Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, delivers a speech at the Fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament at the United Nations headquarters in New York, the United States, Aug. 31, 2015. (Photo: Xinhua/Yao Dawei)
China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang on Monday called for building a world of greater justice and democracy at the Fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, which kicked off at the United Nations headquarters on Monday.
The theme of the conference, "Placing democracy at the service of peace and sustainable development: Building the world the people we want", reflects the common aspiration of the people around the world, Zhang said when delivering a speech under the headline of Heeding the Voice of the People and Building a World of Greater Justice and Democracy.
Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), called on the parliaments of all countries to work together on the basis of the consensus of building a world with greater justice and democracy in order to create better conditions for lasting peace and sustainable development.
Calling for upholding equality and promoting the rule of law, Zhang said all countries should abide by the international law and universally recognized basic norms governing international relations, respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and refrain from interfering in each other's internal affairs.
He also called on countries to seek peaceful settlement of differences and disputes through dialogue and consultation, promote democracy in international relations, and safeguard international equality and justice.
Zhang said that leaders of world parliaments "should work for win-win outcomes through cooperation".
"No country can stand immune to global challenges or deal with them on their own. They should abandon zero-sum thinking, embrace a new approach of win-win cooperation, and together build a community of shared future," said Zhang.
He also pointed out that "they should accommodate the interests of others while pursuing their own interests and promote the common development of all countries while seeking their own development."
Moreover, "we should promote inclusive development and mutual learning. The world civilizations are colorful and diversified," he said.
Countries should respect the diversity of world civilizations and development paths, and encourage different civilizations and countries with different social systems to learn from each other and draw on each other's strengths for common progress, he said.
Zhang also pointed out that "as the biggest developing country in the world, China has made great strides in its development".
The Chinese people have fostered a development path and system that suit China's national conditions, and reflect distinctive Chinese features. The Chinese people have full confidence in the prospects of development, he said.
China cannot develop in isolation from the world and the world also needs China for its development. China is committed to the path of peaceful development, Zhang said.
"The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping has fully shown China's dedication to peaceful development and win-win cooperation, and offered a new approach and opportunities for stronger cooperation under the principles of wide consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits," he said.
China's development will benefit not only the Chinese people, but also people of the world, he said, adding that the Chinese people sincerely hope to build a harmonious world of lasting peace and shared prosperity with people of other countries.
The conference is organized by Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) every five years. More than 170 parliamentary leaders from over 140 countries and regions attended this conference, which runs from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2.
IPU President Saber Chowdhury and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon delivered opening remarks. Zhang, as vice president of the conference, presided over the second session of the general debate.
On Sunday, Zhang met with IPU President Saber Chowdhury and IPU Secretary-General Martin Chungong at the UN headquarters.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. Speakers from all over the world gather in New York to discuss how to strengthen international cooperation among parliaments and to express parliaments' voice about dealing with global challenges, which is of great significance for safeguarding world peace and promoting common development, said Zhang said during the meetings.
He stressed that the NPC attaches great importance to the status and role of the IPU, and is willing to continue to strengthen communication and coordination with the IPU and support the IPU to play a greater role in international affairs.
Chowdhury and Chungong thanked Zhang for his participation in this conference. They also expressed their gratitude to China for its long-term support to the IPU and they look forward to further deepening the cooperation between the IPU and the NPC.
Zhang also attended a reception organized by Chowdhury and exchanged views with other speakers on issues of common concern.
Xin Shusen, Zhang's wife, and Wang Chen, vice-chairperson and secretary-general of the Standing Committee of the NPC also took part in related activities.
