The International Day of Peace 2016 was commemorated in the beautiful ancient city of Yinchuan from September 20 to 23, 2016. The event was cosponsored by the Chinese People’s Association for Peace and Disarmament(CPAPD), the UN system in China, and the Provincial People’s Government of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China. Mr. Li Yuanchao, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice President of China, delivered a keynote speech entitled “Making the Prospect of Peaceful Development More Promising”. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sent a video message to express his congratulations.

The event was attended by more than 200 persons, including Chinese guests such as Mr. Ma Biao, Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference(CPPCC) and Vice-President of the CPAPD, Mr. Li Jianhua, Secretary of CPC Ningxia Party Committee, Ms. Xian Hui, Governor of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Mr. Qi Tongsheng, Chairman of CPPCC Ningxia Committee, Mr. Liu Hongcai, Vice-Minister of the International Department of CPC Central Committee and senior adviser of CPAPD, Mr. Yu Hongjun, Vice-President of the CPAPD, and Mr. He Jun, Vice-President of the CPAPD, as well as foreign guests such as Ms. Jennifer Simons, Chairperson of the National Assembly of the Republic of Suriname, Lord Tu’ ivakano, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Kingdom of Tonga, Ms. Rosana Alvarado, First Vice-President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Ecuador, Mr. Eda Satsuki, Former President of the House of Councillors of Japan, Mr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Justice Minister of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Ms. Rana Flowers, Acting Resident Coordinator of the UN System in China and  representatives of politicians, think tanks, NGOs, media and CPAPD council members from China and 33 countries.

    Themed “People Aspire to Lasting Peace and Sustainable Development”, the commemoration consists of various activities such as opening ceremony, 4 panel discussions, tree planting, photo exhibition entitled “An Open China: from Ningxia to the World”, and art performance.