The following remarks by Xi Jinping, the President of China, were delivered to the Fourth Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, Shanghai, May 21, 2014.
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The summit today has brought together leaders and
representatives from 47 countries and international organizations, including
CICA member states, observers and invited guests of the Shanghai summit. Under
the theme "Enhancing Dialogue, Trust and Coordination for a New Asia of
Peace, Stability and Cooperation", we will discuss the important subject
of security cooperation, explore policies for long-term peace and stability,
and jointly promote development and prosperity. As such, this summit is of
great importance to security in Asia and the world at large and will have
far-reaching impacts.
Asia today is home to 67% of the world's population and
accounts for one third of the global economy. It is a place where diverse
civilizations and nations meet and interact. Peace and development of Asia is
closely connected with the future of mankind, and Asia's stability and revival
is a blessing to peace and development of the world.
Asia today, though facing more risks and challenges, is
still the most dynamic and promising region in the world. Peace, development
and win-win cooperation are the main trend in the region, and countries in the
region generally prefer policies that address differences and disputes through
consultation and negotiation. Asia enjoys a rising status in the international
strategic landscape and plays an increasingly important role in promoting a
multi-polar world and democracy in international relations. Such a sound
situation in the region has not come easily and ought to be doubly cherished.
Asia today is witnessing vibrant cooperation in the economic
field. Cooperation in the security field is making progress despite
difficulties, and various cooperation mechanisms are more dynamic. Asia has
come to a crucial stage in security cooperation where we need to build on the
past achievements and strive for new progress.
As a Chinese saying goes, "A wise man changes as time
and circumstances change." We need to keep pace with the changing
circumstances and evolving times. One cannot live in the 21st century with the
outdated thinking from the age of Cold War and zero-sum game. We believe that
it is necessary to advocate common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable
security in Asia. We need to innovate our security concept, establish a new
regional security cooperation architecture, and jointly build a road for
security of Asia that is shared by and win-win to all.
Common security means respecting and ensuring the security
of each and every country. Asia is a region of great diversity. Countries
differ in size, wealth and strength. They vary in historical and cultural
traditions as well as social systems, and have different security interests and
aspirations. However, we all live in the same Asian family. With our interests
and security so closely intertwined, we will swim or sink together and we are
increasingly becoming a community of common destiny.
Security must be universal. We cannot just have the security
of one or some countries while leaving the rest insecure, still less should one
seek the so-called absolute security of itself at the expense of the security
of others. Otherwise, just as a Kazakh proverb aptly puts it, "One who
tries to blow out other's oil lamp will get his beard on fire."
Security must be equal. Every country has the equal right to
participate in the security affairs of the region as well as the responsibility
of upholding regional security. No country should attempt to dominate regional
security affairs or infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of other
countries.
Security must be inclusive. We should turn Asia's diversity
and the differences among Asian countries into the energy and driving force for
regional security cooperation. We should abide by the basic norms governing
international relations such as respecting sovereignty, independence and
territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs, respect the
social systems and development paths chosen by countries on their own, and
fully respect and accommodate the legitimate security concerns of all parties.
To beef up and entrench a military alliance targeted at a third party is not
conducive to maintaining common security.
Comprehensive security means upholding security in both
traditional and non-traditional fields. Asia's security challenges are
extremely complicated, which include both hotspot and sensitive issues and
ethnic and religious problems. The challenges brought by terrorism,
transnational crimes, environmental security, cyber security, energy and
resource security and major natural disasters are clearly on the rise.
Traditional and non-traditional security threats are interwoven. Security is a
growing issue in both scope and implication.
We should take into full account the historical background
and reality of Asia's security issues, adopt a multi-pronged and holistic
approach, and enhance regional security governance in a coordinated way. While
tackling the immediate security challenges facing the region, we should also
make plans for addressing potential security threats, and avoid a fragmented
and palliative approach that only treats the symptoms.
We should have zero tolerance for terrorism, separatism and
extremism, strengthen international and regional cooperation, and step up the
fight against the three forces, in order to bring a life of happiness and
tranquility to the people of this region.
Cooperative security means promoting the security of both
individual countries and the region as a whole through dialogue and
cooperation. As the proverb goes, "Strength does not come from the muscle
of the arms, but from the unison of the heart." We should engage in
sincere and in-depth dialogue and communication to increase strategic mutual
trust, reduce mutual misgivings, seek common ground while resolving differences
and live in harmony with each other. We should bear in mind the common security
interests of all countries, and start with low-sensitivity areas to build the
awareness of meeting security challenges through cooperation. We should expand
the scope and means of cooperation and promote peace and security through
cooperation. We should stay committed to resolving disputes through peaceful
means, stand against the arbitrary use or threat of force, oppose the
provocation and escalation of tensions for selfish interests, and reject the
practice of shifting trouble to neighbors and seeking selfish gains at the
expense of others.
In the final analysis, it is for the people of Asia to run
the affairs of Asia, solve the problems of Asia and uphold the security of
Asia. The people of Asia have the capability and wisdom to achieve peace and
stability in the region through enhanced cooperation.
Asia is open to the world. While enhancing their own
cooperation with each other, countries in Asia must also firmly commit
themselves to cooperation with countries in other parts of the world, other
regions and international organizations. We welcome all parties to play a
positive and constructive role in promoting Asia's security and cooperation and
work together to achieve win-win outcomes for all.
