Principle of Democracy Essential for Handling World Affairs: JiangChinese President Jiang Zemin said in United Nations Wednesday that the principle of democracy must be advocated and implemented in handling world affairs, whether in maintaining peace or promoting common development."All countries, big or small, rich or poor, strong or weak, are equal members of the international community and have the right to take part in and handle world affairs," Jiang said in his address at the Millennium Summit of the United Nations that opened here Wednesday. "Matters that fall within the scope of sovereignty of a country should be managed only by the government and people of that country," Jiang said. "The world affairs," he added, "should be handled by the governments and people of all countries through consultation." "This is the principle of democracy in handling world affairs," he stressed. Pointing out the diversity of the universe, Jiang said "it is essential to fully respect the diversity of different nations, religions and civilizations." "We should promote the exchanges between different civilizations in a spirit of equality and democracy and encourage them to learn form one another in order to attain common progress," Jiang said. |
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