【中英双语】中国式现代化 世界的新机遇——秦刚国务委员兼外长在“中国式现代化与世界”蓝厅论坛开幕式上的主旨演讲
尊敬的陈吉宁书记，
吴海龙会长，各位使节，各位来宾，朋友们：大家上午好！很高兴和大家相聚在黄埔江畔的“世界会客厅”。这也是蓝厅论坛首次走进上海。衷心感谢陈吉宁书记和上海市政府对此次活动的大力协助。本次论坛的主题是“中国式现代化与世界”。活动选址上海非常合适。常言道，百年中国看上海。百多年前，中国共产党就是从这里启航。一个多世纪来，上海不仅见证了中华民族的风风雨雨，更见证了神州大地的沧桑巨变。从曾经的“十里洋场”到如今的改革开放排头兵，从解放前的百废待兴到现在的欣欣向荣。今天的上海，作为中国最大的经济中心、创新发展中心、世界经贸航运枢纽，正走在时代的前列，立于发展的潮头，成为中国式现代化的亮丽名片。各位朋友，树高千尺必有根，水流万里总有源。中国式现代化的成功，不是从天上掉下来的，也不是从地下冒出来的。而是中国共产党秉持初心使命，带领全国人民一步一个脚印闯出来的，有着深刻的历史、实践和理论逻辑。中国式现代化是中国百年发展历程的必然选择。中国的现代化一路走来筚路蓝缕，诠释了苦难辉煌，承载着光荣梦想。近代以来，无数仁人志士为了救亡图存，向西方寻求现代化出路，但都遭遇挫折，未能挽救民族于危难。只有在中国共产党诞生后，中国的现代化事业才有了主心骨和领路人。正是在中国共产党的坚强领导下，我们踏上了独立自主建设现代化伟大征程，从一穷二白，成长为世界第二大经济体、第一货物贸易大国、第一外汇储备大国、第一制造大国，并建成了世界上规模最大的义务教育体系、社会保障体系和医疗卫生体系，用短短几十年时间走完了西方发达国家几百年的工业化历程，大踏步赶上了时代。中国式现代化是全面推进中华民族伟大复兴的必然要求。党的十八大以来，在以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚强领导下，中国式现代化建设按下了“加速键”，续写经济快速发展和社会长期稳定两大奇迹，完成脱贫攻坚、全面建成小康社会的历史任务，实现第一个百年奋斗目标，实现中华民族从站起来、富起来到强起来的伟大飞跃，推动中华民族伟大复兴进入了不可逆转的历史进程。在上个月举行的全国两会上，习近平总书记再次全票当选国家主席，这是历史的选择、人民的选择。习近平主席以“我将无我、不负人民”的情怀和担当，为中国式现代化掌舵领航，带领我们走出越来越宽广的人间正道。中国式现代化是人类发展科学规律的必然结果。现代化是全人类的共同事业。尽管西方率先享受到现代化成果，但这并不意味着历史的终结。早在140多年前，马克思就提出跨越“卡夫丁峡谷”设想，为开辟一条不同于西方现代化的道路提供了重要理论基础。一百多年来，中国通过自主实践找到了一条中国式现代化道路，创造了人类文明的新形态。事实雄辩地证明，现代化并没有固定模式，不是单选题，只要符合自身的国情，有利于人民的发展，任何国家都能实现现代化梦想。相反，削足适履，盲目照搬外来模式，不仅南辕北辙，甚至可能导致灾难性后果。各位朋友，“大道之行，天下为公”。作为世界上最大的发展中国家，中国始终胸怀天下，我们实现现代化不是为了孤芳自赏，更不是为了“本国优先”，而是在实现自身发展的同时，为世界和平注入更多正能量，为全球发展带来更多新机遇。我相信，一个人口规模巨大的现代化，必将为全球经济复苏注入更强劲动能。改革开放40多年来，中国政府让8亿多人摆脱贫困，让4亿多人迈入中等收入群体。今天的中国，已成为140多个国家和地区的主要贸易伙伴，每天有3.2亿美元中国直接投资走向世界，每月有3000多家外资企业落户中国。过去十年，中国对全球增长的带动超过七国集团总和。随着中国14亿多人口整体迈入现代化，这个规模将超过现有发达国家人口总和，中国必将给世界经济提供更强大动力。上个月，中国发展高层论坛、博鳌亚洲论坛相继成功举办，吸引了来自世界各国的政商人士。在这期间，我们听到最多的声音就是要抢抓中国实现高质量发展和高水平对外开放带来的新机遇，听到最一致的观点就是反对与中国脱钩，期盼与中国同行。一个全体人民共同富裕的现代化，必将为各国共同发展开辟更广阔路径。富者愈富、穷者愈穷不是现代化，服务少数国家、少数人也不是现代化。全世界人民的共同富裕，需要各国的共同发展。共建“一带一路”和全球发展倡议是中国给国际社会提供的公共产品，也是实现共同发展、共同富裕的开放平台。共建“一带一路”倡议提出十年来，已形成3000多个合作项目，拉动近万亿美元投资规模，为沿线国家创造了42万个就业岗位，为许多国家人民实现了“铁路梦”“大桥梦”“脱贫梦”。全球发展倡议也受到了国际社会的普遍欢迎，目前已得到100多个国家和多个国际组织支持，近70个国家加入“全球发展倡议之友小组”，为加快实现联合国2030年可持续发展目标提供了重要助力。