Wang Jiarui, chairman of the CSCLF, gives a keynote speech on Nov 13 at the opening ceremony of the 12th MEDays Forum in Tangier, an ancient city in Morocco. [Photo/CSCLF]
The opening ceremony of the 12th MEDays Forum was held in Tangier, an ancient city in the North African country of Morocco, on Nov 13. Wang Jiarui, chairman of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF) attended the forum and delivered a keynote speech.
The theme of this year's forum is "The Global Distrust Crisis: Facing Subversion and Uncertainties". Keynote speakers at the opening ceremony included Macky Sall, the president of Senegal; Jorge Bom Jesus, prime minister of Sao Tome and Principe; Mohcine Jazouli, minister-level representative from Morocco's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, African Affairs and Immigration; and Riyadal Maliki, foreign minister of Palestine.
Keynote speakers pose for a group photo at the opening ceremony on Nov 13. [Photo/CSCLF]
Wang Jiarui spoke at the opening ceremony that in the face of endless global problems and challenges, no country could be immune and no country could overcome all these problems. He said we must firmly believe that peace and development are still the theme of the current era. He added that the momentum towards globalization is irresistible and irreversible, and the trend of openness and integration will continue to roll forward.
Wang said that upholding the spirit of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, and actively responding to emerging new challenges during the process of globalization is a wise choice to be invincible in a period of great change.
Wang Jiarui, chairman of the CSCLF, delivers his speech at the opening ceremony on Nov 13. [Photo/CSCLF]
Wang Jiarui, chairman of the CSCLF, delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony on Nov 13. [Photo/CSCLF]
In his speech, Wang Jiarui emphasized that in the current new situation, we will uphold the concept of sincerity and a correct view of righteousness and interests -- fully respecting the rights of African countries to choose their own development path, actively carry out experience exchanges with African countries on development and learn from each other.
More than 1.3 billion Chinese people are striving to build a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way, he said. More than 1.2 billion African people are also pursuing their economic development and national rejuvenation. Wang said China was willing to work together with its African friends to share the fruits of development and embark on the road of making people's lives better and happier.
Wang Jiarui, chairman of the CSCLF, delivers his speech at the opening ceremony on Nov 13. [Photo/CSCLF]
Wang gave a briefing on the CSCLF and the China Welfare Institute, or CWI. He said that in the process of coping with the great changes that have occurred in past century -- and on the way to building a community with a shared future for mankind -- the CSCLF and CWI are willing to use the opportunity presented at the MEDays Forum. Both bodies, he said, wanted to work with all the friends at the forum -- as well as friendly institutions and people from all over the world --to deepen their understanding of each other, make new and greater contributions to promoting world peace, enhancing people to people exchanges and promoting friendly cooperation between China and Africa.
Dignitaries attending the event included Li Li, Chinese ambassador to Morocco and Zhao Jiangping, counselor at Chinese Embassy in Morocco and wife of Li Li, accompanied by Jing Dunquan, vice-chairman of the CSCLF, and Tang Jiuhong, deputy secretary-general of the CSCLF.
