The United Russia party organised the International Forum of Supporters of the Struggle against Modern Practices of Colonialism, “For the Freedom of Nations!” in Moscow, from February 16-17. It was attended by more than 400 participants from over 60 political parties in more than 55 countries as well as prominent people from other social circles.
In his message of greetings, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that: “Neocolonialism is a shameful legacy of centuries of plunder and exploitation of the peoples of Africa, Asia, Latin America and other regions of the world. We see its aggressive manifestations today in the attempts of the collective West to preserve its domination by any means, to economically subjugate other countries, [and] to deprive them of sovereignty.”
Referring primarily to the historical legacy of the Soviet Union, he added: “I would like to note that our country has done a lot to destroy the foundations of the colonial system and support national liberation movements. It has provided serious assistance to the young independent states in ensuring security, developing the economy, and solving acute social and humanitarian problems. And today, we are ready to join forces in the struggle for genuine freedom and justice, for progress for all countries and peoples, for the formation of a democratic multipolar world order. It is based on the principles of international law, respect for each other’s legitimate interests, mutual trust and constructive cooperation.”
Chairman of United Russia Dmitry Medvedev proposed that the UN General Assembly consider the possibility of establishing a Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Colonialism on December 14, the date of the adoption of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples in 1960, and also to systematise information regarding the crimes committed during the colonial period, so as to begin an objective assessment of the damage caused by them.
As the head of the United Russia Commission on International Cooperation, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, recalled that Russia has previously been a leader in promoting decolonisation processes. “We propose to develop common approaches of the world majority to the understanding of neocolonialism, to complete the work on decolonisation initiated by Soviet diplomacy at the UN. To this day, 17 territories remain in colonial dependence. The time has come to join forces and start systematic work to eradicate neocolonial practices.”
Entrusted by the Communist Party of China’s Central Committee, Minister Liu Jianchao of the party’s International Department (IDCPC) extended warm congratulations on the establishment of the forum and the convening of the conference. He said, in the current world intertwined with turbulence and changes, humanity faces many common challenges. The establishment of the forum conforms to the trend of the times for countries around the world to pursue peace, development and cooperation, and builds a good dialogue platform for political parties in various countries to jointly respond to challenges. Colonialism once brought grave disasters to the world and left a very disgraceful page in human history. Even today, it continues to appear in new ways, bringing pain and disaster to the world. China, like most of the countries represented by the participating political parties, emerged from the historical quagmire of colonialism. After going through untold hardships and making huge sacrifices, China achieved national independence and people’s liberation. China, a member of the Global South, cares about and takes root in the Global South. China breathes the same breath with other countries of the Global South and pursues a shared future with them. China is willing to work with all progressive forces to jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, resolutely oppose colonialism of all forms and manifestations, and work for a more just and equitable international order.
Kim Su Gil, alternate member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and chief secretary of its Pyongyang Municipal Committee, said in his speech that the desire of the peoples of all the countries to build up their own strength and develop in their own way is getting stronger day by day and, accordingly, the world’s multipolarisation has become an irresistible trend of the times. He continued:
The US and the West, very fearful of their waning dominant position, are clinging to the modern-day neocolonialist policy to maintain political and military subjugation and economic infiltration by inciting inter-state, inter-national and inter-religious confrontations and distrust and causing bloodshed in different parts of the world. Thus, the structure of a ‘new Cold War’ has been fixed on a global scale and proxy wars broke out in Ukraine and the Middle East, more badly plaguing the international security environment.
We will never tolerate the US arrogant infringement upon sovereignty, consistently holding fast to independence against imperialism as the first state policy in the future, too, and will strive to defend justice and peace and establish a new international order while strengthening unity and solidarity with all the countries and political parties aspiring after independence.
He extended the warmest militant respect and full support to the fraternal Russian people and service members who have turned out in the heroic struggle to firmly defend the sovereign rights, development and interests of the country against the hegemonic policy of the US and Western group.
He firmly reaffirmed that the WPK would always fight shoulder to shoulder with all the progressive political parties of the world in the struggle for opposing the tyranny and arbitrary practices of the imperialists and for building an independent new world.
Among other important political figures and forces participating in the forum were Faustin-Archange Touadéra, President of the Central African Republic; Milorad Dodik, President of the Republika Srpska (in Bosnia and Herzegovina); Mbalula Fikile, Secretary-General of the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa; Oleg Romanov, Chairman of the Belaya Rus Party of Belarus; as well as delegations from the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP), the Communist Party of Cuba, Workers’ Party of Brazil, Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova, and Union Solidarity and Development Party of Myanmar, among many others.
