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.