Hu: Mid-east peace, stability crucial to world

CHINA / National

 Hu: Mid-east peace, stability crucial to world
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-04-23 19:35

RIYADH -- A harmonious Middle East is in the long-term interest of the
people of the region and the whole world at large, and peace and
stability in the region is the common wish of the whole world, visiting
Chinese President Hu Jintao said here on Sunday.

Addressing Saudi Arabia's Shura, the consultative council that advises
the King and cabinet, Hu said that peace and prosperity of the world
could not come without the stability and development of the Middle East,
an region of great influence to the world.

After the Cold War, the Middle East region has been generally heading
along a path of peace and stability, but has still faced with various
challenges, with some hot issues long hanging without just and reasonable
resolutions, new conflicts keeping emerging and factors of uncertainty
and instability threatening regional peace and security remaining, Hu
said.

All these have kept the region far from fully tapping its potential for
development, Hu said.

To build a harmonious Middle East, long-term strenuous efforts could not
be spared in the following aspects, Hu said.

Firstly, all parties should strive to realize regional peace and
stability through strengthening consultations and negotiations on an
equal footing, which are the only feasible means to settle conflicts and
disputes, Hu said.

Secondly, mutual respect should be upheld. The spirit of inclusiveness
must be upheld in handling differences among various civilizations in the
region and jointly building a harmonious region where all civilizations
coexist and accommodate each other.

Countries in the region have their own histories and cultural heritages,
and the efforts and rights of different countries in the region to
independently choose their own social systems and paths of development
should be respected and guaranteed, said the Chinese president.

Thirdly, cooperation in development should be encouraged. Development is
an important foundation and safeguard for peace and stability, which is
indispensable for lasting peace, Hu said.

Development should be realized through mutually beneficial cooperation
under the circumstances of globalization, Hu said, adding that such
cooperation would promote understanding and friendship between various
countries, and be conducive to common prosperity and therefore to lasting
peace of the region and the world at large.

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20071123 Extracted from http://www.hellomandarin.net