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Chinese call for pluralist world



China's new president Hu Jintao has made a call for a pluralist or multipolar world, while in Russia. (I am not sure whether the two reports below refer to the same speech.)

Although the Chinese are careful usually not to appear confrontational, (except when a spy plane lands on their territory or their embassy is blown up) these rather vague formulations may be the best articulation we have of the concept of a "multipolar" world.

This is in contrast to the unilateralist or the multilateralist imperialist policy.

Although I suspect that the end result will be unified empire, it will be more democratic and participatory, and juster economically, if it goes through the multipolar route rather than one of the other two.

Chris Burford
London




Yahoo news:-

China, Russia Issue Multipolar World Call
Wed May 28, 3:28 PM ET

By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV, Associated Press Writer

MOSCOW - Chinese President Hu Jintao on Wednesday called for a "multipolar world" and a strategic partnership with Russia to counter U.S. dominance, and oil executives signed a preliminary deal for pipeline to carry Siberian oil to China.
.....


"The trend toward a multipolar world is irreversible and dominant," Hu said in a speech at a Moscow university specializing in international relations.

A joint call for a "multipolar world" ? the term Russia and China used to describe their shared ambition to offset U.S. global dominance ? has cemented the post-Soviet friendship between the two former rivals.

....

Without naming the United States, Hu assailed unilateralism in world affairs and condemned the use of force in settling disputes. "Peace can't be achieved through using force," he said.


And an official Chinese report:-


Hu Jintao Delivers 5-point Speech on New Int'l Order at Moscow Institute

Zhongguo Xinwen She 28 May 2003

by Reporter Zhang Shuo:

"Hu Jintao Makes Five-Point Proposal on Establishment of International Political and Economic New Order"

[FBIS Translated Text] Moscow, 28 May (ZXS) --

Chinese President Hu Jintao expounded his views on promoting the establishment of a fair and just international political and economic new order when he addressed Moscow's State Institute of International Relations in the morning of 28 May local time. In a speech entitled "Long-Term Good-Neighborly Friendship and Common Prosperity," Hu Jintao said: As people of all countries now live in a "global village," they should join hands and work together to promote the establishment of a fair and just international political and economic new order.

-- They should promote the democratization of international relations. All countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, are equal members of the international community. They not only have the power to decide on their domestic affairs but have the right to participate in and decide on international affairs on an equal footing. In international affairs, adherence to the democratic spirit of consultation on the basis of equality and friendly cooperation is the only way for different countries to effectively broaden their consensus, deepen their common interests, face common challenge and achieve peace, stability and development in the world.

-- They should safeguard and respect the plurality of the world. People of all countries in the world have created their unique culture, traditions, belief and values in the long historical process. Plurality is the basic characteristics of world civilization. Plurality implies disparity, disparity calls for exchanges, and exchanges promote development. Different cultures continuously enrich and develop themselves by learning and drawing lessons from one another through exchanges, thus making the world more colorful and more vibrant.

-- They should establish a new concept of security based on mutual trust, mutual benefits, equality and coordination. History and reality have repeatedly proved that force cannot make peace and power politics is no guarantee for security. The only way to achieve universal and lasting security is to enhance mutual trust, carry out consultation on the basis of equality and maintain extensive cooperation.

-- They should promote the balanced growth of the global economy. While promoting the rapid development of productive forces and creating enormous wealth in the past decades, humanity has also created a host of salient problems, such as growing disparity between rich and poor, widening gap between north and south, and a worsening ecological environment. The international community should make a joint effort to promote the balanced, steady and sustainable development of the world economy by doing what is favorable and avoiding what is unfavorable. This is necessary for the common development of all countries as well as the requirement for maintaining world peace and stability.

-- They should respect and bring into play the important role of the United Nations and its Security Council. The United Nations plays an important role in maintaining world peace and stability, a role that cannot be replaced by any other international organizations. The aim and principles of the UN Charter still have great vitality and remain the basic guidelines to be followed in the handling of international affairs today. We should maintain the authority of the United Nations and bring into play the important role of the United Nations in the solution of major international issues. In conclusion, Hu Jintao said: The realization of lasting peace and common prosperity requires concerted and unremitting efforts on the part of the international community. The Chinese people are ready to join hands with the Russian people and the people of all countries and work together for a peaceful, developing and harmonious world.

[Description of Source: Beijing Zhongguo Xinwen She in Chinese -- China's official news service for overseas Chinese]




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