China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun (left), introduces Lu Bansuo to the Permanent Representatives of the UN Security Council members on November 1.
Courtesy of the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations
On December 17, a truck carrying humanitarian supplies from China arrived on the Gaza Strip side of the Kerem Shalom crossing.
Photo by Yasser Cudi (Xinhua News Agency)
On July 25, Acting Commander of the Southern Theater of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MINUSTAC), Vakar (first from left), conferred medals on Chinese peacekeepers.
Photo by reporter Yan Yunming
On July 22, the Chinese Navy's hospital ship Peace Ark, which is carrying out the "Harmony Mission-2023" mission, left the port of Tarawa after completing its visit to Kiribati.
Photo by Gui Jiangbo (Xinhua News Agency)
Security issues have a bearing on the well-being of the peoples of all countries, on the noble cause of world peace and development, and on the future and destiny of mankind. In recent years, the world has not been at peace, and many countries and regions have been plagued by wars and turmoil, and people have been displaced. The international community is eager to eliminate the root causes of conflicts and wars and to find a fundamental solution for lasting peace and stability in the world.
"Last year, I proposed the Global Security Initiative, which has been supported by more than 100 countries and international organizations. China stands ready to work with all parties to promote the implementation of the Global Security Initiative, adhere to dialogue rather than confrontation, partnership rather than alliance, and win-win rather than zero-sum, and work together to build a security community. On August 22, President Xi Jinping pointed out in his speech at the closing ceremony of the 2023 BRICS Business Forum.
From advocating "maintaining regional peace and ensuring common security" at the 23rd meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, to "expanding political and security cooperation and maintaining peace and tranquility" at the 15th BRICS Summit, to calling for "all parties to the conflict to immediately cease fire and stop hostilities" at the special video summit of BRICS leaders on the Palestinian-Israeli issue...... Over the past year, under the guidance of Xi Jinping's diplomatic thought, China has continued to promote the implementation of the Global Security Initiative and inject stability and positive energy into the turbulent international situation. At present, the Global Security Initiative (GSI) has been explicitly written into many bilateral and multilateral documents on China's exchanges with relevant countries and organizations.
A Luban lock, between dismantling and assembly, contains Chinese wisdom
1 November, United Nations Headquarters, New York. On the first day of China's presidency of the UN Security Council, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly Francis, and the permanent representatives of UN Security Council member states received a special souvenir – the Luban lock, which is full of the wisdom and charm of traditional Chinese culture.
"It is a customary practice for the Presidency-in-Office to present souvenirs to Member States. Luban lock is an ancient educational toy in China. The 6 wooden strips are cleverly locked into each other, forming a stable whole without external force. It is like peace, it is easy to disassemble and assemble, easy to destroy and difficult to rebuild, and rash action may cause irreversible damage. Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, introduced China's consideration of using the Luban lock as a souvenir, "A small Luban lock contains rich and diverse images, and we hope that everyone can see the fragility of peace and security through it, and also see the importance of the unity of the Security Council." I hope that everyone can experience the Chinese wisdom contained in it between dismantling and assembly. ”
Zhang Jun introduced Lu Bansuo at consultations and exchanges among members of the Security Council, briefings for all UN member states, and international media press conferences. At first, everyone was full of curiosity, but then they were enthusiastic about participating, and gradually understood the deep meaning of the proposal, and echoed China's proposal. Guterres said that the Luban lock is a concentrated embodiment of China's wisdom, and he expects China to provide more wisdom and solutions to solve the world's problems. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said after trying to assemble the Luban lock: "It is not easy to assemble the Luban lock, this is like the current dilemma faced by the Security Council, and only solidarity and cooperation can effectively deal with the challenge." ”
China is the initiator of the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and a doer in the implementation of this major initiative. China firmly upholds the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Zhang Jun said that during China's presidency of the UN Security Council in November, the Security Council held more than 30 meetings, discussed nearly 30 topics and more than a dozen draft documents, and adopted seven resolutions.
China regards the settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as the most pressing issue. In November, the UN Security Council held four open meetings, two closed-door meetings and internal consultations on the Palestinian-Israeli issue. "After several rounds of mediation, the Security Council finally reached a minimum consensus on alleviating the humanitarian situation and protecting women and children, and adopted Security Council resolution 2712 on November 15. Zhang Jun said that although this resolution is still insufficient, it has opened the initial steps to achieve a ceasefire, which is of positive significance. "When China speaks, people listen," Francis said. It was under China's auspices and impetus that the Security Council, after five efforts, finally adopted the first resolution since the outbreak of the new round of Palestinian-Israeli conflict. ”
This year, China released the Concept Paper on the Global Security Initiative, which systematically expounds the core concepts and principles of the Global Security Initiative and clarifies the key directions and platform mechanisms for cooperation...... China has taken firm and strong steps to implement the Global Security Initiative, demonstrating its responsibility as a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order.
