Monrovia, Liberia – The conference commemorating the 70th anniversary of the five principles of peaceful coexistence took place in Beijing on June 28, 2024. President Xi Jinping of China spoke at the conference and gave a significant speech.
China first outlined and endorsed the Five Principles mutual respect for one another’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference in one another’s domestic affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence seventy years ago. In the annals of international affairs, it signified a revolutionary and historic accomplishment.
The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have shown to be resilient and timeless over the past 70 years, overcoming distance and time as well. They now serve as essential tenets of international law and as transparent, inclusive, and broadly applicable fundamental standards for international relations.
Looking back at the Common Quest of Asian and African Countries, China maintained an autonomous foreign policy of peace following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.
National liberation and independence movements were sweeping the globe at the time, and the Cold War’s ominous clouds were casting a shadow over everything. The Chinese government initially outlined the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and actively pursued peaceful coexistence with all nations.
China and Liberia were among the 29 Asian and African nations who attended the Bandung Conference in 1955. They promoted the Bandung spirit of friendliness, solidarity, and collaboration and put up 10 guidelines for managing state-to-state relations based on the Five Principles.
The Five Principles became the tenets of the Non-Aligned Movement, which emerged in the 1960s. The UNGA’s 25th Session in 1970 adopted the Declaration on Principles of International Law, and its Sixth Special Session in 1974 adopted the Declaration on the Establishment of the New International Economic Order, both of which accepted the Five Principles.
The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have established a historic standard for international relations and the rule of law over the course of more than 70 years, amidst winds of change in the global landscape. They have also functioned as the primary guide for the establishment and growth of relations between nations with disparate social systems.
They have given historical wisdom to the reform and enhancement of the international order and have been a potent motivator for developing nations to seek collaboration and self-strength via unity.
The Global South shared the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which originated in Southern nations and are a common treasure. All Flourish, the Global South Work in Unity.
In order to continuously fortify and solidify the unity of the Global South, China is prepared to collaborate with other nations in the region to actively promote both North-South and South-South cooperation according to the Chinese Envoy.
In order to protect the interests of the global South, China, a member of the global South, has taken the initiative to support the African Union’s admission to the Group of Twenty (G20) and has worked to strengthen the voice and representation of the South in international fora.
President Xi Jinping declared that China will open a research center for the Global South in order to better facilitate cooperation with countries in the region. Over the next five years, it will give Global South countries 100,000 training opportunities and 1,000 scholarships under the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence Scholarship of Excellence.
Also, a program for young leaders in the Global South will be launched. China intends to leverage the China-United Nations Peace and Development Fund, the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, and the Climate Change South-South Cooperation Fund to further promote growth in the Global South. Additionally, China will collaborate with relevant stakeholders to establish a tripartite center of excellence for the implementation of the Global Development Initiative.
The China-IFAD South-South and Triangular Cooperation Facility will be renewed, and an extra $10 million in Renminbi contributions will be made to boost the Global South’s agricultural growth. In addition to maintaining its support for the WTO’s Aid for Trade initiative and renewing its contribution to the WTO’s China Program, China is prepared to consider free trade agreements with other Global South nations.
With this move, the Initiative on International Trade and Economic Cooperation Framework for Digital Economy and Green Development invites more nations from the Global South. China is anticipated to import more than $8 trillion worth of goods and services from other developing nations between now and 2030.
“The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence were a natural historical evolution, and they responded to the call of the times. The world is changing dramatically now in ways not seen in a century, with significant changes taking place on a global scale. Humanity is once again at a crucial juncture where peace and growth must contend with numerous obstacles.”
China has responded to the times by putting forward a community with a shared future for all people, in response to the historic dilemma of “what kind of world to build and how to build it.”
Speaking for himself, President Xi stated, “We must champion the essence of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence more than ever, and we must always strive tirelessly for the lofty goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind.” This is a historic moment when humanity must choose between peace and war, prosperity and recession, unity and confrontation.
China holds that all nations are equal members of the global community, irrespective of their size, might, or level of wealth. It does not discriminate between those on the menu and those seated at the table.
China urges all nations to keep their fundamental commitment to equality, benefiting one another, and living in peace.In order to achieve excellent Belt and Road cooperation, execute the Global Development, Security, and Civilization Initiatives, and increase benefits to all peoples, we should all collaborate.
China has been collaborating with all parties to implement significant and practical steps toward creating a global community with a shared future for all people. Together, we have made it possible for the Vision to accomplish historic feats.
A significant player in the Global South, Liberia is a fervent supporter and implementer of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The current phase of China-Liberia ties is a new beginning.
China is dedicated to advancing the spirit of the Five Principles, strengthening collaboration through the Belt and Road Initiative, matching development plans with Liberia’s ARREST Agenda, ushering in a new era of friendship between China and Liberia, and cooperating to create a better future for all people, the Ambassador noted.
