A delegation of ambassadors from more than 40 countries visited the Memorial of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China yesterday morning to learn about the development of the Party and its achievements over the past 100 years.

The ambassadors took part in a special dialogue between the Party and political parties in other countries in the evening. More than 740 guests from about 100 countries, including the ambassadors, were in attendance — in person or online.

They will also visit a community civic center in Changning District, the waterfront in Yangpu District and the China Flower Expo in Chongming District today.

The dialogue and visits have been organized by the international department of the CPC’s Central Committee and the CPC Shanghai Committee to help other countries to learn about the changes that have taken place in China under the leadership of the Party and strengthen cooperation and exchange experiences between the CPC and political parties in other countries.

Yesterday, the ambassadors visited the former site where the Party was founded in July 1921 and a newly built exhibition hall.

Fariz Mehdawi, Palestinian ambassador to China, said it was difficult to count how many times he had visited the city as his first trip was in 1986.

“It was not Shanghai of today, it was a totally different place,” he said. “The city actually sums up the story of China in a way if one can only visit Shanghai, he can have a glimpse into what kind of history this country has gone through, right from the pains and struggles and the difficulties. So the whole city looks like a museum.”

He said Shanghai demonstrated a real story from sadness and pain to happiness and prosperity, which could not have been achieved without the Party.

“Without a machine, this big vehicle of China could not have moved all this long journey and the journey still continues,” he said. “So every time I come here, I feel so much energized and reorganized because as Palestinians we are also passing through difficult times. When we come here and see what you have done, we become even more sure that we are also going to make it possible.”

Baudelaire Ndong Ella, Gabon’s ambassador to China, said it was his third trip to Shanghai and he was always amazed at the way it was developing progressively. “I think Shanghai is a place where you have to come every time to see China’s achievements.”

He noted that Shanghai was where the CPC left the seeds of China’s development. “It was important to start here, it was important to have the foundation here. All the (first) 13 members of the CPC said never forget why you began, never forget your initial commitment.”