President of the Communist Party of Spain visits Xiangxi Prefecture, admires its poverty alleviation and ethnic harmony, and vows to promote a real China.

By Chen Jianing, Chen Xingxiao and Wu Donglin

At the invitation of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee, a delegation of Spanish left-wing political parties, think tanks and media led by the president of the Communist Party of Spain, José Luis Centella,  visited Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan province from March 25 to 26.

“Visiting Shibaodong Village is a very important itinerary for our delegation.” In Shibaodong Village, Huayuan County, Centella and his entourage followed General Secretary Xi Jinping’s footsteps and walked into villagers’ homes, post offices, banks, Miao embroidery bases and Jingzhunping Square to understand the spirit of poverty alleviation and feel the happy transformation of Shibaodong Village from a deeply impoverished Miao village to a well-off demonstration village; and held a symposium at the village party and mass service center to learn in detail about Shibaodong Village’s development plan, industrial layout, villagers’ employment and income increase, cultural and educational development, women’s role play and other situations.

“Here we have personally experienced the brilliant achievements brought about by the combination of the important concept of ‘precision poverty alleviation’ and people’s practice.” Centella praised Shibaodong Village as a successful model of the Communist Party of China leading the people to achieve great victory in poverty alleviation. He pointed out that China’s successful practice and experience in poverty alleviation have not only added confidence and brought hope to poverty reduction in developing countries around the world but also have important enlightenment and reference significance for Spain’s rural construction and governance. He hopes that both sides will strengthen exchanges and cooperation in culture, economy and trade, tourism and other fields, enhance mutual learning between civilizations, promote people-to-people exchanges, and promote greater development, prosperity and progress.

“This is a magnificent bridge as well as a bridge that promotes rural revitalization.” When visiting Aizhai Bridge in Jishou City, Centella praised Aizhai Bridge as not only showing China’s superb bridge-building skills but also showing Chinese people’s spirit of struggle and technological innovation. He said that bridges symbolize connection and friendship. They will strengthen friendly cooperation with Xiangxi Prefecture and work together to create a better future.

Centella’s delegation also visited Qianzhou Ancient City and Fenghuang Ancient City to learn about Xiangxi Prefecture’s historical culture and folk customs. He said that Spanish left-wing political parties including the Communist Party of Spain attach great importance to promoting friendly relations between Spain and China and telling true objective stories about China to Europe.