Paul Frimpong, the Executive Director of the Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory (ACCPA), has remarked that Africa’s vision for peace and security, as captured in the continent’s flagship development plan, Agenda 2063, hinges on the five principles of peaceful coexistence proposed and used by China in international affairs since 1954.
He was speaking at in Beijing, China at this year’s conference marking the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
In 1954, China put forward the five principles of peaceful coexistence—mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual nonaggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence—marking a significant milestone in international relations.
The international community has largely accepted the Five Principles as the fundamental guidelines guiding both international relations and international law over the past 70 years. Every ten years, on the anniversary of the Five Principles’ introduction, China has organized elaborate celebrations since the 1980s.
China’s President, Xi Jinping, led the celebration by delivering a speech to mark the anniversary in Beijing. In attendance were former political dignitaries, experts and scholars, representatives of international and regional organizations, media personalities, and representatives of the business community from relevant countries.
During Sub-Forum 1 of the conference, under the theme ‘From the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence to Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind’, Paul Frimpong, ACCPA’s Executive Director, re-echoed Africa’s own peace and security ambitions, which carry the tenets and wisdom of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
According to him, “In the Agenda 2063 of the African continent, there are seven (7) aspirations. Aspiration number 4 talks about building a ‘peaceful and secure continent’.
“This aspiration has at its core dialogue as a core means of conflict prevention and resolution and work towards silencing the gun.”
“These are the pillars that have made the five principles of peaceful coexistence more relevant even after seven years.”
He called on world leaders and relevant international, regional, and local bodies to advocate for dialogue instead of confrontations in resolving conflicts around the world.
