|
|
China's NPC active in parliamentary diplomacy |
 |
+ |
- |
15:53, March 10, 2008 |
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, has been active in establishing and enhancing ties with foreign parliaments, said Cao Weizhou, Vice Secretary-General of the 11th NPC Standing Committee.
Currently, the NPC has set up regular communications with the parliaments and congresses of more than ten countries; and has established parliamentary relations with 178 countries in the forms of exchange and communication.
The NPC has earned membership into 12 international parliamentary organizations; and acts as an observer for three regional parliamentary organizations.
In the last five years, the 11th NPC Standing Committee has received more than 400 delegations from foreign parliaments; and the visits have helped increase an understanding of China.
Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo stressed, in his report on the work of the 11th NPC Standing Committee, that deputies represent the people. The NPC is a pool of public opinion; and therefore, parliamentary diplomacy plays an indispensable role in state relations.
According to Cao Weizhou, the NPC, also known as China's Parliament, enjoys unique advantages in international exchanges and communication. First, parliamentary diplomacy represents grass roots communication from people in various countries. The NPC is the Chinese people's congress, and represents general public opinion in China. By actively expanding and deepening communication, the NPC can better understand mainstream public opinion from different countries.
Second, parliamentary diplomacy has a much broader scope of exchange and communication. The NPC, as China's "parliament” and top legislature, can develop relations not only with the congresses of different countries; but also with the governments and political elite. The scope of exchange covers areas including legislation, the economy, society, and culture.
Third, parliamentary diplomacy has many forms. It can be both impersonal and personal; vary from holding serious seminars and bridging the gap for economic cooperation, to running light-hearted cultural festivals, galas or sporting contests; and could take the form of personal invitations to the MPs from different countries, all based on the principle of NPC diplomacy: "going global and welcoming others to come.”
Over the last five years, the 11th NPC Standing Committee has deepened its relations with the congresses of neighboring countries; expanded friendly ties with congresses of other developing countries; and maintained an exchange of visits with the legislatures of the United States, Russia, and Japan.
On the international stage, the NPC's Chinese delegation has been widely recognized for urging legislatures across the globe to promote multi-polarization and globalization.
By actively participating in multi-lateral international affairs, the NPC has played a constructive role in developing diplomatic relations with other countries. It has proven to the world that China is a large and responsible country that attaches great importance to globally tough issues such as climate change and women's issues; and seeks to build lasting peace and common prosperity in the world.
Backgrounder:
Major functions, rights of NPC
Standing Committee of NPC
|
|
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article