Editor’s Note: On the publication ceremony of the book SHARED IDEALS – THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF CHINA AND ITS CHERISHED FRIENDS FROM AROUND THE WORLD held in Beijing in July, Danilo Türk, Former President of Slovenia, talked about his understanding of the Centennial CPC in his speech via video link. An excerpt of his speech is as follow:

This year the Communist Party of China (CPC) celebrates its Centennial. I congratulate the CPC for the historic achievements and for the gigantic contribution that China under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, is making to the progress of the world.

In the past seven decades, China was transformed from a predominantly agricultural society into an industrial and post-industrial giant.

The past four decades, the period known as the time of reforms and opening-up has been particularly impressive. Extreme poverty was eliminated and standards of living have been improving.

The development process of China has put people first, continuously improving people’s livelihood and opening new avenues of progress.

About 20 years ago, I worked as Assistant Secretary-general of the United Nations and I have followed the development of China closely. The leaders of China told the United Nations that China will make a major contribution to the implementation of the global development goals, the United Nations Millennium Development goals.

And indeed China made a decisive contribution. In every meeting we, the officials of the United Nations had with the leaders of China, we admired their commitment to results and to global progress. Progress of China has transformed the world.

Today, the members and leaders of the CPC are expressing strong commitment to the objectives of further development of China and to building, in the words of President Xi Jinping, “Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era”.

The “New Era” requires constant innovation and the leading role of the CPC will be essential for its realisation. Innovation will have to reach all aspects of progress technological, economic, social, and political.

The past hundred years have prepared the CPC to undertake this gigantic task. Many aspects of this historic task will relate to the international community and to building a new type of international relations leading to a global community of a shared future for the mankind.

The development of the Belt and Road Initiative has already made an important contribution in that regard. The proportions of the future tasks are daunting. But the magnitude and speed of the past achievements are reassuring.

The historic transformation that China has achieved in the past hundred years is a strong testimony to the resilience, energy and talent of the people of China. The CPC leadership is an example of meritocratic approach that provides a solid basis for the great tasks and for success in the future.

I join my voice to those of many who congratulate members of the CPC and President Xi Jinping on the occasion of the Centennial of the CPC for the achievements so far.

I wish China all success in the future.