REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, NUSA DUA -- The People's Republic of China believed that the annual meetings of the Bali Democracy Forum have contributed to development of democracy in the Asia Pacific region.
"We consider that the forums established by Indonesia have made very important contributions to the process of developing democracy and progress in Asia," Ambassador Lu Shumin, the representative of the Chinese Foreign Minister, said here Friday.
Lu said he has attended BDF meetings on three occasions on behalf of the Chinese foreign minister.
He had heard different ideas and opinions on the implementation democracy from all the participant countries, the Ambassador said.
"I believe this forum has been a very good and important platform for all countries which have a social system and cultures as well as histories to exchange their ideas on how democracy can be developed in their homeland," Lu said.
Ambassador Lu who also served as Executive Vice President of Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs added the development of democracy has to go along with national conditions and there are many ups and downs in the process of achieving better practices.
"We are very pleased to know that Indonesia so far has achieved a lot of democratic progress by completing elections of legislators as well as the presidential election with a very peaceful transition of power," Lu said.
"Evolving Regional Democratic Architecture: the Challenges of Political Development, Public Participation and Socio-Economic Progress in the 21st Century" is the theme chosen by the Indonesian Foreign Ministry for BDF VII.
In 2013, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry had chosen the theme "Consolidating Democracy in Pluralistic Society" for BDF-VI, which at least 86 countries attended.
Additionally, the BDF V 2012 was attended by 11 country leaders including Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.
About 1243 delegations from 83 countries and international organizations attended the forum that chose the theme "Advancing Democratic Principles at the Global Setting: How Democratic Global Governance Contributes to International Peace and Security, Economic Development and Effective Enjoyment of Human Rights".
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