Ambassador calls for new type of global relations

Chinese ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang. [Photo/chinese-embassy.org.uk]

Countries of the world should have a reasonable strategic mutual perception, follow the right way of coexistence and promote global cooperation and development to build a community with a shared future for mankind, China's ambassador to the United Kingdom said.

Zheng Zeguang was speaking at the book launch ceremony and a forum on China and the Shared Human Future: Exploring Common Values and Goals on Wednesday. The event was held via video link in Beijing and London.

Zheng said that in recent years, some Western politicians believed that an increasingly developing China would harm the interests of Western countries headed by the United States. However, this "zero-sum" thinking is a strategic misjudgment.

"China always believes that countries should engage in dialogue, not confrontation, and build partnerships, not alliances. Rather than undercutting each other's efforts, countries should lend a helping hand and join hands to make common progress," he said.

Zheng added that democracy and freedom are the common pursuits of mankind, but they take different forms in countries with different national conditions. Countries have the right to choose the development paths that suit their national conditions.

Some Western countries are keen on exporting their model to other countries. However, the results are not true democracy for the countries concerned, but endless turbulence and deep suffering. There are plenty of examples, in Middle East countries and Afghanistan, he said, adding that China does not "import" models from other countries, nor does it "export" its model.

Moreover, today's world faces multiple and severe challenges from pandemics, climate change, economic inequality and regional conflicts.

"Countries should show respect, seek common ground despite differences and learn from one another with a view to building a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation," he said.

Martin Albrow, the author of the book, a fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, and the founding and past honorary president of the Global China Academy in the United Kingdom, applauded the proposal of building "a community with a shared future for mankind".

He said the book was inspired by the rise of China as a key actor in world events and aimed to emphasize the talent of the Chinese people in balancing commitment to values with setting goals that match the unique circumstances of any moment in time.

The book covers topics such as the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, global governance and China, and China's poverty alleviation efforts.

Liu Bogen, vice-president of China Publishing Group Co, said that building a community with a shared future for mankind is China's wisdom to contribute to world peace, stability and development.

"The book could help overseas readers to have an objective understanding of China's governance and development," he said.