Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo yesterday called on Asian-Pacific countries to enhance mutual trust and strengthen co-operation to achieve lasting peace and development in the region.

"The independent choice made by a nation's people for their own road to development should be respected,'' Wu said at the opening ceremony of the 12th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum.

He also called on the forum to adopt effective measures for stronger trade and economic co-operation.

Founded in 1993, the forum is a loosely structured and non-exclusive group of national parliamentarians who participate either as delegates of their parliaments or in a personal capacity. The annual meeting is the highest decision-making organ of this forum.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, suggested that national parliaments in this region strengthen their exchanges and co-operation at all levels as parliaments take up important positions and roles in national political life.

In particular, Wu said the parliaments should intensify collaboration regarding legislation and oversight and step up communication and interaction between young parliamentarians.

Some 232 participants from 23 member countries registered for the annual meeting, including four speakers, four deputy speakers, 75 members of parliament, more than 100 consultants and parliamentary staffers and 42 diplomats from the 19 member countries, according to Lu Congmin, chairman of the organizing committee.

The participants are discussing political and security issues including those in the Korean Peninsula and the Middle East, economic issues and co-operation for the stability and prosperity of the region.

They will also discuss future work of the forum and elect a new chairman. Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone is the current chairman.

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