China will continue to control population growth and protect natural resources for a balanced development of these areas, Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), said here Thursday.
Li made the remarks at a reception marking the 20th anniversary of the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD), which he said is an important channel for exchanges and dialogues among parliaments in the region and has contributed to the solutions of problems concerning population and development.
China is carrying out strategies for revitalizing the nation through science, education and sustainable development, and has put in place laws concerning family planning, environmental protection, mineral resources, soil preservation and energy saving, I said, noting the task of development is a difficult one in China owing to its large population.
Li said the NPC is willing to promote exchanges and cooperation with other parliaments, as well as make efforts for the development and prosperity of Asia and the world at large.
Yoshio Yatsu, chairman of AFPPD, said the NPC has played an important role in the foundation and strengthening of the forum. Through the ups and downs of its 20 years, the AFPPD has developed into a mature organization and has made a considerable impact on population policies in the region, he said.
The AFPPD will make efforts for population control as well as sustainable development, he said.
(Xinhua News Agency October 18, 2002)
