On November 24, Ambassador Luo Linquan attended the“Strategy 2009” International Conference hosted by Hellenic Institute of Strategic Studies and delivered a keynote speech. The full text is as follows.

 

China’s Diplomacy: Seeking Success in Pursuit of Harmonious World

Remarks at the Strategy 2009 Conference by Ambassador LUO Linquan

Athens, 24 November, 2009

Lt. General Panagopoulo,

Distinguished Generals and Colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It’s my great honor to speak to such a prominent audience about China’s foreign policy. This is an enormous task, but I will try my best. If you have more questions after my presentation, you may have been either misled or started to understand. But I wish to assure you, China is not vastly different from Greece in that we are both ancient civilizations, able to understand differences, complexities and connections.

To begin with, let me draw a big picture for you. What do we advocate? What objectives do we pursue? In short, China’s foreign policy is based on four principles, and one key phrase.

We uphold such principles in international relations. For simplicity, I call it DEWN.

——D is Diversity of the world to be respected. Diversity is not a vice, rather a virtue. This applies to the ecosystem, as it does our social and economic systems. Different historical backgrounds and national conditions gave rise to diverse civilizations, ideas and models of development and governance, and they shall be treated with respect.

——E is Equality in conducting international relations. All countries in the world shall be equal, big or small, rich or poor, and the global issues shall be addressed through consultations and dialogues in an equal and democratic manner.

——W is Win-win economic relations to be created. We must work together to ensure that the outcome of the globalization is the benefit for all countries, all peoples.

——N is New Security Concept to be enshrined. China believes, following the end of the cold war and the deepening of globalization, a new concept consisting of mutual trust, cooperation and common security should be established. Countries shall not pursue absolute security at the cost of others, nor should international disputes be resolved through bullying or imposing wars on the weaker.

These four principles are the most important fundamentals for building towards a Harmonious World of lasting peace and common prosperity, which China envisions and is willing to pursue in cooperation with the rest of the world. The Harmonious World is the key phrase for the vision of the Chinese diplomacy.

Second, China combines its vision, principles and practices in coherence. In building towards a harmonious world, China’s diplomacy is charged with a mission to better safeguard its sovereignty and security, serve the socioeconomic development, and create favorable international conditions. Particularly, the foreign policy is dedicated to effectively coping with the international financial crisis, to serve the needs of domestic development, and help create more effective and healthy international financial institutions. Our efforts are exerted in four dimensions: Ensuring stable development of relations with big powers, that is to say, the United States, Russia, the European Union, Japan and major developing powers; enhancing good-neighborly ties with surrounding countries, developing bilateral cooperation as well as within APEC, ASEAN plus China, China-Japan-ROK frameworks; strengthening solidarity and cooperation with other developing countries, particularly on the platforms of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and others; more proactive participation in resolving global issues and regional disputes, such as climate change, energy security, counter-terrorism, disarmament, fighting pirates, and Korean peninsula nuclear issue.

Third, three major sources contribute to present-day Chinese foreign policy: the international, the domestic and the traditional aspects.

In our perception, today’s world is a fast evolving, increasingly multipolar, deeply globalizing and closely interdependent one. It has several important implications for the Chinese foreign policy: We must move forward with it, through reform, opening-up and innovation to be a major player on the international arena. We should focus on the social and economic welfare of the people, without worrying too much about another world war. We shall seize the opportunities and confront the challenges of globalization to become prosperous and competitive, bearing in mind mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. We find ourselves in a world where China is closely connected with others, where China cannot succeed without the rest of the world, and vice versa.

In reality, China has never been so tightly linked to countries across the Pacific, the Indian Ocean, and the Caucasus. China’s foreign trade volume last year reached 2561 billion US dollars, and our economy had contributed to 20% of the world total economic growth. We have diplomatic relations with 171 countries, compared with 18 when the People’s Republic was founded 60 years ago. We are members of over 130 international governmental organizations, and signatory party to over 300 multilateral treaties. China is an important partner and player in stabilizing Northeast Asia, the Asia Pacific, and for promoting world peace and development.

China’s development has also paved way for more confident, cooperative and global-minded diplomacy. Sixty years is a short time for countries like China and Greece, yet during the six decades China has changed tremendously. Its gross domestic production expanded from 18 billion to 4.4 trillion US dollars equivalent. Average life expectancy extended from 35 to 73. Rate of illiteracy dropped from 80% to 6.67%. Particularly in last three decades, China has successfully lifted 250 million people out of poverty. In the framework of socialism with Chinese characteristics, we have established market economy system, rule of law and socialist democracy.

While we are working hard to improve our economy, competitiveness, and governance, we identify ourselves as a developing country that is gaining influence. We cannot overlook the formidable tasks ahead of us. Our per capita GDP is only 3300 US dollars, one-tenth of that of Greece, ranking 104th in the world. The income discrepancy is big between coastal and hinterland, urban and rural areas. There are 135 million Chinese people living off less than 1 dollar a day, more than ten times of the entire Greek population. Our busy foreign trade partly resulted from the global relocation of production capacities. We must export 800 million shirts to be able to buy one Airbus A340.

Last but not least, we cherish the values that have guided our nation for five millennia. We believe in the philosophy of treating others with goodwill, good faith, courtesy, respect, and as equals. In pursuit of success, one should enable others to succeed. In seeking benefits, one should benefit others as well. Both Confucius and the Holy Bible share the wisdom of do unto others as you would have do unto you. We shall always make friends with our neighbors. As Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi once said, “our relations with many Asian countries are more than economic mutual benefit, but rather gentlemen’s friendship, and friendship with moral commitments.” These are the mental and philosophical sources of China’s Harmonious World approach.

Before I conclude, I’d like to draw your attention to the importance of the strategic partnership between China, the EU and Greece.

China and the EU have annual summits, high-level economic dialogues, strategic dialogues, and more than 50 consultation and dialogue mechanisms, covering political, economic, technological, energy and environmental areas. Frequent exchange of visits between China and EU member states also helped develop our relations. President Hu Jintao and President Papoulias exchanged successful state visits last year, which reaffirmed the commitments to stronger and more fruitful ties.

The economies of China and the EU have a lot to offer each other. Bilateral trade volume amounted to 425.6 billion dollars last year, from what used to be 2.4 billion dollars 34 years ago. The EU has been China's No. 1 trade partner for 5 years. It was fair for Mr. Charles Grant to say “China's economic rise has been mostly good for the EU countries”. Trading with China has not only been “a major source of growth and profits for EU businesses”, but is also “good for consumers”. A recent Dutch study showed “cheaper Chinese goods have saved the average European household around 300 Euros a year.”

And the need of each other has not diminished in face of the financial crisis. China and the EU have common grounds in coping with the financial crisis. Both recognized the need to reform the international financial system, and agreed to oppose any form of trade or investment protectionism. China's 4 trillion-yuan stimulus package has played a positive role in global recovery. Buying from major trade partners, including the EU, is part of China's efforts to help restore confidence in world economy.

I am happy to note that recently a delegation from China’s Hainan Province has signed contracts of buying 5 tons of olive oil from Crete. China’s COSCO has started operating the Piraeus Container Terminal. With the cooperation of the PPA and the Hellenic Government, COSCO will be able to carry out its plan to turn the port a modern, efficient transshipment hub, and establish a Southeast European regional logistic center to create more jobs for Greece.

Greece proved an adamant supporter for Beijing Olympics last year, capable of understanding difference and tolerance. Culturally, historically and geographically situated to better understand the East and the West, Greece might help bridge the gaps between China and Europe.

Thank you.