China supports CICA to become formal int'l organization

"China supports the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) to develop into a formal international organization," said Cheng Guoping, Deputy Foreign Minister of China, at a reception marking the 20th anniversary of the founding of the CICA held at the Kazakh Embassy in China on October 12, 2012 in Beijing.

Cheng highly valued the achievements of CICA in its 20 years' development saying that: "Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev made the proposal of funding CICA with great foresight and sagacity 20 years ago. With the joint effort of Kazakhstan, Turkey and other member states, CICA has developed into the most important multilateral diplomatic platform of Asia which has played a particular role in promoting mutual trust and cooperation as well as in safeguarding the security and stability of this region in the past 20 years. "

As a member state of CICA, China has paid constant attention and has actively participated in the programs. At the fourth foreign ministers' meeting of CICA held in the Kazakh capital of Astana which marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of this organization, China applied for the rotating presidency of the CICA from 2014 to 2016 and was supported by Kazakhstan, Turkey and other participants.

In the future, China will continue to cooperate with other member states promoting the construction of CICA, deepening the cooperation in relevant areas, implementing all confidence-building measures as well as amplifying CICA's cooperation with other regions and international organizations with the purpose of bring CICA into full play in safeguarding security and promoting the harmonious development of the region.

The CICA, first proposed by Nazarbayev in October 1992, is an intergovernmental forum for enhancing cooperation by establishing measures to promote peace, security and stability in Asia. At present, CICA has 24 member countries and 12 observers including states and international organizations. As one of the founding members, China actively participates in the meeting.