China to strengthen bond with CSTO to promote regional peace, stability

China is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and take effective measures to jointly maintain regional peace and stability, China's top legislator Li Zhanshu said Monday.

Li, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, made the remarks in a video speech at the Parliamentary Assembly of the CSTO at the invitation of Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly and the Russian State Duma.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Collective Security Treaty and the 20th anniversary of the CSTO.

Li said the CSTO has played an important role in safeguarding the independence, sovereignty and security of its member states since its inception.

It has also played a significant role in promoting regional peace and stability, as well as preventing and responding to new threats and challenges to regional security, he added.

China shares broad common interests with CSTO member states in maintaining regional peace and stability, Li said.

He welcomed the CSTO's participation in the China-proposed Global Security Initiative, saying the initiative aims to respond to the urgent needs of the international community to maintain world peace and prevent conflicts and wars.

It also provides a new direction for eliminating the root causes of international conflicts, addressing international security challenges and achieving world peace and development, he added.

Li said the NPC is willing to work with the legislatures of CSTO member states to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and give full play to the unique role of the legislature.

The potential of regional security organizations and mechanisms, including the CSTO and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, should be fully realized to make the region and the world more peaceful, secure and prosperous, he added.