Full Text: Speech by Chinese Premier Li Qiang at 19th East Asia Summit

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday delivered a speech at the 19th East Asia Summit.

The following is the full text of the speech:

Remarks by H.E. Li Qiang

Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China

At the 19th East Asia Summit

Vientiane, October 11, 2024

Your Excellency Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone,

Colleagues,

It gives me great pleasure to join you at the 19th East Asia Summit. I wish to thank Prime Minister Sonexay and the Lao government for the tremendous work in hosting this summit.

The world today has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation, and global economic recovery lacks momentum. To better maintain peace, stability and development is a major task for all of us in East Asia and the broader Asia-Pacific. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. As we Chinese often say, "Reviewing the past leads to new insights." Over the past seven decades, the Five Principles have garnered widespread recognition of the international community. Though simple in formulation, these fundamental principles have not lost their relevance but gained new meaning with the changing circumstances. This further underscores their value to our times and significance for the world.

First, a stronger commitment to the Five Principles is required in our changing and turbulent world. At present, some regions are mired in conflict and the people there continue to suffer. Understanding the simple words of "peaceful coexistence" may be easy, but to put the notion into practice is anything but, which makes it even more precious. We must work tirelessly toward this goal, truly strive for peace, and take concrete actions to make Planet Earth a peaceful and harmonious home for us all.

Second, a stronger commitment to the Five Principles is required in a development-focused Asia. Over the past decades, Asia has maintained rapid development, because countries in the region have always followed the right way to get along. We have treated each other as equals, fostered mutual respect and mutual benefit, and jointly promoted stability. For Asia to achieve even greater development, it is imperative that we continue to pursue friendship and partnership with our neighbors, oppose bloc confrontation and "small yards with high fences," and increase the synergy for development.

Third, a stronger commitment to the Five Principles is required for the realization of equity and justice. Today, developing countries are voicing a stronger call for improving the international governance system and protecting their legitimate rights and interests. The Five Principles were initiated with the purpose of safeguarding the interests and pursuits of smaller, weaker countries. We should continue to draw wisdom from these principles, uphold true multilateralism, and work toward a more just and equitable international order.

China is ready to work with all parties to carry forward the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and push for the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Together, we should forge stronger consensus, deepen mutual trust and strengthen cooperation. First, we should resolutely safeguard peace and tranquility. This entails continued support for an ASEAN-centered, open and inclusive regional architecture, pursuit of a path of regional security governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, and increased vigilance and firm preemption against actions that undermine regional stability and heighten the risk of conflict. Second, we should stay committed to pursuing mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. China is ready to work with all parties to actively implement the Global Development Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping. We should leverage our respective and complementary strengths, step up input in green transformation, digital economy and other areas where regional countries have needs, and endeavor to realize universally beneficial and inclusive development. Third, we should steadfastly promote opening up and cooperation. We should work on full and high-standard implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), speed up the building of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), advance regional economic integration, and avoid mixing trade and economic issues with politics and security.

Peace and stability in the South China Sea is critical to the development and prosperity of our region. China has all along committed itself to international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), consistently honored the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), opted for dialogue and consultation with countries directly concerned in properly handling differences, and actively engaged in practical maritime cooperation. There are no obstacles whatsoever to freedom of navigation or overflight in the South China Sea. At present, China and ASEAN countries are actively advancing consultations on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) and will strive for its early conclusion. I wish to underscore that China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea have solid historical and legal grounds. It is legitimate and lawful for China to take necessary measures to safeguard its sovereign rights and interests. Relevant countries outside the region should respect and support the joint efforts of China and regional countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, and truly play a constructive role for peace and stability in the region.

As the saying goes, only by following the right path can we go far. In this spirit, China is ready to work with all parties to uphold the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and create a brighter future for the region and the wider world.

Thank you.