BEIJING, June 28 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday called for greater democracy in international relations.
"We should uphold fairness and justice to build a new type of international relations," Xi said when delivering a speech at a commemoration marking the 60th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence held in Beijing, urging the international community to carry forward the principles to build a new type of international relations and a better world in the new era.
In 1954, leaders of China, India and Myanmar initiated the Five Principles, including mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.
Xi said justice is a noble goal that people of all countries pursue in international relations. "However, we are still far away from realizing this goal."
"We should jointly promote greater democracy in international relations." said the Chinese leader.
The destiny of the world must be determined by people of all countries, and world affairs should be managed through consultation by governments and peoples of all countries, he added.
"The notion of dominating international affairs belongs to a different age, and such attempt is doomed to failure," Xi said.
He urged the international community to jointly promote the rule of law in international relations.
"We should urge all parties to abide by international law and well-recognized basic principles governing international relations and use widely applicable rules to tell right from wrong and pursue peace and development," said the Chinese president.
In the international society, there should be just one law that applies to all, he said, noting that there should not be "double standards" in handling international relations.
"We should jointly uphold the authority and sanctity of international law and the international order. All countries should exercise their rights in accordance with the law, oppose bending international law, and reject any attempt to undermine, in the name of 'rule of law,' other countries' legitimate rights and interests as well as peace and stability," he said.
"We should jointly promote more balanced international relations, advance reform in global governance in keeping with new changes in the relative strengths of international forces, respond to concerns and aspirations of various parties, and better uphold the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries," he added.
Day|Week|Month