CPC officials talk about Dalai Lama and foreign issues

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Top officials from the United Front Work Department (UFWD) and the International Department of the CPC Central Committee gave a press conference in Beijing on Saturday, on the sidelines of the ongoing 19th CPC National Congress.

Apart from elaborating on the cooperation between the ruling CPC and non-Communist political parties, they also touched on Dalai Lama's recent visit to Europe as well as some foreign issues, including relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the crisis in Myanmar.

The UFWD’s work focuses on bringing together ethnic, religious, social and political groups in China and overseas Chinese to support the CPC's leading role in realizing the Chinese Dream, while the International Department is in charge of the external work of the Party, interacting with and consolidating relations with political parties and groups in other countries.

Reporters attend the third press conference at the press center of the 19th CPC National Congress in Beijing, China on October 21, 2017. /CGTN Photo

Traditional friends

Asked whether relations between China and the DPRK had deteriorated in light of recent missile and nuclear tests by Pyongyang, which have seen Beijing agree to tougher UN sanctions on its neighbor, Guo Yezhou, Vice Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee noted that as close neighbors, it was "important for us to safeguard the relationship between the two countries. It serves the interests of both sides."

The CPC and the DPRK’s ruling Workers’ Party had "traditional friendly" exchanges, he added, but as to when, where and how further exchanges will be carried out, "it will depend on the needs" of both sides.

Non-interference

In response to a question about China’s stance on the crisis involving Myanmar’s Muslim Rohingya minority, Guo referred to China’s long-held principle of non-interference, saying Beijing knew "the consequences of external interference in another country.”

Guo Yezhou, Vice-Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (L) and Ran Wanxiang, Vice Minister and Secretary General of the UFWD (R) at the press center of the 19th CPC National Congress in Beijing, China on October 21, 2017. /CGTN Photo

At the same time, instability in Myanmar could spill over the border into China. Condemning the violence and expressing "hope for the speedy restoration of stability" in the ravaged state of Rakhine, Guo added, "We have confidence and belief in the people and the government of Myanmar that they can address these issues."

A major offense

In what was probably the strongest reaction of the briefing, Zhang Yijiong, Vice Minister of the UFWD, explained China’s continued opposition to Dalai Lama's visits to foreign countries.

"The 14th Dalai is a political figure under the cloak of religion… (who) has a separatist agenda to split Tibet from the motherland, China,” Zhang said.

"The group with the 14th Dalai as a leader has never stopped attempts to achieve that political agenda," so his reception in some countries recently "undoubtedly has triggered strong opposition from the Chinese government." For "anyone to accept a visit by the Dalai or to meet with him, in our view, is a major offense to the sentiment of the Chinese people," Zhang noted.

Multi-party cooperation works well

Often portrayed as a one-party system, China actually has a multi-party consultative system, with eight non-Communist political parties advising and providing feedback to the CPC.

"The system is working effectively. It is showing great strength and vitality," Vice Minister and Secretary General of the UFWD Ran Wanxiang said in response to a question from CGTN.

The eight parties, which are mostly made up of intellectuals from various sectors, as well as overseas Chinese, have "joined in the same spirit" as the CPC, he added. "They consciously have taken socialism with Chinese characteristics as their own guidelines and incorporated it into their charters."

This has led to a unique form of democracy, characterized by "long-term coexistence and mutual oversight" between these parties and the CPC, said Ran.

The third press conference at the press center of the 19th CPC National Congress in Beijing, China on October 21, 2017. /CGTN Photo

A unified, multi-ethnic country

With 56 ethnic groups in China, promoting cultural unity is a major focal point for the CPC. "We are a unified multi-ethnic country. Maintaining national stability and realizing a better life for all ethnic groups have been an important mission for the Party," said Zhang, noting that these groups "have played an important role in the development of the Chinese nation."

China currently has five autonomous regions – Xinjiang, Tibet, Inner Mongolia, Guangxi and Ningxia, which consist of over 150 autonomous counties.

At the core of the CPC’s policy is the need to ensure equal rights of ethnic groups, maintain their legitimate rights, and respect and protect their customs, history and religious beliefs, said Zhang, adding that China opposes discrimination against any ethnic group.

China needs to create conditions for all ethnic groups to "live, work and learn from each other in harmony," he said.

Reporters attend the third press conference at the press center of the 19th CPC National Congress in Beijing, China on October 21, 2017. /CGTN Photo

To ensure social stability, the CPC launched some 7,000 projects in Tibet and Xinjiang in 2012-2016, investing over 62.7 billion yuan (9.32 billion US dollars) in those two autonomous regions to promote economic and social development, he said.

Referring to past unrest in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, he stressed that the CPC and the Chinese government "resolutely opposed the use of religion for infiltration, separatism and sabotage as well as violent terrorist activities."

Sons and daughters bound by blood

As the CPC Central Committee’s department tasked with building a "united front", the UFWD of course brought up the topic of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao.

The third press conference at the press center of the 19th CPC National Congress in Beijing, China on October 21, 2017. /CGTN Photo‍

The people of those regions "as well as overseas Chinese nationals, are all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation related by blood to their compatriots in the mainland," Zhang said at the press conference.

He dismissed reported concerns by Australia and New Zealand that Beijing was exercising undue political influence in their countries through overseas Chinese residents.

"We actually encourage them (overseas Chinese) to engage with local people in receiving countries. We ask them to respect the laws and regulations of the countries they live in, respect the culture, history and way of life in those countries."

He added however: "We also encourage them to return … to get an understanding of how China is today and to contribute to the country which is their ancestral home."

The 19th CPC National Congress, which opened on Wednesday, is China’s biggest political event, where the direction of the Party and the country is set for the next five years. It will conclude on Tuesday.

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