An exchange mechanism set up between China's National People's Congress (NPC) and the United States Congress, or the bicameral legislature of the U.S. federal government, consisting of two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives, has played a positive role in spurring the long-term, stable growth of bilateral relations between the two nations.
Sheng Huaren, vice-chairman and secretary general of the NPC Standing Committee, made the remarks in an exclusive interview with People's Daily reporter Wang Xiaoguang on the occasion of NPC Standing Committee Chairman Wu Bangguo's ongoing visit to the U.S. at the invitation of Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Sheng first of all briefed the reporter on the process of getting the mechanism established. Sino-U.S. relations have become one of the most dynamic and vital bilateral relations in the world, whereas the inter-legislative ties have played an "irreplaceable" role in China's overall national diplomacy, he acknowledged.
The regular meeting mechanism was established when the 9th NPC was in session in March 2002. The U.S. Senate passed a bill for institutionalizing an annual meeting mechanism between the legislatures of the two nations on July 2003 and, in November of the same year, US Senate President Pro Tempore Ted Stevens paid an unofficial visit to China and Chinese NPC Standing Committee Vice Chairman Sheng Huaren met with Stevens in Shanghai, where he reached censuses with Stevens regarding the establishment of the mechanism on behalf of the NPC Standing Committee.
Sheng Huaren, vice-chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, became chairman of the Chinese side under a bilateral parliamentary mechanism with Jiang Enzhu, chairman of the NPC Foreign Relations Commission, serving as the executive chairman.
Sheng Huaren visited Hawaii from January 1 to 3, 2004 at the invitation of Ted Stevens, president pro tempore of the U.S. Senate. Sheng held talks with Stevens and Senator Daniel Inouye and the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding to formally establish the mechanism.
The Chinese NPC and the U.S. Senate set up a regular meeting mechanism, which made the Chinese legislative body the fifth partner of such exchange mechanism with the U.S. senate.
On characteristics pertaining to the regulation meeting mechanism established between and the U.S. Senate China's NPC, Sheng summed up the following points:
First, it is at the higher level with a great deal of authority. Senate President pro tempore Ted Stevens and senior Senator Daniel Inouye are chairmen of the U.S. side, whereas the chairmen of the Chinese side are a vice-NPC chairman and the executive chairman and vice-chairmen of special committees.
Second, mechanism is systematized and standardized. Regular meeting shall be held once a year and alternatively in each other's country. Hawaii regular annual chairmen meeting is to be held in early January and formal, official meeting usually in July or August.
Third, topics under discussion are all leading issues of concern to both China and the U.S., which include, among other questions, the assessment of Sino-U.S. ties and anticipation of future relations, Taiwan and Tibet-related issues, environment protection, climate change, development of new energy, possibilities to explore cooperation in this regard, better protection of property rights and other major global and regional issues.
Fourth, the regular meeting mechanism has drawn great attention of leaders from both countries and vigorous support in numerous ways. Consequently, the two sides are able to conduct communication and exchanges at still higher levels.
Moreover, this regular meeting mechanism has propelled the multi-layer and all-dimensional inter-parliamentary exchanges, so that exchanges between the legislatures of China and the U.S. will be more widespread, penetrating and dynamic.
In the new historical period, Sheng said he sincerely hope that the mechanism will further improve and enriched in content, so that the Sino-U.S. bilateral relations would advance in a more healthy and steady way.
By People's Daily Online
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