Chinese ambassador to India holds reception marking jubilee of Five Principles

Chinese ambassador to India Hua Junduo Friday evening said in New Delhi that the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which was jointly initiated by China, India and Myanmar 50 years ago, still possess immense vitality in the backdrop of the current profoundly transforming international scenario, and still command extensive acceptance by the international community in the present world of interdependence, plurality and diversity.

Hua made the remarks at a grand reception in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Panchsheel, or the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

Hua noted that over the past 50 years, Panchsheel has stood the test of history and gained broad recognition and adherence of the international community, thus becoming the basic norms governing state-to-state relations.

"This is because the Principles embody the quintessence of the UN Charter, reflect the democratic spirit of mutual equality in contemporary international relations, and entail pragmatic significance in pushing forward the establishment of new inter-state relations as well as a fair and just new international order."

As proved by the 50 years' practice since their initiation, any state-to-state issue can be properly addressed, if only the Principles are commonly observed and peaceful negotiation is adopted by all the countries, he said, adding that this, undoubtedly, is of special significance for the present world in eventful times.

The ambassador said the basic contents of these Principles havebeen written into the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, and become the basic norms guiding China's independent foreign policy of peace.

"China has always been developing friendly and cooperative relations with all the other countries throughout the world, in accordance with these Principles."

"Along with India and Myanmar as well as all the other countries in the world, we wish to constantly enrich and evolve the spirit of the Five Principles in order to make greater contribution to the cause of world peace and development," he said.

He expressed the wish that "as long as we adhere to these Five Principles and live on friendly terms with each other for mutual benefits and common gains, China and India could not only establish long-term constructive and cooperative partnership, but also play a much more active role in the region and the world at large."

Addressing the reception, Indian Minister of External Affairs Natwar Singh said that the relevance of the Principles has enduredthrough the years as a guide for the peaceful and harmonious conduct of international relations.

"Panchsheel enshrines the right of all nations to choose their own path while interacting with others on the sound basis of mutual respect and equality," he said.

He noted that Panchsheel facilitates the expression of the views held by the less-developed countries, so that their concernscan be given due weight in the new international economic, social and political order, adding that it also provides the framework within which equitable globalization, which embraces multi-polarity and democracy and creates space for all to live in peace and prosperity, can be achieved to the mutual satisfaction and benefit of all.

Referring to relations with China, Singh said that it was clearthat India and China held similar positions on many issues of regional and global significance.

He said, "We shall continue to work together to qualitatively enhance our bilateral interaction in all areas and at all levels, and to maintain, and indeed accelerate, the growth of our bilateral friendship and cooperation."

About 500 people including high-ranking Indian officials, diplomatic envoys and others attended the ceremony.

Source: Xinhua