A senior Chinese leader on Saturday called on lawyers in Asian and Pacific countries and regions to contribute more to local stability and prosperity through cooperation and exchanges.

The number of lawyers in China is approaching 130,000 and they have played a key role in maintaining justice, safeguarding legal rights of the public, corporations and other organizations as well as serving economic development, said Luo Gan, Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

At the annual conference of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association, Luo praised the performance of the association, which was set up in 1991 and has more than 200 members from 67 countries and regions.

"I hope this conference will help further improve understanding and cooperation among lawyers from the Asian and Pacific region and enable them to contribute to local prosperity and harmony," he said.

He said the Chinese government and the CPC have always been devoted to promoting democracy and rule of law, he said.

With the Constitution as its base, a comprehensive legal system is taking shape in China, providing the public with legal protection in the political, economic and social fields, he added.

Source: Xinhua