Chinese Foreign Minister China Gang spoke at the opening of the Lanting Forum on “Chinese Modernization and the World” held in Shanghai.
Stating that modernization is the common goal of humanity and that although the West has benefited from the blessings of modernization before the rest of the world, history does not end here, Çin Gang said, “Modernization is not the privilege of a small minority, it is an indispensable right of every country. Those who carry out modernization should not try to destroy bridges and prevent other countries from modernizing ” said.
Pointing out that China has found its own modernization direction and developed a new form of human development after various trials and errors in the last century, China Gang emphasized that 800 million people have been rescued from absolute poverty in the last 40 years with the reform and opening-up policy, and a middle class of 400 million has been created.
Drawing attention to the fact that the progress of 1.4 billion people, which exceeds the total population of all developed countries, on the path of modernization has added a new strength to the global economy, China Gang said that China is currently the largest trading partner of more than 140 countries and regions, investing an average of 320 million dollars a day in other countries. He stated that an average of 3 thousand foreign enterprises per month are engaged in investment and trade activities in China.
Emphasizing that developed countries do not have the right to surround, suppress or prevent countries that follow different modernization paths, the Chinese Gang said, “China will resolutely defend the right to development of all countries. Respecting the modernization path chosen by the peoples of other countries, ideological confrontation, attempts to create a new Cold War, internal affairs. will oppose interference and dictation of will.” made its assessment.
“Chinese modernization is not the only flower”
China Gang stated that there is no single fixed model, no single solution for modernization, and that each country can modernize with a method that suits its own conditions and responds to the development needs of its own people. used the phrase.
A Chinese proverb states, “Only an end for the common good can be just.” Reminding that he said, China Gang argued that China always considers the good of the whole world in its modernization efforts.
China Gang said, “Chinese modernization is not a single flower. It is not a matter of private interest. China’s development will provide positive energy to global peace, create opportunities for global development.” made its assessment.
Reminding that China has contributed more to global growth in the last 10 years than the combined G7 group of the world’s most developed countries, China Gang said, “China’s modernization aiming at common prosperity will open a wider path for the development of all countries.” said.
Pointing out that the spread of common prosperity worldwide depends on the development of all countries together, China Gang said, “Modernization should neither make the rich richer nor the poor poorer, nor should it serve the interests of a small number of countries and individuals.” he said.
China Gang stated that his country has taken steps to create joint development and prosperity with the “Belt and Road Initiative” and “Global Development Initiative”, that more than 3 thousand projects have been launched in 10 years, more than 1 trillion dollars have been invested and more than 420 thousand jobs have been created within the scope of the Belt and Road Initiative. He said, “In this way, many countries have achieved their dream railways, big bridges, and achieved their goal of overcoming poverty.” used the phrase.
“Modernization does not mean the collapse of civilizations”
Emphasizing that Chinese modernization focuses on cultural and ethical progress as well as its material gains, China Gang said, “Although some countries have a highly developed economy, science and technology, they are witnessing unbridled materialism, cultural deprivation, moral corruption and the collapse of public order.” made its assessment.
Expressing that Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the legacy of ancient civilizations and the importance of innovations that they brought to humanity, with the proposal of the “Global Civilization Initiative”, China Gang stated that respect for the diversity of civilizations and support the establishment of relations between adaptations within the framework of equality, dialogue and inclusivity, “Modernization, the collapse of civilizations. It doesn’t mean it, it suggests the renewal of traditional cultures.” said.
“China’s aim is not hegemony”
Stating that China is the only country that has committed its commitment to “peaceful development” in its constitution, China Gang stated that the purpose of Chinese development is not to dominate others, and that the understanding of turning power into hegemony is foreign to Chinese culture.
Reminding that China is the country that provides the most personnel to the United Nations peacekeeping missions among the permanent members of the Security Council, China Gang also underlined that China is the only country that has made a commitment to “not being the first to use” nuclear weapons among the 5 countries.
The Chinese Gang pointed out that the “Global Security Initiative” proposal put forward by President Xi also recommends the resolution of conflicts through dialogue, and that the proposal was accepted and supported by many countries.
Arguing that China’s modernization will contribute to peace and stability in the world, the China Gang cited the agreement reached by Saudi Arabia and Iran to re-establish diplomatic relations under the mediation of Beijing.
Expressing that China did not take an attitude to increase the tension or benefit from the situation in the Ukraine crisis, the China Gang said that it remained neutral and encouraged peace talks and de-escalation.
“They want ‘peaceful division’ in Taiwan”
The Chinese Gang reiterated their views on Taiwan, where China is in a sovereignty dispute, and argued that foreign powers are aiming for “peaceful partition” by supporting Taiwan’s independence.
Emphasizing that Taiwan has been an inseparable part of China since ancient times, and that the return of the island, which was liberated from the Japanese occupation after the Second World War, to China is an important component of the post-war international order, the Chinese Gang has recently accused China of “changing the status quo in the region.” “Describing the accusing rhetoric as “nonsense”, he said:
“It is not mainland China that disregards international rules, unilaterally changes the status quo and undermines stability in the Taiwan Strait, but a group of countries that want to use ‘Taiwan’s independence’ for their interests with the separatist forces that advocate ‘Taiwan’s independence’. Their rule is not the status quo. In fact, they want to erode the ‘one China’ principle, which they call stability, and by ensuring the ‘peaceful division’, they want to disrupt the post-war order and undermine China’s sovereignty. will not change.”