Remarks by H.E. Amb. LI Song at CD Plenary on May 26, 2022
on the Global Security Initiative(GSI)
Mr. President,
First of all, the Chinese delegation welcomes the Permanent Representative of Democratic Republic of the Congo to join the CD family. Excellency, you have our full support on your work.
Meanwhile, my delegation congratulates Cuba and you, Mr. President, on the successful conclusion of your CD presidency, and highly commends you and your team for the fair, responsible, open and transparent approach demonstrated during your tenure. We also appreciate the constructive role that Cuba has played in advancing the work of the CD, including proposing practical solution to the issues related to gender neutrality in the rules of procedure of the CD.
I take the floor today to introduce to CD member States the Global Security Initiative (GSI) proposed by President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2022 on April 21.
Currently, the combined impact of major changes and the pandemic both unseen in a century have caused instability, uncertainty and insecurity in the international situation. The world is facing an unprecedented danger of division. However, as President Xi pointed out, peace and development remain the unchanging theme of the times. The aspiration of people across countries for a better life remains unchanged. And the historical mission for the international community to pursue solidarity and win-win cooperation remains unchanged.
President Xi stressed that security is the pre-condition for development. Humanity is an indivisible security community. It has proven time and again, that the Cold War mentality would only wreck the global peace framework, hegemonism and power politics would only endanger world peace, and that bloc confrontation would only exacerbate security challenges in the 21st century. The pursuit of one's own security at the cost of the others will only create new contradictions and risks.
To promote security for all in the world, President Xi put forward the Global Security Initiative (GSI). This important Initiative gives explicit answers to questions of our times such as “what security concept the world needs and how countries can achieve common security”. It contributes China’s wisdom to the efforts of mankind in tackling peace deficit, and offers China’s solution to addressing international security challenges. The GSI is rooted in true multilateralism. It calls upon all countries to abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and reject the obsolete mentality of zero-sum game and bloc confrontation. It advocates the win-win mindset to address the complex and intertwined security challenges, and champions the spirit of solidarity to adapt to the profoundly changing international landscape. It has provided a new approach to improve global security governance.
The GSI is underpinned by “six commitments”:
First, we stay committed to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and work together to maintain world peace and security. Eight years ago, President Xi Jinping outlined this new vision on security at the Shanghai Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA). It has become a “golden key” for the world to reduce security deficit and tackle security challenges, and has been widely recognized and supported by the international community. Today, in a world faced with combined impacts of the pandemic and major changes both unseen in a century and the shadow of war and conflict, the significance of this new security vision is all the more evident. It will drive deep into people’s hearts the idea of peace and cooperation, one about beating swords into ploughshares and pursuing security for all. This points to a new security approach that features dialogue, partnership and win-win instead of confrontation, alliance and a zero-sum game.
Second, stay committed to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, uphold non-interference in internal affairs, and respect the independent choices of development paths and social systems made by people in different countries. All countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, are equal members of the international community. Their internal affairs brook no external interference, their sovereignty and dignity must be respected, and their rights to independently choose their social systems and development paths must be upheld. History has warned us repeatedly that claiming supremacy over others and the strong bullying the weak would cause instability, and that the law of the jungle and power politics would lead to conflict and chaos. In this fast-changing world, we must oppose hegemonic infringement on sovereignty and uphold sovereign independence and equality, so as to ensure that all countries enjoy equal rights and opportunities and follow the same rules.
Third, stay committed to abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, reject the Cold War mentality, oppose unilateralism, and say no to group politics and bloc confrontation. The various confrontation and injustice in the world today do not occur because the purposes and principles of the UN Charter are outdated, but because they are not effectively implemented. Going through major changes and the pandemic unseen in a century, we must act on true multilateralism, firmly reject unilateralism and all forms of fake multilateralism, firmly uphold the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and oppose all “gang rules” set by a few without UN authorization and at odds with the spirit of the UN Charter.
Forth, stay committed to taking the legitimate security concerns of all countries seriously, uphold the principle of indivisible security, build a balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture, and oppose the pursuit of one's own security at the cost of others' security. Humanity is an indivisible security community. Security of one country should not come at the expense of that of others, and security of a region cannot be ensured by strengthening or even expanding military blocs. All countries are equal and interdependent in terms of security interests. The legitimate and reasonable security concerns of any country should all be taken seriously and addressed properly, rather than being ignored all along or systemically challenged. The enduring solution to global security challenges lies in achieving universal and common security.
Fifth, stay committed to peacefully resolving differences and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultation, support all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of crises, reject double standards, and oppose the wanton use of unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction. International practice has fully demonstrated that neither war nor sanction is a fundamental solution to disputes. The international community should unequivocally support all efforts conducive to peaceful settlement of crises, oppose attempts by any force to fan the flames or to obstruct and scupper peace talks. All parties should work in concert to defuse tensions, restore stability, promote peace, and encourage conflicting parties to engage in dialogue and keep the dialogue going so as to build trust, settle disputes and promote security through dialogue.
