China made a strong pitch for greater democracy in international relations at the third summit meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA). Speaking at the summit, state councillor Dai Bingguo, who is also responsible for border talks with India, said, ?Where we live today, is a world witnessing growing trends towards pluralism, diversity and multipolarity, a world adapting to globalised allocation of resources and movement of capital, goods and people. Such a world can no longer tolerate hegemony of any form or a single value system.?
Dai Binggou also sought to allay fears about the rise of China, particularly its role as a potential hegemon. ?China will never seek to be a superpower and will never seek hegemony in the world. This is not our tradition, not our desire, and still less, our policy,? he said. The state councillor also pointed out that China is still a developing country?in the process of seeking revitalisation?and that it still has a long and challenging journey ahead. He said even when China becomes a developed country, it will remain committed to peace and development in Asia.
Dai Bingguo also said while Asia had multiple opportunities, it was also plagued by a number of hot-spot issues and security threats. Interestingly, China did not make any specific comment on the two issues attracting maximum attention at the summit: the tension between Turkey and Israel, and the continued Israeli blockade of Gaza. Instead, China affirmed its commitment to peace, stability, cooperation and development and to developing ?good neighbourly? and friendly relations with all countries in Asia so that there is a win-win situation for all.
Striking an economic note, Bingguo urged Asian countries to strengthen coordination of macroeconomic policies, advance regional cooperation and free-trade agreements, and expand cooperation in science and technology, investment, energy, resources and transport & communications. He also pointed out that two-thirds of the world?s poor still live in Asia and joint efforts are necessary to raise living standards in the region.