Multilateralism, the Way to Respond to Threats and Challenges
Statement by H.E. Mr. Qian Qichen, Former Vice Premier of China At the New Delhi Conference
2004/07/02
(By Chinese Embassy in India)
Mr Chairman,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I'm delighted to attend this international conference in New Delhi. May I begin by thanking the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies and Lt. Gen. Satish Nambiar, my colleague from the High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change, for their gracious invitation.
The main topic we are going to discuss at this conference, namely the developing world's response to threats and challenges, is highly relevant. The developing world, as a whole, is a major force for world peace, security, development and progress. Its members take up a good proportion of the world's land and population. Therefore, it is of vital importance to know what their real concerns are in today's world and to help solve their pressing problems.
Mr Chairman,
Our world is undergoing complicated and profound changes. Peace and development remain the theme of our times, yet they are far from properly addressed. Economic globalisation continues to evolve, but at the cost of a yawning gap between the North and the South. There has been a growing call for multilateral cooperation. However, unilateral actions still have their way in many cases. Given all this, the threats facing developing countries are grave, and the challenges are immense. To sum up, they fall mainly into these categories.
First, traditional security issues such as regional conflicts remain a threat to peace and stability of many developing countries. History has left the developing world with territorial, religious, and ethnic disputes. These, together with foreign meddling, have led to frequent armed conflicts of all kinds. Most of the world's hotspots are concentrated in developing countries. This calls for high vigilance of the international community.
Second, non-traditional security issues, which have gained increasing prominence, are jeopardizing the livelihood of developing countries. For developing countries, economic development is their top priority. However, it is an arduous task. Poor natural conditions and weak economic foundation, which are the common feature throughout the developing world, have crippled their strength to respond to crisis. Thorny issues such as poverty, hunger, diseases, illiteracy, drugs and transnational crimes have only made things even worse.
Third, the persistence of an unfair international economic order is holding back developing countries in their endeavour for comprehensive development. Many of them are being marginalized by the widening gap between the North and the South, deepening digital divide, and more inequitable dividends distribution in the course of economic globalisation
Mr Chairman,
Mankind has traversed a tortuous course of development. It is a process of meeting obstacles, overcoming them and then moving on. People throughout the world want peace and stability and reject war and conflict. They want development and progress, reject poverty and backwardness. Such is the call of the times, a shared aspiration of all peoples and the tide of history. We must assess the situation and seize every opportunity, and do everything we can to meet all the threats and challenges. Here, I would like to share with you some of my observations as follows:
First, we should opt for multilateralism and give full play to the important role of the UN. Our world is a one big family. Naturally, family affairs should be handled by all its members through consultations. The United Nations, as the core of the collective security mechanism and the best venue for multilateral interchanges, should continue to play its important role in international affairs. Facts have proved that no major international issues can be tackled by just one or two countries or a group of countries laying down the law.
On the other hand, we should also keep abreast of the changing world and look for ways to reform the UN and other multilateral organisations to ensure that they can better attend to the needs of their members and stand up to new threats and challenges.
In this regard, we are especially gratified to see multilateral cooperation mechanisms flourishing in Asia. SCO, ARF, 10+3, ASEAN+India, APEC, ACD and SAARC are functioning well. A mutually beneficial, open and cooperative Asia, where countries treat each other as equal and commit themselves to regional consultation, will lend a strong impetus to multilateralism, for which the UN stands.
Second, we should act in accordance with law and honour the UN Charter and the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. There are almost 200 countries in the world. Big or small, rich or poor, strong or weak, they are equal members of the international community, thus entitled to equal participation in international affairs. The UN Charter is a living guide for international relations. Under the current circumstances, purposes and principles, especially the important principles such as respect for sovereignty, non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, settlement of international disputes by peaceful means and strengthening of international cooperation remain valid and authoritative to date, and therefore should continue to be honoured.
I would like to mention in particular that fifty years ago, the Chinese leaders, together with the late Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and some other Asian leaders, initiated the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Half a century has passed and these principles have stood the test of time. They are still showing great validity today and have become a treasure to the human society.
Third, we should foster a new security concept gearing to ensuring security of all countries. In this world of great complexity, mutual trust and coordination are the prerequisite for an enduring universal security. No matter how complicated the situation might be, we should always work to enhance mutual trust through dialogue, settle disputes through negotiation and promote development through cooperation. The war in Iraq, among others, is a good reminder to us that wilful abuse of force does not lead to peace and unilateral action does not guarantee security.
Fourth, we should be true to our words and bring the benefits of globalisation to all countries. Globalisation is an inevitable trend which responds to the growth of productivity and advancement of science and technology. However, it should not be a process that benefits some countries at the expense of others. Neither should it be used to impose economic and social system, values and mode of development of one country upon others.
In 2000, the UN Millennium Summit adopted the Millennium Development Goals. Good goals deserve swift and physical implementation, which means that developing countries should depend on their own efforts and the international community should create an enabling environment for them. Developed countries, on their part, should take up their responsibilities by further opening their markets and removing trade barriers. They should also make good their commitments to more financial and technological aid, debts forgiveness and human resources development assistance so that countries all over the world will coexist in prosperity.
