Profoundly expounding on the "two answers" that transcend time and space, Current Affairs News Eye丨Xi Jinping attended this conference

Faced with the major issues of handling relations between countries and promoting world peace and development, the generation 70 years ago "gave the historical answer of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence". Today, 70 years later, "China has given the contemporary answer of building a community with a shared future for mankind".

What kind of inheritance is there from "historical answer" to "contemporary answer"? What kind of enlightenment does it bring? On June 28, the 70th anniversary commemoration of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence was held in Beijing. President Xi Jinping attended the meeting and delivered an important speech, making a systematic exposition on this. "Current Affairs News Eye" interprets it for you.

The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence is a term that is familiar to all Chinese people.

70 years ago, the cause of national independence and liberation in Asia, Africa and Latin America was booming, and the newly born countries were eager to establish equal international relations. Against this background, Chinese leaders first proposed the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence: mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.

In June 1954, during Premier Zhou Enlai's visit to India and Myanmar, China, India and Myanmar issued joint statements respectively, jointly advocating the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Since then, the Five Principles have become the basic norms of international relations and the basic principles of international law.

△In June 1954, Zhou Enlai was with Burmese Prime Minister U Nu during his visit to Myanmar.

The commemorative meeting held on June 28 was the first high-level meeting held in ten years to commemorate the release of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

In his speech, President Xi Jinping stated clearly: "To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence is to promote the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence under the new circumstances, work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind, and provide strong impetus for the progress of human civilization."

Ten years ago, also on June 28, a conference to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence was held in Beijing. President Xi also attended the conference and delivered a keynote speech.

"Current Affairs News Eye" noted that China and India issued a joint statement advocating the Five Principles on June 28, 1954.

History always gives people the power to gain wisdom and move forward at special moments in time.

△Before the commemoration meeting for the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence began.

On that day, more than 600 people gathered in the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People, including dignitaries from Vietnam, Myanmar, South Africa, Ethiopia, Brazil, France and other countries, as well as representatives of international and regional organizations, ambassadors to China from more than 100 countries, Chinese and foreign experts and scholars, friendly people, media and business representatives.

The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence were born in Asia and have had an impact around the world. Last month, in a signed article published on the eve of his visit to France, President Xi Jinping mentioned that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the publication of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. He said, "Over the past 70 years, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have been universally accepted and recognized by countries around the world and have become an important norm in modern international relations."

The gathering of guests from various countries in Beijing for this commemorative conference demonstrates the influence, vitality and appeal of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. It also reflects that against the backdrop of profound changes in the international situation, all countries are looking forward to hearing China's proposals to promote world peace and development.

△The scene of the commemoration meeting for the 70th anniversary of the issuance of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

From "historical answers" to "contemporary answers"

At the commemorative meeting ten years ago, President Xi Jinping comprehensively expounded on the historical contribution and practical significance of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, as well as China's position on how to inherit and carry forward the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence under the new circumstances.

Ten years later, at the commemoration ceremony, President Xi Jinping put forward an important conclusion: building a community with a shared future for mankind "is the best way to inherit, promote and sublimate the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence under the new circumstances."

"Current Affairs News Eye" noted that the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously said when introducing the overall situation of the commemorative activities that this year's commemorative activities will focus on the theme of "From the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence to Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind."

△The 70th anniversary commemoration of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. This is before the conference started.

In his speech, President Xi said that the "Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence" and "Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind" were respectively the "historical answer" given by the generation 70 years ago and the "answer of the times" given by China 70 years later.

Regarding the "historical answer," President Xi said, "This answer has withstood the test of changing international situations and has not only not faded or become outdated, but has glowed with an even more eye-catching brilliance."

Regarding the "answer of the times", President Xi said, "Now, building a community with a shared future for mankind has expanded from a Chinese initiative to an international consensus, and has been transformed from a beautiful vision into rich practice, effectively promoting the world towards a bright prospect of peace, security, prosperity and progress."

Regarding the connection between the "two answers", President Xi Jinping clearly pointed out that "the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind is in line with the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence."

△The scene of the commemoration meeting for the 70th anniversary of the issuance of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

The Central Foreign Affairs Work Conference held at the end of 2023 concluded that China's major power diplomacy with Chinese characteristics will enter a new stage where it can achieve more on the new journey. The conference also summarized the valuable experience of the "six musts" of foreign affairs work, one of which is "must reflect the responsibility of a major power."

"Promoting the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and working together to build a community with a shared future for mankind" is the title of President Xi's important speech this time. It is also a powerful embodiment of "major country responsibility" and the direction of efforts to "do more."