中国高度重视解决发展中国家债务问题，积极全面落实二十国集团缓债倡议，贡献的缓债额度高达63%。可以说，中国式现代化点燃了各国实现现代化的信心。借用一位非洲领导人的话说，中国道路激励着所有发展中国家，每个国家都能实现从无到有的发展。一个物质文明和精神文明相协调的现代化，必将为人类社会进步开创更美好前景。一些国家实现经济科技高度发达的同时，却陷入以资本为中心、物质主义泛滥，精神空虚、失德失序的困境。习近平主席强调，现代化的最终目标是实现人自由而全面的发展。人的全面发展，意味着不仅要在物质上富足，更要在精神上富有。“仓廪实而知礼节，衣食足而知荣辱”，中华文明历来憧憬物质生活充实无忧、道德境界充分升华的大同世界，把人的精神价值放在物质追求之上，纳入社会理想之中。早在2500年前的轴心时代，从中国的孔孟到希腊的柏拉图，各大文明不约而同开始探索崇高的精神世界。现代化绝不是古老文明的衰亡，而是传统文化的新生。习近平主席郑重提出全球文明倡议，倡导重视文明传承和创新，倡导尊重世界文明多样性，坚持文明平等、互鉴、对话、包容。周虽旧邦，其命维新。中国式现代化使博大精深的中华文明焕发出新的生机与活力，为世界和平繁荣和人类发展进步贡献更多中国智慧。我们憧憬这样一幅美妙的世界图景，各大文明薪火相传、返本开新，人类物质文明的大厦遍地林立，精神文明的天空群星闪耀。一个人与自然和谐共生的现代化，必将为建设清洁美丽世界提供更可行方案。习近平主席指出，绿水青山就是金山银山。中国自觉把保护生态环境、应对气候变化的责任扛在肩上，创造了多个全球第一：人工造林规模全球第一，占全球1/4；可再生能源开发利用规模全球第一，风电、太阳能装机容量占全球1/3以上；新能源汽车产销量全球第一，世界一半的新能源汽车行驶在中国。中国向世界作出碳达峰、碳中和的郑重承诺，从达峰到中和只要30年，将比美欧少用十几年到四十多年。我们还率先出资成立昆明生物多样性基金，为达成《巴黎协定》作出贡献。就在本月初，习近平主席同马克龙总统商定共建中法碳中和中心，为全球低碳转型再添新动力。一个走和平发展道路的现代化，必将为世界和平稳定带来更多确定性。中国发展的目的不是称王称霸，中国文化的字典里没有国强必霸，中国外交的风骨是不惧霸权。迄今，中国是全球唯一将“坚持和平发展道路”载入宪法的国家，是派遣维和人员最多的安理会常任理事国，是五核国中唯一承诺不首先使用核武器的国家。我们已加入20多项多边军控条约，并推动五核国达成防止核战争联合声明。对于国际争端，我们主张协商对话，和平解决。习近平主席提出的全球安全倡议，指明了共同安全、普遍安全的正确方向。冤家宜解不宜结。在中国推动下，沙特和伊朗实现复交。我们欣慰地看到，有更多的国家正在握手言和。面对乌克兰危机延宕，中国不是拱火浇油、趁机渔利，而是秉持公正、劝和促谈，给危机“减压”、让局势“降温”。事实证明，中国迈向现代化，是和平力量的增长，是正义力量的壮大。各位朋友，去年10月份召开的中国共产党第二十次全国代表大会，擘画了中国未来发展的蓝图，明确提出以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴。为了完成这个中心任务，中国外交责无旁贷。我们将始终坚定不移地走和平发展道路，坚定不移地推动构建相互尊重、公平正义、合作共赢的新型国际关系，致力于同各国一道，建设持久和平、普遍安全、共同繁荣、开放包容、清洁美丽的世界，构建人类命运共同体。我们将更加坚定地捍卫各国发展权利。现代化是每个国家不可剥夺的权利，不是少数国家垄断独享的特权。不能因为自己到达现代化的彼岸，就过河拆桥，给别国实现现代化设置路障，更不能因为别国走不同的现代化道路，就打压遏制阻断。中国不搞什么大国竞争，我们坚决维护的是自身的发展利益，是中国人民追求美好生活的权利。中国尊重各国人民自主选择的现代化道路，反对制造意识形态对抗，搞“新冷战”，反对干涉内政、强加于人。中国维护全球化正确方向，反对“筑墙设垒”、“脱钩断链”，反对单边制裁、极限施压。中国全力维护产供链稳定畅通，让经济全球化与各国现代化双轮驱动、相得益彰。我们将更加积极地推进高水平开放。中国的现代化成果是在开放中取得的，也必将依靠开放走向未来。我们将以举办“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛、中国国际进口博览会为契机，进一步深化与世界各国利益融合。我们还将加大对全球发展合作的资源投入，尽己所能帮助发展中国家缓解债务负担，让国际金融货币流通摆脱投机操控、制裁施压的恶梦，回归服务实体经济、促进现代化的本源。借此机会，我再次祝贺罗塞芙女士出任金砖国家新开发银行行长，相信新开发银行会为发展中国家现代化进程提供更大助力。