All Countries Are Equal: Li Ruihuan

CPPCC Chairman Meets Maldivian Guest

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All countries, be they big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, are members of the international community and should be considered equal, a senior Chinese leader said Sunday when meeting Maldivian guests.

"The principle of equality is the basic principle for handling country-to-country relations and the orientation of the human civilizations development," said Li Ruihuan, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

He made the remarks in talks with Abdulla Hameed, speaker of the Majlis (People's Council) of the Republic of Maldives.

Li spoke highly of the increasingly frequent exchanges of visits between the two countries, and the productive mutual cooperation in various aspects.

He said that China appreciates Maldives' persistent stance on the "one China" principle and its support to China on many other major issues.

He stressed that it needs concerted efforts of all the countries to realize the principle of equality in international relations, and to that end a lot must be done.

"It (the principle) requires that a country should not be submissive in front of stronger nations nor hold its head high with smaller or weaker nations," Li said.

One of the most important reason that China has had good relations with Maldives is that both adhere to the principle of equality, treating each other as equals, with respect and support, he said.

Hameed said that the Maldivian people have been treating the Chinese people as their close friends and partners of development.

He noted that the Maldivian side is grateful to China for its important contribution to the betterment of Maldives' national development and the living standards of its people, and he looks forward to further cooperation and exchanges between the two countries.