Attendees at the event on Wednesday Photo: IDCPC

A delegation of envoys this week explored the birthplace and origins of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Shanghai, where they visited the memorial of the First National Congress of the CPC and the international community in Gubei as well as the China Flower Expo, to experience the path of the CPC in bringing together Chinese people.

The whole event came to highlight on Wednesday evening - Shanghai's Achievements in Practicing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era: A Special Thematic Dialogue, in which five residents shared their personal stories with the development of Shanghai.

Larry Chan, chairman of Liwayway (China) Co shared his story about Shanghai's further opening up. Chan was born in the Philippines and he said since his childhood he had thought of visiting Shanghai. 

In 1993, the Shanghai municipal government helped Liwayway set up joint ventures with two Chinese partners and Liwayway was a beneficiary of China's opening-up, Chan's father, who was awarded honorary citizen of Shanghai in 2005, said via video at the event.

Starting from Shanghai, "we have built 13 factories in China, and have over 7,600 workers," Chan said.

Through the first China International Import Expo, the company got the chance to know the government delegation from Uzbekistan, "which contributed to our investment in the country," Chan said.

With China's opening-up, Chan said he saw more opportunities in the city and maintained confidence in the city.

Along with Chan, Xu Lihua, secretary of the Party branch in Huangpu district's Baoxingli neighborhood, also shared her story with attendees. In China, there are thousands of neighborhood workers who help residents solve problems in their daily lives, such as settling disputes between neighbors.

Over 740 representatives from 126 political parties and organizations from nearly 100 countries took part in the event online, and ambassadors of over 40 countries to China attended the meeting in Shanghai. The event was organized by the International Department of the CPC Central Committee and Shanghai Municipal Committee of the CPC. 

As the birthplace of the Communist Party of China, Shanghai has become the window for the world to observe China, the hub of the country's ties with the world, and the important carrier of China's major strategies, Li Qiang, Shanghai's Party secretary, said during the opening speech.

Song Tao, minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the CPC said, as the place where the Communist Party of China set sail, Shanghai has witnessed the founding of the Party as well as China's achievements in a tremendous transformation from standing up, growing rich to becoming strong.

Some international guests including Ivica Dacic, leader of the Socialist Party of Serbia and Speaker of the National Assembly, Republic of Serbia, all sent their congratulations to celebrate the CPC's centenary.