Song Tao, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (Photo via the International Department of the CPC Central Committee)

In recent years, the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has sent more than 30 delegations to publicize the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress around the world, Song Tao, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, said during an exclusive interview with People’s Daily Online.

More than 500 publicity activities have been conducted through these delegations in nearly 100 countries and regions, according to Song, who revealed how the CPC had cultivated friendship with various countries.

The International Department of the CPC Central Committee has also arranged for prominent members of foreign political parties to take part in or watch internal CPC activities during their time in China. This has included delegates attending conferences of the standing committees of CPC municipal committees and county committees as non-voting delegates, Song disclosed.

As a functional department in charge of the liaisons and external relations of the CPC, the International Department of the CPC Central Committee serves as the “ministry of foreign affairs” of the CPC Central Committee.

Song Tao, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, receives an interview from People's Daily Online. (Photo/Weng Qiyu)

The International Department of the CPC Central Committee currently maintains regular contact with over 500 political parties and organizations of different types in more than 160 countries and regions, according to Song, who disclosed that most foreign political parties are interested in how the CPC governs such a big country.

“China is getting closer to the world’s center stage, which means the CPC is also moving closer,” Song pointed out, adding that foreign political parties and figures are interested in the CPC's experience in such areas as strengthening Party building, combating corruption, carrying out targeted poverty alleviation, promoting ecological civilization construction, boosting economic development, and improving the livelihood of its people.

People's Daily Online journalist presents creative cultural product produced by People's Daily Online to Song Tao. (Photo/Weng Qiyu)

“Young people represent the future of the external relations of the CPC,” Song said, noting that the International Department of the CPC Central Committee is a department mainly composed of young people, with officials under the age of 40 accounting for half of the total staff.