Xi Jinping's speech at the conference commemorating the 70th anniversary of the publication of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence (full text)

Promote the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence

Join hands to build a community with a shared future for mankind

--Speech at the conference commemorating the 70th anniversary of the publication of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence

(June 28, 2024)

Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China

Dear guests and envoys,

Ladies and gentlemen, friends:

70 years ago, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence were officially published, becoming a great initiative in the history of international relations and of epoch-making significance. Today, we are solemnly gathering here to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the publication of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. We are to promote the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence under the new situation, work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind, and provide strong impetus for the progress of human civilization.

First of all, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, and in my own name, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all guests and friends!

In the historical process of the development of modern human society, handling relations between countries, jointly safeguarding world peace and tranquility, and promoting the development and progress of all mankind have always been major propositions for unremitting exploration by all countries.

The creation of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence is the call of the times and the choice of history. After the end of the Second World War, national independence and liberation movements surged, and the world's colonial system collapsed. At the same time, the shadow of the Cold War hangs over the world, and "power is right" is rampant. The newly independent new country is eager to safeguard national sovereignty and develop its national economy. New China adheres to independence, actively seeks peaceful coexistence with other countries in the world, and strives to improve the external environment, especially the surrounding environment. Against this background, Chinese leaders for the first time fully put forward 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, and incorporated them into the China-India and China-Myanmar Joint Statement, jointly advocating The five principles are established as the basic norms guiding relations between countries.

The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence were born in Asia and rapidly spread to the world. In 1955, more than 20 Asian and African countries attended the Bandung Conference and proposed ten principles for handling relations between countries based on the five principles, advocating the Bandung spirit of unity, friendship and cooperation. The Non-Aligned Movement that emerged in the 1960s used the Five Principles as its guiding principles. The "Declaration on Principles of International Law" adopted by the 25th United Nations General Assembly in 1970 and the "Declaration on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order" adopted by the Sixth Special Session of the General Assembly in 1974 clearly adopt five principles. The five principles have been successively included in a series of important international documents and have been widely recognized and followed by the international community.

Over the past 70 years, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have spanned time and space and transcended estrangement. They have become more resilient and innovative over time. They have become open, inclusive, universally applicable basic norms of international relations and basic principles of international law, making indelible historical contributions to the cause of human progress.

First, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have set a historical benchmark for international relations and international rule of law. The Five Principles fully reflect the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, conform to the trend of the times in the development of international relations, and are in line with the fundamental interests of people of all countries in the world. At the same time, it emphasizes the practical requirements of mutual and equal relations between countries, highlighting the spirit of the international rule of law that the rights, obligations and responsibilities of all countries are unified. The five principles cover the basic norms of peaceful coexistence among countries in politics, security, economy, diplomacy and other aspects, and provide accurate, clear and effective codes of conduct for all countries to practice the spirit of the international rule of law and establish correct ways of getting along.

Second, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence provide correct guidance for countries with different social systems to establish and develop relations. Anyone who follows the Five Principles can fully establish and develop relations of mutual trust and friendly cooperation even countries with different social systems and ideologies, different historical cultures and religious beliefs, and different levels of development and sizes. The Five Principles have opened up a new path for the peaceful resolution of historical issues and international disputes between countries, transcending old narrow concepts and confrontational thinking such as "group politics" and "spheres of influence".

Third, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have brought together strong synergy for developing countries to unite, cooperate and unite for self-improvement. The Five Principles embody the profound thinking of developing countries on changing their own destiny and pursuing change and progress. Inspired and inspired by the Five Principles, more and more Asian, African and Latin American countries are supporting and supporting each other, fighting to resist external interference, and successfully embarking on an independent development path. The Five Principles have also promoted South-South cooperation and promoted the improvement and development of North-South relations.

Fourth, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have contributed historical wisdom to the reform and improvement of the international order. The starting point of the Five Principles is to safeguard the interests and demands of weak and weak countries in a power political environment, take a clear-cut stand against imperialism, colonialism, and hegemony, abandon the jungle law of militarism and use the strong to bully the weak, and promote the international order in a more just and reasonable direction. Development laid an important ideological foundation.

After 70 years of baptism, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have become the common wealth of the international community and deserve careful cherishing, inheriting and promoting. Here, I would like to express my deep memory to the older generation of leaders who jointly advocated the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and pay high tribute to the people of insight from all countries who have persisted in promoting the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence for a long time!

Ladies and gentlemen, friends!

The relay of history is running forward one stick after another, and the cause of human progress is moving forward one step after another in answering the questions of the times. Seventy years ago, faced with the tragic catastrophe of the hot war and the divisive confrontation of the Cold War, that generation gave historical answers to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence in order to maintain peace and defend sovereignty. This answer has withstood the test of changes in the international situation. Not only has it not faded out of date, but it has become more eye-catching. Today, 70 years later, faced with the major issue of "what kind of world to build and how to build this world", China has given the answer of the times to build a community with a shared future for mankind. Now, building a community with a shared future for mankind has expanded from a Chinese initiative to an international consensus, transformed from a beautiful vision to a rich practice, effectively promoting the world towards a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress.

The concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind is in the same line as the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. They are both rooted in the excellent traditional Chinese culture of being kind to neighbors, respecting trust and harmony, and promoting harmony among all nations. They both demonstrate China's diplomatic spirit of self-confidence and self-reliance, upholding justice, and supporting the weak and promoting good., both reflect the Chinese Communists 'global sentiments to make new and greater contributions to mankind, and both demonstrate China's firm determination to adhere to the path of peaceful development. They are the best inheritance of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence under the new situation. Promote and sublimate.

This concept is based on the objective reality that countries are intertwined with their destinies and share weal and woe, and sets a new example of equality and symbiosis. China advocates that all countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, are equal members of the international community. They should coexist with interests, rights, and responsibilities in international affairs. All countries should work together to meet challenges, achieve common prosperity, and build lasting peace, universal security, A common prosperity, openness, inclusiveness, clean and beautiful world promotes a safer and more prosperous peaceful coexistence for human society.

This concept conforms to the trend of the times of peace, development, cooperation and win-win results, and opens up a new realm of peace and progress. China calls on all parties to keep the future of mankind in mind and the well-being of the people in mind, adhere to the original intention of equality, mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence, carry forward the common values of all mankind, promote global governance based on extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, build a new type of international relations, implement global development initiatives, Global security initiatives, global civilization initiatives, high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, and enhance the common interests of people of all countries.

This concept focuses on the historical trend of world multipolarity and economic globalization, enriching new practices in development and security. China unites all parties to promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind in a deeper and more practical manner, achieving a historical leap from bilateral to multilateral, from regional to global, from development to security, and from cooperation to governance, and has effectively led and promoted an equal and orderly world multipolarity. Economic globalization that is universal and inclusive brings prospects for peace and stability to the international community and adds prosperity, development and benefits to people of all countries.

Looking back on the past and looking forward to the future at a critical juncture in history, our exploration of human civilization has no end, and our efforts to build a better world will not stop. No matter how the world develops, it cannot change a basic fact, that is, there is only one earth in the universe and mankind shares one home. We must cherish and protect the earth with the spirit of solidarity with the world and leave a paradise for future generations.

The future is worth looking forward to and challenges must be met. Faced with the historical choice of peace or war, prosperity or decline, unity or confrontation, we need more than ever to carry forward the spiritual connotation of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and work tirelessly towards the lofty goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

--We must adhere to the principle of sovereign equality. The essence of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence is that all countries are sovereign equal. On this basis, equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal rules among all countries should be promoted. The big cannot suppress the small, the strong can bully the weak, and the rich can bully the poor. Advocating equal and orderly world multipolarity means advocating ensuring that all countries can find their place in the multipolar system, play their due role on the premise of abiding by international law, and ensure the overall stability and Constructive of the world multipolarity process.

--We must lay a solid foundation for mutual respect. When dealing with countries, we must first put equal treatment, mutual respect and mutual trust first. We must respect the different historical and cultural traditions and development stages of various countries, respect each other's core interests and major concerns, and respect the development paths and institutional models independently chosen by the people of all countries. We must jointly safeguard the "golden rule" of non-interference in other countries 'internal affairs, jointly oppose imposing one's will on others, oppose camp confrontations and various "small circles", and oppose forcing other countries to choose sides.

--We must realize the vision of peace and security. History and reality tell us that all countries must share the responsibility of maintaining peace, follow the path of peaceful development, and seek peace together, protect peace together, and share peace. In today's world of interdependence among countries, it is impossible to pursue our own so-called absolute security and exclusive security. The global security initiative proposed by China advocates the practice of a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept, promotes development through cooperation, promotes security through cooperation, and builds a more balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture.

--We must gather the driving force to build prosperity together. There is an old Chinese saying,"The benevolent love others, and the wise benefit others." There is also a philosophical saying in Latin America that "only by benefiting the world can we benefit our own country", while an Arabic proverb says,"If people are united, the fire will be dense; if people are scattered, the fire will not ignite." In the era of economic globalization, what is needed is not to create divisions, but to build bridges of communication; not to raise an iron curtain of confrontation, but to pave the way for cooperation. We advocate inclusive economic globalization, promote high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road", and implement global development initiatives. The purpose is to achieve universal benefits for growth opportunities, promote inclusiveness in development paths, and allow people of all countries to share development results. Countries in the "global village" seek common development and prosperity, and let the concept of win-win results become a consensus.

--We must uphold the concept of fairness and justice. Without fairness and justice, power politics will run rampant, and the weak of the weak will prevail. Faced with new situations and new challenges, the authority and core position of the United Nations can only be strengthened but not weakened. The purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter have never been outdated, but are even more important. To advocate the global governance concept of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits and practice true multilateralism is to insist that international rules should be written and maintained jointly by all countries. Things in the world must be handled through consultation among all countries, and we cannot allow anyone with a "thick arm" to listen to anyone.