Fifth, we should preserve the diversity of the world and promote dialogue among civilisations. We live in a colourful and diverse world. Among the world's different civilisations, one might be longer than another, but never more superior. Both the Yellow and Yangtze River Valleys in China, and the Indus and Ganges River Valleys were once the cradles of human civilisations. All civilisations are created by man. And the contribution to this common wealth of mankind by any nation commands respect from other nations. Therefore, countries and nations should be open and tolerant to each other and strive to coexist in harmony. They should learn from each other in the process of competition and work for common prosperity by seeking common ground and shelving differences. Dialogues among civilisations help advance human society while conflicts among them benefit none.
Mr Chairman,
Terrorism is the common enemy of mankind. The international fight against it will last for quite some time. At present, we have seen new manifestations of terrorist activities as terrorists are shifting their targets from developed to developing countries and from "hard" to "soft targets".
In Asia, there are increasing signs of terrorist activities, which should once again remind us of the non-traditional security threats we are facing. Indeed, we have a lot to do in fighting terrorism. To check and eliminate terrorist activities in all fashions, we need to go on implementing measures aiming to:
1) strengthen international cooperation and give full play to the leading role of the UN and its Security Council,
2) adopt a comprehensive approach by employing political, among others, economic, diplomatic and legal measures to address both the symptoms and the root causes,
3) wipe out the breeding ground for terrorism by putting an end to poverty and inequality in development, and
4) conform to purposes and principles of the UN Charter and other laws and norms governing international relations in anti-terror activities. There are solid evidence and clear targets. It is not right to equate terrorism with specific country, nation or religion, or practise double standards.
Mr Chairman,
If the waves of independence and liberation movements of developing countries are a major feature of the 20th century, then, it is fair to say that the rise of these countries to economic strength and national rejuvenation will be an important trend of the 21st century. It represents an irresistible trend of history. Asia, the largest continent in the world, accounts for nearly 30% of the world's land, 60% of the world's population and a quarter of the global economic weight. Countries of this part of the world have the glorious tradition of overthrowing colonial rule. They have successful examples of settling regional disputes. They have the valuable experience of surmounting financial crisis, SARS and the bird flu. So long as we, the Asian nations, work together and assist each other, we are sure to remove all the obstacles ahead of us and continue to move forward.
