To understand China, one must understand the Communist Party of China (CPC), Hu Zhaoming, spokesperson of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), said during a dialogue with heads of media affairs of global political parties in Beijing on April 23.

Hu, also the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Information and Communication of the IDCPC, answered questions posed by foreign media outlets, such as why the CPC has been in power for more than 70 years and how it has delivered so many achievements for China, at the Dialogue on the International Image Innovation of the CPC (2024) and the Workshop and Exchanges for the Heads of Media Affairs of Global Political Parties in Beijing.

“It’s because it has combined the basic principles of Marxism with China’s realities and China’s traditional culture, and led people through their own self-revolution, and led under the people’s supervision,” he said.

To China, 1.4 billion people is not just a number, but means that 700,000 tons of grain, 1.92 million tons of vegetables and 230,000 tons of meat are consumed every day, Hu explained.

Before the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, nearly 100 million people were still living below the absolute poverty line, and the problems of food and clothing were still difficult to solve. Today, basic needs of 1.4 billion people are guaranteed. They also constitute a huge consumer market and a huge group of innovators, he added.

In the more than 30 years from the end of 1978, when China launched its reform and opening up measures, to the 18th CPC National Congress, China’s economic aggregate increased with an average annual growth rate of 9.8 percent. In 2010, China became the world’s second largest economy.

Now, China no longer pursues high-speed development, but emphasizes high-quality development, which is more sustainable, better able to meet people’s needs and able to provide more opportunities for the world. China’s export of new energy vehicles, batteries and photovoltaic equipment will make positive contributions to addressing climate change, Hu said.

“Not everyone wants to see the success of China and the CPC. Some countries monopolize the definition of modernization, and believed that the people of other countries are not able to lead a modern life,” he noted. “Although most countries in the world, especially the Global South, have increasingly realized this, many others are still deceived.”

Hu believes visiting China, engaging with Chinese media and promoting exchange with the CPC are better ways for foreign media outlets to understand China’s path.

“According to an ancient Chinese proverb, in addition to reading 10,000 books, one must also travel 10,000 miles. No matter how much information you get about China from books and the media, going to China and seeing it for yourself will not only increase your understanding of China, but also confirm what information you get about China is correct and what is incorrect,” he said.

Hu suggested the foreign media to pay more attention to Chinese media, which is the most direct and reliable way to learn about a country. As technology keeps advancing, installing translation apps on mobile phones could make it easier to understand Chinese-language media.

Last but not least is to engage in more exchange and mutual learning with the CPC. “We look forward to strengthening exchange with the political parties of other countries and sharing experience in governance. Media exchanges and cooperation are a new area of exchanges and mutual learning, and will also provide impetus for mutual understanding,” he concluded.

Participants attend the Dialogue on the International Image Innovation of the CPC (2024) and the Workshop and Exchanges for the Heads of Media Affairs of Global Political Parties in Beijing on April 23 (COURTESY PHOTO)

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson

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