我们将更加主动地推进文明交流。我们积极倡导世界各国弘扬和平、发展、公平、正义、民主、自由的全人类共同价值，坚持以文明交流超越文明隔阂、文明互鉴超越文明冲突、文明共存超越文明优越。我们坚决反对在国际关系中搞种族歧视、国家歧视、文明歧视。我们愿同各国探讨构建全球文明对话合作网络，努力开创世界各国人文交流、文化交融、民心相通新局面，让文明百花园姹紫嫣红，馥郁芬芳。我们将更加自觉地共建地球生命共同体。我们加快建立健全绿色低碳、循环发展的经济体系，促进经济社会发展全面绿色转型。我们坚持共同但有区别的责任原则，积极参与应对气候变化、海洋治理、全球生物多样性保护等领域国际合作，推动构建公平合理、合作共赢的全球环境治理体系，为应对气候环境等全球性挑战、建设清洁美丽世界作出贡献。我们将更加坚决地守护国际秩序。最近，我们经常听到一些奇谈怪论，声称中国挑战“基于规则的国际秩序”、“试图用武力或胁迫方式单方面改变台海现状”、“破坏台海和平稳定”。这些言论违背起码的国际常识和历史正义，其逻辑是荒谬的，其后果是危险的。中国作为二战中伤亡最大的反法西斯盟国之一，作为第一个在联合国宪章上签字的创始会员国，我们把捍卫联合国权威、维护二战后国际秩序看成自己的神圣职责。在遵守联合国宪章宗旨和原则、国际法和国际关系基本准则方面，中国的记录是最好的。我们无需有的国家或国家集团提醒。是谁对联合国合则用、不合则弃，是谁在破坏国际秩序，是谁在搞霸权霸凌霸道，自有公论。各位朋友，台湾自古以来就是中国领土不可分割的一部分，两岸同属一个中国，这是台湾的历史，也是台湾的现状。台湾回归中国是二战后国际秩序的组成部分，《开罗宣言》白纸黑字写着，《波茨坦公告》清清楚楚印着。今天，破坏国际规则、单方面改变现状、破坏台海稳定的，不是中国大陆，而是“台独”分裂势力以及少数企图利用“台独”的国家。他们定义的规则、现状、稳定实质上就是要架空一个中国、“和平分裂”中国，就是要篡改二战历史、颠覆战后秩序、践踏中国主权。14亿中国人民不会答应。中国的土地收回来了，就绝不会再失去。战后国际秩序建立起来了，就绝不允许被颠覆。维护国家主权和领土完整天经地义。我们要正告那些打着国际秩序旗号，干着破坏国际公理勾当的势力：台湾问题是中国核心利益中的核心，谁要在一个中国原则上做文章，我们绝不含糊；谁要在中国主权安全上搞动作，我们绝不退让。在台湾问题上玩火者，必自焚。各位朋友，征途回望千山远，前路放眼万木春。中国式现代化版权属于中国，机遇属于世界。我们愿同各方同舟共济，携手共进，推动各具特色的现代化事业，共创世界更加美好的明天。最后，预祝本次论坛取得圆满成功！谢谢！
Keynote Speech by H.E. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin GangAt the Opening Ceremony ofThe Lanting Forum on Chinese Modernization and the WorldShanghai, 21 April 2023
Your Excellency Secretary Chen Jining,President Wu Hailong,Diplomatic Envoys,Distinguished Guests,Friends,
Good morning. I am very pleased to join you at the Meet-the-World Lounge by the Huangpu River. This is the first Lanting Forum event in Shanghai. My heartfelt appreciation goes to Secretary Chen Jining and the Shanghai municipal government for your strong support.
Shanghai is the right place for our Forum themed “Chinese Modernization and the World”. As is often said, you should go to Shanghai if you want to know about the last 100 years of China. A little over a century ago, the Communist Party of China (CPC) started its journey from here. Since then, Shanghai has witnessed not only the vicissitudes