Dmitry Medvedev said that United Russia will hold a meeting of the standing committee of the forum in July in Vladivostok. It will be timed to coincide with the BRICS inter-party conference, which United Russia plans to organise as part of Russia’s chairmanship of the cooperation body.
In addition, the Forum itself will be held every two years, and its organising committee has been transformed into a standing committee with executive powers until 2026.
The following articles were originally published on the website of the IDCPC.
Liu Jianchao Attends the Forum of Supporters of the Struggle Against Modern Practices of Neocolonialism “For the Freedom of Nations”
Moscow, February 16th—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, attended and addressed here today the opening ceremony of the Forum of Supporters of the Struggle Against Modern Practices of Neocolonialism “For the Freedom of Nations”.
Entrusted by the CPC Central Committee, Liu extended warm congratulations on the establishment of the forum and the convening of the conference. He said, in the current world intertwined with turbulence and changes, mankind faces many common challenges. The establishment of the forum conforms to the trend of the times for countries around the world to pursue peace, development and cooperation, and builds a good dialogue platform for political parties in various countries to jointly respond to challenges. Colonialism once brought grave disasters to the world and left a very disgraceful page in human history. Even today, it continues to appear in new ways, bringing pain and disaster to the world. China, like most of the countries represented by the participating political parties, emerged from the historical quagmire of colonialism. After going through untold hardships and making huge sacrifices, China achieved national independence and people’s liberation. China, a member of the Global South, cares about and takes root in the Global South. China breathes the same breath with other countries of the Global South and pursues a shared future with them. China is willing to work with all progressive forces to jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, resolutely oppose colonialism of all forms and manifestations, and work for a more just and equitable international order.
Liu said, China is currently advancing the noble cause of building a great country and national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. China adheres to the path of peaceful and high-quality development, and high-level opening up to the outside world. In advancing modernization, China will neither tread the old path of colonization and plunder, nor the crooked path taken by some countries to seek hegemony once they grow strong. Instead, China will provide new opportunities brought by Chinese modernization for all countries in the world to realize modernization. The CPC calls on all sides to jointly defend all countries’ rights to develop and prosper, maintain world peace, promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, promote the reform of the global governance system, and help build a community with a shared future for mankind.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory letter to the conference. Dmitry Medvedev, Chairman of the United Russia Party and Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Faustin-Archange Touadera, President of the Central African Republic, Fikile Mbalula, Secretary-General of the African National Congress of South Africa, Kim Su-gil, Alternate Member of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee and Chief Secretary of the Pyongyang WPK City Committee, Emilio Lozada Garcia, Head of the International Relations Department of the Cuban Communist Party Central Committee, Gleisi Hoffmann, President of Workers’ Party of Brazil and others delivered speeches at the opening ceremony. Leaders of more than 60 political parties and political organizations from over 50 countries were present. In their speeches, the participants said that many countries in the world suffered from colonialism and firmly opposed to all forms of neocolonialism. Political parties in various countries should strengthen exchanges and cooperation, safeguard the common interests of the Global South, defend the international order underpinned by the UN Charter, and promote international fairness and justice. The participants from many countries spoke highly of the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and the global significance of the Belt and Road Initiative. They believed China’s solutions to the common problems facing the world today will help the international community strengthen unity and cooperation, and promote human prosperity and progress.
Liu Jianchao Meets with Dmitry Medvedev, Chairman of the United Russia Party
Moscow, February 16th—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today with Dmitry Medvedev, Chairman of the United Russia Party.
Liu said, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin, China and Russia witness high-level development momentum in our bilateral relations, as well as strong endogenous power and broad development prospects in cooperation in various fields, setting a model for major-country relations in the world today. Exchanges between the ruling parties are an important part of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era. The CPC is willing to work with the United Russia Party to thoroughly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia as an opportunity to continuously enrich the connotation of institutionalized exchanges between the two Parties, continue to consolidate political and strategic mutual trust between China and Russia, and contribute wisdom and strength as political parties to the development of China-Russia relations in the new era.
Medvedev welcomed the CPC delegation led by Liu, which participated in the Forum of Supporters of the Struggle Against Modern Practices of Neocolonialism “For the Freedom of Nations”. He said, the current Russia-China relations are at the best period in history, with new progress constantly made in cooperation between the two countries in various fields. The United Russia Party and the CPC maintain close exchanges and cooperation, strengthen coordination and cooperation on multilateral international occasions for political party, help gather consensus of political parties, and send out the voice of the “Global South”, effectively safeguarding international fairness and justice.
