Wu Bangguo: closer inter-parliamentary co-op in Asia-Pacific

Wu Bangguo, China's top legislator, on Monday called for closer inter-parliamentary cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and expounded on China's domestic and foreign policy at the 21st annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, delivered a keynote speech during the first plenary session of the APPF meeting.

To promote peace, cooperation and development in the Asia-Pacific is the common responsibility of all countries in the region and the earnest aspiration of our people, Wu said.

APPF members should "view the regional situation and relations between each other from a strategic perspective, firmly uphold peace and stability, vigorously deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, promote the spirit of inclusiveness and mutual learning," the legislator said.

Meanwhile, the members should strengthen inter-parliamentary dialogue and exchanges at all levels and in all fields, leverage the constructive role of inter-parliamentary exchanges in growing state-to-state relations, he added.