The Party and the World Dialogue 2014 Theme： “China's New Reforms： the Role of the Party”

“The Party and the World Dialogue 2014”， sponsored by the China Center for Contemporary World Studies（CCCWS） and the China Foundation for Peace and Development （CFPD）， was held in Beijing from September 3 to 5， 2014. It centered around the theme“China's New Reforms： the Role of the Party”. Wang Jiarui， Vice Chairman of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Minister of International Department of CPC Central Committee， Honorary Council President of CCCWS and Honorary Council President of CFPD， attended and delivered the keynote speech at the opening ceremony. On September 4， 2014， Li Yuanchao， member of the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee and Vice President of the People's Republic of China， met all the representatives from different countries during the Dialogue.

China's new round of reforms is the theme of the 2014 dialogue. The Dialogue centered on the background of the reform， the policy-making process， the policyimplementing plan and the promoting methods and so on. The sponsors of the Dialogue hoped to promote frank， deep and constructive exchange of ideas between scholars from academic circles， realm of ideology and the leading， decision-making and grass-roots units of the CPC. It also aimed at helping the attendants to arrive at a more objective， comprehensive understanding of the ruling party's role and have a more accurate and thorough grasp of the prospects and influence of the Chinese reform.

Openning ceremony of The Party and the World Dialogue 2014. （Picture from the International Department， Central Committee of CPC）

The Dialogue brought together over 60 scholars， expertsand prominent political fi gures from over 30 countries，including Sergey Dmitrievich Stanishev， President of Party of European Socialists， former Prime Minister of Bulgaria and Muratbek Imanaliev， former Foreign Minister of Kirghizstan and former secretary-general of Shanghai Cooperation Organization （SCO）. The foreign attendants were mainly experts， scholars and think-tank members from the USA or other nonsocialist countries in West Europe， West Asia and North Africa who had been engaged in researches on the CPC and Chinese affairs. The Chinese side has sent offi cial participants of the reform， the draftspersons of the reform plans， practitioners from the central and local governments and grass-roots officials from the Party and government bodies to answer questions. The attendants of the Dialogue had a deep discussion on the theme “China's New Reforms： the Role of the Party”. Experts from different countries exchanged ideas on the advantages， challenges and prospects of the Chinese reform， making insightful remarks，putting forward original ideas and deepening the understanding of the Chinese reform and the role of the ruling party.

Wang Jiarui, Vice Chairman of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Minister of International Department of CPC Central Committee: Since we are interested in the CPC， we should establish a platform through which first-hand message from the CPC can be heard.

Sergey Dmitrievich Stanishev, President of Party of European Socialists, former Prime Minister of Bulgaria: I believe that the reform of China will make the Chinese economy steadier and more energetic and will promote fairer distribution of wealth. For example， the urban-rural and east-west gaps will be narrowed.

Muratbek Imanaliev, former Foreign Minister of Kirghizstan, former secretary-general of SCO and President of Institute for Public Policy: The Communist Party of China has emerged from the Chinese people's struggle for independence against colonialism. Therefore，the emergence of the CPC has been the Chinese people's choice and has been the result of the influence of the Chinese political situation， economy and history.

Professor Shen Dawei from the Department of Politics and International Relations, George Washington University: The Chinese officials are willing to hear our voice. So long as you are willing to hear the voice from the outside， you will present a better image.

Kerry Brown, executive director of the China Studies Centre of the University of Sydney: The Communist Party of China is really more and more open. This form will make the world know more about China， reduce misunderstanding and meanwhile provide inspiration for the reform of other countries or regions.

Professor Flemming Christiansen from University Duisburg-Essen of Germany: This Dialogue makes me more informed of China and I will be a member to participate in the modernization of China.

Muhammad Zahran, member of Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs: The “Belt and Road” Initiative will greatly enhance the infl uence of China's economy. China has been the second-largest economy in the world and it is the world's expectation that China will play an important role in the international fi nancial system.