Op-Ed Contributors

FM: 'No power shift Eastward'

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-08-02 08:08

Editor's note: At a joint news conference with Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs Patricia Espinosa in Mexico City on July 30, China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi was asked whether he agreed with the view that world power is shifting from the West to the East. The following are excerpts from Yang's take on the matter:

T here has been an argument that the gravity of world power is shifting from the West to the East, but it is a view hard to be subscribed.

The emerging trend in the world today is the gradual evolution of world power towards relative equilibrium. It is an inevitable outcome of the growing move toward multi-polarity and of deepening economic globalization and rapid revolution in science and technology.

The process toward multi-polarity includes not just faster growth of major emerging countries but also rising regional power of developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Developing countries, like their developed counterparts, have become a force to reckon with on the world stage.

People from all over the world are calling for greater democracy in international relations. This is in keeping with the trend of globalization and the move toward multi-polarity (in world affairs). It is also a specific reflection of such development. The G20 is a case in point. In the face of complicated global issues and challenges, the interests of all countries are closely intertwined.

Major issues that have a bearing on world peace and development need to be addressed through discussion among the countries concerned. They should not, and cannot, be handled by a dominant few nations. Countries should and must strengthen dialogue and cooperation to achieve win-win progress and common development.

An outstanding issue right now is that the reasonable positions, propositions, interests and demands of a vast number of developing countries have not received adequate respect and attention.

Developing countries need to strengthen cooperation, enhance solidarity and work to seek an equal voice and increased representation in international organizations, as well as equal rights and interests, in the global community. This will be a long and arduous process. Yet, it is an inevitable trend in the development of history.

Therefore for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the common interests of developing countries and the fundamental interests of people across the world, China will work with the international community to actively promote South-South cooperation and North-South dialogue and cooperation, and to facilitate a fairer and more equitable development of the international political and economic order.

(China Daily 08/02/2010 page8)