Regional meeting on refugees, migrants held in Shanghai

The Chinese government has always attached great importance to refugee protection and opposed to illegal migration, Shen Guofang, assistant to the minister of foreign affairs, said here Monday.

In the opening address at the 2005 Inter-governmental Asia-Pacific Consultations (APC) on Refugees, Displaced Persons and Migrants, Shen offered a four-point proposal to resolve the issues of refugees, displaced persons and migrants.

Firstly, all countries should commit themselves to safeguarding world peace and stability, actively promoting the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), making efforts to achieve common development and bridging the gap between the rich and poor, so as to completely root up the foundations for the issues of refugees, displaced persons and illegal migrants.

Secondly, all countries should carry out and enhance cooperation based on the principle of international solidarity, responsibility sharing, mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

Thirdly, the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its Protocol has been serving as the core criterion in distinguishing refugees and illegal migrants. Broadening regular migration channels is an important measure to prevent illegal migration, while political factors and the abuse of asylum will severely hamper the international cooperation in countering illegal migration.

"Last but not least, we should continue to give full play to the role of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other international organizations and regional arrangements," Shen noted.

Neill Wright, UNHCR regional representative for Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific, stressed the importance of regional cooperation, saying that relevant countries and regional and international organizations should make concerted efforts to implement their commitments to cope with the challenges from issues of refugees, displaced persons and migrants, such as increasing overseas development aid to 0.5 percent of GDP by 2010 and to 0.7 percent by 2015.

Denis Nihill, representative from the IOM, said international migration is a major concern of all sovereign states and has great impact on the Asia-Pacific region.

During the two-day annual conference, about 50 representatives from 33 Asia-Pacific countries, the UNHCR and the IOM will exchange views with a theme of "Comprehensive Approaches to the Durable Solutions of Refugee and the Trend of Migration".

The APC was initiated in November 1996 with a view to promoting dialogue and exploring opportunities for greater regional cooperation on matters relating to population movements. It has served as a platform for Asia-Pacific countries, the UNHCR and the IOM to make dialogues on issues concerning refugees and migrants.

Source: Xinhua