On July 1, 2026, Vanuatu’s mainstream media outlet, The Daily Post, published Ambassador Li Minggang's signed article titled “Celebrating the 105th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China” in . In the article, Ambassador Li reviewed the great journey of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in leading the Chinese people to stand up, grow rich and become strong, and emphasized that the CPC has always adhered to the people-centered development philosophy and is committed to promoting world peace and development. He noted that over the more than 40 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Vanuatu, party-to-party cooperation has become an important pillar supporting China-Vanuatu relations. China will continue to uphold the principle of the "Four Fully Respect", deepen all-weather, all-round friendly cooperation with Vanuatu, and work together to build an even closer China-Vanuatu community with a shared future in the new era.
The full text is as follows:
July 1 marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The founding of the CPC in 1921 was a momentous event in modern Chinese history.
The outbreak of the First Opium War in 1840 ushered in an era in which Western powers invaded Chinese territory, infringed upon China's sovereignty, and oppressed the Chinese people. China was transformed from an independent feudal state into a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society. To achieve national independence and rejuvenation, the Chinese people engaged in over a century of arduous and remarkable struggle and exploration of development paths. Ultimately, they chose the leadership of CPC in carrying forward the Great Struggle, the Great Project, the Great Cause, and the Great Dream.
Over the past 105 years, CPC led the Chinese people to stand up. CPC has led the Chinese people to victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the Chinese People's War of Liberation. It brought an end to the domination of imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucratic capitalism in China, established the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949. For the first time in Chinese history, the people became the master of the country.
The government of the PRC abolished all unequal treaties imposed by imperialist powers and became the sole legitimate representative of the whole of China, including Taiwan. Chairman Mao Zedong solemnly declared the Chinese people have stood up. Nothing is more fundamental than safeguarding national sovereignty and independence. This has always been the sacred mission and steadfast responsibility of a political party.
Over the past 105 years, CPC led the Chinese people to grow rich. Since the founding of the PRC, China has undergone remarkable transformation. The population has grown from about 500 million to over 1.4 billion, and GDP per capita has risen from under 50 USD to over 12,000. Nearly 800 million rural residents have been lifted out of poverty, and has eliminated absolute poverty for the first time in its history. Life expectancy has increased from about 35 to 79 years.
China has built the world’s largest education system and social security system, largely achieved universal literacy, and maintained a consolidated nine-year compulsory education completion rate of over 95 percent. Basic medical insurance now covers more than 1.3 billion people, and basic pension insurance covers over 1 billion people. According to an opinion poll by Harvard University, public satisfaction with CPC remains above 90 percent. The fundamental and sole purpose of a political party is to promote and safeguard the well-being of the people above all else.
Over the past 105 years, CPC led the Chinese people to become strong. China has built the world’s largest high-speed railway network. By 2025, the total installed capacity of renewable energy has reached 2.34 billion kilowatts, accounting for 60% of the country’s total power capacity. China has partnered on green energy projects with over 100 countries and regions, and meanwhile the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) production and sales have surpassed 16 million units.
China’s capacity for scientific and technological innovation continues to grow, has achieved global leadership in fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, and its 5G network now reaches even the most remote villages. The aerospace sector has developed steadily, carrying out 92 space launches in 2025. Chinese modernization is making steady progress. Only a political party capable of leading the country toward strength and prosperity can sustain its vitality and gain the enduring trust of the people.
CPC maintains a global vision. CPC has established various forms of cooperative relations with more than 600 political parties and organizations in over 160 countries and regions. CPC is committed to promoting world peace and stability, has proposed the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind in the new era, and actively implements the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and Global Governance Initiative, contributing its approaches and wisdom to addressing global challenges and promoting a more just and equitable international order.
The Belt and Road Initiative upholds the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, and is dedicated to fostering an open, inclusive, universally beneficial, and balanced model of economic globalization that leads to win-win outcomes. China has become a major trading partner for more than 160 countries and regions, and it contributes over 30 percent to global economic growth annually for many consecutive years. Only a political party with a broad international outlook and a steadfast commitment to the national interest can earn lasting public confidence and support.
China and Vanuatu are true friends and good brothers. Our shared historical memory has brought our two peoples close together. In the 1970s, the CPC, the Chinese government and people actively supported Vanuatu’s pursuit of independence. In 1982, China and Vanuatu established formal diplomatic relations. The Vanua’aku Party became the first political parties in the South Pacific to establish party-to-party relations with the CPC in 1999, followed by other 7, the Union of Moderate Parties, the National United Party, the People’s Progressive Party, the Green Confederation, the Reunification of Movement for Change, the Leaders Party, and the Iauko Group, have established cooperative relations with the CPC. Inter-party cooperation constitutes an important pillar supporting China-Vanuatu relations.
Over the past 40-plus years, China's assistance has helped Vanuatu implement 22 major grant-aid projects, provided training for about 2,200 personnel across various sectors, and dispatched more than 200 medical personnel to the country.
The China-Vanuatu Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is a model reflecting the true spirit of "Nakamal" and "Namele". The CPC and the Chinese government will continue to engage with Vanuatu in accordance with the principle of the “Four Full Respects” proposed by president Xi Jinping to deepening all-weather, all-round friendly cooperation, and to jointly build a closer China-Vanuatu community with a shared future in the new era.
(By H.E. LI Minggang, the Ambassador of People's Republic of China to the Republic of Vanuatu)