Common prosperity lies in community with shared future

“Building a community with shared future for mankind”, as proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, remains highly significant for safeguarding the inherent rights and dignity of mankind and for supporting global peace and prosperity.

The scourge of war and terrorism has caused indescribable sorrow and immense suffering for nations and violated the rights and liberties of many individuals around the globe. People’s rights and dignity have been violated on the grounds of their caste, color and creed. Deadly acts by radical extremists have struck a blow to global peace and left little room for the spirit of brotherhood. With these persistent conflicts, “freedom from fear and want” remains an unattainable dream.

Despite the fact that all nations have reaffirmed their “faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom”, as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, people’s pain and suffering continue unabated.

To advocate for human rights and extend the room for tolerance and peaceful coexistence, the world will have to adhere to the “community of shared future” or “shared prosperity”. In other words, building a violence-free society where all people can exercise their rights and liberties is possible only through global efforts.

China plays an active role in building a peaceful society and supporting global peace and stability. The country urges all nations to pursue common prosperity and shared interests, and to settle their disputes through nonviolent mechanisms.

China has dispatched more than 37,000 peacekeepers to 24 UN peacekeeping missions and participated in international cooperation against terrorism.

China upholds the international principles and calls the world to observe those principles in their social, political and economic approaches; pursue win-win cooperation; and combat terrorism with bona fide intention.

“The pursuit of harmonious coexistence is in the DNA of the Chinese nation,” said Yang Jiechi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, while addressing world leaders at Tsinghua University’s World Peace Forum on July 14. He added that China would exercise the “golden rule” and pursue friendship and cooperation with the rest of the world on the basis of the five principles of peaceful coexistence and would “never seek hegemony”. According to him, China supports denuclearization, peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and negotiated solutions through dialogue and consultation. He also believed that backing the Iranian nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Syria’s territorial integrity, and Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation processes are integral to regional peace and stability.

To promote world peace and stability, all nations and individuals need to treat one another according to the spirit of brotherhood and respect the rights and freedoms of one another regardless of their race, color and faith.

Meanwhile, the world has to follow the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which advocates human rights, gender equality and the promotion of a culture of peace and nonviolence, all believed to be the root of common prosperity for human societies.

Holding the idea that everyone is born free and equal — with inherent and inviolable rights, freedoms and dignity — will pave the way for tolerance and peaceful coexistence. Hence, all countries will have to play their role in supporting global peace with strong commitments similar to China. If a nation disregards the pain and suffering of another nation or adopts a hegemonic policy, there will be no space for peaceful coexistence.

It is self-evident that regional conflicts and terrorism, which are the main factors behind violations of human rights and humanitarian laws, pose a threat to the entire world. To stop the outrageous acts of terror, building a community with shared future is a prerequisite and it is possible only through global efforts. Thus, the world should seek common ground and participate in building a moderately prosperous society with shared destiny and play active role in peacekeeping.

Chinese officials have stressed building such a community on several occasions, including the recent events of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the 15th China-ASEAN Expo. It is hoped all nations, especially African and ASEAN nations, will accompany China in building a community with shared destiny to move the world toward peace and stability.

The author is an Afghan journalist and freelance writer based in Beijing.

The opinions expressed here are those of the writer and do not represent the views of China Daily and China Daily website.