Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The People’s Republic of China
Xi Jinping Meets with Foreign Guests Attending the China International Friendship Conference and Events Marking the 70th Anniversary of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries
Updated: October 11, 2024 20:30

On the morning of October 11, 2024, President Xi Jinping held a group meeting with foreign guests attending the China International Friendship Conference and Events Marking the 70th Anniversary of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Xi Jinping first had a group photo taken with some foreign guests attending the China International Friendship Conference and Events Marking the 70th Anniversary of the CPAFFC and highly appreciated the long-term dedication of international friends to the cause of friendship with China.

Xi Jinping pointed out that people-to-people friendship is the foundation for stable and sustained international relations and an inexhaustible driving force for promoting world peace and development. Over the past 75 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has united and led the Chinese people in blazing a path of modernization that has not only developed the country itself but also benefited the world. Looking back on the journey, China's achievements in various fields would not have been possible without the support of world peoples. Numerous international friends have stood with the Chinese people and shared weal and woe. Many foreign enterprises, institutions and individuals have actively participated in China's socialist modernization drive. These have not only achieved mutual benefits for all parties but also made important contributions to promoting friendly exchanges and cooperation between China and other countries. Xi Jinping said, "We will always remember your important contributions to China and the sincere friendship that has been developed with the Chinese people."

Xi Jinping stressed that the world is once again at a crossroads in history. Amid changes unseen in a century, the world is closely interconnected, and humanity shares a common future. Building a community with a shared future for mankind is the right way forward for people of all countries in the world. China is ready to strengthen friendly exchanges with friends from all other countries, give full play to the unique role of people-to-people diplomacy, and work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

First, in the spirit of "shared responsibility as residents of the same planet", we should build a broad consensus on building a community with a shared future for mankind. We should promote peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, which are the common values of humanity, advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and make our shared planet Earth a big family of peace, amity and harmony.

Second, guided by the principle of win-win cooperation, we should gather strong synergy in building a community with a shared future for mankind. The type of modernization China pursues is not one that benefits China alone. China welcomes more foreign friends to actively participate in the Chinese modernization process. China is ready to continue to provide new opportunities for world development with the new achievements of Chinese modernization, promote global modernization featuring peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation and common prosperity, and bring more benefits to people of all countries.

Third, with an open and inclusive mindset, we should paint a grand picture of civilization that promotes the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. The Chinese nation is open and inclusive, and the Chinese people are kind and friendly. China is ready to work with all parties to implement the Global Civilization Initiative, enhance understanding and deepen friendship through sincere communication, and replace estrangement with exchanges and clash of civilizations with mutual learning.

Xi Jinping stressed that the CPC serves the people, the Chinese government belongs to the people, and China's diplomacy represents the people. The Chinese government will continue to support the CPAFFC in playing its unique role in developing friendship between the Chinese and foreign peoples and promoting practical international cooperation. China will build bridges of friendship and forge heart-to-heart connections to constantly deepen people-to-people friendship between China and other nations. China will unite friends from around the world to jointly practice the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, participate in Chinese modernization, promote mutual learning among civilizations and people-to-people bonds, and carry forward the cause of people-to-people friendship.

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of the National Assembly of Thailand Bhokin Bhalakula, and Elyn MacInnis, the founder of the "Friends of Kuliang", spoke on behalf of the foreign side respectively. They extended warm congratulations on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and spoke highly of the unique role played by the CPAFFC in promoting people-to-people diplomacy and enhancing understanding and friendship among people from different countries. They said that under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, China has successfully lifted itself out of poverty and achieved rapid development, becoming a beacon of hope for the vast number of developing countries. The vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind and initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping show foresight, vision and responsibility for global governance and chart the course for closer cooperation and mutual benefits among countries in the world. China's development and prosperity will surely continue to benefit the world. They look forward to working with China to continue to strengthen friendly exchanges and cooperation in various fields, pass on the friendship among people from generation to generation, jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind, and make greater contributions to world peace, development and prosperity.

Approximately 200 people attended the event, including former political dignitaries from foreign countries, members of royal families, heads of international friendship organizations, and friendly individuals.

Cai Qi, Han Zheng, and Wang Yi, among others, were present.