Sustainable security means that we need to focus on both
development and security so that security would be durable. As a Chinese saying
goes, for a tree to grow tall, a strong and solid root is required; for a river
to reach far, an unimpeded source is necessary. Development is the foundation
of security, and security the precondition for development. The tree of peace
does not grow on barren land while the fruit of development is not produced
amidst flames of war. For most Asian countries, development means the greatest
security and the master key to regional security issues.
To build an Asian security mansion that could stand the test
of wind storms, we need to focus on development, actively improve people's
lives and narrow down the wealth gap so as to cement the foundation of
security. We need to advance the process of common development and regional
integration, foster sound interactions and synchronized progress of regional
economic cooperation and security cooperation, and promote sustainable security
through sustainable development.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,
CICA is the largest and most representative regional
security forum with the largest number of participants. Over the past two decades
and more, CICA has taken it its responsibility to strengthen mutual trust and
coordination and promote Asia's security and stability. It has followed the
principle of consensus building and made important contribution to increasing
understanding, seeking common ground and deepening cooperation.
Today, the Asian people more than ever want peace and
stability, and they more than ever need to work together to tackle challenges
to security.
China proposes that we make CICA a security dialogue and
cooperation platform that covers the whole of Asia and, on that basis, explore
the establishment of a regional security cooperation architecture. China
believes that it is advisable to increase the frequency of CICA foreign
ministers' meetings and even possibly summits in light of changing situation,
so as to strengthen the political guidance of CICA and chart a blueprint for
its development.
China proposes that we enhance the capacity and
institutional building of CICA, support improving the functions of CICA
secretariat, establish a defense consultation mechanism of member states and a
task force for supervising the implementation of confidence building measures
in various areas within the CICA framework, and deepen exchanges and
cooperation in counter-terrorism, business, tourism, environmental protection,
culture and people-to-people exchanges.
China proposes that we put in place a nongovernmental
exchange network for various parties of CICA through holding CICA
nongovernmental forums and other means, so as to lay a solid social foundation
for spreading the CICA concept of security, increasing CICA's influence and
promoting regional security governance.
China proposes that we strengthen the inclusiveness and
openness of CICA. We need to step up coordination and cooperation with other
cooperation organizations of this region and expand dialogue and communication
with other regions and relevant international organizations at the same time to
jointly uphold regional peace and stability.
China will fulfill the responsibilities as CICA chairman and
work with other sides to further improve the status and role of CICA so that
together we could take security cooperation of Asia to a higher level.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,
China is a staunch force for upholding peace in the region
and the world, and for promoting common development. The Five Principles of
Peaceful Co-existence that China initiated together with India and Myanmar have
become a basic norm governing state-to-state relations. China stays committed
to seeking peaceful settlement of disputes with other countries over
territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. China has completely
resolved, through friendly consultation, issues of land boundary with 12 out of
its 14 neighboring countries. Being an active participant in regional security
cooperation, China initiated, jointly with other relevant countries, the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization. China advocates a new security concept featuring
mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and coordination. China supports the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and the League of Arab States (LAS) in playing a
positive role in regional affairs. China and Russia jointly proposed an
Asia-Pacific peace and security initiative, which has played an important role
in strengthening and maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific
region. China works to push forward the Six-Party Talks and supports peace and
reconstruction in Afghanistan, making unremitting efforts in solving
international and regional hotspot issues through dialogue and negotiation.
China joined forces with countries in the region and the wider international
community to tackle the Asian financial crisis and the international financial
crisis, making its due contribution to promoting regional and global economic
growth.
China is firmly committed to the path of peaceful
development and the win-win strategy of opening-up. It seeks to develop
friendly relations and cooperation with other countries on the basis of the
Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. China's peaceful development begins here
in Asia, finds its support in Asia, and delivers tangible benefits to Asia.
"Neighbors wish each other well, just like family
members do to each other." China always pursues friendship and partnership
with its neighbors, and seeks to bring amity, security and common prosperity to
its neighborhood. It practices the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual
benefit and inclusiveness and works hard to make its development bring more
benefits to countries in Asia. China will work with other countries to speed up
the development of an economic belt along the Silk Road and a 21st Century
maritime silk road, and hopes that the Asian infrastructure investment bank
could be launched at an early date. China will get more deeply involved in the
regional cooperation process, and play its due part to ensure that development
and security in Asia facilitate each other and are mutually reinforcing.
As the saying goes, "Readiness to converge with others
makes a mountain high and a river mighty." As China is a strong champion
of the Asia security concept, it also works to put such a security concept into
practice. China will take solid steps to strengthen security dialogue and
cooperation with other parties, and jointly explore the formulation of a code
of conduct for regional security and an Asian security partnership program,
making Asian countries good partners that trust one another and cooperate on an
equal footing. China is ready to put in place mechanisms for regular exchange
and cooperation with countries in the region to jointly combat the three forces
of terrorism, separatism, and extremism. China is ready to discuss with
regional countries the creation of an Asian forum for security cooperation in
law enforcement and an Asian security emergency response center to deepen
security cooperation in law enforcement and better respond to major security
emergencies by coordinating national efforts in the region. China calls for
promoting exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations and
religions through various means, such as holding a conference for dialogues
among Asian civilizations, so that they will be able to draw on each other's
strength and achieve common progress.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,
The Chinese people, in their pursuit of the Chinese dream of
great national renewal, stand ready to support and help other peoples in Asia
to realize their own great dreams. Let us work together for realizing the Asian
dream of lasting peace and common development, and make greater contribution to
advancing the noble cause of peace and development of mankind.
Thank you.
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New Asian Security Concept for New Progress in Security Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, May 21, 2014.
Thanks to Matt Swartzfager.
