Reference News Network, June 30 report: Brazil's 247 News website published an article titled "From Bandung to China: A New 'Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence'" on June 28. The author is Fernando Capotondi. The article excerpts are as follows:

The conflict between Iran and Israel, along with the U.S. attacks, has rekindled the spirit of a historic declaration issued 70 years ago during the height of the Cold War.

After the United States bombed Iran, escalating the war rhetoric to an unexpected level, the international community is eager to hear China's position, given its growing geopolitical status, influence in Middle East diplomacy, and strategic relationship with Iran. In this context, Beijing quickly expressed support for peace—just as it did 70 years ago at the historic Bandung Conference when it advocated the "Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence."

For decades, these principles provided a reference framework for Asian and African countries that had freed themselves from colonial rule. They also form the basis of today's Chinese foreign policy doctrine.

The spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence is reflected in the Chinese government's condemnation of the U.S. attacks on three Iranian nuclear facilities. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Washington for "seriously violating the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law," and stated that "China calls on the parties involved in the conflict, especially Israel, to cease hostilities as soon as possible and ensure the safety of civilians." China is willing to work with the international community to make efforts to restore peace and stability in the Middle East region.

China's position has always been consistent with the principles adopted at the Bandung Conference. It is evident that during the Cold War, these principles promoted the development of the Non-Aligned Movement; recently, in the face of the escalation of war and superficial solutions that worry the world, these principles have been invoked again.

Experts explain that facing the logic of military alliances, China today proposes an inclusive and cooperative security framework, updating the original principles of peaceful coexistence into the language of 21st-century geopolitics. They believe that this concept is included in the Global Security Initiative proposed in 2022, which aims to replace deterrence with prevention and regional cooperation with military balance.

One of the most innovative principles that can be raised in the discussion about China's role is that peace must now be based on sustainable development. Indeed, China recognizes that poverty, inequality, and underdevelopment fuel extremism and violence. Therefore, China links its diplomatic proposals to projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, or the Global Development Initiative proposed in 2021. Compared to the military containment strategy adopted by the United States and some of its allies, Beijing's approach is a completely different alternative.

The war between Iran and Israel, the U.S. bombing, and the fragile conditions maintaining the ceasefire may help to make the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence no longer seen as an outdated document, but rather as a guide for dealing with an era of increasingly intense violence. If these principles are upheld, they will be more powerful than any bomb or missile. (Translated by Han Chao)

Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7521633795049570835/

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