The 40th annual conference of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian’s Union (APPU) opened in Taipei yesterday with a minute of silence in memory of the victims of Typhoon Morakot.
President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) asked the participants to observe the moment of silence before addressing the conference.
In his speech, delivered in English, Ma touted his government’s record of improved relations with China and its adoption of a flexible diplomacy policy as well as Taiwan’s contribution to peace and democracy in the international community.
Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平), the chairman of the conference, said this year’s APPU conference — the first APPU event hosted by Taiwan — would focus on economic security, food safety, health safety and environmental safety.
He reminded the participants that the Asia-Pacific region is home to more than half the world’s population and the region therefore has a responsibility to pay attention to human security issues, especially given the global financial crunch, the outbreak of A(H1N1) influenza and increasing frequency of cross-boundary sandstorms.
Many democratic countries attach great importance to parliamentary diplomacy because it not only helps governments address international issues, but provides a platform for lawmakers to represent the opinions of the citizens in their countries, he said.
Only by working together across national boundaries can the union members promote the well being of the people in the region, Wang said.
The 40th APPU annual conference will conclude today with the signing of a joint communique by the 14 participating members.
The APPU has a total of 21 members.
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