Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Chinese president, addresses guests to the Third International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) during a welcome feast held in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Sept. 3, 2004. (Xinhua Photo)

Hu Jintao (C First Line), general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Chinese president, poses for a group photo with delegates to the Third International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Sept. 3, 2004. (Xinhua Photo)

Chinese Vice-President Zen g Qinghong gives a speech at the opening ceremony of the third International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), in Beijing, September 3. (Xinhua Photo)

The third International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) opens in Beijing Friday morning. This was the first of its kind hosted by the Communist Party of China (CPC). (Xinhua Photo)

    BEIJING, Sept. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC)will enhance exchange and cooperation with all political parties in Asia to facilitate Asia's revival, said Hu Jintao, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese President on Friday.

    China will maintain its independent foreign policy of peace, aswell as the policy of friendship and partnership with its neighbors, and pursue a foreign policy of living in harmony with its neighboring countries, sharing security with them and helping them prosper, he said at the welcome banquet for delegates attending the Third International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP).

    He pledged that China will follow the principles of independence, complete equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs to further develop party-to-party contacts, sincerely promote an overall cooperative relationship with all countries and work with other political parties to forge ties for the benefit of state-to-state relations and the friendship among the people.

    He briefed the delegates on the achievements the Chinese peoplehave made under the leadership of the CPC and the challenges they face. The CPC will improve its work so as to "better lead the Chinese people in continuing the modernization drive, realizing the full reunification of the motherland, maintaining world peace and promoting common development."

    The current ICAPP, whose theme is Exchange, Cooperation and Development, is the first of its kind hosted by the CPC. About 350delegates from 34 countries will discuss topics including "regional security and multilateral cooperation," "economic growth and social progress" and "political party building and national development" in the three-day meeting.

    Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong made a four-point proposalin an opening address, calling on political parties and leaders ofAsian countries to further strengthen cooperation.

    It is the "historical duty" of all Asian governments and political parties to increase "exchanges, dialogue and cooperationamong Asian countries," Zeng said.

    "First, we should seize opportunities to continually expand newchannels for regional and multilateral cooperation," Zeng said. "We should improve the mechanisms for dialogue, cooperation and discussion among Asian governments on the basis of the principles of diversification and gradual progress."

    Philippine President Gloria Arroyo and several other leaders ofAsian nations also urged political parties in Asia to make concerted efforts for the development of the continent.

    Arroyo said she agreed to the CPC's principles to handle relations with other political parties, adding that political parties would play a greater role in promoting development in Asia.

    Thai Prime Minister and President of the Thai Rak Thai Party Thaksin Shinawatra said though delegates attending the conference have different ideas and ideologies, they gathered to discuss "exchange, cooperation and development."

    Initiated in 2000, the first two ICAPP conferences were held inthe Philippines and Thailand in September 2000 and November 2002 respectively. Enditem