Mauritanian party leader visits Shanghai, praises CPC's grassroots governance

Sid Mahmoud, chairman of the El Insaf Party, the ruling party of the West African country of Mauritania, hailed the Communist Party of China's grassroots governance after touring a community service center that supports workers engaged in new forms of employment, during a recent visit to Shanghai.

"We have learned many advanced experiences from China and the CPC this time, particularly how the Party maintains close ties with the people, fostering their sense of belonging and connection," Mahmoud said when leading a delegation from his party during the three-day Shanghai visit, which began on Tuesday.

Mahmoud highlighted the CPC's engagement with the people, particularly its attention to new employment groups.

"Direct interaction with workers and understanding their needs creates a natural bond between the Party and the people," he noted. "When people receive care and support, they develop a sense of belonging. This explains the Chinese people's strong affinity for the CPC."

The community service center in Wanli subdistrict of Putuo district caters especially to emerging workforce groups including delivery riders, courier personnel and ride-hailing drivers.

Situated near the headquarters of a major food delivery platform in China, the center serves a community with 17 delivery and e-commerce stations that employ 635 workers. It offers comprehensive support services including organizing activities, policy consultation, electric vehicle charging stations, community cafeterias and recreational facilities.

Luo Yan, secretary of the Party Working Committee of Wanli subdistrict, said, "While implementing policies, we focus on serving both enterprises and their workforces."

Luo said they provide sustainable services to the public by integrating resources from the Party, government, enterprises and society to address workers' concerns about income, education, training and daily necessities.

The delegation also visited the Memorial Hall of the First National Congress of the CPC, a site that has become a key destination for foreign political parties studying the CPC's governing principles. The hall, which attracted more than 3.1 million visitors including nearly 29,000 foreign visitors, in 2024, serves as a window into the CPC's founding history.

In the visitors' book, which contains messages from political party leaders worldwide, Mahmoud wrote: "I extend my congratulations to the Chinese people, all CPC members, and the Chinese government on the 104th anniversary of the Party's founding. May the CPC continue to lead the Chinese people on their great journey."

He added: "Visiting the birthplace of the CPC is a great honor. This visit has deepened our understanding of the CPC's development philosophy and why the Chinese people chose the CPC as their leadership. The Party has consistently achieved new milestones and will continue guiding China toward building a modern and prosperous nation."

Mahmoud also emphasized the enduring friendship between Mauritania and China since 1965, noting the recent elevation of bilateral relations to a strategic partnership following meetings between President Xi Jinping and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani in September in Beijing.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Mauritania.

"Our visit to China has been enlightening," Mahmoud said. "We have gained valuable insights into the CPC's development concepts and experiences across political, cultural, economic and other spheres. The CPC's leadership is undoubtedly a key factor in China's admirable achievements."

Ousmane Thiam, a senior party official from Mauritania, said the visit provided valuable insights into party management and popular mobilization. "This exchange has strengthened interparty ties and opened new avenues for political and strategic cooperation. The collective leadership we observed, which focused on long-term vision and service to the nation, constitutes a model to reflect on and adapt to our national context."

Through visits, mutual trust and understanding between peoples in the two countries have grown stronger, Mahmoud said. "We hope to continue strengthening cooperation through exchanges for opportunities that benefit both nations."