China commits to an independent foreign policy of peace and peaceful development

By Benjamin Takpiny

The Chinese Premier of the State Council Li Qiang on Tuesday said that they are committed to an independent foreign policy of peace and peaceful development.

“We will stay committed to an independent foreign policy of peace and to peaceful development. We will remain firm in pursuing a strategy of opening up for mutual benefit,” Li said while delivering a government work report at the opening of the second session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s national legislature.

He called for an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, adding that China is committed to promoting a new type of international relations.

“We will remain firm in opposing all hegemonic, high-handed, and bullying acts and upholding international fairness and justice,” Li said. 

 Li said that China is ready to pursue the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative with other members of the international community so as to promote the shared values of humanity, reform the global governance system, and build a human community with a shared future. 

He said that they will consolidate and enhance integration of national strategies and strategic capabilities, refine the system and layout defense-related science, technology, and industries, raise public awareness concerning national defense, and strengthen national defense mobilization and readiness of reserve forces. 

“We in governments at all levels will provide strong support to the development of national defense and the armed forces and strengthen mutual support between civilian sectors and the military, so as to consolidate the unity between the military and the government and between the military and the people”.

 Li added that they will continue to fully, faithfully and resolutely implement the policy of One Country, Two Systems, under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong and the people of Macao administer Macao, both with a high degree of autonomy.

“We will remain committed to law-based governance in Hong Kong and Macao and ensure that Hong Kong and Macao are administered by patriots,” he said. 

Li said that they will support Hong Kong and Macao in growing their economies, improving the lives of their people, and participating in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area by leveraging their distinctive strengths and features, adding that this will ensure that Hong Kong and Macao can better integrate themselves into China’s overall development and maintain long-term prosperity and stability. 

“We will implement our Party’s overall policy for the new era on resolving the Taiwan question, stay committed to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, and resolutely oppose separatist activities aimed at “Taiwan independence” and external interference,”  Li revealed.

He said that Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will promote peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, be firm in advancing the cause of China’s reunification, and uphold the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation.

“By advancing integrated cross-Strait development, we will improve the wellbeing of the Chinese people on both sides so that together, we can realize the glorious cause of national rejuvenation,” Li said. 

“We must pursue high-quality development as our top priority in the new era, make improving the people’s wellbeing the most important political achievement, and endeavor to build a law-based, innovation-driven, and service-oriented government of integrity that meets the people’s expectations and fully performs its duties,” he added.

In addition, Li said that they will fully advance law-based government administration and strictly abide by the Constitution and laws.

“We will readily submit ourselves to the oversight of people’s congresses and their standing committees at the corresponding level. We will readily accept democratic oversight from the CPPCC and readily submit ourselves to public oversight and oversight through public opinion. Audit-based oversight will also be strengthened,” he said.

“With a commitment to sound, democratic, and law-based decision-making, we will observe objective laws, build broad consensus, and ensure a solid legal basis when formulating policies. We will improve the system of government transparency and comprehensively promote strict, procedure-based, impartial, and non-abusive law enforcement. We will support trade unions, Communist Youth League organizations, women’s federations, and other people’s organizations in better fulfilling their roles,” Li added. 

He said that they will carry forward the spirit of self-reform and will stay focused on improving conduct, tightening discipline, and fighting corruption, and we will redouble efforts to enhance Party conduct, build a government of integrity, and advance anti-corruption initiatives.

Li revealed that they will improve government performance across the board. Implementing the decisions and plans of the Party Central Committee, they will act on the principle of ensuring optimization, coordination, and efficiency so as to further transform government functions and boost the government’s ability for implementation and its credibility. 

“We will continue with the right approach to thinking and work, be ready to break free from fixed mindsets and dependency on established paths. We will make proactive plans and fully utilize drivers and levers in our work, take prompt, pragmatic, resolute, and effective steps to fully deliver on all work initiatives, and see that the final outcomes of our work are in keeping with the Party Central Committee’s decisions and intentions and meet the people’s expectations”. 

“We will consolidate and expand on what we have achieved in theoretical study initiatives, conduct extensive research and studies, and implement the practices of going into communities to communicate the Party’s lines and policies, carry out research and studies, address people’s complaints, and conduct field work”. 

The 14th National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s national legislature, opened its second session Tuesday morning at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attended the opening meeting.