of the Chinese nation, but also the profound transformation across the country. The old Shanghai, dominated by foreign powers, is a forerunner today in China’s reform and opening-up. A bustling and prosperous metropolis has risen from devastation since 1949. As China’s biggest economic and innovation powerhouse and a trading and shipping hub of the world, Shanghai is leading the trends of our times and development. It is a shining hallmark of the Chinese path to modernization.
Friends,
A towering tree grows from its roots, and a long river flows from its source. Likewise, our success in Chinese modernization was not handed down from the heaven or just emerged by itself. It has been attained step by step through determined, painstaking efforts of the Chinese people under the leadership of the CPC always staying true to its founding mission. Chinese modernization is deeply rooted in Chinese history, practices and philosophies.
Chinese modernization is the natural choice of China’s 100-year-long quest for development. Modernization for China has been a journey of hardship and perseverance, anguish and glory, honor and dreams. During modern times, countless patriots looked to the West for a formula of modernization to save the nation, but they all failed. It was not until the birth of the CPC in 1921 that China found the pillar and guidance for its modernization. It is under the CPC’s strong leadership that we have embarked on the great journey of independently building a modern country. We have turned China from an impoverished and backward land into the world’s second largest economy, top trader in goods, biggest holder of foreign exchange reserves, and biggest manufacturer. We have put in place the world’s largest compulsory education system, social security system, and medical and health system. China has realized, in a short span of several decades, industrialization that had taken developed countries several centuries. We have caught up with the times in great strides.