Sixth, stay committed to maintaining security in both traditional and non-traditional domains, and work together on regional disputes and global challenges such as terrorism, climate change, cyber-security and bio-security. With the deepening of economic globalization, the intension and extension of security are broadening to cover a much larger framework of time, space and areas. Security is becoming more interconnected, transnational and diverse. It thus necessitates continued creative thinking as well as keeping security cooperation in pace with the times. Facing complex international security threats, no country can stay unaffected or be left aside as a lone island. Countries should work together to tide over the difficulties.
Mr. President,
The GSI takes root in the People’s Republic of China’s independent foreign policy of peace and the practices of such policy. It is inspired by the diplomatic tradition and wisdom with unique Chinese characteristics. Over the years, as a responsible major country, China has held high the banner of peace, development and cooperation for win-win results, and made active contributions to upholding global peace and security. China adheres to the concept and the path of peaceful development, the country has pursued an independent foreign policy of peace and adhered to the path of peaceful development. China never started a war, never occupied one inch of foreign land, never engaged in proxy wars, and never participated in or organized any military bloc. Among the major countries, China has the best peace and security record. At present, China remains the only country in the world that undertakes to follow a path of peaceful development in its constitution, and the only one among the five nuclear-weapon states that has pledged a nuclear policy of no first use of nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstances, and not using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones unconditionally. No matter how developed China becomes, it will never seek hegemony, expansion or sphere of influence, nor will it engage in arms race. China will always be a strong pillar for peace and tranquility of humanity. At the same time, China has fully prepared to defend our national sovereignty and territorial integrity with full confidence and ability.
We stand ready to work with the international community to ensure that the GSI, put forward by President Xi Jinping, will take root and come into fruition, so that the world will enjoy greater peace, security and prosperity. We need to firmly uphold the authority and stature of the UN and jointly practice true multilateralism. We need to unswervingly uphold the UN-centered international system, the international order underpinned by international law, and humanity’s common values of peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom. We must reject attempts to stoke confrontation and division along ideological lines, forge “small circles”, undermine the international order in the name of preserving so-called “rules”, and put the world under the shadow of a “New Cold War”. Major countries shoulder special and important responsibility in resolving international and regional hot-spot issues. It is important to strengthen strategic communication among countries to enhance mutual security trust, diffuse tensions, manage differences and eliminate root causes of crises. It is also needed to actively explore possibilities for cooperation between states, expand the convergence of security interests, and nurture international and regional security dynamics that balance the aspirations and accommodate the interests of all parties.
Mr. President,
The Asia-Pacific region is where China lives and thrives. Conflicts and confrontations dominated by hegemony remain fresh in the memories of people in the Asia-Pacific region, who are now pursuing national stability and happy life. Asia-Pacific countries are generally reluctant to take sides, and the mainstream voice is that they hope that all countries can live in harmony and engage in win-win cooperation. China is willing to work with Asian countries to establish the new regional security architecture, and jointly maintain peace and stability in the region. We firmly oppose dividing the region with the so-called Indo-Pacific Strategy and patching up a NATO-replica in the Asia-Pacific in the name of military alliance. The long-outdated Cold War confrontation must not be repeated in Asia. The turmoil and wars that are unfolding in other parts of the world must not be allowed to happen in this region. China will continue to anchor ourselves in Asia, benefit the region, and take concrete actions to make a greater contribution to the long-term peace and sustainable development of the region.
Mr. President,
Since the beginning of this year, the international political and security situation has undergone new and complex changes, with traditional security threats and emerging security challenges intertwined. The international arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation system faces severe challenges and stands at a new and important crossroad. This year is also important since many multilateral arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation conferences will take place. Our mission is therefore even more arduous. With proactive, serious and responsible attitude, China will actively implement the GSI proposed by President Xi, continue to participate constructively in the substantive work of the CD, NPT Tenth Review Conference, BWC Ninth Review Conference and the work on outer space security, conventional arms control and other fields. China is unswervingly committed to maintaining, consolidating and strengthening the existing multilateral arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation mechanisms, resolutely opposes any forms of arms race and proliferation of WMD, remains firmly committed to maintaining the global strategic balance and stability, and safeguarding world peace and tranquility
Mr. President,
This year, all CD Presidencies come from developing countries. China is honored to be one of them, and made its due contribution to solving difficulties and breaking the stalemate with the view of enabling the CD to restart substantive work on various important issues. Today, the work of the 2022 CD session is over halfway. Efforts made by the Presidents reflect the demand and pursuit of developing countries on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, fairness and justice, seriousness and responsibility. These are also unique contribution made by developing countries to the work and culture of the CD. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Cuba once again for its leadership during its presidency, and look forward to continuing cooperation with ambassadors of the DPRK, DRC and Ecuador to make joint efforts to achieve steady progress on the work of the CD.
Thank you, Mr. President.
