With the theme of global partnership for common and sustainable development, the 2025 Legislators Forum for Friendly Exchanges was held in Urumqi, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on September 14, 2025. The forum was hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), and organized by the People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the Ethnic, Religious, Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Shohrat Zakir, Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech. Chen Xiaojiang, Secretary of the CPC Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee; Zumretibuwuli, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region; Yang Wanming, President of the CPAFFC; Richard Koon, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Liberia; Joseph T Isaac, Speaker of Dominica; Sommad Pholsena, Vice President of the National Assembly of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR); Edin ?erlek, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Serbia and Deputy President of the Justice and Reconciliation Party; David Carter, Former Speaker of New Zealand; and Didiano Pinilla, Secretary of the Alternate Committee of the Latin American Parliament and Former Vice President of the National Assembly of Panama, attended the opening ceremony and delivered remarks. Erkin Tuniyaz, Chairman of the People's Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, presided over the opening ceremony. Over 60 foreign legislators and former legislators from five continents, along with more than 60 deputies to the National People's Congress and local people's congresses in China, attended the forum.
Vice Chairman Shohrat Zakir emphasized that the Global Governance Initiative, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, further contributes Chinese wisdom and solutions to improving global governance. Parliaments, as legislative bodies, have both the responsibility and capacity to play an active role in advancing global governance. He expressed the hope that the legislators would share valuable insights, strengthen exchanges of experience, deepen mutual learning and understanding and promote mutual trust and cooperation in line with the theme of the forum, so as to contribute wisdom and strength to jointly improving global governance, building a community with a shared future for mankind and creating a better future for the world.
Chen Xiaojiang expressed the hope that the forum would serve as an opportunity for all countries to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative. He emphasized the importance of strengthening exchanges between subnational governments and local legislative bodies, promoting mutual learning, advancing democracy and the rule of law, and expanding practical economic and trade cooperation for mutual benefit. He also called for increased cultural exchanges to deepen friendship among nations.
President Yang Wanming remarked that over the past three years, the Legislators Forum for Friendly Exchanges has grown and yielded fruitful results with strong support from all sides. It has become a key platform for building consensus, strengthening friendships, and showcasing China's image. He expressed hope that legislators from all countries would use the forum to advance good governance through sound laws, promote openness and cooperation, and facilitate cultural exchanges. China would continue to offer new opportunities to the world through its achievements in modernization, work towards building a community with a shared future for mankind, and contribute to a more peaceful, stable, and prosperous world.
(Left Upper: Richard Koon, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Liberia, delivers remarks; Right Upper: Edin ?erlek, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Serbia and Deputy President of the Justice and Reconciliation Party, delivers remarks; Left Lower: David Carter, Former Speaker of New Zealand, delivers remarks; Right Lower: Didiano Pinilla, Secretary of the Alternate Committee of the Latin American Parliament and Former Vice President of the National Assembly of Panama, delivers remarks.)
Legislators attending the forum noted that today's world faces a range of global challenges, and emphasized that international solidarity and cooperation are vital to achieving the shared goals of peace and development. The Legislators Forum for Friendly Exchanges offers legislators from across the globe a platform for dialogue and partnership, playing a significant role in advancing sustainable and inclusive development. The successful convening of the forum demonstrates that nations with diverse languages, cultures, and political systems can indeed coexist peacefully, cooperate effectively, and work together toward common objectives. The participating legislators expressed their commitment to seizing this forum as an opportunity to deepen cooperation, promote shared development, improve global governance, and jointly build a stable and prosperous world where opportunities are accessible to all.
During the event, seven sessions were convened. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on five key topics: high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, ecological protection and green development, ethnic regional autonomy and human rights safeguards, preservation of ethnic minority cultures, and ethnic unity and shared development. In addition, two regional dialogue sessions were held—the "Global South Legislators Dialogue" and the "Dialogue with Legislators of EU Countries." Through candid exchanges and constructive debate, legislators and the Chinese counterparts identified pathways to seek common ground while respecting differences, and to pursue mutually beneficial cooperation, thereby generating strong momentum for building global partnerships. The forum consolidated these perspectives and issued the Urumqi Declaration. President Yang Wanming delivered keynote speeches at both regional dialogues. Vice President Yuan Mindao chaired the "Dialogue with Legislators of EU Countries", while Vice President Shen Xin presided over the closing ceremony.
(Left Upper: Visit to the Kazanqi Folklore Tourist Area in Yining City; Right Upper: Visit to the Xinjiang Agricultural Products Trading Center; Left Lower: Visit to the Kashgar Area of the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone; Right Lower: Visit to the Horgos International Border Cooperation Center.)
Before and after the forum, foreign legislators visited Kashgar, Yili, Aksu, Urumqi, Changji, and other parts of Xinjiang. They toured pilot free trade zones, folklore tourism areas, grassroots legislative points, religious sites, communities, enterprises, bazaars, cotton fields, and border ports. In Kashgar, they experienced the unique charm of ancient city preservation and revitalization and cultural heritage, while witnessing the integration and coexistence of diverse cultures. In Yili, they explored the region's vibrant ethnic traditions and the prosperity of its people. In Aksu, they gained insights into local industrial development and the preservation of ethnic traditions. Legislators expressed admiration for the Xinjiang's latest achievements in economic and social development and its stability, vitality, unity, and harmonious coexistence of diverse ethnic groups.
The Legislators Forum for Friendly Exchanges, initiated by the CPAFFC, serves as an important platform for dialogue and exchange among legislative bodies worldwide. The forum aims to share governance experiences and foster cooperation among nations. The previous two editions were held in Shenzhen (2023) and Shanghai (2024), respectively. This year's forum was the largest to date, with the most countries represented and the highest number of legislators.
