|
'Five Principles" still shaping global peace
By Jiang Zhuqing (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-06-29 00:36
Fifty years ago, late Premier Zhou Enlai paid separate visits to India and
Myanmar, and put forth the five principles that would shape China's foreign
policy.
Now, as the country marks the anniversary of that step, those principles are
more relevant than ever.
Wen Jiabao delivers
a speech during a meeting on the 50th anniversary of the proclamation of
the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence at the Great Hall of the
People in Beijing June 28, 2004. [Reuters] | "The
Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have withstood the test of time,"
Premier Wen Jiabao told a celebration Monday to mark the occasion. "They
have made a monumental contribution to the maintenance of peace and stability in
Asia and the world over and the sound development of international relations."
It was highlighted by speeches by leaders from China and India as well as
congratulatory messages.
The Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence are mutual respect for
sovereignty and territorial integrity; mutual non-aggression; non-interference
in each other's internal affairs; equality and mutual benefit; and peaceful
coexistence.
China is not only a strong proponent but also a faithful practitioner of the
Five Principles, which have been enshrined in the country's Constitution and
served as the cornerstone of the nation's independent foreign policy of peace,
Wen said.
The Five Principles are of tremendous relevance as a guide for action for
world peace and common development.
"Peace and development remain the overriding themes of the times," Wen said.
Meanwhile, "factors of uncertainty and instability in international relations
are on the increase, as the various traditional and non-traditional securities
are intertwined."
To carry forward the Five Principles to promote world peace and development,
Wen said the Chinese Government is ready to work with other countries in five
distinct areas.
The first is upholding the principle of sovereign equality, said the Premier.
"Sovereignty is the birthmark of any independent state, the crystallization
of its national interests and the best safeguard of all it holds dear," he said.
While a diverse civilization is the hallmark of humanity and an important
driving force behind human progress, Wen said every country should respect and
maintain diversity around the world.
The third area is promoting common development of the world's economies on
the basis of equality and mutual benefit, Wen said.
"In applying the Five Principles to the economic realm, we should respect the
right of countries to make independent economic decisions, their equal right to
participate in competition on a level playing field, and their access to mutual
benefit and economic success."
Fourth, maintaining peace and security through dialogue and co-operation.
"The Cold War mentality must be done away with in favour of a new security
concept featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and co-operation."
Wen said terrorism is a common enemy to all mankind and it is essential to
remove the root causes while standing on guard against and striking hard on
terrorism in all forms.
Fifth, the United Nations and other mutual mechanisms should get full scope
for the role they play, Wen said.
"The UN should act in accordance with the Five Principles and its own
Charter, and play its constructive role more vigorously in resolving
international disputers, preserving peace, and providing humanitarian
assistance."
At the same time, it is important to let the World Trade Organization, the
World Bank and other multilateral world bodies and regional co-operation
mechanisms play an active role to upgrade the performance of international and
regional co-operation, he added.
The creation of the Five Principles, initiated jointly by China and India
half a century ago, was a pioneering effort in history of international
relations in the 20th-century. The principles marked an important contribution
to peace and development, said President Hu Jintao in a congratulatory message
to his Indian counterpart, Abdul Kalam.
Jointly developing and deepening the long-term partnership between China and
India on the Five Principles conforms to the fundamental interests of the two
peoples and will continuously contribute to peace, stability and development in
Asia and the world, he stressed.
"China will firmly pursue the independent foreign policy of peace, forge and
develop friendships and partnerships with neighbors and remain committed to
good-neighborly and friendly relations and mutually beneficial co-operation with
surrounding countries," Hu said.
For his part, Kalam said the Five Principles have not only become an integral
part of the two nations' foreign policies, but also been widely accepted by the
international community.
He said the Five Principles have become part of the guiding principles of
Indian-Chinese ties and will continue to play an important role in the future.
"On this historic occasion, I wish to reiterate that in the years to come, we
shall endeavour to maintain, and indeed accelerate the steady growth of
friendship and co-operation between our two countries," Kalam stated in the
message.
Xinhua contributed to the story
The Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence are mutual respect for
sovereignty and territorial integrity; mutual non-aggression; non-interference
in each other's internal affairs; equality and mutual benefit; and peaceful
coexistence.
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
Today's
Top News |
|
|
|
Top China
News |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
