China stands for peaceful means and international cooperation in tackling political and security issues in the Asia-Pacific region, a senior Chinese lawmaker said in Jakarta on Monday.

 

Wang Yingfan, vice chairman of the foreign affairs committee under the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, made the comments while addressing the opening session of the 14th Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF)

 

Wang, who heads the Chinese delegation of lawmakers, said China is behind efforts to settle regional disputes through friendly consultation and negotiation, giving full consideration to the interests of all concerned parties.

 

He stressed that China sees international cooperation as an effective way to deal with challenges such as cross-border terrorism, smuggling and drug trafficking, natural disasters and contagious diseases so as to safeguard the interests and security of all nations in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

The five-day APPF meeting attracts 300 representatives from 27 countries. In addition to the political and security issues, the agenda also includes regional and global economic cooperation, measures to fight natural disasters, energy security, anti-corruption efforts, expansion of women's roles in political life, poverty alleviation, social and cultural relations and global weather changes.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 17, 2006)