The Asian parties can play a unique role in promoting regional cooperation, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said September 5 at the closing ceremony of the Third International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP).

"Promoting the sound development of the ICAPP and giving full play to the unique role of Asian political parties in promoting regional cooperation is the common goal of all Asian political parties and politicians," said Liu Yunshan, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the conference's organizing committee.

Delegates achieved broad consensus through frank and in-depth discussions and they contributed to increasing understanding and trust between countries and between political parties throughout Asia, promoting peace, stability and unity in Asia, and fostering regional cooperation and common development, he said.

Representatives from 81 political parties or organizations of 35 Asian countries attended the three-day meeting, which began Friday in Beijing. It was the first of its kind hosted by the CPC.

"Since it was established in 2000, the ICAPP has become an important forum where different countries and parties with different ideologies in the region exchange political ideas, search for political consensus and increase mutual understanding and trust, as well as a platform for promoting international cooperation," Liu said.

The ICAPP embodied a spirit of seeking consensus and common development and constituted a new model for promoting Asian regional cooperation by utilizing the unique role of political parties, he added.

"All countries should work together to keep the ICAPP on the right track and preserve its fine traditions and to continuously enrich the content and tap the potential of international cooperation among political parties so as to support Asian regional cooperation and spur its development," he said.

Asian parties hope to deepen exchanges, cooperation

All Asian political parties share the hope of further deepening their exchanges and cooperation in the 21st century, said Liu Yunshan, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on September 5.

"Strengthening international exchanges and cooperation between political parties and learning from other countries' and parties' development experience and political wisdom are an important way in which political parties in all countries can maintain their political vitality and become better able to run or participate in deliberation and administration of their state affairs," he said.

Liu made the remarks at the closing ceremony of the Third International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP).

Delegates from 81 political parties and organizations of 35 Asian countries gathered at the conference, which began Friday in Beijing. It was the first such meeting ever hosted by the CPC.

"Ideological differences between political parties in different countries are a reflection both of the nature of the parties themselves and the real diversity that exists in Asia," Liu said.

"They are not and should not be an obstacle to mutual contacts."

All parties should respect other countries' and parties' independence to choose development paths and political systems as well as their different cultural traditions, political ideas and ways of calculating benefits, he said.

"All parties, large or small, in power or out, should treat other parties with an attitude of equality and friendship and strive to achieve mutual understanding and trust through consultation, interaction and discussion," he added.

Source: Xinhua