At the opening ceremony of the Third International Conference of
Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) in Beijing on Friday, Chinese
Vice President Zeng
Qinghong called on political parties and leaders of Asian
countries to further strengthen cooperation.
More than 300 delegates from 83 political parties in 34
countries are attending the conference. They include Philippine
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is also president of the
Lakas-National Union of Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas CMD);
Thai Prime Minister and President of the Thai Rak Thai Party
Thaksin Shinawatra; Cambodian Prime Minister and Vice Chairman of
the Cambodian People’s Party Hun Sen; and Pak Yong Sok, chairman of
the Inspection Committee of Workers’ Party of the Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea).
Observers from Socialist International and political parties in
such countries as South Africa, Germany, Australia and Russia are
also attending.
In his opening address Friday morning, Vice President Zeng
Qinghong, who is also member of the Standing Committee of the
Politburo of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and honorary
director of the ICAPP organizing committee, submitted a four-point
proposal. He stated that it is the historical duty of all Asian
governments and political parties to increase exchanges, dialogue
and cooperation among Asian countries.
“First, we should seize opportunities continually to expand new
channels for regional and multilateral cooperation,” Zeng said. “We
should improve the mechanisms for dialogue, cooperation and
discussion among Asian governments on the basis of the principles
of diversification and gradual progress.”
He proposed seeking common ground for contact, pursuing
cooperation rather than confrontation and consensus rather than
imposition of will. Zeng stated, “We believe that neither
differences in ideology and social systems nor lingering historical
problems should be obstacles to increasing regional dialogue and
cooperation.”
Zeng’s third point called for the resolution of disputes and
elimination of differences to be based on the United Nations
Charter and the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Through
equitable dialogue, mutual understanding and hard work, he said,
Asian countries can create a harmonious political and security
environment that is conducive to regional development.
Finally, Zeng proposed that Asian governments and political
parties focus on working together to become stronger in order to
usher in a new era of reciprocity and common development. Areas to
be focused on include economic cooperation, mutual investment,
technology and personnel exchanges, and eliminating trade
barriers.
The theme of the current ICAPP -- the first hosted by the CPC --
is “Exchange, Cooperation and Development.” Three sub-plenary
sessions will be held to deal with issues of regional security and
multilateral cooperation; economic growth and social progress; and
party building and the national development.
In conjunction with the conference, some participants -- many of
whom are government leaders -- will hold bilateral talks with
Chinese leaders and with other participants.
The first ICAPP was held in September 2000 in the Philippines
and the second in Thailand in November 2002.
(Xinhua News Agency, China.org.cn, September 3, 2004)
