The Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence are: 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. These ideas were first put forward by then Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai on 31 December 1953 when he met an Indian Government Delegation. In June 1954, Premier Zhou visited India and Burma (now Myanmar). The joint Statement of the Prime Ministers of China and India issued on 28 June and the Joint Statement of the Prime Ministers of China and Burma issued on 29 June both affirmed that the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence as guiding principles in their bilateral relations and then the Five Principles were formally proposed as the norms for handling international relations. In 1955 the Asian-African Conference convened in Bandung, Indonesia adopted Ten Principles for conducting international relations, inside which the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence were included. Hereafter, in the process of the third world countries seeking for a fairer international political and economic order, the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence have been accepted and adopted by the overwhelming majority of the developing countries, and have an increasing impact all over the world. In 1970, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the "Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations". This declaration included the content of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence, marking these principles have been widely accepted by the international community. 

More than half a century has passed since the birth of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence. Through the international situation has changed dramatically, the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence stand even stronger. They are not only the basis of the Chinese independent foreign policy of peace, but also constitute important principles in regulating state-to-state relations transcending social systems and ideologies. These principles have withstood the double tests of time and practice, and have played a significant role in promoting peace and cooperation worldwide. The international situation is going through profound changes. Peace, development and cooperation are the mainstream of the current international community, replacing contradiction of the era of Cold War.  

However, uncertainties and instabilities still exist. Regional conflicts and turmoil continue. Traditional and non-traditional security threats are interweaved. Unilateralism and hegemony are common occurrences. Under such circumstances, the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence will continue to play their guiding role for a better world. 

The Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence are great theoretical contributions made by China and other Eastern countries to international relations. China has been firmly practicing these principles and takes them as the guidance of its foreign policy. Adhering to these principles, China has strived to develop relations of friendship and cooperation with all the other countries. With the development of the society, economy and national strength, China will stick to the Five Principles and will be committed to deepening friendly relations with all the countries, and making greater contributions to the peace, stability and prosperity of the region and the whole world.