Foreign legislators call for partnerships, trust to address common challenges

Foreign legislators called on Sunday for stronger global partnerships, mutual trust, and parliamentary cooperation to address common challenges and advance sustainable development.

They made the remarks at the 2025 Legislators Forum for Friendly Exchanges held in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

At the opening ceremony, Richard Koon, speaker of the House of Representatives of Liberia, emphasized that building parliamentary friendship and networks are necessary to enhance joint improvement of sustainable development.

Koon said he is convinced that cultivating collective efforts with mutual understanding will create opportunities in driving legislative agenda globally.

Amid global challenges including frequent regional unrest, slow economic growth and the rise of anti-globalization, China proposed the Global Governance Initiative, he noted.

The initiative emphasizes core concepts of commitment to sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, the people-centered approach and real results, he said.

These concepts should further invigorate the spirit of cooperation as legislators collectively move the global agenda forward, he added.

Vice-President of the Lao's National Assembly Sommad Pholsena said he?believes that consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits are the answers to breaking down "small yards with high walls" and decoupling.

These are efforts that must be carried out together, he said, adding that Laos is willing to work with China and the vast majority of the world to pursue common development.

Edin Djerlek, vice-president of the National Assembly of Serbia, said that no country can face the global challenges alone, and "only through partnership and shared responsibility can we succeed".

Serbia is ready to work closely with China and all partners who share this vision to build a world where opportunity, prosperity, and stability are available to everyone, Djerlek said.

The forum gathered over 60 legislators from more than 50 countries and international organizations, together with Chinese provincial-level congressional leaders and deputies.

The annual forum was initiated by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries in 2023. This year's forum came amid the legislators' visit to Xinjiang.

Chen Xiaojiang, Party chief for the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, said that as a golden corridor between Asia and Europe and a bridgehead for China's Westward opening-up, Xinjiang will embrace the world with greater openness.

The region is ready to take this forum as an opportunity to strengthen friendly exchanges with localities and local legislatures of all countries, deepen mutual learning on the development of democracy and the rule of law, expand trade cooperation for mutual benefit, and enhance people-to-people exchanges, Chen said.