AAPP Adopts Chongqing Declaration

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, April 20, 2002

AAPP Adopts Chongqing Declaration

Following is the full text of Chongqing Declaration of the Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace (AAPP):

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Following is the full text of Chongqing Declaration of the Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace (AAPP):

1. WE, the leaders and members of parliaments from 39 countries, met in Beijing and Chongqing for the Third General Assembly of theAssociation of Asian Parliaments for Peace from 16 to 19 April 2002 at the invitation of H.E. Li Peng, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China. This is a grand gathering of parliamentarians of Asian countries. H.E. Jiang Zemin, President of the People's Republic of China, sent a congratulatory message to the conference.H.E. Hu Jintao, Vice President of the People's Republic of China, attended the opening ceremony of the conference. H.E. Chairman Li Peng, who was elected President of the AAPP, presided over the conference.

2. We fully endorse the achievements of the first and second AAPP general assemblies, which were held in the People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Cambodia respectively. We are grateful to H.R.H Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranariddh, former AAPP President and to the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia for their efforts toward the development of the AAPP overthe past year and more. We thank the Inter-Parliamentary Council for its support of our Association. We highly commend The Parliamentary Vision for International Co-operation at the Dawn ofthe Third Millennium adopted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union in 2000. During the conference, we, in accordance with the purposes of the AAPP, had an in-depth exchange of views on issues such as multi-polarization and world peace, globalization and developing nations, enhancement of international cooperation and establishment of a new international political and economic order,and reached broad consensus.

3. Peace and development are the theme and imperatives of our times. We believe that world peace is the prerequisite for common and sustainable development of all nations while common and sustainable development is the essential underpinning of lasting world peace. Peace and development are closely inter-related and mutually complementary.

4. We note that with the advent of the new century, multi-polarization and economic globalisation are gaining further momentum, science and technology are rapidly advancing and regional cooperation is fast unfolding. More and more countries have opted to enhance dialogue and cooperation, maintain world peace and promote common and sustainable development, believing itis in their best interests to do so. This not only offers an opportunity for all nations to build up their countries, but also creates conditions for them to build a better world together.

5. We also note that given its many destabilising factors, the world is still faced with severe challenges and far from being tranquil. Global economy is slowing down. The North-South gap is widening. Local wars and conflicts are cropping up from time to time. International relations are yet to be democratised and much is left to be done to address the unfair, inequitable and irrational international economic order.

6. We recognise that Asia's peace and development go hand in hand with world peace and prosperity. Since the end of the Cold War, through the joint efforts of all its nations, Asia has scored tremendous achievements over the last decade or so in overcoming the legacies of the Cold War. Economic growth has been boosted. Social progress has been promoted. And the people's living standard has been improved. Nonetheless, we are fully aware that many difficulties and challenges still lie ahead.

7. Asia is a continent of diversity. Asian countries vary from oneanother in social systems, economic development levels and the values. Such diversity offers favourable conditions for Asian nations to learn from each other's strong points to offset their own weaknesses. We should respect this reality of diversity, seek diversified development and take more solid strides toward regional co-operation, solidarity and mutual assistance.

8. Parliament is an essential part of state power and democratic systems and an important guarantee for the stability and development of a country. Parliament is elected by the people, represents the voice of the people and embodies their interests and rights. Parliaments may differ in their names, structures, constitutional status and roles. We respect the political choice of the people of each country, respect the characteristics of eachparliament and respect the political, cultural and social environment each parliament is based upon.

9. Parliaments play a unique role in international exchanges. We call on the parliaments and parliamentarians of AAPP member countries to conduct co-operation more vigorously, carry out regular exchanges of views and experiences through various channels and shoulder greater responsibilities in regional and international affairs.

10. We maintain that all nations should observe the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence and other universally recognised norms of international relations in handling their relations. Disputes between nations should be settled peacefully and fairly through consultation and negotiations rather than through threat or use of force.

11. We express grave concerns at the continuous deterioration of the situation in the Middle East in recent days and support the United Nations resolutions related to the Arab-Israeli conflict, especially resolutions 194, 242, 338 and 425, and welcome Prince Abdulla's "Land for Peace" initiative to solve this dangerous conflict, which was endorsed unanimously by the latest Arab Summitin Beirut, Lebanon. We call for immediate withdrawal of Israeli troops from all occupied Arab lands prior to June 5, 1967 and cessation of all acts of violence so as to create conditions for the resumption of peace talks. At the same time, we also call on the international community to pay more attention to the Arab-Israeli conflict and make more efforts to achieve a fair and just settlement of this issue on an early day.

