China Pursues Independent Foreign Policy of Peace in New CenturyChina will consistently pursue the independent foreign policy of peace in the 21st century, said two senior Chinese diplomats Tuesday in Beijing.Addressing "the International Forum on China and the World in the 21st Century", Li Zhaoxing, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, briefed the participants on the development of this policy. "Facts have proven that this policy is in the interests of both China and the world," he stressed. Li said that by adhering to the policy, China has safeguarded its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity, and contributed a lot to world peace and the common progress of humanity. He pointed out that China has put the policy into the Constitution, which stipulates that China develops diplomatic ties with other countries on the five principles of mutual respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful co-existence. Wang Guangya, another vice foreign minister, said that the Chinese have developed over the centuries a traditional culture of loving peace, benevolence to their neighbors and forgiveness. "What China advocates is an accommodating society in which various civilizations and cultures draw upon each other's merits. What China proposes is a community of nations in which all countries treat each other as equals, respect and forgive each other," he said. Wang pointed out that it is essential to recognize the diversity of the world. All civilizations and social systems in the world should exist side by side on a long-term basis, draw upon each other's merits and make up for their deficiencies in the course of competition and comparison and achieve common development by seeking common ground while shelving differences. In the 21st century, he continued, with the deepening of economic globalization and dynamic development of information technology, no country can seek self-development alone. Instead, they have to depend on each other for mutual benefits. "In the world, competition among countries is not a zero-sum game, Instead, it should only bring about a win-win situation," he added. He cited the example that China will import equipment, technology and commodities worth 1.4 trillion U.S. dollars in five years to come, and this promises a broader market and more trade opportunities for the world. With China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), China will take a more active stance to participate in the process of economic globalization in a larger scope and at a higher level, he said, adding that the entry will "inject fresh vitality" into the world economy. Looking ahead, the two vice ministers held that a stable, developed and prosperous China will never pose any threat to any country at any time, rather, it will make greater contribution to peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large. |
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