philippines where President Duterte, Senate President Pimentel and Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez have all sent their messages of congratulation of the convening of the Congress and President Xi Jinping’s re-election as General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee.
He said the party congress passed a resolution incorporating “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era” into the CPC Constitution as a guide to action for the party.
The CPC official explained that “Xi Jinping Thought” specifies fundamental issues like the overarching objectives, tasks, plan and direction for upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. It builds on and further enriches Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents and the Scientific Outlook on Development.
“China has entered a new normal in economic development. Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping as the core, we have upheld the underlying principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, risen to challenges, pioneered and pushed ahead, and made historic achievements in reform, opening up and socialist modernization,” Meng pointed out.
He noted that China’s economy has maintained a medium high growth rate, making it a leader among the major economies. He said the country’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP) has risen from 54 trillion to 80 trillion yuan or equivalent to about 12 trillion US dollars, which enables China to maintain its position as the world’s second largest economy.
“Launching over 1500 reform measures, we have deepened reform in every field. Significant progress has been made in developing democracy and the rule of law, theories and culture, people’s livelihood and ecological conservation. Achievements in the anti-corruption campaign and major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics have captured world attention. We can safely say that the achievement made over the past five year have been comprehensive and pioneering,” Meng declared.