China committed to peace

Updated: 2011-09-07 07:52

(China Daily)

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The Information Office of the State Council issued a White Paper on Tuesday to elaborate on China's commitment to the path of peaceful development. It sends a strong message to the outside world: China does not seek hegemony and is a reliable stakeholder in pursuit of world peace and development.

The document, the second of its kind since 2005, embodies China's newest understanding of the world and its thoughts on nation building and foreign policy. It explains in depth how its development will benefit both China and the rest of the world as well.

In a nutshell, the concept of peaceful development means China will seek development in a scientific, independent, open, peaceful, cooperative and common manner.

Peace, development and cooperation have become part of the irresistible global trend of our times. With multi-polarization and globalization gaining momentum, there are loud calls for reforms in international governance. At the same time, a long list of global challenges, such as terrorism, the financial crisis and climate change, are threatening human survival and sustainable economic and social development.

Under such circumstances, the world needs China more than ever as a rising power that upholds the banner of peace and development.

Thanks to the economic and social progress it has gained since the introduction of reform and opening-up in the 1970s, China is now better positioned to meet this need.

Nonetheless, in recent years, contrary to the country's desire, the rise of China on the world stage has aroused misunderstanding and suspicion. There are even those who view it as a threat and regard the relationship between China and the West as a zero-sum game.

Such sentiments are not based on facts. Even a quick delve into the White Paper will reveal how much the rest of the world has benefited from China's growth.

Since its entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001, China has imported goods worth nearly $750 billion every year, and created over 14 million jobs for those exporting countries and regions. Over the past decade, foreign-funded companies in China have remitted a total of $261.7 billion of profits, with an average annual increase of 30 percent. By the end of 2009, China's development aid had reached 256.3 billion yuan ($40 billion) and benefited 161 countries and over 30 international and regional organizations. In the next 10 years, China is expected to import an aggregate worth of $15 trillion.

Chinese leaders have on many occasions reiterated the country's strategy of development. The White Paper represents the country's latest effort to assure the rest of the world of its role as a peaceful power and a responsible, cooperative partner.

China is committed to cooperation with others based on equality and reciprocity. As a result, the stronger its economic strength the more the world will benefit.

(China Daily 09/07/2011 page10)