The Chinese Delegation Attends the 57th Annual Session of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO)

　　On October 9, 2018, the 57th Annual Session of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) kicked off in Tokyo, Japan. Foreign Minister Taro Kono and Minister of Justice Takashi Yamashita of Japan and others attended and addressed the opening ceremony. 33 member states of the AALCO, observer states including Russia, and international organizations such as the United Nations attended the session as observers. The Chinese delegation, which was headed by Director-General of the Department of Treaty and Law of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Xu Hong and consisted of the representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, attended the annual session.

　　The Chinese delegation expressed at the general debate that against the overall background of global governance reform, it is of great significance for Asian and African countries to strengthen cooperation in international law. Asian and African countries should take the idea of a community with a shared future for mankind as guidance, unequivocally adhere to multilateralism, safeguard the core values and basic principles of international law, and uphold extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, so as to better maintain the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries and jointly promote the development of international law in the new era.

　　Established in 1956 in accordance with the decision of the Bandung Conference, the AALCO is the only inter-governmental international organization of Asia and Africa in the field of international law. At present, the AALCO consists of 47 member states and 2 observer states. Views will be exchanged on relevant topics including international law in cyber space, maritime law, settlement of disputes by peaceful means and International Law Commission, as well as on the Palestinian issue during this annual session.

　　2018年10月9日，亚洲－非洲法律协商组织（亚非法协）第57届年会在日本东京开幕。日本外务大臣河野太郎、法务大臣山下贵司等出席开幕式并致辞。亚非法协33个成员国、俄罗斯等观察员国以及联合国等国际组织作为观察员与会。中国政府代表团由外交部条法司司长徐宏任团长，外交部、商务部和香港特区政府等参加。

　　中国代表团在一般性辩论中表示，在全球治理变革大背景下，亚非国家加强国际法合作意义重大，亚非国家应以人类命运共同体思想为指导，旗帜鲜明地坚持多边主义，维护国际法的核心价值和基本原则，坚持“共商共建共享”，更好维护发展中国家正当权益，共同推动新时代国际法的发展。

　　亚非法协根据万隆会议决定于1956年成立，是亚非两大洲在国际法领域唯一的政府间国际组织。目前有47个成员国和2个观察员国。本届年会将就网络空间国际法、海洋法、和平解决争端、国际法委员会有关议题、巴勒斯坦问题等交换意见。