Nanning, 9 September 2021 (TDI): The “CPC Dialogue with Political Parties of Southeast Asian and South Asian Countries: Generation Z Leadership Forum” was held on 9 September 2021. It was co-hosted by the CPC Committee of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the International Department of the CPC Central Committee. The Chinese Communist Party along with other regional political parties attended the summit, from which 40 political parties were Chinese and 16 were South Asian and Southeast Asian.
Chen Zhou, a member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) briefed the fruitful gains of last year’s dialogue on November 1st, 2020, which includes party-building, post-pandemic economy, youth role in the prosperity, and joint cooperation on Covid-19 eradication and BRI mechanism. He has also highlighted the Communist Party of China (CPC) and World Political Parties Summit, July 2021, held in China.
Song Tao, Head of the International Liaison Department of the Chinese Communist Party shared about the achievements of CPC. Song Tao said that over the past 100 years the CPC has played a vital role in the lives of Chinese people. So, the cooperation between CPC and other political parties will provide new opportunities. He stressed that the region has great potential, so the political forces should work together to provide a driving force. For that, he suggested making a new contribution in strengthening cooperation for peace, curbing the pandemic, economic recovery, avoid geopolitical conflicts, and political consensus to BRI and Grand Silk Road.
The second speaker of the forum was Lu Xinshe (Member of the Central Committee of Communist Party of China). He started by quoting Xi Jinping’s statement from July’s event that political parties are the vital force behind the success and development of strengthening political parties’ coordination and youth’s synergy for regional economic development. In this regard, he put forward new suggestions, which are building more sub-national platforms for cooperation among states, youth’s cooperation for the regional department, strengthen governance and modernization, building a global health community, and develop a digital economy.
Next on the forum spoke Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono from the Democratic Party of Indonesia. He started by mentioning recent challenges faced by states including the covid-hit economy. He said that members should build an orderly peaceful and harmonious region with cooperation in dialogues, that is why he emphasized that political parties play fundamental roles in the making of foreign policy and national stances and appreciated the CPC for arranging such cooperative measures.
The fourth speaker was Sinlavong, from the Lao People’s revolutionary party of Laos. He started by congratulating on the 100 anniversary of the CPC foundation. He called the dialogues a great success and said that all parties are always committed to social and development and will curb domestic and crossborder terrorism, COVID-19, and climate change with this cooperation. In the last, he rejected the politicization of the virus and its origin.
The last speaker at the opening ceremony was Timalsina, a member of the Communist Party of Nepal. He told the forum that countries should communicate and cooperate on the pandemic situation. He also highlighted Xi Jinping’s response to the epidemic and regarded it as worth learning for the world and rejected the politicization of the virus. On behalf of Nepal, he thanked China for help and donations and also urged political parties to play part in achieving interdependence.
The dialogues on “Generation Z Leadership Forum Synergy of the Youth Towards a New Development Horizon ” commenced with the address by Mr. Chen Zhou, Vice Minister of International Department Central Committee of CPC (IDCPC). He emphasized the need to explore new methods in which young people can play roles. Before handing over the forum to Camille Villar, he said, “Youth is a once in life lifetime phase where one can work hard.”
Camille Villar, Young Spokesperson Nationalist Party, of the Philippines, stressed the need to develop youth-friendly policies while talking about the 60% of young people in Asia and the Pacific. She said political parties can help in playing a meaningful role in decision making, this will bring positive and long-lasting change to people.
Namal Rajapaksa, a young Sri Lankan minister for youth and sports, addressed the Z forum after Camille. He said the world has changed and now it is high time for building bridges between government-to-government and people-to-people. He also suggested hearing the voices of youth, provide education to them, developing linkages between them, and developing young athletes.
Nicole Wong Siaw Ting, Vice President of the Malaysian Chinese Association said that the powerhouse of the nation is youth that is why she suggests some measurements for youth’s wellbeing such as providing essential products, use social media to spread information, provide access to life-saving and delivering food and sanitation.
While speaking of youth smart technology, Jerry Sambuaga from Golkar Party Indonesia, highlighted the post COVID change in market behavior from online to offline buying and selling products, because of which E-commerce has become the game-changer.
Mr. Kim Rithy, from Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), called the conference China’s 5th and effective measure to combat the pandemic. He also said that multilateralism is necessary for a strong supply chain. He told the forum that behind Cambodia’s speedy vaccination, China has played a mammoth role.
Vicky Mahesari, from the Communist Party of India, said the world has witnessed that the huge investment in the war and guns is of no use but investing in health is. While talking about Youth’s role in government he mentioned the role of the All India Students Federation. He stressed the need for the collective goal of bringing youth up.
Sun Jing, Xu Min, and Wang Pengfei showed a glance at the initiatives taken by China for youth, such as poverty alleviation, young leader scholarship, online vocational training, e-commerce, and promoting young entrepreneurs. These initiatives are to be launched.
Songhenang Ai, Director South East Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Center for Technical Educational Development, mentioned the achievement of China-Asean Technical Education Cooperation Plateform (CATECP) and Cloud Platform of Vocational Training for Youth in Southeast Asia and South Asia Countries.
Dong Dong, China’s Olympic gold medal winner, said if youth will prosper, the nation will prosper. Kittiratt Na-Ranong, Deputy Leader of Pheu Thai Party, said that in the future employment is a challenge. Therefore, Younger minds should be facilitated so that they can fully exercise the ideas.
Abrao Nokosiku, the Secretary of State for Youth and Sport from, CNRT party of Timor-Leste, in particular, attached huge importance to the youth in industry and technology.
Rupak Sapkota, Deputy Executive Director of the Institute of Foreign Affairs, Nepal, said South Asia is a region enrich in civilization and resources. For the prosperity of the region, regional connectivity and cooperation among the youth are necessary.
In the last, Sun Haiyan gave closing remarks. The meeting ended at 17:00. After the meeting, the Action Plan of CPC-Southeast Asian and South Asian Political Parties Generation Z Leadership Forum (20221-2022) was publicized.
The representative of political parties that joined the Summit is the Cambodian People’s Party (Cambodia), FUNCINPEC Party Cambodia, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, Golkar Party Indonesia, Great Indonesia Movement Party, National Awakening Party Indonesia (Indonesia), Lao People’s Revolution Party, Lao People’s Revolution Party, United Malays National Organization, Progressive Democratic Party Malaysia, Democratic Action Party Malaysia, People’s Justice Party Malaysia, Malaysian Chinese Association, National League for Democracy Myanmar, Arakan National Party (Myanmar), Lisu National Development Party Myanmar, Union Solidarity, and Development Party Maynmar.
There were also representatives from PDP Philippines, National Party the Philippines, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democratic (the Philippines), Pheu Thai Party (Thailand), Democratic Party (Thailand), Bhunjaithai Party (Thailand), Move forward Party (Thailand), Palang Pracharath Party (Thailand), Communist Party of Vietnam, National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (East Timor), Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor, worker Party of Bangladesh, Bangladeshi Awami Leagues, Communist Party India (Marxist), All India Forward Bloc, Communist Party of India, Progressive Party of Maldives, Maldivian Democratic Party, Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf, Balochistan Awami Party, Pakistan Peoples Party, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, and Srilanka Freedom Party.
