2 Persons
29 June 2024 - 16:43
Carry Forward the Spirit of Peaceful Coexistence, Establish a Just and Equitable International Order

Since I arrived in Iran more than a month ago, I have often heard Iranian friends ask questions about the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. On June 28, China held the Conference Marking the 70th Anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and other commemorative events. President Xi Jinping attended the conference and delivered an important address. President Xi pointed out that we gather to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, for the purpose of carrying forward these principles under the new circumstances, building together a community with a shared future for mankind, and providing a strong driving force for human progress.

Seventy years ago, the Chinese leadership specified the Five Principles in their entirety for the first time, namely, mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. This was a historic contribution to the building of a new type of just and equitable international relations. President Xi Jinping pointed out that, over the past 70 years, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have transcended time and space and overcome estrangement, showing robust resilience and everlasting relevance. They have become open, inclusive, and universally applicable basic norms for international relations and fundamental principles of international law. They have made indelible historic contributions to the cause of human progress. The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have set a historic benchmark for international relations and international rule of law, and served as the prime guidance for the establishment and development of relations between countries with different social systems. They have been a powerful rallying force behind the efforts of developing countries to pursue cooperation and self-strength through unity, and contributed historic wisdom to the reform and improvement of the international order.

China has faithfully practiced the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Over the past 75 years since its founding, New China never provoked a war or occupied an inch of foreign land. China is the only country around the world that includes in its Constitution the commitment to the path of peaceful development, and China is the only country among the major nuclear-weapon states that is committed to no-first-use of nuclear weapons.

The world today is undergoing major changes unseen in a century. Countries are turning into a community of shared future. However, injustice and inequality in international relations keep emerging, unilateralism is rampant, and there is still a long way to go to maintain world peace and promote common development. President Xi Jinping stressed that at present, China is working to build a great modern socialist country in all respects and achieve national rejuvenation through the Chinese path to modernization. On this new journey, we will continue to champion the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, work with all countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind, and make new and greater contributions to safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.

President Xi Jinping has proposed in recent years the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. As part of China’s efforts to help improve global governance and resolve tough questions regarding human development, the three initiatives have won the support of the international community. Last year, China facilitated the historic reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which has paved the way for realizing peace and stability in the Middle East and set a fine example for resolving problems and disagreements between countries through dialogue and consultation. This is a successful practice of the Global Security Initiative and an example of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

During my exchanges with people from all walks of life in Iran, I deeply felt the Iranian people's active pursuit of peace and justice, and I also deeply realized the harm caused to Iran by illegal unilateral sanctions and bullying. China is opposed to the interference in Iran’s internal affairs under any pretext, which undermines Iran's security and stability, and firmly supports Iran in resisting unilateralism and bullying. Now we are standing at another historical starting point, China and Iran can join hands to send out a strong voice of the times, jointly promote the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, inject positive energy into a world intertwined with changes and chaos, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

News ID 197875

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