Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Chen Xu, member of the 14th CPPCC National Committee, former Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the UN Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland
Today, I'd like to share with you an ancient Chinese proverb: "When poor, maintain purity; when prosperous, help the world." The Chinese President quoted this classic maxim during his visit to Europe in 2014, emphasizing China's unwavering commitment to addressing its own development challenges. This is not only a responsibility to its own people but also an important contribution to the international community.
This saying comes from Mencius (372-289 BCE), a Chinese philosopher and representative of the Confucian tradition. It means that when faced with difficult circumstances, a person should cultivate their morality; and when achieving success and high status, they should work for the benefit of others. In the modern sense, "prosperity" can be seen as the development and strengthening of the state, while "concern for peace" reflects a sense of international responsibility and a broad global vision.
Since the introduction of reform and opening-up, China has achieved rapid economic growth and long-term social stability. At the same time, we understand well: "One flower doesn't make a spring, but when hundreds of flowers bloom, true spring has arrived." In the current international climate, I must say, all countries are essentially in the same boat.
Therefore, we must join forces to jointly confront increasingly complex global challenges and build a community with a shared future for humanity. This is precisely what China believes in and strives for. Having dedicated over 40 years to diplomatic service, including the last six years serving in the multilateral arena in Geneva, I would like to share a few key points.
First, Chinese wisdom. At a time when globalization and multilateral cooperation are facing serious challenges, and the world is grappling with such issues as uneven development, global governance issues, and security threats, China has put forward a number of international initiatives. Their goal is to advance multilateralism based on sovereign equality and international law, taking a people-centered and practical approach to steer the global governance system toward greater justice and equality.
The second is the Chinese solution. The Belt and Road Initiative is perhaps the most illustrative example. By promoting both "hard" infrastructure connectivity and "soft" harmonization of rules and standards, it helps partner countries strengthen their own development potential. Through South-South cooperation, China actively shares its experience in poverty alleviation and infrastructure development in a spirit of mutual support, putting into practice the principle of "caring for the world."
China has also promoted the establishment of new institutions such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the New Development Bank (NDB), which have become important complements to the existing international financial system.
Third, responsibility and commitment. In addressing climate issues, China is consistently fulfilling its commitments to achieving carbon neutrality and peaking carbon emissions.
In the area of public health, China has supported developing countries in their fight against the pandemic and made significant efforts to make COVID-19 vaccines a global public good. In the area of the digital economy, China is actively involved in shaping the global digital governance system and has launched the Global Data Security Initiative, contributing to the development of international rules for the digital era. In other words, this ancient saying fully reflects China's policies and practices aimed at "contributing to the common good."
As China continues to develop and strengthen, particularly through the implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan focused on high-quality growth, we stand ready to make an even greater contribution to peace and shared prosperity. I am confident that by working together, we can achieve positive change and forge a new path of global governance based on mutual respect, equality, and win-win cooperation.
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