China announces Panchsheel award, scholarships

BEIJING: China has announced an award and scholarships to groups and individuals who have contributed to the promotion of Panchsheel, the five principles of peaceful coexistence.

"In recognition of the commitment and contribution made by groups and individuals to the five principles and to encourage more people to join this noble cause I am now announcing five principles of coexistence friendship award and scholarships," Chinese President Xi Jinping said.

The announcement was made during his address at the 60th anniversary of the Five Principles of peaceful coexistence mooted by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and his then Chinese counterpart Zhou Enlai in 1954, which was subsequently endorsed by Myanmar.

Vice President Hamid Ansari and Myanmar President Thein Sein besides Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attended the function held at the Great Hall of People here last night.

In his address, Xi also referred to China's plans to revive the ancient Silk Road economic belt, the 21st century Maritime Silk Road as well as Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor.

"We will use these initiatives to open economic system and create new opportunities in space for the development of Asia and world," he said.

Later in his bilateral meeting with Sein, Premier Li told him that China will work with all relevant countries to promote the construction of BCIM and to strengthen regional interconnection under the framework of "One Belt and One Road".

The "One Belt and One Road" refers to the "Silk Road Economic Belt" and "21st Century Maritime Silk Road", state-run Xinhua news agency said.

Li also called on Myanmar to play a positive role in the sound and stable development of China-ASEAN ties.

Myanmar took over as the Chairmanship of the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nation (ASEAN) this year.

China is grappling with maritime disputes with some of ASEAN members like Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Brunei over the South China Sea.

Sein said Myanmar will actively participate and promote the construction of BCIM economic corridor.

Myanmar is ready to join hands with China to carry forward the spirit of the five principles and to implement their cooperation agreements and to expand cooperation in such areas as trade, energy and infrastructure construction, he said.