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| Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, November 14, 2001 |
Forum, Meetings by Local Governments to Boost Asia-Pacific Cooperation |
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The Asia-Pacific Cooperation Forum and the International Union of Local Authorities (IULA) Asia-Pacific Section (ASPAC) Meetings were kicked off Tuesday in south China's Hainan Province.
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The Asia-Pacific Cooperation Forum and the International Union of Local Authorities (IULA) Asia-Pacific Section (ASPAC) Meetings were kicked off Tuesday in south China's Hainan Province.
Some 180 delegates from local governments of China and other IULA ASPAC members are attending the six-day event and will discuss the development opportunities of the Asia-Pacific region, and urban development and industrial restructuring in the region's cities.
Jiang Zhenghua, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, who acts as the forum's chairman, said the development of cities highlights that of a country, and effective and wide-ranging cooperation as well as suitable economic policies are required if cities want to live up to their role of leading a nation's economic progress.
He stressed that China encourages its local governments to conduct various kinds of international cooperation with their foreign counterparts.
Datuk Khalid Bin Hj. Husin, secretary-general of the IULA ASPAC, said he considered the meetings and forum a demonstration of international information exchange and cooperation between local governments.
He said IULA and IULA ASPAC in particular hope to inspire local authorities and governments in this region to play a meaningful role in helping each of their members to develop socially and economically.
IULA, the largest association of local governments in the world, was founded in 1913 with the aim to promote effective administration and boost their cooperation in various spheres. It now has seven regional sections.
The Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the event's organizer, joined the Asia-Pacific section in 1999 representing China's local authority.
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