China, India, Myanmar to celebrate 60-yr-old peace principles

Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and Indian, Myanmar leaders will attend the commemorative activities for the 60th anniversary of creation of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman announced on Friday.

The three countries have agreed to hold the commemorative activities in Beijing on June 28 to 29, Qin Gang said in a statement.

President Xi will attend a commemoration conference on June 28, and Premier Li will attend a reception on June 29, said Qin, adding that Myanmar President U Thein Sein and Indian Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari will attend the activities.

Invited by Xi, U Thein Sein will pay a state visit to China from June 27 to 30, Qin said.

Invited by Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao, Ansari will pay an official visit to China from June 26 to 30, Qin said.

In 1954, leaders of China, India and Myanmar initiated the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which stand for mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.

"Over the past six decades, the principles have withstood tests, been accepted by an increasing number of countries, become the tenets governing international relations and played an important role in safeguarding world peace and development," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a daily press briefing Friday.

Hua said attendance by the leaders reflects the three countries' determination to promote world peace and development.

On President U Thein Sein's visit to China, Hua said presidents of the two countries are scheduled to hold talks. Chinese premier and top legislator will also meet with U Thein Sein. He will also visit an ancient capital of Luoyang in central China's Henan Province.

This will be U Thein Sein's third state visit to China during his presidency and his first meeting with Xi, Hua said, stressing the visit will be significant for the healthy and steady development of bilateral relations in the new era.

"China expects the visit to consolidate bilateral good-neighbor relations, enhance strategic trust, boost pragmatic cooperation and develop the bilateral all-round strategic partnership," Hua said.

Hua recalled the profound brotherhood between the two peoples and the good-neighbor friendship that has benefited the two nations.

Stressing China firmly pursues a friendly policy toward Myanmar, Hua said China would like to work with Myanmar to deepen cooperation, benefit the two peoples and promote regional peace, stability and development.

Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari's trip to China will be the first for an Indian leader since the inception of the new Indian government in May, Hua said.

Xi will meet with Ansari. Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao will hold a welcome ceremony for Ansari before talks with him.

During his five-day stay, Ansari will give a speech and visit Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

Labelling China and India as the world's largest developing countries and important emerging economies, Hua reviewed the sound and steady growth of the bilateral strategic partnership, citing growing political trust, productive cooperation in all fields and good coordination on international and regional issues.

China would like to work with India to seek a closer partnership and achieve common development, Hua said.