On March 15, President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech at the high-level dialogue between the Communist Party of China and world political parties, stressing: "We advocate bridging differences through dialogue and resolving disputes through cooperation, resolutely opposing all forms of hegemonism and power politics, and advocating solidarity and win-win thinking to deal with complex and intertwined security challenges, and create a security pattern of fairness, justice, and joint construction and sharing." ”
Yasuo Fukuda, Chairman of the Advisory Committee of the Boao Forum for Asia and former Prime Minister of Japan, said that no country can exist independently from the international community, and President Xi Jinping emphasized in the Global Security Initiative to adhere to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, which is very much in line with the current needs of the international community.
A successful mediation has set an example for resolving contradictions and differences through dialogue and consultation
March 6, Beijing. Under the mediation of China, the Saudi and Iranian delegations began a dialogue. On March 10, China, Saudi Arabia and Iran reached the Beijing Agreement and issued a joint statement, announcing that Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to restore diplomatic relations and carry out cooperation in various fields. On April 6, witnessed by the Chinese side, Saudi Arabia and Iran signed a joint statement in Beijing, announcing the resumption of diplomatic relations with immediate effect.
Malandi, vice president and professor of international relations at the University of Tehran, said Iran and Saudi Arabia had been negotiating at a lower level. "With the facilitation of the Chinese side, the Iran-Saudi delegation participating in the Beijing dialogue was of a higher level, and the two sides sat together for several days of negotiations before reaching a consensus. China has played a positive and constructive role in promoting reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia. ”
The successful mediation of the resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran has set an example for resolving conflicts and differences between countries through dialogue and consultation, and is a major diplomatic practice of China's implementation of the Global Security Initiative. Qatar's Al Jazeera TV borrowed the Arabic proverb "Seek knowledge, even if it is far away in China", and lamented that "seeking peace, even if it is far away in China". The website of Spain's "La Vanguard" commented that the resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran was "a shocking move by China's diplomacy".
Abdulaziz al-Shabani, a Saudi expert on international affairs, said that China's contribution to promoting peace and prosperity in the Middle East is obvious to all and has been widely praised by the international community. The Global Security Initiative (GSI) is an important public good provided by China to the world and provides a feasible solution to the security dilemma. Ong Sze Kit, chairman of Malaysia's New Asia Center for Strategic Studies, said that the Global Security Initiative calls for upholding the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, "which has brought a breath of fresh air to the world in the context of large-scale bloc confrontation in some countries."
Since the outbreak of the new round of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, China has been campaigning for a ceasefire and ending the fighting to create conditions for the resumption of the peace process. On November 29, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the commemorative meeting of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, stressing: "China has put forward the Global Security Initiative, advocates resolving differences and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultation, and supports all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of crises. China will continue to uphold fairness and justice on the Palestinian issue, actively promote peace talks, and continue to provide humanitarian and development assistance to the Palestinian side. ”
Zhai Jun, the special envoy of the Chinese government for the Middle East, said that President Xi Jinping has repeatedly stated China's principled position on the current Palestinian-Israeli situation, and China has actively practiced the Global Security Initiative in the Middle East, promoted the political settlement of hotspot issues, and made continuous efforts to promote the construction of a new Middle East security architecture.
Only security based on morality and the right concept can be security with a solid foundation and truly lasting security. "In my extensive contacts with all parties in the Middle East, my most prominent feeling is that China's just position based on facts, law, conscience, justice, and strong voices from the whole world, especially the vast number of Arab countries, has been widely responded to by the international community. Zhai Jun said that the international community should make every effort to build a consensus on peace, strive to revitalize the political prospects of the two-state solution, and achieve lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.
A unique trophy to witness China's efforts to promote the political settlement of regional hotspot issues
China Peninsula camp in Bukavu City, South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, July 25. Under the United Nations flag flying high and under the flags of China and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, all officers and soldiers of the 26th batch of Chinese peacekeeping troops in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) were awarded the United Nations Peace Medal.
"The world is peaceful", "the world is safe", "open the road in the mountains, build bridges in the water, protect peace, and sow hope...... In the garrison of the Chinese peacekeeper engineer detachment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the sonorous oaths of batches of peacekeepers are engraved on the stone tablets.
