All Asian political parties share the hope of further deepening their exchanges and cooperation in the 21st century, said Liu Yunshan, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Sunday.

"Strengthening international exchanges and cooperation between political parties and learning from other countries' and parties' development experience and political wisdom are an important way in which political parties in all countries can maintain their political vitality and become better able to run or participate in liberation and administration of their state affairs," he said.

Liu made the remarks at the closing ceremony of the Third International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP).

Delegates from 81 political parties and organizations of 35 Asian countries gathered at the conference, which began Friday in Beijing. It was the first such meeting ever hosted by the CPC.

"Ideological differences between political parties in different countries are a reflection both of the nature of the parties themselves and the real diversity that exists in Asia," Liu said. "They are not and should not be an obstacle to mutual contacts."

All parties should respect other countries' and parties' independence to choose development paths and political systems as well as their different cultural traditions, political ideas and ways of calculating benefits, he said.

"All parties, large or small, in power or out, should treat other parties with an attitude of equality and friendship and strive to achieve mutual understanding and trust through consultation, interaction and discussion," he added.

(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2004)