Chinese modernization is the natural requirement for promoting national rejuvenation on all fronts. As of the 18th CPC National Congress, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the “acceleration button” was pressed in China’s modernization drive. The two major miracles — fast economic development and long-term social stability — continued. Absolute poverty was eradicated. A moderately prosperous society in all respects became a reality. With this, the First Centenary Goal was realized. The Chinese nation has achieved a great transformation from standing up and growing prosperous to becoming strong. National rejuvenation is now on an irreversible course. At the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) sessions last month, General Secretary Xi Jinping was again unanimously elected President of the People’s Republic of China. It was a choice by history and by the people. With the conviction and responsibility of “serving the people selflessly”, President Xi Jinping is steering Chinese modernization forward and leading us in marching on the right path toward a better future.
Chinese modernization is a natural outcome of the laws governing human development. Modernization is a common cause of all humanity. Although the West enjoyed the fruits of modernization ahead of others, history will not end there. As early as 140 years ago, Karl Marx envisioned crossing the Caudine Forks of capitalism, providing a solid theoretical basis for a path of modernization different from that of the West. Through the past 100 years and more, China has found by itself a path to modernization, and created a new form of human advancement. Ample facts have proved that there is no fixed model of, or single solution to, modernization. Any country can achieve modernization, as long as the path suits its conditions and answers the need of its people for development. On the contrary, mechanically copying ill-fitted foreign models is counter-productive, and may even lead to catastrophic consequences.
Friends,
As a Chinese saying goes, “A just cause should be pursued for the common good.” As the biggest developing country, China always keeps in mind the greater good of the whole world. The Chinese path to modernization is not a one-flower show, still less for self-interest. It is a path toward development of China, through which more positive energy will be added to global peace and new opportunities created for global development. Here is what I believe:
The modernization of China with such a huge population will be a stronger boost for global economic recovery. Over the past 40-plus years since reform and opening-up, the Chinese government has lifted over 800 million people out of poverty, and enlarged the middle-income group to over 400 million people. Today, China is the main trading partner of over 140 countries and regions, making US$320 million direct investment around the world each day and attracting over 3,000 foreign businesses every month. Over the past decade, China has contributed more to global growth than all the G7 countries combined.
With over 1.4 billion people on course toward modernization, a number larger than the combined population of all developed countries, China will give a much stronger impetus for the global economy. The China Development Forum and the Boao Forum for Asia, which were successfully held last month, attracted many political and business leaders from around the world. The most repeated call we heard was to seize the new opportunities that will come along with China’s high-quality development and high-standard opening-up. The Number One unanimous view was to reject decoupling and move forward with China.
The modernization of China with common prosperity for all will open up a broader path to the common development of all countries. Modernization should not make the rich richer and the poor poorer. Nor should it serve the interests of only a few countries or individuals. Common prosperity for the whole world requires the development of all countries. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Global Development Initiative (GDI) are public goods that China offers to the international community. They are also open platforms for pursuing common development and prosperity. Ten years on since the start of the BRI, over 3,000 cooperation projects have been launched, involving close to US$1 trillion of investment and creating 420,000 jobs for participating countries. Many nations have thus realized their dreams of railways, big bridges, and poverty alleviation.
The GDI is also widely welcomed by the international community. With the support of over 100 countries and many international organizations, and with some 70 countries in the Group of Friends of the GDI, the Initiative is giving a strong boost to the early attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. China takes seriously the debt issue of developing countries. We are actively and fully implementing the G20’s Debt Service Suspension Initiative, and have contributed as much as 63 percent of the total debt payments suspended. It is fair to say that Chinese modernization has helped inspire confidence in many countries in their pursuit of modernization. As an African leader put it, the Chinese path inspires all developing countries to believe that every country is able to achieve development even from scratch.
The modernization of China with material and cultural-ethical advancement will open up bright prospects for human progress. Some countries, while highly developed in economy, science and technology, have descended into a capital-centric mode, rampant materialism, cultural impoverishment, moral degradation, and public disorder. As President Xi Jinping underscored, the ultimate goal of modernization is the free and well-rounded development of people, which means not only material abundance but also cultural-ethical enrichment.
