Opposing War and Safeguarding Peace

Yeidckol Polevnsky Gurwitz,

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Opposing War and Safeguarding Peace

Yeidckol Polevnsky Gurwitz,

President of the National Regeneration Movement of Mexico

Today we are gathering here to observe the International Day of Peace and to commemorate the victims of the Nanjing Massacre. The disaster caused by the Japanese war of aggression against China is unforgettable. We are always urged to resolutely oppose war and safeguard peace. The Japanese invading army was extremely brutal, and the Chinese people's memory of the war made it cherish peace and establish a people's army to defend peace.

In today's world, China is one of the two great powers. However, China opposes unilateralism, advocates multilateralism and promotes international exchanges through mutual respect and win-win cooperation. Peace not only means the absence of internal or external wars, but also people living in a just and inclusive sovereign country. Peace means progress and a dignified life. Peace means that countries strengthen cooperation, promote internationalism and support each other. Various countries in the world should shoulder the responsibility of jointly safeguarding world peace and fighting poverty, ignorance, inequality and marginalization. Violence, discrimination, injustice and economic monopoly pushed by rich countries of the North cannot bring peace.

The Chinese people have several thousands years of wisdom. Confucius once made a penetrating exposition on world peace, advocated achieving a goal through negotiation rather than simply resorting to force, and promoted that one should first seek peace and then guide others to seek peace together. Fidel Castro believes that no matter what religious beliefs we have, where we are born, what color our skin is, whether young or old, it is our most sacred duty to fight for peace. Since ancient times, mankind has an ideal, that is, to vigorously build a harmonious, equal and inclusive world, such a world can be achieved.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, we have been actively seeking peace. The Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States attended the second summit held in Havana, Cuba, from 28 to 29 January 2014. They advocated that all countries should abide by the Charter of the United Nations and international law, actively promote regional prosperity and stability, and thus contribute to world peace and security. Participants at the meeting held that all peoples have the right to peace, and peace is our most valuable asset and helps to promote the integration process in Latin America and the Caribbean region. We hope to see an international pattern of justice, peace and respect for the rule of law, oppose the use of force and illegal military operations, and oppose the use of weapons of mass destruction and nuclear weapons. We have also signed the Tlatelolco Agreement, proposing the elimination of nuclear weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean and making important contributions to regional and world peace. In 2013, 33 countries met in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to decide on the total elimination of nuclear weapons. The Central American Integration System also puts forward the principles of peace, democracy, development and freedom. The Federation of South American States proposed the establishment of a region of peace and cooperation in South America. The South Atlantic region of peace and cooperation was established in 1986. On February 23, 2010, we convened a Latin American and Caribbean Summit to declare full respect for international law and resolve differences through peace and dialogue. We are fully aware that nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction have had disastrous consequences for mankind.

Here we declare that:

First, Latin America and the Caribbean are a peaceful region. We fully respect the relevant principles and provisions of international law and the spirit of the Charter of the United Nations.

Second, we advocate resolving differences peacefully and oppose the use of force and the threat of use of force.

Third, we advocate that countries in the region should not interfere directly or indirectly in the internal affairs of other countries, should respect the sovereignty of other countries, adhere to treat each other on equal-footing and national self-determination.

Fourth, countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are actively seeking to establish friendly and cooperative relations with countries in and outside the region. Although there are differences in our political system and economic and social development, this does not hinder our mutual inclusiveness and peaceful coexistence.

Fifth. Latin American and Caribbean countries have the right to choose their own political, economic, social and cultural systems, which are prerequisites for all countries to enjoy peaceful coexistence.

Sixth, we pursue a peace culture in our region in accordance with the United Nations Declaration and Program of Action on a Culture of Peace.

Seventh, the countries of the region will abide by this Declaration in their international actions.

Eighth, the countries of the region pledge to continue to promote nuclear disarmament as their primary objective, while promoting comprehensive disarmament in order to strengthen mutual trust among countries.

Mohamdas Gandhi once pointed out that there is no path to peace and peace itself is the path.

With the vigorous promotion by the Chinese People's Association for Peace and Disarmament, we have jointly attended the observance of the International Day of Peace in 2018 in Nanjing and are committed to building a world of lasting peace and universal security. This event is of great significance to Mexico.

In Mexico, we have long practiced neo-liberal economic policies, which produced serious social injustice, frequent corruption in the political arena, and authoritarian leadership. With the unremitting efforts of the Mexican people, we supported each other and gradually became organized, eventually overthrew the backward system. In July 2018, Andres Manuel Lopez Obradorwon the presidential election with 53% votes. Thirty million voters who participated in the presidential election decided to change the status quo in Mexico.

The National Regeneration Movement Party (NRMP) was founded in 2010 and is widely supported by the public, and regarded as a political force that can really change Mexico. The NRMP pays attention to the basic values such as human rights, freedom, justice and dignity, etc. and promotes changes in political, economic, social and cultural aspects. The Party's program states that "giving to others is the noblest virtue in the world". Only by giving to others can we truly enjoy happiness, build communities and a civil society so as to create a better world.

The NRMP has a different strategy of governing the country from the current government, which can solve the current problems facing the country. The NRMP attaches great importance to the ideological training of its members and advocates full respect for its competitors and political struggles under equal conditions. The NRMP pursues humanistic values and abandons selfishness, whose basic principles have much in common with socialism with Chinese characteristics. We all oppose the Western model based on the Washington Consensus, which is believed to bring injustice, oppression, ignorance, pain and inequality to people. We all advocate the people –centered idea and actively seek the overall development and happiness of individuals, and then seek the overall development and happiness of families and collectives.

The campaign coalition -- "Let's Make History Together" (the NRMP , the Mexican Labour Party and the Social Aggregation Party) -- formed by the NRMP opened a new era in Mexico. The Mexicans decide to transform the country into a free and independent sovereign state, to vigorously promote social fairness and justice, to advocate mutual respect among the nations of the world, and establish friendly relations with the countries of the world to carry out practical cooperation. Meanwhile, we insist on national self-determination, advocate the peaceful settlement of disputes, and oppose any external interference in Latin American and Caribbean affairs.

Jose Marti once said that practice is better than empty talk. The Chinese have similar proverbs. Fidel Castro said that we hope that human kind will stay forever, that our children and young people will live in a fair world, so that our older generations will live a long and healthy life!"

(Edited excerpt of the paper to the observant event in Nanjing in 2018)