MASTV:

In the new era, the international community has paid closer attention to our Party's external work. Recently, a South African sinologist published an article stating, "Party-to-Party relations seem to be one of the strongest pillars for China to enhance its bilateral relations and friendship with other parts of the world." How does the Party's external work leverage its features and strengths? Thank you.

Shen Beili:

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, under the personal leadership and promotion of General Secretary Xi Jinping, the Party's external work has leveraged its unique strengths and contributed to new development and cultivating new styles for major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.

We have given full play to the characteristic of political guidance. Political parties have played important roles in the countries' political life and also have been an important force in promoting human progress. In the external work of the Party, we have been committed to providing political guidance and building consensus. The Party has set up a series of platforms for high-level dialogues with political parties worldwide to discuss the parties' responsibilities for the happiness of the people, share the grand vision of building a human community with a shared future, and build a better world together.

We have given full play to the characteristic of the communication of ideas. The success of the CPC and socialism with Chinese characteristics lies in the fact that Marxism works, especially when it is applied to the Chinese context and the needs of our times. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the latest achievement in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and to the needs of our times. It has attracted more and more foreign political parties.

In recent years, we have responded to the expectations of foreign political parties and made a systematic and in-depth introduction of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to them, especially our practices in Party building, economic development, poverty alleviation, and social governance, which have strong resonance among foreign political parties. They have said that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is not only the fundamental guarantee for China's development and progress but also points out the way for the international community to deal with common challenges.

We have given full play to the characteristic of working with a people-centered approach. The Party's foreign exchanges have the following features. The first is extensiveness. We have been committed to reaching out extensively to make as many friends as possible. We have conducted extensive exchanges with political parties, political organizations, and social groups, maintaining contact with not only foreign political parties and dignitaries, but also civil society. In this process, we have presented to people in other countries the stories of how the CPC strives for the happiness of the Chinese people, the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the progress of mankind, and the common good for the world so as to present the image of China as a trustworthy, lovable, and respectable country. 

The second is sincerity. We have adhered to the principle of making friends with sincerity, honesty, and warmth. While making new friends, we have never forgotten old friends, and we have kept close ties with good friends. Moreover, we have given equal treatment to ruling parties and other political parties. Many foreign political parties have expressed that the CPC attaches great importance to friendship, and their exchanges with the CPC are featured with both depth and warmth. 

The third is flexibility. We have upheld the concept of transcending ideological differences and opposing any form of a "new Cold War" and ideological confrontation. We have established and developed relations with all foreign political parties that are willing to have exchanges with our Party, sharing with them flexible topics, regardless of identities and through various forms. With such heartful exchanges, we have constantly improved the effectiveness of exchanges and promoted mutual understanding and affinity among people in different countries. Thank you.