Seminar increases legislative exchanges between China and Pacific Island nations

A seminar for legislators from China and Pacific island countries opened in Beijing on Monday. It will be aiming at strengthening exchanges and cooperation between China and Pacific island countries, the organizers said.

Themed with "explore new paths to modernization and work together to achieve mutual development," the seminar, which was organized by the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, attracted 21 parliamentarians from five countries — Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga.

It was the first seminar held by the NPC Standing Committee for parliamentarians from the Pacific island countries.

Peng Qinghua, vice-chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, said at the opening ceremony of the seminar that he hopes the activity will make contributions to deepening the mutual respect and development of China and the Pacific island countries by increasing exchanges and cooperation between their legislative bodies.

According to the NPC Standing Committee, the parliamentarians will stay in Beijing for three days, holding discussions on multiple issues, including democracy, modernization, climate challenges in the process of keeping sustainable growth and how to realize common prosperity through high-quality development, with the Chinese legislators.

The parliamentarians will go to Jiangxi and Fujian provinces from Thursday to Nov 28 to conduct further studies and communications.