1st July 2024 (11 Topics)
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China’s ‘Five Principles’ of Foreign Policy
Context
China recently celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, a cornerstone of its foreign policy. This concept, originally proposed by China in 1954, is also known as Panchsheel in India.
What are these Five Principles?
- The Five Principles were first articulated during talks between India and China, reflecting a mutual desire for peaceful relations amidst their emergence on the global stage post-independence (India in 1947 and China in 1949).
- The Five Principles
- Mutual Respect for Territorial Integrity and Sovereignty: Both countries agreed to respect each other's borders and territorial sovereignty.
- Mutual Non-Aggression: Commitment to refrain from acts of aggression or hostility towards each other.
- Mutual Non-Interference: Agreement not to interfere in each other's internal affairs.
- Equality and Mutual Benefit: Interactions based on equality and mutual benefit, fostering cooperation.
- Peaceful Coexistence: Promoting harmony and peaceful relations between nations.
- Panchsheel was later included in the Ten Principles of International Peace and Cooperation at the Bandung Conference in April 1955, attended by Afro-Asian countries.
Impact and Evolution
- Initially aimed at enhancing trade and cooperation, the Five Principles gained broader recognition at the Bandung Conference in 1955, influencing the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
- The Non-Aligned Movement, founded by Jawaharlal Nehru, that rose in the 1960s adopted the 'Panchsheel' or Five Principles as its guiding principles.
- However, the Sino-Indian War of 1962 strained relations and diluted the principles' influence.
- Current Perspective on China’s Foreign Policy
Modern Context
Despite its historical emphasis on peaceful coexistence, China's contemporary foreign policy under President Xi Jinping has shown assertiveness:
- Economic Growth and Assertiveness: China's economic rise has been accompanied by assertive territorial claims in the South China Sea and confrontations with neighboring countries.
- Global Relations: Relations with the United States have been marked by competition and tension, challenging American influence globally.
- Current Issues: Tensions persist between India and China, notably along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, despite attempts at diplomatic resolution.
Fact Box: Non-Aligned Movement
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