Currently the international security is in the midst of profound and complex changes. With Russia-Ukraine conflict drawing global attention, peace and security have become the common focus for people all over the world. At the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2022, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Security Initiative, calling on the international community to stay committed to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, reject the Cold War mentality and group politics, and build a balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture, providing Chinese solutions for maintaining global and regional stability.
Staying committed to the new vision of security, and rejecting the Cold War mentality
While peace and development remain the theme of the times, instability and uncertainty are standing out. Asia is one of the most dynamic regions with great development potential. Asian countries also face some common challenges such as inadequate political trust, uneven economic development and prominent security and governance impediments. The journey to lasting peace and common prosperity will be a long and arduous one. At the Fourth Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in 2014, President Xi Jinping first advocated common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, exploring the security and development path which meet Asian characteristics and common interests of all countries in the region, and jointly building road for security of Asia that is shared by and win-win to all. Oriented towards the new vision of security, China has been sparing no effort to mediate the political solutions to hotspot issues such as the Afghan issue and the Korean Peninsula issue, and playing a constructive role.
In contrast to this new vision is the old one, represented by the Cold War mentality and bloc confrontation. It is NATO that has kept advancing its so-called “collective security” frontline eastward in more than 20 years, which in the end led to the breakout of the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the current Ukraine crisis. Towards Asia, the United States has adjusted its policies several times in recent years. From the “pivot to Asia” to the “rebalance to the Asia-Pacific”, and to the latest Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), AUKUS and bilateral military alliances, all these policies and mechanisms are essentially “small yard, high fence”, “small circles” and “small groups” designed in an attempt to create confrontation and curb China’s development. The development of international situation has repeatedly proven that peace is never taken for granted or within easy reach, but shall be resolutely defended. Regional security cannot be achieved by strengthening military alliances, and the old path of bloc confrontation does not meet the trend of history and the will of the people in the region, thus unable to bring peace and stability.
Promoting security through development, and resolving conflicts through dialogue
The tree of peace does not grow on barren land while the fruit of development is not produced amidst flames of war. Asian countries now should remain focused on the fight against COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery, promote the comprehensive economic and social development, actively improve people’s lives and narrow down the wealth gap so as to cement the foundation of security. In recent years, China remains committed to the path of peaceful development, and maintains the momentum of global economic recovery, continuously injecting strong impetus into global economic governance and economic globalization, and contributing greatly to the maintenance of peace, stability, development and prosperity in Asia.
“Strength does not come from the muscle of the arms, but from the unison of the heart.” The world is enlightened by history and reality that consensus shall be built through dialogue and consultation, differences shall be handled through mutual understanding and compromise, common development shall be enhanced through win-win cooperation, and practical problems shall be solved with a forward-looking vision. And all of these constitute effective method and solid guarantee for harmonious coexistence, and settlement of disputes and differences between countries, as well as realization of regional peace and stability. President Xi pointed out that Asian countries shall engage in sincere and in-depth dialogue and communication to increase strategic mutual trust, reduce mutual misgivings, and seek common ground while resolving differences and live in harmony with each other. In the final analysis, it is for the people of Asia to run the affairs of Asia and uphold the security of Asia. The people of Asia have the capability and wisdom to achieve peace and stability in the region through enhanced cooperation.
Continuously promoting regional integration, and building a sustainable security architecture
Despite the growing risks and challenges, Asia today remains one of the most dynamic regions with great development potential, and peace, development and win-win cooperation are the main trend in the region. Asia enjoys a rising status in the international strategic landscape and plays an increasingly important role in promoting a multi-polar world and democracy in international relations. Such a sound situation in the region has not come easily and ought to be doubly cherished.
China’s neighborhood occupies a top priority on its diplomatic agenda, and China has the unshirkable responsibility to ensure peace, stability and development in its neighborhood. Asian countries should build the awareness of meeting security challenges through cooperation, expand the scope and means of cooperation and promote peace and security through cooperation. We need to advance the process of common development and regional integration, foster sound interactions and synchronized progress of regional economic cooperation and security cooperation, take a holistic approach to handling security issues in the region, jointly address both traditional and non-traditional security issues, and promote sustainable security through sustainable development.
Today in Asia, peace and stability is the defining trend, and development and prosperity represent the common aspirations of the people. With his forward-looking vision, President Xi proposed the Global Security Initiative, reflecting the common will of people of all countries. For the universal security and lasting prosperity, China will work with other countries to enhance the regional cooperation to a new level and realize new development, building a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home together.
