Chinese top legislator calls for upholding equality, promotion of rule of law

Chinese top legislator Zhang Dejiang on Monday called on international communities to uphold equality and promote rule of law while addressing here the Fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament.

"We should uphold equality and promote rule of law," he said. "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," he said.

He also called on countries to seek peaceful settlement of differences and disputes through dialogue and consultation, promote democracy in international relations, and uphold international equality and justice.

A draft declaration, titled "Placing democracy at the service of peace and sustainable development: Building the world the people want", is expected to be adopted at the conference.

Moreover, special emphasis will be placed on achieving 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to be adopted at a UN Summit in September.

Zhang is in New York to attend the Fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 at the invitation of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) President Saber Chowdhury and IPU Secretary-General Martin Chungong.

The Conference is organized by IPU every five years and supported by the UN.

The IPU, established in 1889, is the focal point for world-wide parliamentary dialogue and works for peace and co-operation among peoples and for the firm establishment of representative democracy, according to IPU website.