Peaceful coexistence a cornerstone of foreign policy

The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence proposed by China 60 years ago will remain the cornerstone of foreign policy, Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said on Tuesday.

China will stick to peaceful coexistence, uphold the principles of the UN Charter and push forward negotiations with countries to address disputes, Liu said.

"China has become an important member in the international community. We are emphasizing the idea of peaceful development, trying to ensure the world, including our neighbors, that China's development is peaceful," he said.

Liu made the remarks on Tuesday while meeting with the media during a symposium in Beijing to mark the 60th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

The Five Principles, proposed by China, were initiated by China, Myanmar and India in 1954. The principles were accepted by the international community at the Bandung Conference in 1955 and remain alive today.

The Five Principles are 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.

They have been written into the Constitution and incorporated into the communiques on the establishment of diplomatic relations or treaties that China signed with more than 160 countries.

Even though China has become richer and stronger than it was 60 years ago, the Chinese government will keep the country's foreign policy consistent, and the Five Principles are not outdated, Liu said.

China is scheduled to hold a ceremony on June 28 with Myanmar and India to mark the 60th anniversary of the Five Principles, he added.

Li Shishi, president of the Chinese Society of International Law, said that respecting sovereignty is the basis of the Five Principles, and every country's sovereignty should be respected.

No country should interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, and it goes against international law to forcefully interfere in other countries' domestic affairs, no matter what it is called, Li said at the symposium.

Peaceful development is the mainstream of current international relationships, and it is also the eternal theme of international law, he added.

Miguel de Serpa Soares, the United Nations under-secretary-general for legal affairs, said at the symposium that in his role as legal counsel at the UN he could feel the impact of the Five Principles almost daily.

"In many respects, the principles enshrined in the Five Principles are also included into the UN Charter," he said.

Ma Xinmin, a counselor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the Five Principles have promoted equity and justice.

"Common interests are the bonds that keep states together," he said.

anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn