The Communist Party of China (CPC )will host the third International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) in Beijing from September 3 to 5 to promote regional cooperation.

Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, said in Beijing Wednesday that the conference was of great significance to the CPC and China as well.

The conference will be beneficial to the promotion of mutual understanding and cooperation between Asian parties, to the growth of regional cooperation and to the comprehensive and multi-level development of bilateral ties between China and its Asian partners, he said.

Theme of the third ICAPP is "Exchanges, Cooperation, Development" and the main topics include "regional security and multilateral cooperation," "economic growth and social progress," and "political party building and national development."

With representatives from over 80 political parties of over 30 Asian countries, it is the first time for the CPC to host an international political parties' conference.

The ICAPP was initiated in 2000 and the first two conferences were held in the Philippines and Thailand in September 2000 and November 2002 respectively.

(Xinhua News Agency August 11, 2004)