Finally, I would like to wish this conference success.
Thank you!
走多边主义之路 共同应对威胁与挑战
钱其琛同志在印度研讨会上的主旨发言
2004/07/02
主席先生，
女士们、先生们：
我很高兴来到新德里出席这次研讨会。我愿借此机会，感谢印度和平与冲突研究学院及联合国改革问题高级别名人小组成员南比亚尔中将对我的盛情邀请。
这次研讨会主要讨论“发展中国家应对威胁与挑战”等议题，是很有针对性的。发展中国家作为一个整体，是维护国际和平与安全、推动世界发展与进步的重要力量。发展中国家地域广阔、人口众多。了解发展中国家在当今世界中的真正关切，帮助它们解决好面临的紧迫问题，对当今世界是至关重要的。
主席先生，
我们所处的国际环境正在发生复杂而深刻的变化。和平与发展仍是时代的主题，但并没有得到很好解决。经济全球化趋势在不断发展，但南北差距却进一步扩大。倡导多边合作的呼声在增高，但单边主义的做法依然随处可见。在这种复杂的大背景下，发展中国家面临的威胁是严峻的，挑战是巨大的。概括地讲，主要有三个方面：
第一，地区冲突等传统安全问题继续威胁着许多发展中国家的和平与稳定。由于历史原因，发展中国家因领土、宗教、种族纠纷，以及外部势力插手而引发的各种武装冲突频繁发生。世界上的热点问题绝大多数都在发展中国家。这种现象应该引起国际社会的高度关注。
第二，非传统安全问题日益突出，损害着广大发展中国家的国计民生。发展中国家当前的第一要务是经济建设，但是推动这个进程非常艰难。这些国家普遍条件差、底子薄、应对危机能力弱。贫困、饥饿、疾病、文盲、毒品、跨国犯罪等棘手问题，使它们的困境雪上加霜。
第三，不公正的国际经济秩序依然存在，抑制着发展中国家的全面发展步伐。在经济全球化大潮中，南北差距在拉大，数码鸿沟在加深，红利分配更加不公，不少发展中国家正被边缘化。
主席先生，
人类社会的发展从来就是曲折的，是一个不断出现困难，战胜困难，继续前进的进程。各国人民要和平和稳定，不要战争和冲突；要发展和进步，不要贫困和落后。这是时代呼声、人心所向，也是历史发展潮流。我们应该审时度势，想尽一切办法，抓住机遇，有效应对各种威胁和挑战。我想谈几点看法：
一、应该走多边主义道路，发挥联合国的重要作用。世界是一个大家庭。世界上的事情，应该由大家庭的成员们共同协商解决。联合国是国际集体安全机制的核心，也是实践多边主义的最佳场所，应该继续发挥联合国在国际事务中的重要作用。事实证明，重大的国际事务由一、两个国家，或某个国家集团去指手画脚，是办不好的。
随着形势的变化，我们也要与时俱进，探讨如何改革联合国和其他多边机构，以使它们更好地为所有成员服务，更有效地应对各种新威胁和新挑战。
令人鼓舞的是，亚洲地区的多边合作机制近年来亦在不断发展与加强。上海合作组织、东盟地区论坛、东盟与中日韩(10+3)、东盟与印度、亚太经济合作组织、亚洲合作对话、南亚区域合作联盟等各种合作机制都在运作。如果我们能够做到邻国平等相待，坚持地区协商，形成一个互利、开放、合作的亚洲，对联合国这个多边舞台来说，无疑是一个重要的支持。
二、应该依法行事，弘扬《联合国宪章》以及和平共处五项基本原则。世界上有近200个国家。它们不管大小、贫富、强弱，都是国际社会的平等一员，应该平等参与国际事务。《联合国宪章》是国际关系的行动指南。在当今形势下，《联合国宪章》的宗旨和原则，特别是“尊重国家主权、不干涉内政、和平解决国际争端、加强国际合作”等重要原则依然具有严肃性、权威性和有效性，应该继续遵守。
值得一提的是，五十年前，中国与印度前总理尼赫鲁等亚洲国家领导人共同倡导了和平共处五项原则。这些原则经受住了时代的考验，是人类社会的一大财富，至今仍显示出强大的生命力。
三、应该树立新安全观，实现所有国家的普遍安全。世界上的事情是错综复杂的。持久和普遍的安全只能建立在互信和协作的基础之上。不管事情有多么复杂，都应该通过对话增进互信，通过谈判解决争端，通过合作促进发展。伊拉克战争等教训在提醒人们，滥用武力不能缔造和平，单打独斗不能确保安全。
四、应该切实履行承诺，将全球化成果普惠各国。全球化是社会生产力和科技发展的客观要求和必然趋势。全球化不应以牺牲一些国家的利益去确保其他一些国家的利益。要避免在全球化进程中，将一国的经济体制、社会制度、发展模式和价值观念强加于别国。
2000年，联合国千年首脑会议通过了“千年发展目标”。好的目标更需要具体行动去尽快实现。在这方面，既要靠发展中国家的自身努力，也要靠国际社会创造一个良好的发展环境。发达国家要承担应有的义务和责任，进一步开放市场，取消贸易壁垒。在向发展中国家增加资金和技术援助、减免债务和人力资源建设等方面，它们应该切实履行承诺，以实现共存与共赢。
五、应该坚持世界多样化，促进文明间对话。世界是丰富多彩的。世界各国的文明有历史长短之分，无优劣高低之别。中国的黄河和长江流域，以及印度河和恒河流域曾孕育出人类的灿烂文明。世界上所有文明都是人类创造的。不同民族为人类文明发展做出的贡献，都应该受到尊重。不同国家和不同民族之间，应该采取开放态度，坚持包容理解，促进和谐共处，在竞争比较中取长补短，在求同存异中共同发展。开展“文明对话”，将有助于推动人类社会向前进步；搞“文明冲突”，对世界只有百害而无一利。
主席先生，
恐怖主义是人类的公敌。国际反恐斗争是一个漫长的进程。目前，恐怖活动又有了新的发展，攻击的地点正由发达国家转向发展中国家，攻击的对象正从“硬目标”转向“软目标”。
在亚洲地区，恐怖活动也日益增多。这再次为我们敲响了非传统安全威胁的警钟。亚洲国家在反恐方面依然任重道远。我们应该继续采取有效措施，抑制并消除各种形式的恐怖活动。一是加强国际合作，充分发挥联合国和安理会的主导作用。二是运用政治、经济、外交、法律等手段综合治理，标本兼治。三是致力于消除贫穷和发展不均衡，从根本上消除滋生恐怖主义的土壤。四是反恐行动应符合《联合国宪章》的宗旨和原则，以及其他国际法和国际关系准则。要证据确凿，目标明确。不能将恐怖主义与特定的国家、民族或宗教挂钩，也不能搞双重标准。
主席先生，
如果说，发展中国家的独立与解放是二十世纪的一个重要特征，那么，发展中国家走向经济发展与民族振兴，将是二十一世纪的一个重要趋势。这是不可阻挡的历史潮流。亚洲是世界上最大的洲，面积占全球陆地近30%，人口约占世界总人口的60%，经济总量占世界总量的四分之一。亚洲国家有过推翻殖民统治的光荣传统，有过解决地区冲突的成功例子，有过战胜金融危机、非典和禽流感的宝贵经验，只要亚洲各国同舟共济、齐心合力，我们就一定能排除面前的各种艰难险阻，不断地前进。
最后，我预祝这次研讨会取得成功。
谢谢。
