Jakarta, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Seventy years ago, the five principles of "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" were born in Asia. Over the past 70 years, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have not only guided the development of China's foreign relations, but have also been widely accepted and recognized by all countries in the world, and have become the basic norms of international relations and international law.
At present, the world is undergoing changes in a century at an accelerated pace, and the cause of peace and development of mankind is facing new and severe challenges. Under the new circumstances, inheriting and promoting the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence is of great practical significance for all parties to jointly respond to crises and challenges and achieve common development. On the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, China has put forward a series of important initiatives, such as the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, the Belt and Road Initiative and the three major global initiatives, contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to safeguarding world peace and security and promoting the development of human society.
Past: "Reshaping a New Paradigm in International Relations"
After the end of the Second World War, the cause of national independence and liberation of Asian, African and Latin American countries flourished, and the new countries were eager to establish equal international relations.
At the end of 1953, when Premier Zhou Enlai held talks with the Indian government delegation on the issue of relations between the two countries in China's Tibet region, he for the first time put forward in its entirety the five principles of mutual respect for territorial sovereignty (changed to mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity at the Asian-African Conference), mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and reciprocity (changed to equality and mutual benefit in the Sino-Indian and Sino-Burmese joint statements), and peaceful coexistence, which were endorsed by the Indian side.
In June 1954, Premier Zhou Enlai visited India and Burma. China and India and China and Myanmar issued joint statements confirming that the five principles will be applied in their relations with each other and with the rest of Asia and the world. This is a major innovation in the history of international relations and has made a historic contribution to promoting the establishment of a fair and rational new type of international relations.
Kamal bin Younis, head of the Ibn Lutted Institute for Strategic Studies in Tunisia, said that the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, with their emphasis on dialogue and peace, have reshaped a new paradigm in international relations. Today, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have withstood the test of time and are of great significance to the maintenance of world peace and stability.
Patrick Mwanji, a Kenyan expert on international affairs, said that the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence advocate that countries respect each other and decide the direction of development according to their own national conditions. "The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence gave impetus to the rise of the Non-Aligned Movement. The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence are the cornerstones for nations to work together to achieve a vision of shared prosperity. If countries abide by these principles, there will be no war in the world. ”
In 1955, the Ten Principles adopted at the Bandung Conference were an extension and development of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The Non-Aligned Movement, which emerged in the sixties of the twentieth century, adopted the Five Principles as its guiding principles. The relevant declarations adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1970 and 1974 accepted the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have been adopted by a series of international organizations and international documents in the world today, and have been widely endorsed and observed by the international community.
"The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Bandung Spirit have not only helped emerging countries establish a new model of international relations, but have also provided valuable guidance for them to find independent development paths in the era of globalization." Samuel King, a senior researcher at Columbia University in the United States, said.
"In 1976, Indonesia promoted the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia within ASEAN, which is an extension and implementation of the spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence." Former Indonesian Foreign Minister Matti Natalegawa pointed out that the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have been widely recognized by Indonesia and other countries, reflecting the common ideals and goals of countries in the region.
Now: "The Ballast Stone for Maintaining World Peace and Development"
In today's world, both traditional and non-traditional security challenges are emerging. In the complex and ever-changing international situation, how to achieve lasting peace and common prosperity is an important issue facing the international community.
Observers believe that the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have provided a clear and lasting guiding framework for handling international relations, which have been widely recognized by the international community and have become the basic norms governing international relations and international law.
"Peace and stability are the prerequisites for sustainable development and prosperity in the ASEAN region. In the face of the complex geopolitical situation, we must adhere to the principles of mutual respect, non-interference in each other's internal affairs and peaceful settlement of disputes, and continue to enhance mutual trust and understanding through contact, dialogue, consultation and cooperation. ASEAN Secretary-General Gao Jinhong said.
Khin Maung Tsok, co-secretary general of the Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies, believes that multilateralism is the common choice of developing countries, and the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence are the foundation of multilateralism and the basis for achieving common prosperity and mutual benefit. Practicing the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence in bilateral relations will help eliminate conflicts and confrontation and achieve win-win cooperation.
In the view of Ke Wenwei, secretary general of the Brunei-China Friendship Association, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence should become the guidelines to be followed by all countries in any era. At present, global geopolitical conflicts are frequent, and the world needs tolerance, understanding and mutual respect more than ever. The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence remain the basic norms that the international community needs to jointly uphold, the ballast stone for world peace and development, and have far-reaching significance and impact on the future development of human society.
"The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have contributed oriental wisdom to the correct handling of state-to-state relations. It tells people how nations should live together on an equal footing and with mutual respect. The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence will not become obsolete. Said the rector of the Catholic University of Bandung, Indonesia, Terry Basuki Zovono.
The Future: New Answers to the Questions of the Times
At present, regional conflicts and local wars continue to occur, which not only bring huge casualties and economic losses to relevant countries and regions, but also pose severe challenges to global peace and stability. Peace and development are the universal aspirations and common aspirations of the people of all countries.
Under the new circumstances, China has always unswervingly developed relations with other countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and creatively put forward the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind and important initiatives such as the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, providing new ideas and a new framework for all parties to properly handle conflicts and achieve common development.
Former Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso believes that China's Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative demonstrate China's responsibility as a responsible major country and provide inspiration for all countries to engage in dialogue on an equal footing and achieve peaceful development.
Senior Lao diplomat Sikhun Benvilah believes that China has always adhered to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and creatively put forward the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, as well as the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, which have provided Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions for all parties to resolve conflicts and disputes, which is a major contribution made by China to promoting the cause of peace and development of mankind.
Hu Yat Shan, chief adviser of the Malaysian Centre for Pacific Studies, pointed out that for all countries, security and development complement each other. "If we want to develop, we must have a safe and stable environment at home and abroad." Hu Yishan worked in the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and witnessed China's efforts and contributions to maintaining world peace. In his view, the series of important initiatives put forward by China are epoch-making and forward-looking. "The resumption of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia under the mediation of China is an important outcome of the Global Security Initiative."
Murad Alera, a Tunisian political scientist, said that the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence are the cornerstone of just and sound international relations and are seen as a solid foundation for solidarity and cooperation throughout the world. These principles are particularly important for countries in the Global South. "We see these principles in international norms, laws and regulations, as well as in the charters of regional and international organizations."
Carla Oliva, coordinator of the China-Argentina Research Group at the National University of Rosario, Argentina, said that from the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence to the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, it reflects the continuity, adaptability and transcendence of China's foreign policy. Continuity is reflected in China's insistence on peaceful development and not changing due to changes in the international situation, adaptability is reflected in China's pragmatic foreign policy, and transcendence is reflected in China's diplomacy to provide public goods and solutions for all mankind, such as the "Belt and Road" initiative based on the ancient Silk Road and the Maritime Silk Road.