Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, delivers a keynote speech during the first plenary session of the 21st annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) in Vladivostok, Russia, Jan. 28, 2013. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

VLADIVOSTOK --Wu Bangguo, top legislator, on Monday called for closer inter-parliamentary cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and expounded on China's domestic and foreign policy at the 21st annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, delivered a keynote speech during the first plenary session of the APPF meeting.

To promote peace, cooperation and development in the Asia-Pacific is the common responsibility of all countries in the region and the earnest aspiration of our people, Wu said.

APPF members should "view the regional situation and relations between each other from a strategic perspective, firmly uphold peace and stability, vigorously deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, promote the spirit of inclusiveness and mutual learning," the legislator said.

Meanwhile, the members should strengthen inter-parliamentary dialogue and exchanges at all levels and in all fields, leverage the constructive role of inter-parliamentary exchanges in growing state-to-state relations, he added.

In his address, Wu also expounded on China's domestic and foreign policy in three aspects.

According to Wu, China will continue to pursue development in a scientific way, stick to the policy of opening-up, and continue to pursue peaceful growth.

He stressed that development remains the key to solve all problems in China.

"We will continue to focus on development with every determination to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects by 2020 and enable our people to live a better and happier life," Wu said.

China's development does not pose a challenge, still less a threat to other countries or the world as a whole, he said.

"We will continue to champion peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit and make still bigger contribution to the noble cause of the peace and development of mankind," Wu said.

Established in 1993, the forum is one of the most influential inter-parliamentary organizations in the Asia-Pacific region. It aims to promote dialogue and cooperation, deepen mutual understanding among member states, thus enhancing wider cooperation in the entire region.

As a founding member of the multilateral parliamentary body, China's National People's Congress has been vigorously participating in various activities of the forum. It hosted the APPF's 12th annual meeting in 2004.

Wu Bangguo (C), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, attends the opening ceremony of the 21st annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF), together with Valentina Matviyenko (L, front), chairwoman of Russia's Federation Council, in Vladivostok, Russia, Jan. 28, 2013. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)