China’s Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence

The world is wrestling with severe geopolitical tension, economic rivalries, cultural frictions, and harsh climate-induced issues.

The world is wrestling with severe geopolitical tension, economic rivalries, cultural frictions, and harsh climate-induced issues. To triumph over these critical matters, China and India established the Sino-Indian Agreement, or the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, in 1954 to resolve these issues peacefully. The agreement emphasizes principles such as esteem for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression, and non-interference in the domestic affairs of any country to promote mutual benefit and equality. These principles furnish a platform for achieving global peace, avoiding conflicts, and enhancing economic cooperation.

Moreover, on the 70th anniversary of the five principles of peaceful coexistence, President Xi Jinping addressed the international community and stated, “Five principles of coexistence are based on the UN Charter, and we aim to execute the UN Charter.” Furthermore, countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Burma, Cambodia, India, Nepal, and the Russian Federation recognize these principles. According to five principles, China has established diplomatic relations with 180 out of 193 countries. Furthermore, President Xi said that the five principles are a powerful tool for developing countries; if developing countries adopt them, they can progress, pursue their self-interest, and strengthen their policies by opposing imperialism, colonialism, and hegemony of developed countries. These principles will help the nations ensure sovereignty; they can also turn the dream of global peace into reality. President Xi has asked the international community to join him in their global peace, stability, and cooperation mission in the trade sector.

Moreover, the first principle says, “Mutual Respect for Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity.” China claims that it respects each nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. For example, disputes in the South China Sea point out the first principle: there should be mutual respect for state territory to avoid conflict. China’s primary focus is to address global challenges through collective efforts through the lens of the five principles of peaceful coexistence.

However, the principle of non-aggression is the cornerstone of principles of peaceful coexistence. It advocates for negotiation, mediation, and dialogue rather than conflict, even in disputes such as the Russia-Ukraine war. China stated that military exercises should not be involved because they lead to continuous conflict and further delays; this has been evident, as Beijing has pointed out. China has constantly exerted pressure to resolve disputes through diplomatic channels such as mediation and negotiation.

Furthermore, ASEAN countries have been dealing with internal issues for many years, even though all ASEAN members have a common goal of achieving sustainable peace, collective regional matters, and progressing the economy without external pressure. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has put forward an example of non-interference in internal affairs, which is the third principle. To avoid long-standing tensions, it is necessary to hold peaceful ways such as negotiation and mediation because they indirectly enhance state sovereignty and stability, which is required for global and regional peace and stability.

Additionally, China developed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013 to establish mutually beneficial economic relations and equal opportunities for all and foster cooperation with all member states. Including Pakistan, 139 out of 193 countries have joined the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). To alleviate this belief, China is endeavoring the fourth principle, which advocates the principle of peaceful coexistence: “Equality and Mutual Benefits.”

However, efforts to mitigate climate change offer a distinguished example of the fifth principle of peaceful coexistence. On 12 December 2012, the Paris Agreement was signed. It is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. The agreement requires developed countries to provide financial assistance to developing countries, as their contribution is more to climate change than developing countries’ contribution to infrastructure renovation and humanitarian aid. 196 countries have signed and ratified the agreement. By addressing climate-induced challenges through peaceful cooperation, the world follows the core of peaceful coexistence—advocating shared challenges through collective efforts rather than division.

It is time for the world to embrace these Five Principles. These principles not only shrink international conflicts and critical issues but also lead the world toward harmonious stability. China’s adoption of a soft policy and diplomacy indicates the importance of peace and lays a root for other nations to welcome these principles. The time has come to triumph over all the conflicts and achieve peace and prosperity to maintain balance. History has dictated to states that conflicts have exacerbated the situation of peace and come at the expense of widespread human suffering and mass killing.

Mehran Khan
Mehran Khan
The author is pursuing his BS degree in International Relation from University of Sindh, Jamshoro. He can be reached at mehranjarwar0[at]gmail.com