‘Harmony’ fundamental of Chinese foreign policy

In his foreword remarks for a new book "Harmony" written by a Chinese businessman Yan Lijin, Mushahid observed, "Nowhere is harmony - more pivotal and presents a more living proof of its vitality than among China's relations with Pakistan."

Mushahid said China's contribution to foreign affairs in a harmonious world is singular.

He said China started with Premier Zhou Enlai's enunciation of the five principles for peaceful coexistence in the 20th century to President Hu Jintao's speech at the Yale University in 2006 where he focused on the need to build harmonious coexistence among countries and civilizations and for the development of the global economy.

Quoting Chairman Mao, Mushahid said, Mao wrote "Nothing is hard in this world, If you dare to scale the heights" adding that China has certainly scaled the heights of peace, progress and prosperity, and successful Chinese economic leaders like Yan Lijin reflect the confidence and competence of this new generation in his book.

He said, "As we celebrate 60 years of this all-weather friendship in 2011, between Pakistan and China, these bonds are a perfect embodiment of harmony and friction-free relations despite changes in the world around us."

Mushahid said Pak-China relations demonstrated more than ever the power of ever-lasting principles like harmony.

In his foreword written for "Harmony", a book written by Yan Lijin, Mushahid said his book combines rigorous research of a scholar, with an impressive amount of substance provided by his experience and expertise as a hands-on professional.

This track record includes an almost two-decade long 'romance' with Pakistan, where Lijin lived and worked, and contributed a great deal to the development of the country, he observed.

Mushahid said Lijin is a true representative of the new, modern and rising 21st Century China and a self-made professional, who heads a leading high-tech company,

He said Lijin is a product of the old, rural China, whose talents blossomed in the opportunities provided by the 'Reform and Opening-up' by China in the last quarter of the 20th century.

Mushahid said Lijin's contributions to Pakistan were recently recognized at the highest level when the President of Pakistan awarded him with one of the country's highest honours for meritorious service.

'Harmony', he said, traces the history of the subject through 5000 years of Chinese civilization, analyzing its evolution, and more importantly, its transition from a philosophical concept to a concrete pillar of policy.

Mushahid Hussain said Lijin's lessons from Chinese history are apt, especially the case study of Emperor Li Shimin who, 1300 years ago, presented and practiced good governance by combating corruption and promoting egalitarian principles.

He also appreciated Yan Lijin's efforts for linking harmony with Chinese history.

He said the author offers his own vision of harmony based on a troika: taking humans as a foundation, social justice and equality, and amidst conformism, a respect for individual choice.

Mushahid said, the book "Harmony" is an excellent prescription for a stable and prosperous China, moving forward with unity in diversity.

He said Yan Lijin has made a major contribution by presenting a Chinese concept to the outside world, which now embraces harmony as being central to the future of humanity.

The writer of the book "Harmony" Yan Lijin narrated his experiences and observations of China's development and opening-up in the last many years.

He was of the view that construction of a harmonious society by the Chinese leaders helped the country to establish its economic progress in the world.

He particularly mentioned his experiences during his stay in Pakistan and especially explained the reasons for China's rapid development.

Yan Lijin said he selected the name of his book "Harmony" as he believed that harmony is the only road to prosperity and development.

In different chapters of the book, he quoted harmony in the Chinese culture, China's harmonious development, and especially mentioned development of Information Technology industry in the 30 year.

He said China's tradition of peace and non-aggression and its vision for world peace and harmony has been now established in the world.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011