Zhang Dejiang, chair of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, has put an emphasis on international equality and justice while addressing the three-day conference being held in the UN General Assembly hall.
"Countries, irrespective of their size, strength and wealth, are all equal members of the international community. They should abide by the international law and universally recognized basic norms governing international relations, respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, refrain from interfering in each other's internal affairs, and seek peaceful settlement of differences and disputes through dialogue and consultation."
Zhand Dejiang is also calling for countries around the world to respect diversity when it comes to the social systems and development paths of individual countries.
"After a long period of exploration, Chinese people have found a development path that is suitable to their country's conditions and a set of institutional system with unique features has been set up. The development path and institutional system are fully capable of ensuring people to enjoy broader and more solid rights and freedom. They can effectively fine tune the political structure and rally resources on the most important issues. They can also effectively uphold national sovereignty as well as protect the security and development interests."
At the same time, Zhang Dejiang has also announced a Chinese donation of 1.5 million U.S. dollars in cash to the conference's organizer, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, to further support its work.
The Geneva-based organization says it going to use the money to help lawmakers from developing countries better cope with the challenges they are facing.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has also addressed the conference, rallying support from parliamentarians around the world to push forward the UN's sustainable development goals.
"People will look to you to hold your government accountable for achieving the goals and to write the laws and invest in the programs that will make them a reality."
The international community is set to officially adopt the 17-point agenda at a key UN development summit to be held in New York later this September.
It's viewed as an upgrade and expansion of the Millennium Development Goals that will expire by the end of this year.
The World Conference of Speakers of Parliament is organized by the IPU every five years and supported by the UN.
For CRI, I'm Su Yi in New York.
