A ceremony marking the 70th Anniversary of the initiation of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, jointly organised by the China Foundation for Peace and Development (CFPD) and the Myanmar-China Cooperation and Communication Centre (MCCCC), took place yesterday at the Chinese Cultural Centre in Yangon.
Mrs Qiao Li, Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar, highlighted, “China-Myanmar diplomatic relations began in June 1950, and 2024 marks the 70th Anniversary of the announcement of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Seventy years ago, Premier Zhou Enlai formulated these principles: 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”.
The leaders of both countries signed the Five Principles on 29 June 1954 in Yangon. “In April 1955, these principles were endorsed at the Asia-Africa Summit (Bandung Conference) in Indonesia. Many nations embraced them and subsequently became fundamental principles followed by the United Nations,” added Daw Than Than Nu, Chairperson of the U Nu-Daw Mya Yee Foundation.
“In 1954, during a meeting in Beijing between Chairman Mao and my father, former Prime Minister U Nu, Chairman Mao expressed that China had initiated numerous projects and pledged future assistance to Myanmar,” Daw Than Than Nu continued. “Seventy years later, China has provided significant support to Myanmar, particularly through the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC), which involves collaboration in politics, culture, social development, and economic sectors, promoting people-to-people communication”.
CITIC Myanmar Deputy General Manager Mr Ma Chuanfu discussed progress and future plans for the Kyaukpyu Project, affirming, “CITIC Myanmar remains committed to advancing the Kyaukpyu Project and enhancing Corporate Social Responsibility.”
Additional speakers at the event included Chairman U Nay Oke of the Nay Oke Foundation and CFPD Executive Officer, Joint Secretary U Khin Maung Zaw of the Myanmar Institute for Strategic and International Studies, Chief Editor U Win Tin of the Northern Light Journal and Dr Kyi Shwin, Rector of Yangon University of Foreign Languages. — TWA/TMT
