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China’s five principles of peaceful coexistence enhance Sino-African cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech marking the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
The roundtable meeting of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

ON 28 June 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a significant speech at the conference marking the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

In his address, he underscored the pivotal role of these principles in guiding the coexistence of nations with diverse social systems, enhancing collaboration among developing countries and advancing the international order.

The Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence are great theoretical contributions made by China and other Eastern countries to international relations.

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China has been firmly practicing these principles and takes them as the guidance of its foreign policy.

It is on the basis of the five principles that China has established and developed diplomatic relations with 165 countries and carried out trade, economic, scientific, technological and cultural exchanges and cooperation with over 200 countries and regions.

It is also on the basis of the five principles that China has, through peace negotiations, resolved the boundary issues with most neighbours and maintained peace and stability in its surrounding areas.

And it is on the basis of the five principles that China has managed to broker peace between Iran and Saud Arabia and provide economic and technical aid to developing countries with no political strings attached.

These five principles are mutual respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity; non-aggression; non-interference in internal politics; equality and mutual benefit; peaceful coexistence under these Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, China introduced A ‘Five-No’ Policy approach in its foreign policy towards African countries.

In his speech at the opening ceremony of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit held on 3rd September 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping described five major aspects that will never be used by China as a policy in providing loans, grants, aid and investments in African countries.

His strong remarks were to assure African leaders that China’s policy and strategy towards Africa are only aiming to support and build the capacity of African countries so as to enable them to build their independent economy as well as to eradicate poverty.

China’s policies and initiatives in its relations with African countries are essential for building infrastructure and promoting economic and social development in African countries.

Basically, African nations failed to grow economically due to the strict policies of many foreign donors. The complexity of Western policies in investments, lending and aid, has led African countries to become poorer.

China as a true friend and close partner of African nations is committed to helping African countries and to ensure that it brings great development changes to those nations.

And that’s why it came with alternative policy that provides opportunities for all countries to benefit from each other.

Thus, African nations are supposed to build closer relations with China so to benefit from the opportunities offered by it as well as to eliminate the difficult conditions of obtaining loans and aid from other big donors.

These “Five-No” policy that guides China’s engagement with Africa are: no interference in African countries’ pursuit of development paths that fit their national conditions; no interference in African countries’ internal affairs; no imposition of China’s will on African countries; no attachment of political strings to assistance to Africa; and no seeking of selfish political gains in investment and financing cooperation with Africa.

The “Five-No” policy derives from China’s foreign policy tradition characterised by the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and China’s own experience in development.

ALSO READ: The five principles of peaceful coexistence: Catalyst of Africa’s development 

 Jointly proposed by China, India and Myanmar in 1954, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence – mutual respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity; non-aggression; noninterference in internal politics; equality and mutual benefit; peaceful coexistence – has guided China’s foreign policy for over 70 years.

China believes that it is of vital importance to find a development path that fits its national conditions if a country wants real and sustainable development.

In creating conducive external environment for African countries to find such a path, China keeps its hand off of African countries’ endeavor in that regard.

In maintaining cooperation between China and Africa, China does not intervene in African countries in implementing appropriate developmental programmes.

China does not intervene in African countries’ internal affairs and does not use domestic and political disputes as a factor in lending or providing financial assistance in the respective countries.

China’s non-interference policy has largely contributed to the availability of loans, financial aid and technical assistance in many African countries.

China also does not prioritise its demands on African countries, so African nations could reap in China’s success without any conditions.

This good and transparent Africa policy of China has made African nations to count on China as a solution to their problems, such as poor infrastructure, lack of talented persons and difficulties in financing development projects, etc.

The “Five-No” policy has not only provided opportunities for African nations to benefit directly from the investments from Chinese companies, and the loans and aid offered by the Chinese Government, but also offered a chance for each African nation to choose a development path that suits its national conditions instead of being forced to pursue a given development path.

While the U.S. Strategy toward Africa puts America’s interests first, China’s Africa policies puts friendship first and follows the principle of giving more and taking less, giving before taking and giving without asking for return.

Unlike western countries’ arrogance and bias against Africans, China treats African Nations as equals.

China has never forced African countries to comply with its demands or requirements before granting loans or providing aid.

That’s why most African countries welcome and appreciate China’s assistance and investments.

Africa regards China as a true friend and partner in developing their economy and handling international affairs.

The Chinese Government believes that the best way to promote a lasting China-Africa cooperation is for both sides to expand the scope of mutual benefit, mutual respect and mutual trust.

This is an important and precise strategy in protecting the interests of both sides and for the benefit of all.

African nations need partners who are committed to working with them to eliminate poverty and developing their economy while paying due respect to the sovereignty of their countries.

Africa needs partners who help to solve their problems without any political conditions, and China has proved to be a partner that can meet Africa’s demand and wishes.

China has pursued a policy called “Win-Win Cooperation” in its foreign relations, which is fundamental for Africa’s development because it offers an opportunity to share the benefits.

China-Africa relations are not based on colonialism, exploitation and interference in other countries’ internal affairs, but rather on brotherhood and good friendship.

China has been a great supporter and a real saviour who has brought about major economic reforms in Africa.

Many years after African countries gained their independence, their economy continued to be in darkness, but in the recent 15-20 years, some of the nations’ economy has developed very fast largely due to the investment and trade, infrastructure financing and aid offered by China.

The darkness that had covered Africa’s cities is no longer there, many cities are now connected to power, and many infrastructures have been built by Chinese companies.

Traveling from one place to the other has become easier and railway infrastructure and roads have linked almost all African countries.

Many of these new developments would not have been achieved without good Chinese lending and investment policy towards Africa, supported by its non-interference policy.

There are so many benefits we, as Africans, can get from the cooperation with China.

The “Five-No” approach, as the new guiding principle for China’s engagement with Africa, is not only in the interests of China, but in the interests of Africa and the rest of the world.

Let’s work together with our Chinese friends to reap the greatest benefits.