Greater efforts are needed in face of the new challenges and
opportunities, in promoting world peace and development and in
realizing the peaceful coexistence of all peoples, Chinese
President Hu Jintao said in Bucharest Monday.
Peace and development are still the main themes in the current
times. Maintaining world peace and promoting common prosperity is a
shared hope of people the world over, but uncertainties affecting
peace and development are also growing, Hu, who is in Romania for a
three-day state visit, said in a speech at the Romanian
Parliament.
To realize the peaceful coexistence of all peoples, the Chinese
president urged increased efforts in three areas:
-- Adhering to the principle of mutual trust and benefit,
equality and coordination and achieving common security for all
countries;
-- Sticking to all-around, coordinated and sustainable
development and working for common prosperity for all
countries;
-- Respecting cultural diversity and realizing common progress
of all civilizations.
Speaking of China's achievements in its modernization efforts,
Hu said China has made marked progress in boosting productivity and
national strength.
Last year, China's gross domestic product (GDP) reached 1.4
trillion US dollars and its GDP per capita exceeded 1,000 dollars,
Hu said, adding that the country has set the goals for growth in
the first two decades of the 21st century to achieve a GDP of 4
trillion dollars and GDP per capita 3,000 dollars by 2020.
The Chinese president also noted that this year will mark the
50th anniversary of the introduction of the five principles of
peaceful coexistence, which have been recognized as the guidelines
for developing ties of friendly cooperation between countries.
The five principles, introduced in June 1954, 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.
The goal of China's foreign policy is to safeguard world peace
and promote common development, Hu said. He pledged that China will
make unremitting efforts to deepen the friendship between the
Chinese and other peoples and promote the mutually beneficial
cooperation between China and the rest of the world.
China will pursue an independent foreign policy, adhere to the
road of peaceful development and develop friendly ties with other
countries on the basis of the five principles of peaceful
coexistence, Hu added.
(Xinhua News Agency June 15, 2004)