Vice President Zeng Qinghong reaffirmed China's determination to
embark on a road of peaceful development on Monday at the inaugural
session of the Ministerial Segment of the 60th session of the
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the
Pacific (UNESCAP)
"Put simply, the theme of the present era is peace and
development, and China . . . has decided to follow the path of
seeking development while safeguarding world peace and contributing
to world peace through its own development," said Zeng.
Continued rapid economic growth has led some countries to
speculate that China, which is emerging as a major exporter and
destination for foreign direct investment, may pose a threat to
others in the region.
The nation's amazing economic performance has also led others to
contemplate its future role in the world.
"China will never seek hegemony, at present or in the future, no
matter how well-developed it becomes," said Zeng.
The nation will boldly participate in economic globalization to
develop extensive and mutually beneficial cooperation, Zeng added,
stressing in particular the adherence to independence so it can
make decisions autonomously.
Zeng also said that in the face of new challenges, Asia-Pacific
countries should build political trust, enhance coordination,
deepen regional cooperation and advocate harmony while maintaining
global diversity. He stressed that the diversity within the region
provided broad space and opportunities for economic cooperation and
trade.
During the High-level Visionary Meeting for Asia and the Pacific
2020, former Vice Premier Qian Qichen said that China supports
equality, reciprocity and cooperation in its ties with other
countries in the region. It does not make use of international or
regional organizations to target any country.
"So far, China's diplomacy has been very subtle," said UNESCAP
Executive Secretary Kim Hak-su. "It is not threatening others, and
other neighboring countries very much respect the way China handles
international matters."
Kim said that he appreciated China's keen interest in the UN and
UNESCAP, and held that China can be an active member in the
multilateral bodies.
Other participants at the meeting agreed.
China is "arising peacefully" and that will benefit all others
in the region, said Fidel Ramos, the former president of the
Philippines.
"I believe China will not seek hegemony by force," he said.
China has set a good example in actively cooperating with other
countries to seek common prosperity and treats neighboring nations
fairly, said former Pakistani President Farooz Ahmad Khan
Leghari.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan noted in a message to the
inaugural session that the region needs to pay attention to three
challenges: implementing the Monterey Consensus, which sets out a
firm basis for national and regional efforts to promote financing
for development; environmental sustainability; and the fight
against HIV/AIDS.
To tackle these challenges, this year's UNESCAP session
assembled a panel of former leaders to predict the state of Asia in
2020.
Highlighting diversity in the region, Qian said the Asia-Pacific
region and countries in the region should "maintain peace and
stability, respect and trust each other and stay away from
conflicts and wars."
By 2020, everyone in the region should be able to enjoy "full
development, human rights, dignity and freedom from poverty and
injustice," he added.
Qian called on religions in the region, like Christianity,
Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Brahmanism, to cast away their
prejudices and discrimination against each other and coexist in
mutual accommodation and promotion.
But he pointed out that challenges such as territorial or border
disputes, political disagreements, armed conflicts, economic
friction and wrangling over resources still need to be
conquered.
To that end, countries in Asia and the Pacific need to act
collectively, through a strengthened multilateral cooperation
network with the UN at the core, Qian said.
While advocating dialogue and cooperation in resolving disputes,
he also urged respect for diversity of civilizations and multiple
development models in the region.
"They (differences) are not barriers to the common task of
meeting challenges, but rather important bases for mutual emulation
and common progress."
On the sidelines of UNESCAP, Zeng held meetings with foreign
leaders and officials.
(China Daily April 27, 2004)