China sets eyes on safeguarding world peace

Mpho Mokwape | Friday October 20, 2017 15:02

Giant China now promises to continue its efforts to safeguard world peace and to constantly uphold international order for the betterment of all nations.

At the official opening of the Communist Party of China National Congress this week, the country’s President Xi Jinping said as China continues to open up to the world, they must keep in mind both their internal and international imperatives in order to encourage world peace.

“China will continue to safeguard world peace and contribute to global development,” he said.

Xi explained that the dream for the Chinese people was closely connected with the dreams of the people of other countries, hence the need to strengthen cooperation and ensure that world peace reigns. He noted that the Chinese dream could be realised only in a peaceful international environment and under a stable order.

“We will uphold justice while pursuing shared interests and will foster new thinking on common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security.

We will pursue open, innovative and inclusive developments that benefits everyone, boost cross-cultural exchanges characterised by harmony within diversity, inclusiveness and mutual learning,” Xi said.

However, Xi acknowledged that striving to safeguard world peace came with the responsibility of having a national security that was functional, explaining that pursuing a holistic approach to national security meant safeguarding against any potential threats within the country first.

Xi mentioned that it was a major principle underlying the party’s governance, which required that national interest be put first, protecting the people’s security as a mission and safeguarding political security as a fundamental task.

Moreover, he noted that, “Both traditional and non-traditional security needed to be safeguarded.

We will improve our systems and institutions and enhance capacity building for national security and resolutely safeguard China’s sovereignty, security and development interest”.

Meanwhile the 19th congress of the Communist Party of China is taking place in Beijing and will end on Tuesday. It is expected to deliberate on what China has achieved in the past five years and map the way forward for new goals both which are focused on the development and contribution to the global economy and security.

Under the leadership of Xi, the country has reportedly seen growth both economically and socially becoming the second largest economy in the world. The national congress takes place every five years.

*Mpho Mokwape is part of 3,068 journalists covering the congress. She is based in Beijing with other 26 African Journalists for a programme under the China Africa Press Centre (CAPC)