How to Grasp Humanity's Shared ValuesHighlightedatthe 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China

2022-11-28 16:16

By H.E. Mr. Du Xiaohui, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia

Asthe 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of Chinaconcluded last month, General Secretary Xi Jinping called upon all countries to cherish the humanity’s shared values ofpeace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom, as well as to promote mutual understanding and forge closer bonds with other peoples. The humanity's shared valuesrise above differences in ideology, social system and development stage, conform with historical trends, meet the needs of the times, and reflect the common denominator of the values shared by people of various countries. They are the fundamental values for which we can work together and which will help us to cope with global challenges.

Peace and development are our common cause. China remains firm in pursuing an independent foreign policy of peace. China pursues a defensive national defense policy, and its development strengthens the world’s forces for peace. No matter what stage of development it reaches, China will never seek hegemony or engage in expansionism. In the last 30 plus years, China is the only major country in the world that has never taken part in war in any form. China has downsized military personnel by 300,000 over the past 10 years and sent more than 50,000 people on UN peacekeeping missions in the past 30 years. China always advocates peaceful settlement ofinternational disputes between countries through dialogue and consultation, in addition to providing constructive solutions with the aim of safeguarding international and regional peace. The 20th CPC National Congress setthegoal of building China into a great modern socialist country in allrespects. A two-step strategic plan hasbeen adopted: 1) basically realize socialist modernization from 2020 through 2035; 2)build China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful from 2035 through the middle of this century. Countries with lofty and clear objectives must work for and safeguard a peaceful environment. Zambia is known as a peaceful country in Africa. Its successive governments have all had an agenda that prioritized economic development. Peace and development represent the common aspiration of the Chinese and Zambian people as they pursue a better life, and provide unlimited possibilities for future bilateral cooperation.

Fairness and justice are our common goals. China stays true to the principle of equality of all countries big or small, strong or weak, and rich or poor. As the largest developing country, China attaches great importance tosolidarity and cooperation with fellow developing countries and works to protect our common interests. President Xi Jinping stressed at the G20 Bali Summit held this month that China has suspended the largest amount of debt service payment among all G20 members and called on international financial institutions and commercial debtors as sovereign debt holders of developing countries to take part in the debt reduction and suspension for developing countries. Zambia has helped China restore its lawful seat in the United Nations and has spoken up for China on the international stage. On UN Security Council reform, China maintains that Africa’s request to redress historical injustice should be fully respected and Africa’s representation and voice should be enhanced substantively. China and Zambia should continue to strengthen cooperation on international affairs, oppose the bullying of the weak and small by the strong and big, and jointly safeguard international fairness and justicethrough concrete action.

Democracy and freedom are our common pursuit. The Report to the 20th CPC National Congress points out that “Whole-process people’s democracy is the defining feature of socialist democracy.” China has developed people’s democracy and established democracy in its broadest, most genuine, and most effective form. Zambia has, based on its historical and cultural attributes, built a democratic system with its own unique characteristics through the wide participation of all stakeholders. China supports the African Union’s membership in G20 to enhance the voice of Africa on the global economic stage. China and Zambia mutually support the developmental path and social system independently chosen by each other, and respect each other’s right to carry out normal and legitimate economic and cultural activities. China and Zambia should continue working together to uphold democracy in international relations and support each other’s right to choose its own development path.

We Chinese believe that “a just cause should be pursued for common good.” China will stand firm on the right side of history and on the side of human progress, stay dedicated to the humanity's shared values, forge closer bonds between the peoples of Chinese and Zambia, promote high-quality development of China-Zambia relations, and workto build a community of a shared future for the two countries.

EMBASSY OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA All RIGHTS RESERVED