中文
Aerial photo shows a test run on the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway trial section in Bandung, Indonesia, November 9, 2022. The railway is a flagship project that synergizes the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Indonesia's Global Maritime Fulcrum strategy. [Photo/Xinhua]
By Rabi Sankar Bosu
March 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the concept of "community with a shared future for mankind." Genesis of the concept can be traced back to Chinese President Xi Jinping's keynote speech delivered at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in Russia on March 23, 2013: "This is a world where countries are connected and depend on each other to an extent never before experienced. We, as humans, all live in the same global village, in the same time and space at the confluence of history and reality. More and more, we are becoming a community with a shared future, in which we all have a little of others within us."
Xi's speech clearly underscores that multilateralism is necessary for a bright future for mankind. The concept suggests that the future and destiny of each nation and country are closely connected and all countries within their existing political frameworks should work together to create a global community with a shared future that best serves the fundamental interests of all people.
"Humanity with a shared future" for pursuing common prosperity
Ever since the concept was presented by President Xi, it has been acknowledged and praised by the international community. More importantly, the concept has become a defining phrase of China's foreign diplomacy through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). The aim of all these people-centered initiatives is to build a community of common goals for mankind and create a beautiful future while upholding world peace and promoting common development to counter Western propaganda that tries to hinder the progress of human civilizations.
The headquarters building of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Beijing, capital of China, January 13, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]
The vision of a community of shared future for mankind
President Xi's philosophy of "building a community with a shared future for mankind" has made essential contributions to international development, and it is of extreme importance for world peace and stability while meeting the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as achieving "zero emission" targets.
President Xi always appreciates the diversity of human civilization and mutual learning between different civilizations. The idea is also a reimagining of the ancient Chinese concept of harmony without uniformity among all people, including cultures. The vision embodies the ideas of building an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity.
It answers the major question of how the international community should face a period of turbulence and change. Facts prove again and again that the Chinese government under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has always adhered to the vision and multilateralism, with an open and tolerant attitude, which proves that China is a strong force to protect world peace.
The BRI focuses on a community with a shared future for mankind
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the BRI. Since its formal proposal by President Xi in 2013, it has become a widely welcomed international public good with a far-reaching and profound impact on the world despite some "criticism" from the U.S.-led Western world. China has been working with the international community to continue advancing high-quality cooperation, making the initiative a "road to happiness" for the people of all countries.
Over the past 10 years, China has cooperated in poverty alleviation of participating countries and regions by assisting in local economic development and job creation through this progressive initiative. By the end of 2022, Chinese enterprises had invested $57.13 billion in economic and trade cooperation zones in countries along the Belt and Road, creating 421,000 jobs for local residents.
Over the years, China's achievements in various sectors including poverty alleviation, socio-economic development, the harmonious coexistence of mankind and nature and the formulation of various people-oriented welfare schemes have offered lessons to developing countries. In a world full of challenges and crises, all countries should strengthen cooperation and understanding and move forward with the goal of "building a community with a shared future for mankind," adhering to multilateralism. "Development is real only when all countries develop together," said President Xi, showing aspirations for every country around the world.
Rabi Sankar Bosu is an Indian contributor to Chinese media outlets. He writes about Chinese politics, social and cultural issues, and China-India relations with a special interest in the Belt and Road Initiative.
