On September 14, 2025, over 60 legislators from five continents and more than 60 deputies to China's National People's Congress and subnational people's congresses gathered in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, for the 2025 Legislators Forum for Friendly Exchanges. Hosted under the banner Global Partnership for Common and Sustainable Development, the Forum featured high-level dialogues on Belt and Road cooperation, green development, human rights, and regional stability.
Key sessions included Dialogue with Legislators of EU Countries and Global South Legislators Dialogue, sparking data-driven exchanges on trade trends, ecological conservation targets, and best practices in ethnic autonomy. Participants highlighted the power of legislative cooperation to drive peace, stability, and shared prosperity across borders.
Among the Forum takeaways, legislators called for a multipolar world order anchored by the United Nations and international law. They emphasized sovereign equality, multilateralism, and negotiated solutions to regional issues, while opposing hegemonism and power politics. The group advocated reforms to global governance systems and endorsed a community with a shared future for humanity.
On the economic front, deputies championed inclusive globalization and development first. They urged support for multilateral trade rules, respect for Global South priorities, and the expansion of high-standard opening-up initiatives. Cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative, Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and Global Governance Initiative earned broad support as building blocks for growth.
Delegates also underscored the importance of dialogue on human rights under the principles of equality and mutual respect. Praising China's progress in promoting human rights, they encouraged continued cooperation to safeguard rights with security, advance development, and foster mutual trust through constructive exchange.
Green growth emerged as a central theme, with calls to prioritize ecological conservation, green infrastructure, clean energy, and environmental governance. Legislators flagged low-carbon strategies as critical levers in meeting global climate goals and ensuring sustainable development for future generations.
Ethnic unity and cultural protection featured prominently, with participants stressing the equal political rights of all ethnic groups. They welcomed the achievements of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in reaching social stability, economic prosperity, and religious harmony over the past 70 years, while opposing political manipulation over regional affairs.
As the Forum drew to a close, attendees expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality and pledged to institutionalize this platform for legislative exchange. They eagerly anticipate the fourth Legislators Forum in China in 2026, viewing it as a catalyst for ongoing collaboration on global challenges.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
