China aims at common development with neighbours: Xi Jingping

Beijing – Chinese President Xi Jinping said Beijing will strive for a sound neighbouring environment for its own development and seek common development with neighbours.

Speaking at a conference on relations with neighbouring countries here, Xi stressed the necessity of good diplomatic work to realise the “centenary goals” set by the 18th Communist Party National Congress in 2012 – a moderately prosperous society by 2021 and a prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and modern socialist country by 2049.

The Oct 24-25 conference was attended by all members of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee’s Politburo.

Stating that diplomatic relations rely on the bond shared by people, Xi said people-to-people exchange should involve tourism, technology, education and sub-national cooperation, among others, to make many different kinds of friends, the China Daily reported Saturday.

“We should clearly present our policies to the outside world, tell China’s story in an acceptable way, speak out so that we are heard, and interpret the Chinese dream from the perspective of the aspiration of all people in all countries for a better life and regional prosperity, and let the sense of common destiny take root with our neighbours.”

Talking about security issue, Xi, who is also chairman of the Central Military Commission, called for advancing security cooperation with neighbours, actively participate in regional and sub-regional security cooperation, and enhance cooperation mechanisms and strategic mutual trust.

China should work with its neighbours to hasten interconnectivity and establish a Silk Road economic belt and a maritime Silk Road for the 21st century, he said.

The country should accelerate establishment of free trade zones, with neighbours as the foundation stone, expand trade and investment and create a new pattern of regional economic integration, he said.

The president urged accelerating the opening up of border areas and deepening reciprocal cooperation between Chinese border areas and neighbouring countries.

On geography, environment and intertwined relations, Xi said the neighbouring region has major strategic significance. Dealing with neighbours “should have a three-dimensional, multi-element perspective, beyond time and space”.

He said that they must strive to make neighbours more friendly in politics, economically more closely tied to them, and “we must have deeper security cooperation and closer people-to-people ties”.