China's top legislator Wu Bangguo said in Manila Monday that to achieve universal and lasting peace and development in Asia is a historic mission of all Asian parliaments and governments.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress and AAPP's current president, made the remarks in his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 4th General Assembly of the Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace (AAPP).

Wu called for firmly seizing the opportunity and taking on the challenges. "We must endeavor to bring about a better future for our children and grandchildren," he said.

To such end, he made following proposals:

• Promote the establishment of a new international political and economic order that is fair and equitable. Changes in international situation and progress of human civilization call for an international order that reflects the common interests of the majority of countries and peoples. It is incumbent to gradually adjust and reform what is unfair and unjust in the existing order and push for democracy in international relations. Under the new order we pursue, all countries will respect and consult one another politically and complement one another and seek common development economically. It is an order under which all countries enjoy mutual trust and peace in the area of security and learn from one another and work for common prosperity culturally. Asian countries may take the lead in experimenting with these ideas and develop cooperation in this regard.
• Seek common development and prosperity of all nations. Facts have proven that poverty is a major cause of turbulence and wealth polarization a catalyst of social conflicts. It is therefore imperative to push for a healthy development of the regional and global economy based on equality and mutual benefit and promote a development pattern where countries complement one another and move forward together. It is also important for us to promote closer South-South cooperation and more South-North cooperation. Developed countries should give more attention and help to developing ones so that all countries may share the benefit of globalization.
• Foster a new security concept featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation. In today's world, as countries become increasingly interdependent, the best guarantee for security is common security. The use of force brings no genuine peace. Countries should move beyond differences in ideology, social system and religious belief and should respect and trust one anther as equals. They should promote understanding and trust through dialogue and cooperation and settle disputes and conflicts peacefully through negotiations and prevent war and conflicts. Asian regional cooperation, though started relatively late, is going rapidly and has already become a major link for Asian countries to cement and strengthen their relations. They should cherish all the more this hard won situation and further promote political trust, economic integration and win-win security. China always believes that it is a world of diversity. As an ancient Chinese philosopher puts it, "In human relationships, a gentleman seeks harmony but not uniformity." Asian nations must recognize and respect diversity in Asia and the world and seek to settle any differences through dialogue and cooperation. Peaceful coexistence of Asian countries, mutual respect for each other's histories, cultures, social systems and development models, mutual learning and experience sharing will contribute to peace and development in Asia and the world.
• Safeguard and strengthen the important role of the United Nations. The birth and development of the UN represents progress in human society. In spite of the new situation, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter remain an important legal base for the maintenance of world peace. Nations must protect the authority of the UN with great care and increase its efficiency so that the organization will play a greater role in international affairs.
   
  (Xinhua News Agency September 1, 2003)