BEIJING, June 28 (AFP) - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Monday marked the 50th anniversary of his nation's "foreign policy of peace" with a call for greater democracy on the world stage and less "hegemony and power politics" in international diplomacy.
Wen also maintained that national sovereignty was inviolable, but played little heed to the "right of self-determination", especially as it pertains to China's disputed territories of Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang.
"It is imperative to have greater democracy in international relations ..., no country has the right to impose its will on others, nor can it undermine or deny other countries' sovereignty under whatever excuse," Wen said in a speech at the Great Hall of the People.
"Facts have proven that such practices as disregarding other's sovereignty, bullying the small and the weak by dint of one's size and power, and pursuing hegemony and power politics will not get anywhere."
For 50 years, China's diplomacy has been based on "the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence", which were first put forward by the late Chinese premier Zhou Enlai and agreed to in joint declarations with India and Myanmar.
The principles became central to the non-aligned movement, especially during the Cold War.
The principles refer to 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.
Wen said the principles were still valid in the 21st century, but that the "old security concept" of military alliances and arms build-ups should be dropped.
"The Cold War mentality must be done away with in favor of a new security concept featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation," Wen said.
"China will never threaten anyone, pursue expansion or seek hegemony."
Nations should work together to fight terrorism, weapons proliferation, drug trafficking, trans-boundary crimes and other non-traditional security threats as well as global concerns like HIV/AIDS and environmental degradation, he said.
During Monday's commemorations, Chinese President Hu Jintao exchanged congratulatory messages with Indian President Abdul Kalam.
Both leaders vowed to enhance bilateral ties while adhering to the five principles, Xinhua news agency said.
040628
AF040699
©AFP 2004.. All Rights Reserved. AFP articles contained on the AEGiS web site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without AFP's prior written permission. You may make one copy of each article for your personal, non-commercial use only; more copies would require AFP's prior written permission. http://www.afp.com/
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Bridgestone Firestone Trust Fund and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2004. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
©1990, 2004 - AEGiS. AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.
