The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have important practical significance and strong vitality, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said in Beijing Monday evening.

Li made the remarks at a reception held by the Indian embassy in China to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Five Principles.

Li said both China and India were initiators of the Five Principles, and during the past half a century, the Five Principles had become basic norms governing state-to-state relations.

The Chinese government, with adherence to building a good neighborly relationship and partnership with neighboring countries, was willing to develop good neighborly and friendly cooperation with all neighboring countries including India.

The long-term constructive cooperative partnership between China and India will enjoy a better future, as long as the two sides stick to the Five Principles, live in peace and harmony, seek common ground while shelving differences, retain friendship generation after generation and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.

Indian Ambassador to China Nalin Surie said at the reception that the Five Principles, as important guiding rules for bilateral relations between India and China, will continue to play their important role.

The Indian government was devoted to strengthening and enriching relations with China, and will constantly promote the long-term constructive cooperative partnership between the two sides.

The Five Principles, initiated by China, India and Myanmar in 1954, include 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.

Source: Xinhua