The Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence Stand Stronger

The Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence 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. These ideas were first put forward by then Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai on 31 December 1953 when he met an Indian Government Delegation. In 1955 the Asian-African Conference convened in Bandung, Indonesia adopted Ten Principles for conducting international relations, inside which the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence were included. Hereafter, in the process of the third world countries seeking for a fairer international political and economic order, the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence have been accepted and adopted by the overwhelming majority of the developing countries, and have an increasing impact all over the world.
70 years have passed since the birth of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence. Though the international situation has changed dramatically, the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence stand even stronger. They are not only the basis of the Chinese independent foreign policy of peace, but also constitute important principles in regulating state-to-state relations transcending social systems and ideologies. These principles have withstood the double tests of time and practice, and have played a significant role in promoting peace and cooperation worldwide. The international situation is going through profound changes. Peace, development and cooperation are the mainstream of the current international community, replacing contradiction of the era of Cold War.
However, uncertainties and instabilities still exist. Regional conflicts and turmoil continue. Traditional and non-traditional security threats are interweaved. Unilateralism and hegemony are common occurrences. Under such circumstances, the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence will continue to play their guiding role for a better world.