Li Yuanchao's speech at the Commemoration of the International Day of Peace 2013 & China-South Asia Peace and Development Forum (2)

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Li Yuanchao's speech at the Commemoration of the International Day of Peace 2013 & China-South Asia Peace and Development Forum (2)

(Xinhua) 08:36, September 22, 2013

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Lasting peace is a shared aspiration of the South Asian people. The people of the region have made unremitting efforts for peace. India and Afghanistan were among those who initiated the first summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in 1961 to oppose colonialism and imperialism. In recent years, with eased tension between India and Pakistan, and positive developments in the rebuilding of Afghanistan, reconciliation among South Asian countries has been gaining momentum. A relatively more stable regional environment has enabled economic and social development in South Asia. India has seen its modern service sector booming, with highlights on software and financial industries; and Sri Lanka has experienced 4 years of rapid GDP growth averaging 6.5 percent annually since the end of its civil war. On the whole, South Asia has been growing by over 6 percent each year since 2008. Having benefited from the fruits of peace, the people of South Asia are hoping for the tree of peace to take deeper roots and thrive in their homeland.

Having been victimized by colonial invasion for a long time in history, the Chinese people have keen empathy for the sufferings of their neighbors in South Asia. Both China and South Asia are now facing important development opportunities. Together, with more than one third of the world's total population, we should stand united and work jointly for development and lasting peace in the region.

First, we should champion the cause of peace, and pool our strength in the pursuit. Both China and South Asia have a tradition of love for peace. The Indian epic Mahabharata tells about how the ancient Indians ceased unjust wars for the sake of peace. And in China, proverbs such as "peace is most precious" and "beat swords into ploughshares" reflect the philosophy of peace cherished by the Chinese nation. The five principles of peaceful coexistence, jointly initiated by China, India and Myanmar, have now become the basic norms of international relations. Lasting peace in the region is in the best interests of both the South Asian and the Chinese people. China cannot be more willing to see prosperity and stability in South Asia. The 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China reiterated peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit as the guiding principles in our foreign relations, and identified good neighborliness as the top priority in China's foreign policy. The Chinese government attaches great importance to the relationship with South Asia. China stands ready to collaborate with South Asian countries to pool our strength and promote development through preserving and building peace.

Second, we should take matters in our own hands and oppose foreign intervention. As the saying goes in Nepal, "our own hands are the rulers of the nature." Bearing a memory of the colonial times when they had no control of their own destiny, the people of South Asia have developed their independent foreign policies through their fight against colonial rule and foreign intervention. In 1985, the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was officially founded. So far, 17 SAARC summits have been convened among the member states to empower themselves through unity and solidarity. Firmly believing in the traditional philosophy of "never imposing on others what you would not choose for yourself," China has long adhered to the independent foreign policy of peace. China is willing to stand together with South Asian countries to follow the five principles of peaceful coexistence in handling state-to-state relations, respect the right of all countries to independently choose their social systems and development paths, and oppose foreign intervention and bullying by the big and strong countries against the small and weak.

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