Working Together to Boost Common Peace and Prosperity

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Working Together to Boost Common Peace and Prosperity

Speech by Ma Biao

Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Peace and Disarmament

At the 2017 Commemoration of the International Day of Peace

4 September 2017

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Friends,

In this lovely season, I wish to extend the warmest welcome to all of you, distinguished guests from different organizations in Poland and China to attend the 2017 Commemoration of the International Day of Peace in beautiful Warsaw.

Established in 1981 by the United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for mankind to commit to peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace. This event is themed by “Chinese and Polish People Long for Sustainable Peace and Development”, which is of significance to us. Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasizes that we are now building a community of shared future, and mutual respect, equality, peaceful development and common prosperity are the right path to take. I would like to share with you my ideas on the Chinese and Polish people working together for a community of shared future for peace and development.

First of all, we shall work as builders of peace and stability. During World War II, the Fascists brought about untold sufferings to the world. Japanese and German Nazis committed a series of inhumane war crimes including Nanjing Massacre in 1937 and Auschwitz Concentration Camp Massacre, to name just a few. We Chinese and Polish people both bear unforgettable memories of wars and turbulence in our minds and fully understand each other’s sufferings. Nowadays, armed conflicts and violence are still cropping up frequently. Hundreds of thousands people are displaced by warfare including Syrian conflicts, and refugees have become a crisis for Europe. A series of terrorist attacks have stricken Spain, Finland and Germany, having caused heavy casualties. With painful experiences, we fully comprehend the value of peace and stability. Inevitable as disagreements and disputes are in human society, we should resort to dialogues rather than confrontation. China has actively fulfilled its international responsibilities and obligations in the political settlement of international hotspot issues in a constructive manner. Countries, regardless of their size, wealth and strength, should respect each other and treat each other on an equal footing. They should not resort to forces nor interfere into domestic affairs of other countries, nor provoke conflicts willfully. China and Poland are important force for world peace and we shall work together to safeguard the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, so as to create a peaceful and stable international environment and a brighter future.

Secondly, we shall work as contributors to mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation. Development is the pressing task confronting humankind, thus a community of development should come prior to the community of shared future. Since the transition, Polish economy continues to grow and is the only one within the Europe Union that has maintained increase against the effect of international financial crisis in 2009. Poland has given full play to its geographical advantage and actively taken part in regional economic cooperation and global multilateral trade system. In 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative is put forward by China, aiming to better share development opportunities and promote common prosperity with countries along the routes. Nowadays, the Belt and Road Initiative is gradually carried out and this vision of future is being turned into reality. The cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European (CEE) Countries under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative has further promoted policy consultation, trade and financial cooperation, infrastructure connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges. The Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation is successfully held in May this year, and thus bringing great momentum to the exploration of “16+1” cooperation mechanism. Polish Prime Minister Beata Szyd?o attended the Forum and played an important role for the success of the Forum. We two countries enjoy profound friendship and sincerity for cooperation and mutually complementary economies. We shall further align our development strategies to deepen cooperation and promote people-to-people exchanges, bringing benefits to our two peoples.

Thirdly, we shall work as promoters for global governance. Global and regional challenges such as sluggish recovery, terrorism, climate change and migrant crisis are calling for global governance. As a Polish saying goes, a man asking the way would not lose his way. While global governance is in urgent need of institutional innovation, the G20 Leaders Summit mechanism is set up after the 2008 global financial crisis and the Hangzhou Summit has facilitated the transition of G20 from a crisis response mechanism to a long-term governance platform. During the Hamburg Summit in July, President Xi Jinping shared his observations of global economy, namely staying committed to building an open global economy, fostering new sources of growth for the global economy, working together to achieve more inclusive global growth and continuously improving global economic governance. His ideas have indicated the way out against negative trends including protectionism and anti-globalization. Mr. Liu Yunshan, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of CPC has just visited and attended China-CEE Countries Political Parties Dialogue in Romania. We shall regard equality as the basis, cooperation as the driving force and shared benefits as the goal, promote global governance to equally reflect interests and appeals of all counties including our two peoples, and jointly establish a global governance structure that is more just, sound and efficient.

Fourthly, we shall work as messengers for exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. “Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defense of peace must be constructed”. It is carved on the monument in front of UNESCO Headquarters in different languages. Interactions and mutual learning among civilizations are important driving forces for the progress of human civilization, world peace and development. As the crystallization of ancient labor and wisdom, civilizations are diversified, equal and inclusive, worth respecting and cherishing. Under the circumstances of frequent exchanges between the Chinese and European civilizations, friendly interactions between China and Poland are carried out, including Polish Culture Season Event, Polish Culture Festival, etc. the “Chinese Spring Festival in Poland” is held for seven years consecutively and “China-Poland Regional Forums” for four times. Five Confucius Institutes are established in Poland and Polish language classes are accessible in many Chinese colleges. We shall actively push for the interactions and dialogues to facilitate harmonious coexistence among different religions, ethnic groups and cultures in China and Poland, thus making cultural exchanges a bridge of friendship, a driving force for social progress and a belt of peace and security in the region and the world.

Poland has been one of the countries that has acknowledged new China and established diplomatic relations with China. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 68 years ago, we have always respected each other. Poland is a country with profound history and we two peoples enjoy friendship toward each other. Poland is an important member state of European Union and China stays ready to work together with Poland to promote China-CEE Countries cooperation and steady development of relations between China and Europe.

Currently, the Chinese people are striving to build a moderately prosperous society in all respects and to realize the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation. China’s economy has maintained steady growth. In 2016, China’s GDP grew at 6.7%, contributing more than 30% of global economic growth. In the first half of the year, the growth rate reached 6.9%. In the second half of the year, the 19thNational Congress of CPC is to be held, which is a very important event at the decisive stage in finishing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects in the crucial period of the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Holding high the banner of peace, development and win-win cooperation, China stands ready to work with other countries to build a world economy that is open, inclusive and interconnected, to realize a more peaceful, prosperous and secure international community.