Chinese VP stresses importance of people-to-people diplomacy in int'l relations

China

Chinese VP stresses importance of people-to-people diplomacy in int'l relations

2024-10-11 20:56 Last Updated At：21:37

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Friday underscored the importance of people-to-people diplomacy in enhancing relations between different countries, while attending the China International Friendship Conference and conference marking the 70th founding anniversary of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) in Beijing.

In his speech, Han noted President Xi Jinping had a group meeting with foreign guests attending the conference earlier this day.

President Xi elaborated on the unique role of people-to-people diplomacy under the new circumstances, and expounded China's position on deepening people-to-people friendship with other countries to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, according to Han.

The vice president praised CPAFFC's fruitful work over the past seven decades, saying people-to-people diplomacy becomes even more important with a more prominent position and broader stage under the new circumstances.

He pledged consistent support from the Chinese government for the CPAFFC in promoting exchanges, practical cooperation and youth friendship among countries.

Han also put forward a four-point proposal: first, strengthen solidarity and friendship and actively implement the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind; second, pursue mutual benefit and win-win results to promote common development and prosperity; third, deepen cultural and people-to-people exchanges to enhance mutual learning among civilizations and people-to-people ties; and fourth, take a long-term perspective to boost the friendship of people from different countries.

China is ready to work with other countries to foster deeper people-to-people friendship, make unremitting efforts toward the lofty goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and create a better future for mankind, said Han.

Other figures who attended the conference and made speeches include former Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso, former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, former Tanzanian Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda, former speaker of the New Zealand Parliament David Carter, former Thai Deputy Prime Minister Korn Dabbaransi, Bruneian Princess Hajah Masna, and Ali Yousuf Al-Shareef, chairman of the Association of Arab-Chinese Friendship Societies.

Themed "Enhancing people-to-people friendship and building a community with a shared future for mankind", the conference was attended by about 500 people, including the heads of friendship organizations and international friends of China as well as Chinese representatives.

Venezuelan acting president calls for national unity amid complex situation

Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez said on Sunday that the country is at a critical stage and must achieve national unity, emphasizing that maintaining internal cohesion is of utmost importance.

In a televised address, Rodriguez called on the public to continue trusting the government under the current highly complex political circumstances.

Her statement comes in the wake of a January 3 military operation conducted by the United States, during which Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were taken into custody and flown out of the country.

The operation resulted in at least 100 fatalities.

Rodriguez, who was sworn in as acting president two days later on January 5, framed her appeal for unity against this backdrop of external intervention.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan Minister of Communication and Information Freddy Nanez denounced the U.S. actions as a "war crime of the 21st century" when speaking at an international cultural event on Sunday.

Nanez condemned not only the January 3 airstrikes but also the associated cyber and electromagnetic attacks.

He accused the United States of violating international law through the forced removal of President Maduro and his wife, while attacks on civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities, represent a flagrant breach of humanitarian norms.

He reiterated that the stigmatization and military attacks against Venezuela are driven by economic interests, particularly the desire to control its abundant natural resources.