China's top legislator Zhao Leji urged members of the Group of Friends of Neutrality to strengthen multilateral cooperation and reform global governance systems during a high-level virtual meeting hosted by Turkmenistan on Wednesday. The appeal comes as the world marks the 80th anniversary of both the United Nations' founding and the Allied victory in the World Anti-Fascist War.
Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, emphasized the growing importance of parliamentary diplomacy in addressing contemporary challenges. 'Legislative bodies must lead efforts to build a more just international order,' he stated in his video address to the gathering of parliamentary leaders.
The meeting focused on implementing China's Global Governance Initiative (GGI), which complements Beijing's three other major international proposals addressing development, security, and cultural cooperation. Zhao highlighted the GGI's core principles of sovereign equality, rule-based international relations, and people-centered policymaking.
Founded in 2020 by Turkmenistan and 17 other nations including China, the Neutrality Group has emerged as a key platform for fostering international trust. The latest dialogue centered on enhancing inter-parliamentary coordination to maintain global stability amid what Zhao described as 'a period of historic transformation.'
China reaffirmed its commitment to deepening ties with Turkmenistan, with Zhao proposing expanded cooperation across multiple sectors. The development comes as nations worldwide grapple with balancing national interests against collective global challenges.
