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A changing world, a responsible China

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2011-01-06 14:18
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In his dealings with the world the gentleman is not invariably for or against anything. He is on the side of what is normal. - Confucius

Benevolence is man. - Mencius

Chinese philosophy helps build up the sense of responsibility in dealing with neighbours.

The past year, just as any other in the past, has witnessed a changing world towards the deepening of globalization. China, the world's largest developing country, is much more in the spotlight and has continued to fulfill its pledge in pushing for a more peaceful world by realizing its responsibility within its capacity in international affairs.

"China respects the right of the people of other countries to choose their own path of development. China will never interfere in other countries' internal affairs, never impose its own will on others, and is dedicated to peaceful settlements of international conflicts."

Hu Jintao

A changing world, a responsible China  A changing world, a responsible China

China stands firmly for peace, development and cooperation, pursues the independent foreign policy of peace, sticks to the path of peaceful development and the win-win strategy of opening-up, safeguards China's sovereignty, security and development interests, and is ready to work with other countries to build a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity. China's strategic intention can be defined in two words: peaceful development, i.e. harmony and development at home and peace and cooperation abroad.

China does not seek hegemony and will never compete with other countries for leadership in our region or follow the so-called Monroe Doctrine. What China pursues is a policy of friendship, security and prosperity with our neighbors, according to Dai Bingguo, Chinese State Councilor.

>>> Stick to the path of peaceful development>>> 

A changing world, a responsible ChinaA changing world, a responsible China

When disaster struck across the Pacific in Haiti, China sent its aid and rescue teams with the fastest response time. It lost eight heroes, for the good of the people on the other side of the earth, because China sees no national boundary in helping others.

A changing world, a responsible China China says rescue efforts in Haiti know no national boundaries
A changing world, a responsible China A changing world, a responsible ChinaSlide: Farewell, Haiti heroes


A changing world, a responsible China

A changing world, a responsible China

Tianjin police officer Liu Jinjin holds a Haitian baby during her peacekeeping mission in Haiti. She says the experience is the most dramatic one in her life. [Provided to China Daily]

A changing world, a responsible China

Li Jun (center), a Chinese aid worker and physician specializing in gastroenterology, diagnoses a child at a mobile hospital in flood-ravaged Thatta in southern Pakistan on Sept 21, 2010. [Zhou Lei / Xinhua]

Also as the flooding wreaked great havoc on Pakistan, China sent three rescue teams immediately to Pakistan and pledged a $250-million assistance for the flood-affected people, its largest-ever humanitarian aid package to a foreign country. During Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's official visit to Pakistan in December 2001, another package for post-flood reconstruction in Pakistan was announced, including a $10 million grant for compensation for flood victim and a $400 million concession loan.

Social organizations, enterprises, individuals from China and the Chinese people in Pakistan have been assisting the Pakistani people by making donations either in cash or in kind.A changing world, a responsible China

 

 

A changing world, a responsible China China pledges $250m flood aid to Pakistan
A changing world, a responsible China China, Pakistan sign joint communique to cement partnership

For a better and peaceful world - the eternal theme

China is a nation of peace lovers. Pursuit of harmony lies in the core of Chinese philosophy and the nation's political psychology. With more and more Chinese people standing out of poverty and getting to know better the entire world, Chinese thinkers, policy-makers and diplomats, guided by the wit of their ancestors, continue to take the path that extends the widest definition of hope and harmony.  

A changing world, a responsible China   A changing world, a responsible China

China does not control the DPRK, and China's actions are made out of a respect for other sovereign states and humanitarian considerations, said Zhu Feng, professor at Peking University's School of International Studies. As tensions grow on the Korean peninsula following the sinking of South Korean warship in March and the fire exchange on Yeonpyeong island in November, China has proposed emergency consultations be held.

Growing frequency of military drills of ROK and joint drills between US and ROK pushed escalation of the conflicts on the peninsula. China continued to urge two Koreas to show restraint, keep calm, open dialogue and not to take any steps that might escalate the situation.

 A changing world, a responsible China China actively defuses Korean tensions       A changing world, a responsible China China calls for calm as UN meets       A changing world, a responsible China China stresses peace on Korean Peninsula

China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has continued to communicate and coordinate with all concerned parties, including Israel, to play a constructive role in promoting the Middle East peace process.

