The News Minute | June 29, 2014 | 07:54 am IST 

Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday called for greater democracy in international relations.

"We should uphold fairness and justice to build a new type of international relations," Xinhua quoted the president as saying while delivering a speech at a commemoration marking the 60th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence held in Beijing.

He urged the international community to carry forward the principles to build a new type of international relations and a better world in the new era.

In 1954, leaders of China, India and Myanmar initiated the Five Principles, including mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.

Xi said justice is a noble goal that people of all countries pursue in international relations. "However, we are still far away from realizing this goal."

"We should jointly promote greater democracy in international relations." said the Chinese leader who urged the international community to jointly promote the rule of law in international relations.

"We should urge all parties to abide by international law and well-recognised basic principles governing international relations and use widely applicable rules to tell right from wrong and pursue peace and development," he said. 

With IANS