Mewati Sitaram – Beijing
The Second International Forum on Democracy opened on 23rd March 23 in Capital Hotel’s Grand Ballroom in Beijing. More than 300 delegates from over 100 countries would be discussing diverse forms of democracy. Aptly themed as “Shared Human Values’ ‘, the forum would be discussing the origin, forms and effectiveness of multiple democratic systems. The forum allows delegates to share their thoughts, experiences and practices related to democracy, rather than touting a one-size-fits-all model of democracy.
In his opening keynote address, Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, said, “The democracy is a shared human value, a universal goal pursued by all countries that seek modernization and the bedrock on which building a global community of shared future is based.”
He was of the view that all countries should uphold the principle of democracy, advocate democracy in international relations and promote the rule of law in international governance. “These acts – imposing one’s model of democracy and ‘democratic transformations’ on others, or forming an ‘alliance of values’ in the name of ‘democracy’ vs ‘autocracy’ – create division and antagonism and trample on the democratic spirit, leaving a poisonous legacy despised by their targets,” said Li.
Beside key speakers, many notable dignitaries from various countries participated in the inaugural event of the forum and shared their thoughts on democracies through their speech. The dignitaries who shared their opinions included Jose Luis Centella, President of the Communist Party of Spain, Yukio Hatoyama, Fred Mmembe, President of Socialist party of Zambia, Mushahid Hussain Sayed, chairman of Pakistan senate committee-Pakistan China Institute, George Galloway, leader of the workers party of Britain- former member of Parliament, Zheng Yongnian and President of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzen). There were other dignitaries who shared their views through video including former prime minister of Japan Yukio Hatoyama, former prime minister of Thailand Abhisit Vejjajiva and Jeffrey D. Sachs professor of Columbia University.
In his speech, Gao Xiang, President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, wanted all countries to engage in dialogue to ensure that distinctive models of democracy can drive global progress.
Fang Ning, Director of the Institute of Political Science at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, sees democracy as diverse and multifaceted as countries and their peoples create different models of democracy. He was against imposing one’s model of democracy on others.
Du Zhanyuan, the head of China International Publishing Group, shared a research report that showed that people in 23 countries on five continents generally agreed with the idea that “each country should choose a model of democracy and modernization that suits its national conditions,” with an approval rate of 94.3 percent.
Xing Bo, Vice President of China Media Group (CMG), would like to see a lot of positive energy for global governance as CMG was open to mutual learning and walking hand in hand with friends from other countries to spread democracy as an important achievement of human political civilization.
Fred Mmembe, president of the Socialist Party of Zambia, stressed that democracy takes many forms of expression, not only one. We are taught only one form of civilization and one form of modernization, that was the Western way. We object to Western values as a criterion. If you have no respect for the dignity of others, if you have no respect for the sovereignty of the countries, you cannot claim to be a champion of democracy.
Jeffrey D. Sachs, a professor at Columbia University, said that good governance should be based on deep wisdom traditions, the history of statecraft and national cultures. It should aim for the common good and international cooperation.
Workers Party of Britain Leader and former MP George Galloway declared that ‘Chinese system is the one moving forward. The Chinese system is the one moving forward. The form of democracy in western countries is devoid.
Pakistani senator, Mushahid Hussain Sayed, chairman of Pakistan’s Senate Defence Committee said that democracy must be delivered to the people. He stressed that the people should take ownership of their system. The so-called democracy summit held by the U.S. is about weaponizing democracy and human rights.
Professor Zheng Yongnian of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen) said “China has found and developed its own form of democracy, which best fits its own civilization, cultural and national conditions”.
Former Prime Minister of Thailand Abhisit Vejjajiva said “What we should do is to come up with democratic standards and ideals that are agreed upon multilaterally. And, allow these international organizations to play a constructive role in encouraging all the countries to attain such ideals.
Yukio Hatoyama, former Japanese Prime Minister said Diplomacy is about overcoming differences in values.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
