This year marks the 10th anniversary of the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. 10 years ago, at an important juncture of Asia’s development and revitalization, and faced with the complex changes in Asia’s governance system, President Xi Jinping grasped the global trend and the evolution of regional development,and put forward the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. Over the past 10 years, this principle has provided important action guidance for major strategies such as promoting the “Belt and Road” initiative and building a community with a shared future for mankind. It has also improved the surrounding development environment and promoted regional stability and prosperity.
In the new era, China has actively given new connotation to the principle. President Xi Jinping emphasized: Acting on the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness and the policy of forging friendships and partnerships with its neighbors, China strives to enhance friendly ties, mutual trust, and converging interests with its neighboring countries. Guided by this principle, China is committed to working with other countries in the region, including Afghanistan, to build an Asian homeland of peace, tranquility, prosperity, beauty, and friendly coexistence. The advancement of the principle will surely write a new chapter in promoting the building of a community with a shared future for China-Afghanistan.
“Amity” means good neighborliness, friendship and mutual assistance. As friendly neighbors connected by mountains and rivers that sharing weal and woe, China and Afghanistan have long maintained the precious friendship. China has always extended a helping hand to the Afghan people in times of crisis. After the recent earthquake in Herat Province, China immediately provided a large amount of emergency humanitarian material and cash assistance to Afghanistan. Chinese enterprises and Chinese citizens in Afghanistan also donated money and did their best to help the Afghan people to tide over the difficulties. These selfless aids fully reflect the friendship between China and Afghanistan that provides help in times of need.
“Sincerity” means treating each other from the bottom of hearts. China upholds the Chinese traditional way of honesty and friendship, and has always adhered to the “Three Respects” and “Three Nevers”. China respects the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, respects the independent choices made by the Afghan people, and respects the religious beliefs and national customs of Afghanistan. China never interferes in Afghanistan’s internal affairs, never seeks selfish interests in Afghanistan, and never pursues so-called sphere of influence. The bilateral relationship between China and Afghanistan, based on mutual respect and seeking common ground while reserving differences, has become a model for regional countries.
“Mutual Benefit” means win-win cooperation. Since the establishment of the Afghan interim government, China has actively promoted practical cooperation between the two sides in various fields, and helped Afghanistan develop its economy and rebuild society. From trade cooperation such as the “Pine Nut Air Corridor” to cooperation in large projects such as Mes Aynak Copper Mine and Amu Darya Oil Fields. China is elevating the economic and trade relations between the two countries to a higher level, allowing Afghanistan to benefit from the development of bilateral relations, letting China’s development results to benefit more Afghan people, and helping the Afghan people embark on an independent path.
“Inclusiveness” means providing fairly and equally access to development. Afghanistan has gone through hard time and is in a critical period of transitioning from chaos to governance. It is in urgent need of support and help from neighboring countries and the international community. China has always spoken uprightly for Afghanistan at the United Nations and other international forums, calling on the international community to provide firm and strong support for Afghanistan to get out of trouble, resume development, and improve afghan people’s livelihood.
Amity and good neighborliness are invaluable to a country. A peaceful, stable, developing and prosperous Afghanistan is the aspiration of all Afghan people, and is in line with the common interests of regional countries and the international community. In the future, China will continue to support Afghanistan in achieving peace and stability under the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, as well as promote neighboring countries to forge consensus and coordinate cooperation to help the Afghan people create a better future.
