The following is the text of the interview by reporters with Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, discussing results of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP).

The 3rd International Conference of Asian Political Parties, the first of its kind ever held in the history of the Communist Party of China (CPC), closed in Beijing on September 5, 2004. Representatives of principal Chinese media organizations including correspondents of People's Daily together had an interview the same day with Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, and deputy director and secretary-general of the Conference Organizing Committee, discussing matters concerning the conference.

Question: The 3rd International Conference of the Asian Political Parties has just closed, as deputy head and secretary-general of the Conference Organizing Committee, could you say something about your general appraisal of this conference?

Answer: The 3rd International Conference of Asian Political Parties was held by our Party in response to the request of various Asian political parties and the proposal of the Standing Committee of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties. Attending the meeting were leaders and representatives of 81 political parties and political organizations from 35 countries. The conference is a grand meeting at which various Asian political parties gathered together to discuss matters of vital importance concerning cooperation and development; it is an important pioneering move taken by various Asian political parties in conformity with the trend of the times of peace and development, in adaptation to momentum of the rapid development of regional cooperation in Asia, and in seeking ways for expanding international exchange and cooperation among political parties; and it is an important forum for various Asian political parties to exchange political ideas, seek political consensus and enhance understanding and trust. The International Conference of Asian Political Parties, from the first Manila Conference to the second Bangkok Conference till today's Beijing Conference, has gradually formed new channels and new mechanisms for Asian political parties to seek ways to give play to their unique roles, promote regional cooperation and common development.

During the three-day conference, representatives of various Asian political parties were engaged in heated discussions around the theme s of "exchange, cooperation and development" and on the three topics of "regional security and multilateral cooperation, economic growth and social progress, political party construction and state development", and reached consensus on many aspects. The conference, as everybody hopes, is an open, friendly, cooperative and constructive meeting, which achieved anticipated results.

Q: Could you specifically tell us what important consensuses the meeting has reached?

A: The consensuses achieved by the conference have been very clearly written into the "2004 Beijing Declaration"just passed by the meeting. There are these points worthy of particular attention: "Exchange, cooperation, development" are the distinct theme of the 3rd International Conference of Asian Political Parties as well as the inescapable historical duty of various Asian political parties and statesmen; going with the tide of the times, expanding regional exchange and cooperation and promoting common development are the common desires of various Asian political parties, statesmen and people; Asian development cannot be achieved without a peaceful environment, regional conflicts and crises should be solved peacefully, turning disputed regions into cooperative regions is where Asia should direct its effort; various Asian political parties, big or small, strong or weak, with a long or short history, should treat each other as equals, respect each other and refrain from interfering in other party's internal affairs; ideological divergence should not hinder friendly exchange and cooperation among various Asian political parties, etc.

These major consensuses are the crystallization of the collective wisdom of the leaders and representatives of various Asian political parties present at the conference and are the result of treating each other with all sincerity and seeking common ground and reserving difference.

Q: We have noticed that various Asian parties differ vastly from each other in their ideological advocacies, value orientations and internal and external policies, why can the conference be so successful?

A: Firstly, the previous two sessions of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties were successfully held , which thus provided a very good foundation for the success of the present meeting. We took over the "relay baton" of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties and defined "exchange, cooperation, development" as the theme, so that the present meeting and the previous two are in the same line, it reflects the common wishes of various participating political parties, therefore winning the extensive identification and response of various Asian political parties.

Secondly, the success of the conference is the result of the active participation by leaders and representatives of various political parties. As everybody has noticed that attending the present meeting were not only leaders of a large batch of parties, but also well-known statesmen including heads of state, parliament speakers or heads of government, they are the mainstay and masters of the conference, their enthusiastic participation is the fundamental guarantee for the success of the conference. During discussions, the three sub-venues were filled to capacity. Representatives of various parties took the floor one after another, they fully expressed their own views on questions of common concern, presenting a warm and friendly scene, thus putting the conference in a very good atmosphere from beginning to end.

Thirdly, the success of the conference also embodies our Party's attention and effort. Hosting an international conference of political parties is the first time for us. In a bid to make the conference a success, we set up an organizing committee for the conference with Zeng Qinghong, standing committee member of the CPC Central Committee, and Chinese vice-president as the honorary chairman, and Liu Yunshan, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and member of the Secretariat, as chairman, including the participation of responsible members of the Party Central Committee, the State Council and the Beijing municipal Party committee. Under the direct solicitude and guidance of the Party Central Committee, the Organizing Committee mapped out meticulous plans, concerned departments offered energetic cooperation, all staff members engaged in hard work and friends in the journalist circles enthusiastically published their reports on the conference. We drew on the experiences of the previous two sessions and joined efforts with the participants and thus ensured success of the conference.

Q: What are the role and influence of the present conference?

A: Peace and development are the main theme of our times. It is the trend of the development of the age, it is all the more the goal the people of various Asian countries are endeavoring to achieve. Various Asian countries differ in their political systems, in the level of their economic development and have divergences of one kind or another on some issues, precisely because of this, Asian countries are in more urgent need to strengthen exchange, pursue cooperation and seek for common development. They have common interest in this regard. The present conference has conformed to this trend. During the meeting, representatives of various political parties, through exchange among them, have enhanced mutual understanding and reached new consensuses on a broader basis; Making full use of this rare opportunity, various political parties conducted discussions of substantive significance on matters concerning bilateral and multilateral cooperation, sought common interest points, thus laying a sound foundation for further contacts in the future; seeking development with joint efforts is the strong wish of all political parties attending the present conference, one of the questions they discussed most is how to strengthen cooperation and jointly create a better future. Precisely because the International Conference of Asian Political Parties has played such a positive role, at present, political parties of many countries have submitted their demands to the Standing Committee of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties, expressing their hope to host the 2006 session. We believe that with the common effort and extensive participation of various Asian political parties, future sessions of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties will be held in a more and more successful way. The International Conference of Asian Political Parties will certainly become an important platform for spurring Asian peoples'exchange and cooperation, safeguarding regional peace and stability and promoting regional prosperity and development.

The text of the interview is carried on page 3 of People's Daily September 6, 2004 and translated by People's Daily Online