A delegation of Pacific Island diplomats visits the Xingshan Revolutionary Memorial Hall, northwest of Beijing, on May 28 (MA XIAOWEN)  

Instead of talking one's ear off, the International Department of the Central Committee of Communist Party of China (IDCPC) chose to show diplomats from Pacific Island countries around a renowned memorial hall of the Chinese revolution in a bid to forge a stronger bond rooted in a sense of deeper understanding.  

On May 28, a delegation of diplomats, under the guidance of a senior Chinese envoy, paid a visit to the Xiangshan Revolutionary Memorial Hall, northwest of Beijing, where a museum displaying key moments in the founding of the People's Republic of China, is located.

The visit is the following-up activities of the Pacific Island Countries-China Political Leadership Dialogue, an online dialogue organized by the IDCPC, first of its kind between the two sides.

Song Tao, Minister of the IDCPC, said in the keynote speech during the dialogue that China would offer more programs for the members of political parties of Pacific Island countries to visit the nation in the coming five years. 

He noted that China is ready to deepen mutual political trust with the Pacific countries and step up mutual beneficial coooperation to secure common development.

In their messages to the online dialogue, leaders of Pacific Island countries hailed the CPC's role in China's progress and development, vowing to enhance intraparty mutual learning and exchanges and champion the vision of building a shared comminity of China and Pacific Island countries.

Guo Yezhou, Vice Minister of the IDCPC, led and hosted the tour. Guo cited Mao Zedong's comparison of the CPC moving its center of power to Beijing from Xibaipo, an ordinary 100-household village in Hebei Province, to the act of taking an exam. The memorial hall, located on the mountainside at the southern foot of Beijing's Xiangshan Park, was in fact the first stop on the CPC's "exam" journey. 

Today, it turns out that the CPC scored high on the "exam," leading the Chinese people to a successful and satisfactory outcome. 

"When the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, life expectancy in China was only around 30 years; now, that number exceeds 70," Guo said. "In 1949, China was one of the poorest and most backward countries in the world; by 2020, we have already eliminated absolute poverty in China."  

During those founding days, many of the nation's international opponents voiced their doubts as to whether or not the CPC would be able to feed 400 million Chinese mouths. Today, China has not only fed its people, but also made progressive contributions to the progress of mankind, he continued. Moreover, despite several attempts to isolate China through sanctions and blatant refusals to recognize China, modern-day China has established friendly relations with most countries worldwide.  

"As one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China has made great contributions to world peace and stability. While developing ourselves, we are also supporting the development of developing countries," continued Guo.  

Guo believed that China is set to achieve even greater successes in the future under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee headed by President Xi Jinping in future "exams."  

Tapusalaia Toomata, Ambassador of the Independent State of Samoa to China, said it's quite useful for future generations to learn from the past and document the journey of China's establishment. 

Recalling his experiences visiting numerous museums across China telling stories of the country's past struggles, Toomata said China's victory in the fight against poverty proved a major triumph, especially considering the state of poverty China was faced with back then. 

Toomata said that he is convinced the ties between both territories will grow stronger. China first established diplomatic relation with Figi and Samoa in 1975. Thus far, diplomatic ties have been established with 10 Pacific Island countries.  

KS (Vincent) Sivas, Ambassador of the Federated States of Micronesia to China, noted that China has taken on a crucial role in recognizing the sovereignty of Micronesia when he recalled the history of both nations.  

He also extended his compliments regarding the Pacific Island Countries-China Political Leadership Dialogue which took place that very same day, a testament to China's relationship with Pacific Island countries.  

Manasa R. Tagicakibau, Ambassador of the Republic of Fiji to China, admitted that he felt truly aspired by the military spirit of the nation in 1949. 

"I see that Xiangshan is a very important area where all the important decisions were made before the military entry into Beijing for the victory march," he said. 

Tagicakibau believed this area has retained its significance because of the crucial decisions made during that time. It is also a historical turning point for the Chinese revolution to gain victory over suppressing forces. Resulting in the decision to develop a new China. 

He added he had learned that the word "xiang" means fragrance, or the essence and sweet scent of a flower, a sense closely related to the hearts of all Pacific Islanders.  

Tagicakibau also said he felt that a unique "flower" had blossomed in Beijing back in 1949, and its particular scent has been traveled far, far way, transcending the boundaries of space and time.  

The ambassador concluded by saying the memorial hall is a living monument for China's future generations to keep the fragrance strong and share it with the global community. 

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon  

Comments to maxiaowen@bjreview.com