The Five Pillars
The “five pillars of bilateral relations” were proposed on November 15, 2023 during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in San Francisco, by President Xi Jinping of China
“The Five Pillars are:
1. Respecting each other: This means recognizing each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and legitimate interests. It also means refraining from interfering in each other’s internal affairs and respecting each other’s political systems and development paths.
2. Managing disagreements: This means finding constructive ways to address differences while upholding common interests. It involves conducting dialogues with mutual respect, seeking common ground, and working towards peaceful resolutions.
3. Cooperation in areas such as climate change and artificial intelligence: This highlights the potential for collaboration on global challenges and emerging technologies. It recognizes that both countries have a shared responsibility to promote sustainable development and technological advancement.
4. Jointly shouldering responsibilities as major countries: This emphasizes the need for China and the United States to work together to address global issues. It underscores their shared responsibility for maintaining international peace and stability.
5. Strengthening people-to-people ties: This promotes cultural exchanges, educational cooperation, and other forms of engagement between the citizens of both countries. It aims to foster mutual understanding and friendship.
These five pillars provide a framework for building a more stable, constructive, and mutually beneficial relationship between China and the United States. They reflect a recognition of the complex and multifaceted nature of their bilateral ties, as well as the importance of managing differences while pursuing common interests.”
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There are parallels between these principles, and the Five Principles of Peace, which are the foundation of China’s foreign policy since just after modern China was established in 1949.
1. Mutual respect for each nation’s territorial integrity and sovereignty
2. Mutual non-aggression
3. Mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs
4. Equality and mutual benefit
5. Peaceful co-existence
It is useful to note the evolution of language in China, adapting the fundamentals to new circumstances.
The Five Principles were first publicly proposed by Premier Zhou Enlai in 1954. They are studied and implemented by all of China’s diplomats, with special acknowledgment from President Xi and other senior leaders.