On January 20, 2005, when China and Grenada decided to resume diplomatic ties, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence--namely, mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence--were written in the Joint Communique inked by the two countries, which lay the foundation for the sound development of our bilateral relations and cooperation. The reason why it is so important can be found in a recently held conference.

    On June 28, 2024, the Conference Marking the 70th Anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence was held in Beijing. It was joined by more than 600 delegates from over 100 countries. Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the conference and delivered an address to review the history of the “Five Principles” and their significance in the modern world. 70 years ago, against the backdrop of cold war and the liberation movements from colonialism, Chinese leaders put forth in full the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and called for establishing  them as the basic norm in state-to-state relations. The appeal has had an epoch-making significance up till now. The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence has been written into China’s Constitution long before and they are the bedrock of China’s independent foreign policy of peace. With their inclusion in important international documents, the Five Principles have been widely recognized and observed by the international community.

    --The Five Principles offer instructions to solve the peace deficit around the globe. Our world is undergoing changes on a scale unseen in a century. Various problems old and new and complex issues are converging with and compounding each other, posing unprecedented challenges for human society. Instability, uncertainty, and unpredictability are now the norm. War has returned to the Eurasian continent, tensions are rising, and a series of flashpoints are emerging. At this critical juncture, honoring the Five Principles is a treatment of the increasing sense of insecurity, as they fully conform with the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, categorically oppose imperialism, colonialism and hegemonism, and reject belligerent and bullying practices of the law of the jungle, and offer a new path toward peaceful settlement of international disputes, triumphing over obsolete, narrow-minded, antagonistic and confrontational mindsets such as bloc politics and sphere of influence.

    --The Five Principles pass its spirit to the Vision of Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind. Proposed by President Xi in 2013, the Vision answers the historic question of “what kind of world to build and how to build it”, and manifests China’s firm resolve to follow the path of peaceful development. It calls for all countries to join hands to overcome challenges, achieve shared prosperity, build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security, and shared prosperity, and realize peaceful coexistence with greater security and prosperity for mankind. Under the Vision, Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Belt and Road Initiative were proposed as global public goods to deliver more benefits to all peoples. Last week, the UNGA unanimously adopted the Resolution on Strengthening International Cooperation in the Capacity Building of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which was proposed by China and co-sponsored by over 140 countries. These outcomes clearly evidence that this Vision responds to the world’s prevailing trend of peace, development, cooperation and win-win, and opens up new prospects for peace and progress.

    --The Five Principles forge synergy to safeguard the interests of Global South. They mirror the deep thoughts of developing countries about improving their future and about reform and progress. Standing at a new historical starting point, the Global South should be more open and more inclusive. Together, we should be the core driving force for open development. We should restore development as the central international agenda item, reinvigorate global partnerships for development, and deepen South-South cooperation by participating in reforming and developing the global governance system, and expanding the common interests of all sides. President Xi has announced in his speech that China will establish a Global South research center. It will provide 1,000 scholarships under the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence Scholarship of Excellence and 100,000 training opportunities to Global South countries in the coming five years. China will also underpin Global South cooperation in agriculture, trade, climate change, etc.

    China champions the essence of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and strives for the goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind with concrete measures and practical actions. Over the years, China has provided plenty of assistance to and enhanced mutually beneficial cooperation with Grenada on he base of these Five Principles. After Grenada suffered from heavy losses from hurricane Beryl on July 1, 2024, the Chinese side stood closely with the Grenadian people and acted swiftly to provide 2 batches of donations including 100,000 USD cash aid and 2 trucks of relief supplies within just 4 days, as China believes that in this global village, all human beings are one big family with their interests intertwined and futures interlocked. Whether dealing with the current crises or creating a better future together, all countries need to unite and cooperate. Early next year, China and Grenada will witness the 20th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic ties, and our commitment to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence has never wavered in the past two decades. It is my sincere belief that with the vision of building a community of shared future for mankind in our mind, the two countries can surely bring the bilateral relations to a new high.