Senior legislator calls for closer Asia-Pacific cooperation

A senior Chinese legislator this week called for closer cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region to maintain peace and security.

Chen Changzhi, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, made the remarks in a keynote speech during the 22nd annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF), held in Mexico's southwestern city of Puerto Vallarta from Sunday to Thursday.

Hailing the generally stable security situation in the Asia-Pacific region, Chen admitted that there are also many risks and challenges, and countries in the region should help each other and jointly find countermeasures.

China advocates and follows the new security concept of "mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation," and is committed to maintaining the peace and security of the Asia-Pacific region, said Chen.

The NPC of China is willing to work with parliaments of other Asia-Pacific countries to contribute toward building a more prosperous and secure future for the region, he said.

The APPF is a loosely-structured and non-exclusive forum of national parliamentarians, who can attend either as a delegate of their parliament or in a personal capacity.

Established in 1993, the forum aims to promote greater cooperation among legislative bodies in the Asia-Pacific region.

This year's conference adopted a joint communique and 22 resolutions on such issues as economic cooperation, climate change, poverty eradication, combating terrorism, organized crime and trafficking.