In May this year, heavy rainfall and flooding in the Kalehe region of South Kivu province destroyed thousands of homes and caused heavy casualties. The Ruzira Bridge on a key transport route was washed away by floods, cutting off the transport line for humanitarian aid. After receiving the task, the Chinese peacekeeper engineering detachment rushed to the disaster area as soon as possible, set up camp by the river, and carried out engineering rescue. In July, the new Ruzira Bridge was successfully completed.
"I had to cross the river every day to work in the fields, and after the old bridge was washed away, it was a big problem to cross the river. Elena, a local resident, told reporters that after the new bridge was built, everything was much more convenient, "thanks to the Chinese officers and soldiers for building such a good bridge!"
China is the largest troop contributor to peacekeeping operations among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, and China's "blue helmets" have become a key force in maintaining peace in the UN. Senior UN official Christian Sanders commented that China's peacekeeping forces are high-standard and demanding troops, and have made great contributions to safeguarding world peace.
On August 24, President Xi Jinping pointed out in his keynote speech at the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue: "We are willing to work with Africa to practice the new concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, advocate bridging differences through dialogue, resolving disputes through cooperation, promoting political settlement of international and regional hotspot issues, and safeguarding world peace and stability." ”
Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, in April this year. At the Thanksgiving Conference for the Peace Process hosted by the Ethiopian government, Xue Bing, Special Envoy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China for Horn of Africa Affairs, received a certificate of appreciation and a trophy from Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy, becoming the first representative of a foreign country to receive the award on the spot. "The design of the trophy is very chic, it is made of bullet shell metal to create an Ethiopian territory, and in the middle is an olive branch that symbolizes peace. Prime Minister Abiy presented me with the award in appreciation of China's special contribution to the Ethiopian peace process. Xue Bing said.
Since the outbreak of the military conflict in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia at the end of 2020, at the request of the Ethiopian side, China has repeatedly spoken out for Ethiopia and voted of confidence for the Ethiopians to resolve internal conflicts in the Ethiopian way. At the same time, China has actively exerted its influence to promote peace talks and provided several batches of emergency humanitarian assistance to the conflict-affected areas in Ethiopia.
"Since 2022, I have visited Ethiopia and the AU headquarters five times, with the main goal of promoting the effectiveness of the AU-led peace talks. Xue Bing said that in the past two years since China put forward the "Horn of Africa Concept for Peace and Development", it has worked with countries in the region to promote its implementation and achieved important early results, including convening a peace conference and promoting the political settlement of regional hotspot issues.
"China's vision for peace and development in the Horn of Africa provides a new perspective and a new paradigm for our understanding of international security. China's efforts have contributed to the peace process in the Horn of Africa and have been welcomed and supported by the Horn of Africa region. Hassan, director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies in the Horn of Africa, told reporters.
China has hosted the first Horn of Africa Peace Conference to inject positive energy into maintaining security and stability in Africa, hosted the Middle East Security Forum and put forward proposals on the international community's joint efforts to build a new security architecture in the Middle East, actively promoted exchanges and cooperation in the field of security between all parties on multilateral platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, and the East Asia Cooperation Mechanisms. A series of international security exchange and dialogue platforms, such as the China-LAC High-Level Defense Forum, and jointly building a pilot zone for the Global Security Initiative...... Under the framework of the Global Security Initiative, China has carried out in-depth bilateral and multilateral security cooperation, and actively promoted the synergy of security concepts and the integration of interests.
China has carried out cooperation with all parties in non-traditional security areas such as counter-terrorism, cyber, food and climate change, successfully held the first China-Pakistan-Iran trilateral counter-terrorism security consultation, put forward the International Food Security Cooperation Initiative under the framework of the G20, launched the China-Pacific Islands Disaster Defense and Mitigation Cooperation Center, and launched the Global Initiative on Data Security and the Global Artificial Intelligence Governance Initiative. China is deeply involved in international cooperation in the field of non-traditional security and has joined almost all universal intergovernmental international organizations.
It is the common aspiration of all countries to bid farewell to the sword of war and forge the ploughshare of peace forever, so that every country can enjoy a peaceful and stable external environment, so that the people of every country can live and work in peace and contentment, and the people's rights are fully guaranteed. China welcomes all peace-loving and development-minded members of the international community to actively participate in cooperation under the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and make unremitting efforts to achieve sustainable peace and development in the world and create a better future for mankind.
(Reporter Yu Jinghao, Yu Yichun, Han Xiaoming, Dai Kairan, Li Zhiwei, Ren Haoyu, Yan Yunming, Huang Weixin)
Typography: Zhang Fangman
Source: People's Daily