Jointly Building a More Secure Asia through the Power of People
——Some Highlight of Commemoration of the International Day of Peace 2014

By Lin Yongfeng,CPAPD Junior Researcher

To observe the International Day of Peace 2014,in accordance with its theme set by the United Nations,i.e.,“Right of Peoples to Peace”,the CPAPD together with the UN System in China and the Shanxi Provincial People’s Government jointly held the Commemoration of the International Day of Peace 2014,with the theme of“A more secure Asia aspired by people”in Xi’an City,west China during 23-24 September 2014.Chinese CPC and state leaders,incumbent and former political leaders from 25 countries along the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road(One Belt and One Road)as well as Chinese and foreign representatives of all circles took part in the event.Additionally,UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sent his video speech,Russian State Duma Chairman Naryshkin sent a congratulatory message.

The Chinese leaders present included Mr.Han Qide,Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference(CPPCC)and CPAPD President;Zhao Zhengyong,Secretary of the CPC Shanxi Provincial Committee;Lou Qinjian,Governor of the Shanxi Provincial People’s Government;the foreign incumbent and former political leaders included Mr.Chamal Jayantha Rajapaksa,Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka;Mr.Dimitrios Christofias,former President of Cyprus;Mr.Hussain Muhammad Ershad,Special Envoy to the Hon.Prime Minister and former President of Bangladesh.There were nearly 300 participants including other government officials,world peace activists,scholars,and media representatives.

At the opening ceremony on the 23 September,Mr.Han Qide,CPPCC Vice Chairman and CPAPD President delivered an enthusiastic keynote speech titled“People of Asia Join Hands to Safeguard Peaceand Security and Build a Future of Peace,Prosperity and Security”,Mr.Zhao Zhengyong,Secretary of the CPC Shaanxi Provincial Committee also addressed the ceremony.A video congratulatory message of Mr.Ban Ki-moon,UN Secretary-General,was played.

After the Opening Ceremony,a forum consisted of a high-level Dialogue and four sub-forums were successfully held.With the theme of“Building a more secure Asia through converging the Wisdom of people”,the High-level Dialogue was divided into two stages,Mr.Yu Hongjun,Vice President of the CPAPD,former Vice Minister of the IDCPC,Mr.Dong Jun,Mayor of the People's Government of Xi'an,Mr.Han Fangming,Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Committee of the CPPCC made speeches.Then four sub-forums followed with the themes of“New Security Perspective in Asia”,“People Need Sustainable Peace-Innovating the Security Mechanism in Asia”,“Roundtable on the Cooperation and Development of Cities along the Silk Road Economic Belt”and“Promoting Civilization Exchanges and Mutual Learning through Heart-to-Heart Communication”.Mr.Li Jinjun,Vice Minister of the IDCPC made a speech on the Roundtable sub-forum.At the forum,Chinese and foreign participants had heated discussions.

Chinese dignitaries and representatives interpreted in-depth the“Asian security concept”put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping this year from different perspectives,called on countries to abandon the Cold War mentality,abandon the zero-sum game,and actively pursue the Asian security concept with common,comprehensive,cooperative,sustainable as the core to build Asia community of destiny;introduced the great strategic concept“One Belt and One Road”,showing that the Asian people have the wisdom and ability to enlarge the cake for common interests,promote regional security and prosperity and build a community of interests through strengthening cooperation;conveyed China’s adherence to the road of peaceful development,to"maintaining friendship and partnership with neighboring countries"periphery foreign policy and"affection,sincerity,benefit,inclusiveness"concept,welcomed people of other Asian countries to take a ride on China development to realize their dreams;elaborated that the Asian civilizations have diversity,but different civilizations could exchange,and promote mutual understanding,and mutual support among Asian peoples so as to consolidate the concept of peace and development among them.These speeches won positive response and high valuation by participants.Those foreign participants believe that the security situation in the Asia is largely stable with surging undercurrent continuously.With this background,this annual observance focused on regional security and development issues,built a good platform for the people of Asian countries to enhance understanding and cooperation,fully reflects the Asian people's aspirations of pursuing peace,security,development,win-win cooperation,and is of great practical significance.They pointed out that Asian security concept is proposed to meet the regional security realistic and urgent requirements,and strongly hoped that China should play a leading role in the construction of more secure Asia;that"One Belt and One Road"projects will bring about economic development of countries along the Silk Road,build stronger cooperation ties between China and the relevant countries;that"One Belt and One Road"convey the concept of peace and inclusiveness,which will effectively promote mutual exchanges among different civilizations,,and enhance mutual understanding of people.

Through in-depth communication and interaction,participants have reached the following consensuses on maintaining security,peace and common development in Asia.Firstly,the construction of a more secure Asia is the common aspiration of allAsian people.New regional situation and international environment require establishment of a new concept of security.The participants expressed their concerted efforts to build a safer Asia,reflecting the common aspirations of Asian people.Secondly,innovate security mechanisms,maintain Asian security.Non-traditional security situation is highlighted,counter-terrorism situation grim and complex,and traditional security problems worrying in Asia.The participants emphasized improvement of regional multilateral mechanisms,and put forward constructive ideas and suggestions in regard to strengthening the Asia security mechanisms.Thirdly,promote cooperation,and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.For many Asian countries,development is a top priority.Asian people look forward to strengthening cooperation to achieve mutual benefit,win-win and sustainable development in Asia.Fourthly,respect inclusiveness,and promote regional harmony.There are different social systems and cultural traditions among Asian countries,the participants believed that only respect for differences,equality and inclusiveness,can the Asian region maintain its vigor and vitality.Fifthly,deepen the NGOs exchanges,and enhance mutual understanding and friendship.It is of the view of all participants that,to conduct mutually beneficial cooperation,Asian countries need closer friendly exchanges of NGOs,think tanks,youth and media in order to continuously solidify the foundation for public opinion and develop affection among people.In a word,the event effectively promotes the mutual understanding between China and countries along"One Belt and One Road",and advance the development of relations between China and those countries.

The International Day of Peace was established by the United Nations in 1981.In 2001,the UN General Assembly passed a resolution designating 21stSeptember the annual International Day of Peace.As of 2014,cooperating with the UN system in China and a number of units,the CPAPD has consecutively sponsored the event for six years.