Stability in humanity's pursuit, envoy says

The Chinese embassy in the United States held a reception last week to celebrate the 98th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Ambassador Xie Feng was joined by Minister Jing Quan, Minister Qiu Wenxing, Defense Attache Major General Liu Zhan and about 300 guests attended the event, including US government and military officials, families of the Flying Tigers and WWII veterans, friends from various sectors, diplomats and military attaches of other countries, and representatives of overseas Chinese communities and Chinese institutions in the United States.

In his remarks, Ambassador Xie stated that throughout all the conflicts in history, peace and stability are the unyielding pursuit of humanity. "The world we now live in is totally different from what it was 80 years ago," he said on Thursday, adding that geopolitical conflicts keep flaring up. "The 'might is right' fallacy is creeping back. World peace and development have come under a 'pressure test'," he said.

To sustain the hard-won peace, prevent past tragedies from repeating themselves and create a better future, Xie said: "We need to draw lessons from history, and strengthen our commitment to maintaining peace."

Eighty years ago, he recalled, the Chinese people fought fearlessly with the people around the world, including US soldiers and civilians, to completely defeat fascism. "Our two countries fought fascism side by side, and also co-sponsored the San Francisco Conference in 1945 that founded the United Nations," Xie said, adding that: "We should stay true to the founding mission as outlined in the UN Charter, remain firmly committed to safeguarding peace, jointly uphold the UN-centered international system, and make continuous efforts to 'save succeeding generations from the scourge of war', so that the vision of enduring peace will become a reality."

Moreover, "we need to defy challenges, and enhance our capability to defend peace", Xie said. The poorly equipped PLA 98 years ago has now morphed into "a Great Wall of Steel, and a valiant force for peace", he said.

"We have been actively promoting the political settlement of hot spot issues such as the Ukraine crisis and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. We have also jointly advocated and established the International Organization for Mediation with like-minded nations. Every increase in China's strength is an increase in the hope for world peace."

'Stand in solidarity'

In addition, "We need to stand in solidarity, and jointly follow the path of peaceful development," said Xie, adding China is the only country among the five nuclear-weapon States to pledge no-first-use of nuclear weapons and the only major country that has written peaceful development into its Constitution.

"It is fair to say that China is the major country that keeps the best record in terms of peace and security," he said.

The world today is far from tranquil, Xie said, "As the world's two largest economies and permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and the US have only the shared responsibility for safeguarding peace and cooperation, and no reason for conflict and confrontation."

It's important to follow the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, sustain the hard-won momentum in dialogue and cooperation, and steer clear of the various disturbances and disruptions, he said.

In particular, it's vital to deal with the Taiwan question with extra prudence, to prevent the fringe separatists bent on "Taiwan independence "from dragging China and the US into the dangerous terrain of confrontation and even conflict, Xie said.

Xie called for joint efforts to bring China-US relations back on the right track of stable, sound and sustainable development, and to inject positive energy into world peace, stability and prosperity.

Major General Liu stated in his speech that the Chinese side will adhere to the strategic guidance of the two heads of state and the three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, to promote a stable, sound and sustainable military-to-military relationship.

The guests extended warm congratulations on the achievements of the PLA on its 98th anniversary. They commended China's significant historical contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.

The 101-year-old veteran of the Flying Tigers, Captain Jack Goodrich, delivered a video message, recalling affectionately the friendship forged between China and the US as they fought shoulder to shoulder. A themed photo exhibition titled "Safeguarding Peace, Fighting Side by Side, Sharing Common Destiny" was also held at the reception.

junechang@chinadailyusa.com