--We must show an open and inclusive mind. Countries in the world are like riding on the same ship with a shared destiny. This ship carries not only the expectations of peace, economic prosperity, and scientific and technological progress, but also the dream of diversity of civilizations and sustainable development of mankind. Historically, diverse civilizations have met and achieved each other, jointly promoting the great development and prosperity of human society, and writing a brilliant chapter of sharing beauty, exchanges and mutual learning. China's Global Civilization Initiative is aimed at promoting mutual understanding among people of all countries and promoting tolerance and mutual learning among various civilizations. This world fully accommodates the common development and progress of all countries. Different civilizations can fully absorb and complement each other through equal treatment, learning from each other and learning from each other.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends!

70 years of historical development have repeatedly proved that strengthening unity and cooperation and enhancing communication and understanding are effective ways for all countries to jointly face challenges and create a future together. Looking around the world, the "Global South" has grown exponentially and has played a pivotal role in promoting human progress. Standing at a new historical starting point, the "Global South" should work together in a more open and inclusive attitude and be at the forefront of promoting the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.

We must work together to be a stabilizing force for maintaining peace, promote the peaceful resolution of differences and disputes between countries, and constructively participate in the political resolution of international and regional hot issues; work together to be the backbone of open development, push development back to the center of the international agenda, and revitalize Global development partnership, deepen South-South cooperation and North-South dialogue; Jointly serve as a building force in global governance, actively participate in the reform and construction of the global governance system, strive to expand the common interests of all parties, and promote a more balanced and effective global governance structure; Jointly serve as a promoting force for mutual learning among civilizations, enhance communication and dialogue among different civilizations among countries around the world, Strengthen exchanges in state governance, and deepen exchanges in education, science and technology, culture, local, non-governmental, youth and other fields.

In order to better support cooperation in the "Global South", China will establish a "Global South" research center to provide 1000 "Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence Excellence Scholarship" places and 100,000 training and training places to countries in the "Global South" in the next five years., and launch the "Global South" Young Leaders Program. China will continue to make good use of the China-United Nations Peace and Development Fund, the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, and the Climate Change South-South Cooperation Fund, and jointly establish a demonstration center for tripartite cooperation in implementing global development initiatives with relevant parties to support the economic development of countries in the "Global South". China will continue to establish South-South and Trilateral Cooperation Funds in the International Fund for Agricultural Development and increase the equivalent of US$10 million in RMB donations to support agricultural development in the "Global South". China is willing to negotiate free trade arrangements with more countries in the "Global South", continue to support the Aid for Trade initiative launched by the World Trade Organization and continue to inject capital into the "China Project", and welcome more countries in the "Global South" to join the "Digital Economy and Green Development International Economic and Trade Cooperation Framework Initiative." From now until 2030, China's cumulative imports from developing countries are expected to exceed US$8 trillion.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends!

The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have long been enshrined in China's Constitution and have become the cornerstone of China's independent foreign policy of peace. At present, China is comprehensively promoting the construction of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation with Chinese-style modernization. On the new journey, China will continue to carry forward the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, join hands with other countries to promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind, and make new and greater contributions to maintaining world peace and promoting common development.

China's determination to follow the path of peaceful development will not change. We will never follow the old path of colonial plunder, nor will we follow the wrong path of hegemony when a country is strong, but we will follow the right path of peaceful development in the world. On peace and security issues, China has the best record in the world. We strive to explore solutions to hot issues with Chinese characteristics and play a constructive role in the Ukraine crisis, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and issues involving the Korean Peninsula, Iran, Myanmar, Afghanistan and other issues. For every increase in China's power, the hope for world peace will increase.

China's determination to cooperate friendly and cooperative with other countries will not change. We actively expand global partnerships of equality, openness and cooperation and are committed to expanding convergence of interests with other countries. China promotes coordination and positive interaction among major powers and promotes the construction of a pattern of major-country relations of peaceful coexistence, overall stability, and balanced development. China adheres to the concept of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness and the foreign policy of being kind to its neighbors and partners, and deepens friendship, mutual trust and integration of interests with neighboring countries. China adheres to the concept of truth, affinity and sincerity and the correct concept of justice and interests to strengthen unity and cooperation with developing countries and safeguard the common interests of developing countries. China practices true multilateralism and actively participates in the reform and improvement of the global governance system.

China's determination to promote common development in the world will not change. China's high-quality economic development provides strong impetus for world economic growth. More than 1.4 billion Chinese people have entered modernization as a whole, which means forming a huge market that exceeds the total size of existing developed countries. China's door to opening up will only open wider and will never close. We are planning and implementing major measures to further comprehensively deepen reforms, continue to expand institutional opening up, and form a more market-oriented, legal and international business environment. Implementing "small courtyards and high walls" and "decoupling and breaking links" goes against the trend of history and will only harm the common interests of the international community.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends!

"The path of history is not always smooth, but sometimes it reaches difficult and dangerous realms. This is all through the vigorous spirit." This is what the pioneer of the Chinese revolution said 100 years ago. Today, the baton for promoting the cause of peace and development of mankind has historically fallen into the hands of our generation. Let us take the 70th anniversary of the publication of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence as a starting point, shoulder the historical mission, move forward together with courage, and jointly promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind and create a better future for human society!

Thank you all.