12. Democratisation of international relations is an important guarantee for realising world peace. We are of the view that all nations, big or small, rich or poor, strong or weak, are equal members of the international community. Internal affairs of each nation should be determined by its own people. International affairs should be solved by the people of all nations through consultation on an equal footing.

13. We recognise that the United Nations, as the most universal inter-governmental organisation with the broadest representation, plays a leading role in international affairs, which no other group or organisation can possibly replace. We express our strong opposition to unilateralism. We undertake to work to strengthen the role of the United Nations in world peace and development and urge all governments to do so too.

14. We are concerned about the global economic slowdown and its impact on our region. We urge all countries to jointly take measures to promote economic growth and sustainable development.

15. In the course of economic globalisation, countries may vary intheir gains and losses. We call on the international community to make concerted efforts to narrow the gap between developed and developing nations and reduce the population living in poverty so that all countries may benefit from globalisation in a balanced way. The right of every country to its natural resources should befully respected.

16. Countries should strengthen mutually beneficial co-operation and promote common and sustainable development. Developed countries should honour their commitments in opening up their markets, providing official development assistance, technology transfer and debt relief. Developing countries should participate equally in the discussion and decision-making of world economic rules and standards. We call on developing countries to seize the opportunities, take up the challenges and strive for economic rejuvenation and development through their own efforts and enhanced co-operation.

17. In the world today, the security issue has raised extensive concerns in all countries. Nations are more and more interdependent and find more common ground in their efforts to ensure security. We call on the international community, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the UN, to foster a new security concept with mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and co-ordination as its core elements and to seek security through mutual trust and pursue co-operation to mutual benefit. The international community should jointly addressthe pressing issues it faces and reduce the factors of insecurity from their roots so as to effectively safeguard global security.

18. We note with great concern that international terrorism, national separatism, transnational crimes, the environment, the HIV/AIDS, illicit drug trafficking and refugees are issues that seriously impede the economic and social progress of countries, and pose new threats to the survival of mankind and sustainable development. We call on all governments to strengthen the existingco-operation with the United Nations to formulate practical actionprogrammes, actively carry out international co-operation on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, take a co-ordinated position and adopt concerted measures to meet the challenges facing mankind.

l9. We reiterate our strong opposition to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stress that acts of terrorism can notbe justified under any circumstances. We stand for enhanced international co-operation and for the United Nations playing a leading role in the fight against international terrorism. Such fight should comply with the purposes and principles of The Charter of the United Nations and other universally recognised norms of international relations. Terrorism should not be identified with any ethnic group or religion. Fight against terrorism should not be directed against any particular ethnic group or religion.

20. International instruments such as The Universal Declaration ofHuman Rights, Declaration of the Right to Development and Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action are of universal and great significance to the promotion and protection of human rights. All countries have an obligation to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of their citizens. We believe the economic, social and cultural rights as well as the right of development are particularly important and relevant to developing nations. We resolve to give full play to the role of national parliaments in the realisation of all human rights and fundamentalfreedoms.

2l. Ours is a colourful world of diversity. Given their different social systems, historical backgrounds and cultural heritages, countries have the right to formulate and implement policies and measures for human rights protection based on their own national conditions and in the light of the above-mentioned human rights documents. We call on all countries to strengthen international co-operation and conduct dialogues and exchanges on human rights on the basis of friendship, equality and mutual respect.

22. We undertake to work unremittingly for the establishment of a new, just and rational international political and economic order on the basis of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the universally recognised norms of international relations.

23. The Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace is an importantforum for legislatures and parliamentarians of Asian countries anda major channel to enhance understanding, exchange, trust and co-operation among the peoples of Asia. We are confident that with the concerted efforts of all National Groups, the AAPP will grow stronger and stronger and make greater contribution to Asian and world peace and stability and to the sustainable development in Asian countries and the region as a whole.

* The Iranian Delegation expressed its reservation with regard to any part of the Declaration, which might be construed as recognition of Israel.

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