Hundreds of experts and former political figures from across the world gathered in Beijing on Friday for four sub-forums held to mark the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, a historic foundation of China's diplomacy.
Initially put forth by then Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence are "mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence."
Over the past seven decades, they have been widely accepted and recognized by countries across the world and have become basic norms governing international relations and fundamental principles of international law.
During the events, experts argued for the importance of a fair world order based on independence that aligns with the spirit of the Five Principles.
"I think many of our friends in the Western world fail to understand that respect is so important to many of us in the Global South. We are not just aspiring for greater progress and development. If we are not respected, then that's going to be a big problem," said Dino Patti Djalal, founder of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia.
"Unfortunately, after 70 years, our world did not become more stable or more predictable. We are now more polarized than ever before. These principles with the focus on sovereignty, justice and rule of all continue to play a positive role in addressing the challenges and building a more equitable global political and economic order," said Eldor Aripov, director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies Under the President of Republic of Uzbekistan.
Another idea has been brought up many times at the forum as guidance to solutions is building a community with a shared future for mankind, a proposal put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
"All of us, all the humanities, the residents of one small village, as Chairman [President] Xi said, the planets in the universe, so this idea certainly will be very helpful for us to understand where is our place, what we should do, and what will be the world order in the future," said Sanakoev Sergey, president of the Asia-Pacific Research Center.
"More cooperation, more communication, more partnership, that's what we want, that's what we are waiting for to happen. The active participation and involvement of China in trying to contribute to the peaceful resolution of these disputes or conflicts, will eventually lead to a better world for everyone," said Raul Loyola Lambino, chairman of the Association for Philippines-China Understanding.
Four sub-forums held in Beijing to mark 70th anniversary of Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence
A record-breaking mega project connecting Shenzhen and Zhongshan across the sea in south China's Guangdong Province is believed to boost the mobility of people and the accessibility of businesses in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
The 24-kilometer-long Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link opened to traffic on Sunday, cutting travel time between the two cities from two hours to less than 30 minutes.
With a total cost of 46 billion yuan or 6 billion U.S. dollars, the highway project took seven years to complete. The sea-crossing passage has two bridges, two man-made islands, and a two-way eight-lane tunnel.
Prior to the official opening at 15:00 on Sunday, vehicles have lined up in front of toll gates in the two cities. Local residents said this newly-opened passage will greatly facilitate their travel between the two places.
"It's very convenient for Shenzhen residents to go to the cities of Zhuhai and Zhongshan," said Hu Tao, a passenger.
"I have a factory in Shenzhen, and I want to see how convenient the link is in case we plan to set up a branch in Zhongshan," said Rao Zulin, another passenger.
The link is considered one of the most challenging engineering projects of its kind in the world. The 6.8-kilometer-long underwater tunnel accounts for half of the project's 10 world records, including the longest two-way eight-lane underwater tube tunnel, the widest underwater steel shell-concrete tube tunnel, and the first underwater expressway interchange. The bridge section has also broken another five world records.
"It's the world's largest span for a fully offshore steel box girder suspension bridge, the world's highest air traffic clearance altitude at 91 meters, and the largest offshore suspension bridge anchor at 344,000 cubic meters. It is also the world's highest wind resistance test speed for a suspension bridge, at 83.7-meters per second, and the world's largest steel bridge deck hot-mix epoxy asphalt paving," said Jin Zhijian, an engineer at the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link Management Center.
Along with the Nansha Bridge and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is expected to break regional boundaries on the Pearl River.
"Shenzhen Port has a highly developed network of routes covering Europe, America and Southeast Asia. Through the combined port in the Bay Area, it will be more convenient and efficient to send 'Made in Zhongshan' products to all parts of the world. So the opening of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan link will play a key role in enhancing the global competitiveness of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area," said An Jian, chief engineer at Shenzhen Urban Transport Planning Center.
The toll for the bridge only charges nine U.S. dollars, cheaper than a meal at McDonald's. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is expected to handle more than 80,000 vehicles a day. The prospects for regional business look bright indeed.
Record-breaking cross-sea passage boosts mobility, accessibility in China's Greater Bay Area
