BEIJING - Senior diplomats on Monday got a chance to review President Hu Jintao's keynote speech on the 90th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and gain a better understanding of the future development of the world's largest political party.

The International Department of the Central Committee of the CPC invited researchers on the Party's history and policy studies to give an analysis of Hu's speech to around 160 diplomats from more than 100 countries.

The two-hour briefing was warmly welcomed by the diplomats, who were eager to learn about the CPC's experience, how it works and where it is heading.

Tatiana Kongoli, minister plenipotentiary of the Albanian embassy, said what impressed her about Hu's speech was the Party's close relationship with the people.

"I think it is very important to keep the people in mind, as well as to continue to recruit talented people and narrow the gap between the rich and poor," she said.

Gaafar K. Ahmed from the Qatari embassy said no other party in the world had ever managed within a few decades to take a country with such a large population from poverty to such a prominent place in the global economy.

He said the notable feature of the CPC was that it had applied Marxism to suit Chinese conditions.

"It has succeeded in bringing farmers, workers and intellectuals together to build a system, to build a country. It is very difficult to do that."

He noted that China formulated the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence with foreign countries.

Now, after more than 50 years, China has developed the idea of building a harmonious world, he added.

Analysts say the briefing is part of the effort by the CPC to enhance the transparency and openness of its management of Party affairs.

In this respect "such a briefing is very helpful", said Zeidan Ag Sidalamine, first counselor with the Malian embassy.

China Daily

(China Daily 07/05/2011 page11)