China aims to promote cooperation among Asian political parties for sustainable development as Asia has become an engine of global economy but faces environmental challenges, an official of the Communist Party of China said on Tuesday.

Shen Beili, director of Bureau I under the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks ahead of the opening of the 2013 International Conference of Asian Political Parties Special Conference, which will be held in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, from May 30 to 31.

The meeting, themed "Promote Green Development and Build a Beautiful Asia Together", has received a positive response from various political parties, that want to share experiences and practices regarding green development, Shen said.

"Currently, Asia has accounted for more than 30 percent of the world's total economic volume and contributed more than 50 percent of global growth, but its development also faces a number of challenges, including severe pollution, ecological limits as well as a shortage of energy and resources," she said.

Asia is gearing up for stronger growth in 2013 amid global recession, with the latest forecasts from the International Monetary Fund in April at 5.7 percent. However, the United Nations warned environmental problems may threaten its growth, food security, regional stability and "the world's common future".

"Asian countries have been pursuing environmental solutions based on their own and the continent's conditions over the past decades," Shen said. "But the task is an unprecedented and difficult one that needs profound changes of economic growth and mindset. Also, there is no existing model to follow."

Last November, the keynote report of the 18th National Congress of the CPC highly emphasized the importance of ecological progress and, for the first time, discussed the building of a "beautiful" China in the nation's overall development plan.

zhaoshengnan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 05/22/2013 page11)