The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) will enhance its cooperation with China in addressing global challenges, said IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong, proposing China's legislative model to countries in the Global South.
Chungong and IPU president Tulia Ackson, as well as parliamentary leaders and representatives from more than 30 developing countries were in China from Aug. 19 to 28 to attend a commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the National People's Congress' affiliation with the IPU and the 2024 interregional seminar on the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for parliaments of developing countries.
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) during the visit, Chungong spoke highly of China's contributions to the work of the IPU over the past four decades.
"The Chinese National People's Congress has been very strong in supporting parliaments achieve [in achieving] the Sustainable Development Goals. The Chinese authorities have been supporting the IPU in the context of what we do to promote parliaments' contribution to efforts that are intended to counter the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism in the world. We have a strong contribution from China when it comes to parliamentary efforts to fight climate change," said Chungong.
He said the IPU will strengthen its cooperation with China in addressing global challenges.
"President Xi himself, once again, reiterated their commitment to the values and goals of the IPU which include parliamentary diplomacy, dialogue between parliaments, with a view to building a world that is peaceful and sustainable. So what we need to do is to work together as a global community. And we are very glad that China is taking leadership in this particular aspect. And we think that it is important for us to continue to work together, especially to promote inclusive governance," said the IPU secretary general.
Chungong and other seminar attendees visited a contact point for deputies to People's Congresses in Xinghualing Sub-district, Taiyuan City of north China's Shanxi Province, where they joined a meeting of the deputies on a draft regulation for sports development of Shanxi.
They also visited a legislative grassroots contact point in Heping District of Tianjin Municipality.
"I would like to congratulate the Chinese authorities on the Chinese model. I see it in the NPC, which is a broadly inclusive legislative body representing all segments of society, people from all walks of life, minorities all represented in there. We see the integrated approach that is used, that is the inputs coming from the local communities through the provincial congresses up to the National People's Congress. And at the end of the day, we think that your model is one that is not resource-intensive, I think. In the developing world, the Global South, the issue of resources is one that we need to factor into solutions. And so we propose this model to countries in the Global South," the IPU secretary general told CGTN.
IPU to enhance China cooperation on global challenges: secretary general
