Wei Jianxing Meets Italian Trade Unionists
Workers' Daily, September 9, 2002
Politburo Standing Committee Member, Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Secretariat and Chairman of the All China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) Wei Jianxing met with a delegation from the Italian trade union federation, the Union of Italian Workers (UIL) led by General Secretary Luigi Angeletti on September 9, 2002.
Expressing a warm welcome to the visitors, Wei said that both Italy and China were countries that had ancient classical cultures. Although separated by a great distance geographically, they shared a well-established friendship. The two countries had developed a warm co-operative relationship since formal ties were established in 1970. At the same time, exchanges between Italian and Chinese trade unions had also developed smoothly and without interruption.
Wei Jianxing pointed out that globalisation presented trade unions with a new situation and new problems to the task of upholding workers legal rights. The situation required the continual strengthening of exchanges and cooperation between workers and trade unions in all countries, increased mutual understanding and study. He said that the further development of trade union contacts and cooperation was in keeping with the aspirations of workers in both countries and the basic interests of their respective peoples. It would also assist the economic and social development of both Asia and Europe. Chinese trade unions would continue to work hard to advocate "peace, development and workers' rights".
At the invitation of the UIL guests, Wei then explained China's present economic, political and trade union situation.
UIL General Secretary commended China's rapid development as a contribution to global peace and stability. He also said that the Italian people had a deep affection for the people of China and that his union was willing to continue the consolidation of friendly, co-operative relations between the trade union organisations.
The UIL is visiting China at the invitation of the ACFTU. Also present at today's reception were ACFTU Deputy Chairperson and First Secretary of the Secretariat Zhang Junjiu; ACFTU Deputy Chairperson Xu Xicheng and Deputy Secretary of the Chinese Workers' Centre for International Exchange, Li Yonghai. The Italian ambassador to China, Paulo Bruni, accompanied the trade union guests.
Zhang Junjiu Meets with UIL Guests
Workers' Daily, September 9, 2002
On September 9, 2002, the Deputy Chairperson of the All China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) and First Secretary of the ACFTU Secretariat, Zhang Junjiu, met with a delegation from the Italian trade union federation, the Union of Italian Workers (UIL). UIL General Secretary Luigi Angeletti led the delegation.
The UIL is one of the three major trade union federations in Italy with a membership of over 1.5 million and an affiliate of the International Confederation of Trade Unions.
At the meeting, Zhang said that although the situations of China and Italy were very different, globalisation brought many common challenges to the workers and trade unions of both countries. Further co-operation and exchanges were needed to meet these challenges.
General Secretary Luigi pointed out that trade union relations between Italy and China were extremely good and had continued to improve over recent years. Both Italy and China possessed a rich and long cultural heritage and cultural exchanges had in turn advanced trade union exchanges. There was no doubt that these contacts would carry on.
ACFTU Deputy Chairperson Xu Xicheng also attended the meeting.
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Online: 2002-11-15