Four pillars on which to build a better world: China Daily editorial

Detailed summary

Another important hallmark of China's foreign policy is its adherence to multilateralism. The essence of which is opposing bloc confrontation, upholding the UN-centered…

Convened under the theme "From Sovereignty to Cooperation", the organizers of the ninth Paris Peace Forum, which was held on Tuesday and Wednesday, argued that peace is not a luxury. Against a backdrop of mounting strain on multilateral institutions and international law, nations must strengthen cooperation to effectively address global crises while preserving their sovereignty.

Philippe Etienne, president of the forum, put it plainly: "Sovereignty does not mean turning inwards. It also means taking responsibility in cooperating."

In a video address, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted that cooperation remains essential for nations to safeguard their own sovereignty. He called for a networked, multipolar world grounded in international law.

In an era of fragmentation, cooperation is not a choice but a necessity.

It was in this context that Kong Quan, China's former ambassador to France, addressed the forum and offered four keywords to help the world understand China's foreign policy: responsibility, mutual respect, multilateralism and cooperation based on respect for sovereignty.

Responsibility, Kong explained, means that like other governments, China has the primary duty to promote its own economic and social development. At the same time, China's development also benefits the world. This is a most objective way to understand the relationship between China's development and its implications for the world.

Indeed, for decades, China's economic growth and remarkable achievements have served as a vital engine driving the global economy. Today, it stands as a major trading partner for over 160 countries and regions worldwide. By advancing high-standard opening-up, China is eager to share its development opportunities with the rest of the world.

Apart from being a responsible country, China also advocates mutual respect in international relations. It is necessary to shore up mutually beneficial cooperation based on the principle of "harmony in diversity"…

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