As a Chinese saying goes, “Only when the granary is full will people learn etiquette; only when people are well-fed and clothed will they know honor and shame.” The Chinese nation always yearns for a world of great harmony in which people are free from want and follow a high moral standard. It is a world where people put their cultural pursuit before material needs and see it as part of their social ideal. Back in the Axial Age 2,500 years ago, philosophers of great civilizations, like Confucius and Mencius in China and Plato in Greece, went on their respective yet common pursuit of cultural and ethical enrichment. Modernization is not the demise of ancient civilizations, but a renewal of traditional cultures. The Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) put forth by President Xi Jinping advocates the importance of inheritance and innovations of civilizations, promotes the respect for the diversity of civilizations, and advances the principles of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness among civilizations. The Chinese believe that even for an established country, its future hinges on self-renewal. Chinese modernization will add new vigor and vitality to the profound Chinese civilization, and contribute more Chinese wisdom to global peace and prosperity and to human progress. We envision a better world in which all civilizations prosper from generation to generation through constant self-renewal, enjoying both material abundance and cultural and ethical advancement.
The modernization of China with harmony between humanity and nature will provide a more viable pathway to a clean and beautiful world. As President Xi Jinping noted, lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets. China readily takes on its responsibility of protecting the environment and tackling climate change, and leads the world on many counts: in terms of afforested area, which accounts for a quarter of the world’s total; in the development and utilization of renewable energy, with one-third of the world’s installed capacity of wind and solar power; and in the output and sales of new energy vehicles, with half of the world’s NEVs running on Chinese roads. China has made the solemn pledge of achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality to the world, and committed itself to moving from carbon peak to neutrality in just 30 years. That is at least years less than the United States and 40-plus years less than the European Union. China has taken the initiative to set up and invest in the Kunming Biodiversity Fund, and contributed to the conclusion of the Paris Agreement. Just early this month, President Xi Jinping and President Emmanuel Macron agreed on jointly developing a carbon neutrality center, in a bid to add new momentum to the global low-carbon transition.
The modernization of China on the path of peaceful development will bring more certainty to world peace and stability. Dominance and hegemony is not the aim of China’s development. The notion that strength will lead to hegemony is incompatible with Chinese culture, and defiance of hegemony is a noble character of Chinese diplomacy. Until today, China is the only country in the world that has put in its Constitution the commitment to a path of peaceful development. China is the top contributor of peacekeeping personnel among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, and the only country among the five Nuclear-Weapon States that has made the promise of no-first-use of nuclear weapons. We have joined over 20 multilateral arms control treaties, and pushed for the conclusion of a joint statement among the five Nuclear-Weapon States on preventing nuclear war. We advocate peaceful resolution of international disputes through consultation and dialogue.
The Global Security Initiative (GSI) put forward by President Xi Jinping has pointed out the right direction of pursuing common and universal security. As a Chinese proverb says, it is better to remove enmity than keep it alive. Facilitated by China, Saudi Arabia and Iran resumed diplomatic relations. And it is encouraging to see that more countries are shaking hands and embracing peace. In the face of the protracted Ukraine crisis, China does not inflame or take advantage of the situation. Rather, China has taken an impartial stance and pushed for peace talks in order to reduce the pressure and lower the temperature around the crisis. Facts have proved that a China moving toward modernization is a boost to the force for peace and justice.
Friends,
The 20th CPC National Congress held last October drew up the blueprint for China’s future development and laid out the task of advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. Fulfilling this central task is an unshirkable responsibility for Chinese diplomacy. We will stay committed to the path of peaceful development, and to fostering a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation. We will work with all countries to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity, and develop a community with a shared future for mankind.
China will defend the right to development of all countries with greater determination. Modernization is an inalienable right of every country, not a privilege reserved for a few. Those who have realized modernization should not tear down the bridge or block other countries’ path to modernization. And they should not suppress, contain or stop other countries that choose a different path to modernization. China has no intention to engage in major-power competition. What we are firmly defending is our own development interests and the Chinese people’s right to pursue a better life. China respects the modernization path chosen by the people of other countries, and opposes attempts to create ideological confrontation and a new Cold War, interference in others’ internal affairs and imposition of one’s will on others. China stands committed to the right direction of globalization, opposes attempts to build walls and barriers and push for decoupling and severing supply chains, and opposes unilateral sanctions and maximum pressure. China is doing its utmost to ensure stable and smooth functioning of industrial and supply chains, so that economic globalization and the modernization of all countries could move forward in tandem and complement each other.
