There is a long history to China’s pursuit of the path of peaceful development. The Book of Songs, a collection of Chinese poems and songs compiled more than 2,000 years ago, reads, “Give relief to people who have toiled much, so they may enjoy a life of Xiaokang. Promote it (Xiaokang) throughout the Central Kingdom and peace will be secured for all the four quarters.” What it means is, when people work too hard, they should be given relief so that they may lead a comfortable life. Doing so benefits the people of China – and the world. The term “Xiaokang” is used today to refer to a society where people can receive education, get paid through work, have access to medical services and old-age support, have a shelter and more than enough food and clothing and lead a well-off life. To build a Xiaokang society in all respects is China’s development goal by 2020. The Chinese people both long for a happy and peaceful life for ourselves and hope to enjoy harmonious relations with our neighbours. China’s development calls for international co-operation over access to markets and resources, and more importantly requires a peaceful external environment. World peace is an important condition for China to achieve Xiaokang, or moderate prosperity, and China’s development in turn is conducive to world peace.
中國始終不渝走和平發展道路的思想源遠流長。早在2000多年前，中國古代著名詩集《詩經》中就寫道：“民亦勞止，訖可小康；惠此中國，以綏四方”。大意為，百姓辛苦，應休養生息，享受安康；這既造福于中國人民，也有益于天下安寧。而今天的“小康”是指：人們學有所教、勞有所得、病有所醫、老有所養、住有所居，生活溫飽有余而充裕。全面建成小康社會，是中國到2020年的發展目標。中國人民既期盼自己幸福安康，也希望邦鄰和諧。中國的發展，需要市場、資源等方面國際合作，更需要和平的外部環境。世界和平是中國實現小康的重要條件，中國發展了也有利于世界和平。