President Xi’s vow of peace in pursuit of goals
Print Edition
CHINESE President Xi Jinping yesterday vowed to always use peaceful means in pursuit of China’s goals, including in maritime disputes.
Addressing the Australian parliament, Xi said: “China remains unshakeable in its resolve to pursue peaceful development.
“Neither turbulence nor war serves the fundamental interests of the Chinese people.
“There’s only one trend in today’s world. That is the trend of peace and development and win/win cooperation,” he said during a candid address in which he also reminisced about kangaroos and koala encounters during his previous visits to Australia.
Xi evoked history to make the point that no one ever benefited from conflict.
“A review of history shows that countries that attempted to pursue development with force invariably failed,” Xi said. “This is what history teaches us. China is dedicated to upholding peace. Peace is precious and needs to be protected.”
But he added: “We must always be on high alert against the factors that may deprive us of peace.”
“It is China’s longstanding position to address peacefully its disputes with countries concerned and territorial sovereignty and maritime interests through dialogue and consultation,” he said.
“China has settled land boundary issues with 12 out of its 14 neighbors through friendly consultation. And we will continue to work in this direction,” Xi added.
“The Chinese government is ready to enhance dialogue and cooperation with relevant countries to maintain freedom of navigation and the safety of maritime routes, and ensure a maritime border of peace, tranquility and cooperation.”
Xi pointed to the opportunities his country’s economy offered the world, and pledged to continue the “win/win strategy” of opening up and developing a modern economy.
“With over 1.3 billion people, China is a market of immense potential,” he said.
“The enormous progress China has made in reform and opening up in the past 30 years and more is possible both because of its own hard work and also an inclusive and open Asia-Pacific region.”
But the Chinese president also acknowledged Australian concerns about engagement with his country.
Big man in the crowd
Xi said that while many applauded China’s achievements, others “find fault with everything China does” — something he said was to be expected given the nation’s huge population.
“It is like the big man in the crowd,” he said, adding that others were concerned about which way he would move.
Xi, making a state visit following the G20 summit, also reminisced about previous trips Down Under before he assumed his role as one of the world’s most powerful figures.
“I have visited five states and two territories of Australia, except Tasmania. These visits have left a great impression on me,” he said.
“And I still cherish vivid memories of a strange-looking kangaroo, the cute koala, flocks of white sheep, the ingenious Sydney Opera House, and the boundless expanses of the outback.”
Ahead of his parliamentary address, Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan were introduced to a 10-month-old baby wombat named Walnut before viewing kangaroos from a golf buggy near Canberra.
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