BEIJING, Sept. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- Following is the official translation of the speech delivered by Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong, also member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, here Friday at the opening ceremony of the third International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP):

    Broadening Exchanges Among Asian Political Parties and Promoting Common Development Throughout the Region

    Honored Guests, Fellow Delegates, and Friends

    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    In the cool weather of this beautiful autumn, we welcome to beautiful Beijing all the guests and delegates attending the ThirdInternational Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP). On behalf of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government, I would like to extend my sincerest welcome to all of you present here and offer my warm congratulations on the convocation of this conference.

    The ICAPP, established in September 2000, is a great undertaking in which Asian political parties adjust to the contemporary trend of peace and development, keep up with the deepening regional cooperation in Asia, and widen their international exchanges and cooperation. Over the past four years,two successful sessions of the ICAPP have been held. The ICAPP is becoming an important platform for furthering exchanges and cooperation among Asian political parties and promoting regional development and prosperity. I believe that with its theme of "Exchange, Cooperation and Development," this session of the ICAPP will surely be a great occasion for discussing the great issues ofpeace and development, exploring the road of friendly cooperation,increasing regional cooperation, and exchanging experiences in building our parties and governing our countries. I'm sure this session will also raise the level of exchanges and cooperation among Asian political parties and their joint efforts to seek development to a new high.

    Ladies and gentlemen,

    Asia is a continent with a long history and magnificent civilization. Although Asian countries have different social systems, history and culture and different levels and models of economic development, these differences are not obstacles to our increasing exchanges, building consensus and strengthening cooperation on a foundation of common respect for diversity. Chinahad a popular song entitled "The Valiant Spirit of Asia," whose lyrics go, "Our Asia! Its mountains are like a head held high; itsrivers flow like warm blood. Our Asia! Its trees intertwine their roots together; even its clouds join like shaking each other's hands." Our Asia's history and culture have unique charm and grace.It was in Asia in the 1950s that the renowned Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Ten Principles of Bandung were born. These principles have become the norms of action on the basis of which countries with different social systems respect each other, seek common ground while shelving differences and discuss issues as equals. The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence with so great a vitality and so wide an applicability have generated, are generating and will continue to generate a large impact on promoting the establishment of a just and equitable new international political and economic order.