Characteristics

Within a little more than half a century, the CPC has initiated and developed its relations with political parties in Latin America, and such relationships share several major characteristics.

Former Chairman of the Central Advisory Commission of the Communist Party Deng Xiaoping meets with the visiting General Secretary of the Unity Socialist Party of Mexico Pablo Gomes on January 11th, 1983. [File Photo]

One of this is the increasing scope of exchanges and diversity of the parties involved. The number of political parties in Latin America involved in exchanges with the CPC has now increased to more than 90, having risen from just 30 in the 1970s and 60 in the 1980s. The variety of these parties has also expanded from the original communist organizations before China's reform and opening up to ruling parties, parties in joint government and influential opposition parties in more than 30 countries in this region, including major political parties in 12 countries that have no diplomatic relations with China.

Exchanges with the political parties are also happening in increasingly diverse forms. They have evolved from one-way to reciprocal exchanges in which the CPC both welcomes visiting guests and itself sends delegations overseas. In the past, the CPC usually played host, inviting delegations of political parties in Latin America to attend its national congresses or their leaders to visit China. Today it CPC representatives often show up as guests in various parts of Latin America for conferences and important events hosted by local and regional political parties and organizations. Party contacts have also extended from the top level downward to functionary departments, local branches, and research institutions. Exchanges of working groups and seminars on specific topics are also common.

As the scope of contact broadens, their content has become more substential. Nowadays, exchanges are no longer limited to ceremonial friendship and the sharing of revolutionary anecdotes. Besides delving into party relations, the two sides also exchange opinions on international, regional and bilateral issues of common interest and exchange management and governance experiences. By taking advantage of party exchanges, the CPC and Latin American parties have also furthered country-to-country economic and trade cooperation and facilitated practical solutions to problems in their bilateral relations. They keep each other informed of the other's domestic situation and important domestic and foreign policies, while sharing studies on theories and strategies of national development.