China will advance high-standard opening-up with more proactive efforts. China’s modernization has made advances in the course of opening-up, and is bound to embrace a brighter future through opening-up. In hosting the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and the China International Import Expo, China will deepen convergence of interests with the world. We will invest more resources in global development cooperation, and do our utmost to help relieve the debt burdens of developing countries. We will endeavor to save international financial and currency circulation from the plight of speculation, manipulation, sanction and pressuring, and help it return to its fundamental purpose of serving the real economy and promoting modernization.
I’d like to take this opportunity to once again congratulate Madame Rousseff on assuming the Presidency of the New Development Bank. I trust the Bank will provide even greater support to the modernization processes of developing countries.
China will promote more actively exchanges among civilizations. We call on all countries to promote peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom — the common values of humanity, and let cultural exchanges transcend estrangement, mutual learning transcend clashes, and coexistence transcend arrogance. We firmly oppose discrimination against races, countries and civilizations in international relations. We are ready to explore with all countries the building of a global network for inter-civilization dialogue and cooperation, to open up new prospects of enhanced exchanges and understanding among different peoples and better interactions and integration of diversified cultures. Together we can make the garden of civilizations colorful and fragrant.
China will work more vigorously for a community of all life on Earth. We will step up efforts to build a sound economic structure that facilitates green, low-carbon and circular development, and promote a transition to green economic and social development across the board. Following the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, we will actively participate in international cooperation in climate response, ocean governance, global biodiversity protection and other areas, and promote a fair and equitable global environmental governance system of win-win cooperation, so as to contribute to addressing global challenges such as climate and environment and building a clean and beautiful world.
China will safeguard the international order with greater resolve. Recently, there have been some absurd rhetoric accusing China of challenging the so-called rules-based international order, of unilaterally changing the status quo across the Taiwan Strait through force or coercion, and of disrupting peace and stability across the Strait. Such claims go against basic common sense on international relations and historical justice. The logic is absurd, and the consequences dangerous. Having suffered among the heaviest casualties in the world anti-fascist alliance during WWII, and as a founding member of the UN and the first country to sign the UN Charter, China sees it as its solemn duty to defend the authority of the UN and uphold the post-war international order. We have the best record in abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, international law and the basic norms of international relations. We need no reminder by certain countries or groups of countries. Fair-minded people can see full well who is exploiting and discarding the UN at its own will, who is disrupting the international order, and who is engaged in hegemonic, bullying and high-handed practices.
Friends,
Taiwan has been an inalienable part of China’s territory since ancient times, and both sides of the Strait belong to one and the same China. This is Taiwan’s history, and it is also the status quo of Taiwan. Taiwan’s return to China is a component of the post-war international order, written in black and white in the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation. It is not the Chinese mainland, but the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces and a handful of countries attempting to take advantage of “Taiwan independence”, that are disrupting international rules, unilaterally changing the status quo, and undermining stability across the Strait. Their definition of rules, status quo and stability is in fact aimed to hollow out the one-China principle, achieve “peaceful division” of China, and ultimately tamper with the history of WWII, subvert the post-war order, and trample on China’s sovereignty. This is unacceptable to the 1.4 billion Chinese people. China will not lose any part of its territory that has been restored. And the established post-war international order will not be upended.
It is right and proper for China to uphold its sovereignty and territorial integrity. We would like to make it clear to those who seek to sabotage international justice in the name of international order: The Taiwan question is the core of the core interests of China, and there will be no vagueness at all in our response to any one who attempts to distort the one-China principle; we will never back down in face of any act that undermines China’s sovereignty and security. Those who play with fire on Taiwan will eventually get themselves burned.
Friends,
As a Chinese saying goes, with thousands of mountains already behind, the road ahead is full of promises of a budding spring. While Chinese modernization is conceived in China, the opportunities it brings belong to the world. We are ready to work together with all parties to promote diverse ways of modernization and create an even brighter future for our planet.
To conclude, I wish the Forum a full success. Thank you!