TASS:

I have two questions, both of which are about the CPC and the international community. First, as the CPC's centenary approaches, what is the Party's most important message of blessing to the Russian people and around the world? My second question is about the Hainan Free Trade Port. On the centenary of the CPC, what expectations does the Party have for the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port? Thank you.

Chen Wenjun:

Thank you. These two questions concern different fields. Mr. Guo will take your first question.

Guo Yezhou:

Thank you to this Russian friend for your question. Following the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin, China-Russia relations have always maintained a high standard of performance. When the two countries celebrated the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2019, the two heads of state announced that the two countries will develop a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era. China-Russia relations are marching toward mutual support, deep convergence of interests, innovative development, and inclusive and win-win results. Practical cooperation in various fields has yielded significant results. The close coordination and collaboration between the two countries is conducive to promoting world peace and stability.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two heads of state have maintained close strategic communication. We have firmly supported each other on issues concerning our respective core interests. This fully demonstrates the high standard of performance and special nature of China-Russia relations.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. China and Russia are taking this opportunity to expand and deepen practical cooperation in various fields in a larger scope.

Currently, the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era is growing ever stronger as time goes by in a world undergoing major transformations and adjustments, and has become a fine example of stable, healthy and mature relationships between nations, which has brought tangible benefits to both countries and their peoples. Mutual political trust between the two countries has also reached an unprecedented high level, becoming an important factor in promoting positive interactions between major countries and safeguarding regional and global peace and stability.

Political party exchanges also constitute an important component of China-Russia relations. The CPC has established formal interparty relations with the four major parties in Russia that have won seats in the Russian State Duma, namely the United Russia party, Communist Party of the Russian Federation, Liberal Democratic Party of Russia and A Just Russia-Patriots-For Truth party, and conducted multiple forms of dialogues and cooperation at various levels with them. China-Russia political party relations have the characteristics of wide coverage, high-level exchanges, high degree of institutionalization, pragmatic dialogues and prominent strategic coordination, among others, and serve as a model of political party dialogue between nations. At present, the political parties of the two countries are actively implementing the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, conducting in-depth experience communication in national governance, and exchanging views on major issues of common concern to effectively promote the development of China-Russia relations and pragmatic cooperation in various fields in the new era.

As the centenary of the CPC approaches, the Party will hold a series of celebrations and send greetings and best wishes to the people of all countries around the world, including the Russian people. Journalists are welcome to pay close attention to our celebrations. As vice minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, I'd like to say that we'll never forget that it was the salvoes of Russia's October Revolution that brought Marxism-Leninism to the Chinese people who were struggling at the time to find the right path to salvage the country and save the Chinese people. In the early stages of the CPC's development, the Chinese Communists already established close ties with the Communist International. In 1928, the Chinese communists traveled all the way to Moscow to hold the 6th National Congress of the CPC, marking the only congress of its kind to be held outside China in the history of the Party. In the first half of the 20th century, many dedicated patriots from the CPC went to the former Soviet Union to work and study. Then, they returned to the motherland and devoted themselves to various sectors of the country's revolution and development. During World War II, when the both countries were the main battlefields in Asia and Europe, respectively, the peoples of the two countries fought side by side and made great sacrifices and contributions to the final victory. At the critical moment when much was needed to be done to develop the newly founded People's Republic of China, it was a large number of Soviet experts who came to China's aid and helped the country lay the foundations for its industrialization with their wisdom and hard work, leaving behind touching stories of the friendship between the two peoples.

Standing at a new historical starting point, our Party is leading the Chinese people on a new journey of fully building a modern socialist country. The Russian people have also made remarkable achievements in national development. We are glad to see the social and political stability enjoyed in Russia and the constant improvement of its people's living standards. In July 2020, President Putin signed a presidential decree, which set the main goals and strategic tasks for the country to achieve breakthrough development by 2030. We have full confidence in Russia's development prospects and believe that under the leadership of President Putin, the Russian people will surely achieve its goals of national development and revitalization. We wish Russia greater accomplishments on the development path of national strength and prosperity, the Russian people eternal peace and stability, and every Russian family happiness and good health.

The COVID-19 pandemic is still raging. I hope all countries around the world can join hands to win the fight against this major infectious disease and restore order to work and daily life as soon as possible. I also hope political parties of all countries, including China and Russia, can soon resume face-to-face exchanges and jointly contribute our strength and wisdom to building a better world. Thank you.