From “Why to Commemorate” to “How to Commemorate”

By understanding President Xi Jinping’s important remarks and grasping the connection between the “two answers”, we can better understand why we should commemorate and how to commemorate.

To commemorate, we must understand the value and significance contained therein.

At the commemorative meeting ten years ago, President Xi pointed out that "under the new circumstances, the spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence is not outdated, but rather timeless; the significance of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence is not diluted, but rather timeless; the role of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence is not weakened, but rather timeless."

At this year's conference, President Xi systematically summarized the contribution and significance of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence: they have set a historical benchmark for international relations and international rule of law, provided correct guidance for countries with different social systems to establish and develop relations, gathered strong synergy for the unity, cooperation and joint self-reliance of developing countries, and contributed historical wisdom to the reform and improvement of the international order. "They are worthy of careful cherishing, inheritance and promotion."

Commemoration is for the purpose of better inheritance and promotion.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the beginning of the “second decade” of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Looking back at the past and looking forward to the future at this critical juncture in history, President Xi pointed out in his speech that "more than ever before, we need to carry forward the spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and work tirelessly toward the lofty goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind."

From "upholding the principle of sovereign equality", "laying a solid foundation for mutual respect", "realizing the vision of peace and security", to "gathering the momentum for building common prosperity", "upholding the concepts of fairness and justice", and "demonstrating an open and inclusive mind", President Xi explained from six aspects how to promote the spiritual connotation of the Five Principles.

△Diplomatic leaders and ambassadors to China from many countries attended the commemorative meeting.

"Current Affairs News Eye" noticed that compared with the "six insistences" put forward by President Xi ten years ago, "mutual respect" was listed separately among the six requirements put forward this year.

President Xi stressed that "when dealing with each other, the first thing to do is to put equality, mutual respect and mutual trust first." He said that we must jointly uphold the "golden rule" of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, jointly oppose imposing one's will on others, oppose camp confrontation and various "small circles", and oppose forcing other countries to choose sides.

These words are even more worth listening to in today's world.

△The guests listened to President Xi’s important speech.

As a collection of emerging market countries and developing countries, the "Global South" has grown significantly and become a key force influencing the international situation. The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence are the banner of unity, cooperation and joint self-reliance of the "Global South".

In his speech at the commemorative meeting, President Xi Jinping called on the "global South" to take the lead in promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind and to jointly serve as "four forces": a stabilizing force for maintaining peace, a backbone force for open development, a constructive force for global governance, and a force for promoting mutual learning among civilizations.

△In August 2023, the South African people warmly welcomed President Xi's visit.

At the meeting, President Xi announced a number of initiatives to support cooperation in the Global South, including the establishment of a Global South Research Center, providing 1,000 "Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence Excellence Scholarships" to Global South countries in the next five years, providing 100,000 training opportunities, and launching the Global South Youth Leaders Program.

President Xi said that from now until 2030, China's cumulative imports from developing countries are expected to exceed US$8 trillion.

△In October 2023, participants of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation stopped to learn about the landmark projects of the Belt and Road Initiative.

As the first country to initiate the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, how will China continue to promote the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and work with other countries to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind?

In his speech, President Xi solemnly promised to the world: China's determination to pursue a path of peaceful development will not change, China's determination to cooperate in a friendly manner with all countries will not change, and China's determination to promote common development of the world will not change.

"Every time China's strength grows, the hope for world peace grows." "China's door of opening up will only open wider and wider and will never be closed." This is China's clear attitude.

"We are planning and implementing major measures to further comprehensively deepen reform, continue to expand institutional opening-up, and create a more market-oriented, law-based and internationalized business environment." This is a powerful Chinese move.

China will firmly remain an “actionist” in promoting the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

△Foreign guests attending the commemorative meeting took a group photo on the spot.

In April this year, President Xi Jinping said in a foreign affairs meeting that the ancient Chinese people talked about "working together in the same boat", but I think what we need now is "working together in the same global space".

At the commemorative meeting, President Xi reiterated that we must cherish and protect the earth in the spirit of global solidarity and leave a paradise for future generations.

Taking over the baton of history, answering the "questions of the times", and working together to build a community with a shared future for mankind, this is the most clear message conveyed by this commemorative meeting.

Reporter: Li Zheng, Li Jin, Guo Hong, E Jiefu, Xiao Bingyi, Han Rui, Lu Hongyu, Zhou Ti, Yao Yao, Cao Yaxing, Jiang Yi, Zhang Yao

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