On the first day of the ongoing Third International
Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), which opened in
Beijing Friday morning, delegates from around Asia and neighboring
regions expressed their concerns and aspirations for economic
development and regional security.
They called for closer regional collaboration to
promote security and development, agreeing that enhanced regional
collaboration is a prerequisite to Asian development.
Gennady Zyuganov, the leader of the Russian Communist Party, said
that Russia and some other parts of the Commonwealth of Independent
States, the land bridge linking Europe and Asia, have become a weak
point in the Euro-Asian security system. He said the reconstruction
of an integrated Russia is vital to the stability of the Eurasian
continent.
A delegate of the Islamic Coalition Party of Iran
proposed that Asian countries set up a new regional security system
on the basis of mutual understanding, trust, cooperation and
consultation. He said that Asian countries must strengthen economic
cooperation and coordinate their stances on important international
issues of common concern to safeguard regional rights and
interests.
A delegate of the Communist Party of India said that many Asian
countries share the problem of territorial disputes, leading those
countries to allocate large sums to military spending. He suggested
that Asian country leaders shift military budgets to social and
economic development to build a peaceful Asia. He cited the
European Common Market and the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations as successful models for regional development from which
other Asian countries should learn.
Hassan Ghafuri-Fard, head of the Iran Parties
House, believes that Asian countries should avoid unnecessary
conflicts based on different cultures, pointing out that no country
should be marginalized or isolated because of its distinctive
cultural, economic and political values. He proposed building a
common Asian market and increasing understanding between Asian
governments. He said that Asian countries can play bigger role in
boosting the confidence of developing countries and promoting
international cooperation.
A delegate from the Republic of Korea pointed out
that the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s demonstrated that
globalization may have many negative effects. It is necessary to
reevaluate the pros and cons of globalization, he said,
particularly neo-liberal globalization.
At a press conference late Friday evening, Cai Wu,
deputy head of the Central Committee International Department of
the Communist Party of China (CPC), said that he was satisfied with
the outcome of the meeting so far. Despite differences in
ideologies, delegates from different parties were able to share
their viewpoints and experiences.
He said because of their familiarity with China’s
foreign policy, delegates to ICAPP do not regard China’s rapid
development as a threat, but rather a chance for the development of
their own countries.
The theme of the current ICAPP -- the first hosted by the CPC -- is
“Exchange, Cooperation and Development.” Delegates from more than
80 political parties and organizations from 34 Asian and
neighboring countries are attending the conference.
Initiated in 2000, the biennial ICAPP has
previously been held in the Philippines, in September 2000, and in
Thailand in November 2002. The CPC sent delegates to participate in
the previous meetings.
(China.org.cn by staff reporter Chen Chao,
September 4, 2004)
