Peking University, Dec. 2, 2017: On the morning of November 29, 2017, an opening ceremony for the volunteers of “CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties” was held in the conference hall of Yenching Academy. Guo Yezhou, Vice Minister of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee, Professor Hao Ping, chairman of the Peking University Council, Professor Ye Jingyi, vice chairman of the PKU Council, and Chen Baojian, vice president of Peking University, were present at the ceremony. Attending also were representatives from two institutions, secretary representatives from different departments, and more than 100 volunteers. Chen Yongli, secretary of PKU Youth League, hosted the ceremony.
PKU students taking a photo with officials of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee
Before the ceremony, Guo Yezhou, Hao Ping, and other officials took the time to take photos with PKU volunteers. Then they watched an original MV “Innovative Thinking in New Times” that was jointly produced by PKU, students, volunteers, and young faculty members.
The ceremony
The ceremony began with Chen Yongli introducing Peking University’s preparatory work for the meeting and the volunteer project, as well as its efforts of recruiting and selecting volunteers and providing pre-service training. Commissioned by the International Liaison Department, Peking University is responsible for the volunteering service of this year’s high-level political meeting “CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties”. School leaders devoted special attention to this work, and set up a special workshop immediately. At the recruiting stage, PKU selected 162 volunteers based on their comprehensive performances and qualities such as political experience, professional attributes, and volunteer experience. Under the guidance of the International Liaison Department, Peking University also divided volunteers into teams and established stratified management. At the training stage, volunteers attended themed lectures organized by the International Department, and received refining instructions and service directions.
Next, Li Xiaodan, a postgraduate student from the PKU Graduate School of Education, gave a speech on behalf of PKU volunteers who are about to start their service work. She reviewed how PKU volunteers have provided help in major national activities over the years, and also expressed her determination that they would accomplish the service work with firm political standing, rich volunteer experiences, and outstanding intercultural communication abilities.
Li Xiaodan giving a speech on behalf of PKU volunteers
Guo Yezhou then further elaborated upon the background and significance of this meeting. He summarized the importance of the meeting by three “firsts”— it is the first major multilateral diplomacy event hosted by China after the recent conclusion of the 19th CPC National Congress; the first time for the CPC to hold a high-level meeting with various political parties in the world; as well as the first meeting among leaders of world political parties with the most attendees. PKU’s volunteer work echoes its own history. More than 100 years ago, it was from Peking University that Marxism first spread across China. Today, PKU youths are going to introduce the thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics of a new era to the world.
Guo Yezhou giving a speech
Lastly, Hao Ping delivered a closing lecture. He appreciated the International Liaison Department’s recognition and guidance for PKU, and affirmed the volunteers’ spirit of practicing in advance and developing their basic service skills. Hao Ping related his own experience of serving as president of the UNESCO General Conference, and put forward his hopes for the volunteer team.
Hao Ping giving a lecture
The “CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties” high-level meeting will be held at Beijing from November 30th to December 3rd. The theme is Working Together Towards A Community with A Shared Future for Humanity and A Better World: Responsibilities of Political Parties. President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, will attend and deliver a keynote speech at the dialogue's opening ceremony. Peking University undertakes the voluntary service work for the meeting, and 162 PKU volunteers have begun their work.
Written by: Wang Xi
Edited by: Fu Wenyun, Karen Xu