China has sent its special envoy on Middle East affairs to mediate with peace talks, and has asked Israel and the Palestinians to treat the resumed negotiations seriously and put good faiths in them, stopping provocations and creating favorable conditions for fruitful talks, said Wu Sike, Chinese special envoy on Middle East affairs.

A changing world, a responsible China


China urges Israel to carry out UN resolutions in a comprehensive and serious manner, and lift the blockade on the Gaza Strip.

"China's prestige as a great nation has given it an international leverage and balanced positions," Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in an interview with Xinhua in April 2010.

A changing world, a responsible China Chinese envoy urges progress on Mideast peace
A changing world, a responsible China Abbas stresses China's role in Middle East peace

A changing world, a responsible China

China has consistently opposed (and will oppose) nuclear proliferation. But it also opposes any attempt to take advantage of the sanctions to attack or even weaken Iran. The accuracy and reliability of intelligence reports on whether Iran is developing nuclear weapons will continue to test the international community.

A changing world, a responsible ChinaOfficials from China sat with those from Britain, France, Germany, Russia and the United States, and European Union's top diplomat around a table for two-day negotiations with Iran over its disputed nuclear program earlier in December in Geneva.

China's stance to Iran's nuclear development has always been very practical," said Fathollahi, Mohammad Ali Fathollahi, the deputy Iranian Foreign Minister in charge of Asia and Oceania Affairs.

A changing world, a responsible China Comment: Sanctions on Iran, dilemma for China
A changing world, a responsible China Comment: No need to sanction Iran

A changing world, a responsible China  A changing world, a responsible China

A changing world, a responsible China

In 2008, increasing attacks by pirates prompted a UN Security Council resolution to allow international fleets to patrol waters off the coast of east Africa. The Chinese navy joined the UN mission and started its first major overseas operation in December 2008.

During the past two years, seven fleets, with a total of more than 6,000 navy officials and soldiers, have patrolled the sea off the Horn of Africa, providing escorts for Chinese ships, WFP (World Food Program) vessels carrying humanitarian supplies and foreign merchant ships against pirates. By October this year, Chinese convoys have rescued 26 ships and escorted 3,736 others since they joined the international mission, official statistics show.

But with the strategy of active defense, a stronger Chinese navy will not seek to build military bases overseas.

"The military's overseas missions, such as the anti-piracy operation, are authorized by the UN. …We have no agenda to set up military establishments, or threaten establishments of other nations overseas," Zhang Deshun, who was till recently the deputy chief of staff of the PLA navy.

A changing world, a responsible China No plan for overseas bases  A changing world, a responsible China Escort Somalia WFP ships  A changing world, a responsible China Fight against Somali piracy A changing world, a responsible China Stick to defensive strategy

 

A changing world, a responsible China  A changing world, a responsible China

A changing world, a responsible ChinaThe country voluntarily pledges to domestically reduce carbon emissions from 2005 levels by 40 to 45 percent for each unit of economic output in 2020.

"We need to take proactive attitudes to push for progress (in climate change conference negotiations)" Xie Zhenhua, head of the Chinese climate change delegation at Cancun. China also urged that developed countries should honor their promise made during the Copenhagen climate change talks last year.

China acknowledges International consultation and analysis (ICA) - a proposed new system to make sure that mitigation efforts from emerging economies be transparent and accountable and urges sticking to Kyoto Protocol, the only legally binding international treaty on global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions.

China also expressed support for the two draft documents presented at Cancun, which aim at setting up a new "Green Climate Fund" to help the world's least developed countries, as well as payments to protect tropical forests and another agreement to share low-carbon technologies.
A changing world, a responsible China Don't say 'no' to negotiations  A changing world, a responsible China Continuing Kyoto is 'key issue'  
A changing world, a responsible China No changes for Beijing's position  A changing world, a responsible China Voluntary, non-binding carbon cuts
 

China's philosophy better accepted

China's active role in UN peacekeeping and international rescue missions demonstrate its goal of diplomacy.

"Over the past five years, we have sent 13,000 peacekeeping troops on 13 missions of the United Nations, making China the country that sent the largest number of peacekeepers of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

"We have sent aid to 12 countries in the world suffering natural disasters with 500 million yuan in humanitarian aid so far.

"The Chinese navy hospital ship Peace Ark has returned lately from its mission to five nations in Asia and Africa, which offered free medical services to over 12,000 residents within 88 days," said Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie in an interview with Xinhua News Agency. "It's quite an achievement."

A changing world, a responsible China Different development paths