Political Lens

Top legislator calls for jointly safeguarding peace, advancing justice

China's top legislator Zhao Leji has called on legislatures worldwide to jointly safeguard peace, promote development and advance mutual understanding and justice, as he addressed the sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments.

Held in Geneva from Tuesday to Thursday, the conference brought together parliamentary leaders from 120 countries and adopted a high-level declaration on Thursday.

Zhao, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, stressed that legislative bodies have a responsibility to contribute to building a new type of international relations amid severe challenges.

He reaffirmed the NPC's commitment to strengthening exchanges with the Inter-Parliamentary Union and legislatures of other countries to jointly advance the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative, and to build a community with a shared future for humanity.

Zhao also advocated for respecting the diversity of world civilizations and called for practicing true multilateralism.

During the conference, Zhao met with IPU President Tulia Ackson and Secretary-General Martin Chungong, as well as leaders of the parliaments of Brazil, Pakistan, Russia and Kazakhstan.

China Daily