hepinggongchuwuxiangyuanze: 和平共处五项原则 - The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence

• Keywords: hepinggongchuwuxiangyuanze, 和平共处五项原则, Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, Chinese foreign policy, Zhou Enlai, peaceful coexistence, non-interference, mutual respect, international relations, China diplomacy, Bandung Conference.
• Summary: The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence (和平共处五项原则, Hépíng Gòngchǔ Wǔ Xiàng Yuánzé) are the foundational pillars of the People's Republic of China's foreign policy. First articulated in the 1950s by Premier Zhou Enlai, these principles—including mutual respect, non-aggression, and non-interference—are essential for understanding China's diplomatic stance. For any learner interested in modern China, politics, or international relations, this term is key to decoding China's approach to the world.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): Hépíng Gòngchǔ Wǔ Xiàng Yuánzé
• Part of Speech: Noun Phrase
• HSK Level: N/A (Specialized Political Term)
• Concise Definition: A set of five governing principles for diplomatic relations between nations, established by China in 1954.
• In a Nutshell: This isn't a casual phrase, but a formal and highly significant doctrine in Chinese politics. Think of it as China's official “rules of engagement” for how countries should interact. It strongly argues that all nations, big or small, should treat each other as equals, respect each other's borders and choices, not attack each other, and work together for mutual gain. It's the cornerstone of China's claim to a peaceful and non-hegemonic foreign policy.

• 和 (hé): Peace, harmony.
• 平 (píng): Level, even, peaceful.
  • `和平 (hépíng)` combines these to mean “peace.”
• 共 (gòng): Together, shared, common.
• 处 (chǔ): To get along, to deal with.
  • `共处 (gòngchǔ)` combines these to mean “coexist” or “get along together.”
• 五 (wǔ): The number five.
• 项 (xiàng): A measure word for items, principles, or clauses.
  • `五项 (wǔ xiàng)` means “five items” or “five principles.”
• 原 (yuán): Original, fundamental.
• 则 (zé): Rule, standard, principle.
  • `原则 (yuánzé)` combines these to mean “principle.”

Putting it all together, the phrase literally translates to “Peaceful Coexistence Five Item Principles,” a very direct description of its meaning.

The 和平共处五项原则 emerged in 1954 during negotiations between China, India, and Myanmar. They represent a key moment in post-colonial history, where newly independent or established nations in the developing world sought to define an alternative to the Cold War's superpower dynamics. The five principles are: 1. 互相尊重主权和领土完整 (hùxiāng zūnzhòng zhǔquán hé lǐngtǔ wánzhěng) - Mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. 2. 互不侵犯 (hù bù qīnfàn) - Mutual non-aggression. 3. 互不干涉内政 (hù bù gānshè nèizhèng) - Mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs. 4. 平等互利 (píngděng hùlì) - Equality and mutual benefit. 5. 和平共处 (hépíng gòngchǔ) - Peaceful coexistence. Comparison with Western Concepts: While the West also values sovereignty (often traced to the Peace of Westphalia), the Chinese principle of “non-interference in internal affairs” (不干涉内政) is applied with particular rigor and emphasis. It stands in contrast to Western foreign policy concepts like “humanitarian intervention” or the promotion of democracy abroad, which China often views as pretexts for interfering in the affairs of other nations. These principles are rooted in China's “Century of Humiliation” (百年国耻), a period of foreign intervention and colonial exploitation. Thus, the Five Principles are not just a diplomatic strategy but a powerful assertion of national dignity and a promise to not inflict similar treatment on others.

This term is almost exclusively used in formal, official contexts. You will encounter it constantly when reading or watching Chinese state media.

• Diplomacy and Government: It is the bedrock of official statements, bilateral agreements, and speeches by Chinese leaders at venues like the United Nations. When a Chinese official mentions this phrase, they are signaling a commitment to a specific, historically-grounded foreign policy doctrine.
• News and Academia: Chinese news outlets like Xinhua and CCTV, as well as academic journals on international relations, frequently cite the 和平共处五项原则 as the basis and justification for China's foreign policy decisions.
• Formality: The term is extremely formal. Using it in casual conversation would be inappropriate and sound strange, like citing a legal statute to settle a friendly argument. Its connotation is always positive and righteous within the Chinese political discourse.

• Example 1:
  • 中国始终不渝地奉行和平共处五项原则。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó shǐzhōng bùyú de fèngxíng Hépíng Gòngchǔ Wǔ Xiàng Yuánzé.
  • English: China consistently and unswervingly adheres to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
  • Analysis: A very standard, formal sentence you would find in an official government publication or a diplomat's speech. `始终不渝 (shǐzhōng bùyú)` means “unswervingly.”
• Example 2:
  • 和平共处五项原则是周恩来总理在二十世纪五十年代首次提出的。
  • Pinyin: Hépíng Gòngchǔ Wǔ Xiàng Yuánzé shì Zhōu'ēnlái zǒnglǐ zài èrshí shìjì wǔshí niándài shǒucì tíchū de.
  • English: The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence were first proposed by Premier Zhou Enlai in the 1950s.
  • Analysis: This sentence provides historical context, linking the principles to their famous proponent, 周恩来 (Zhōu'ēnlái).
• Example 3:
  • 我们主张所有国家都应在和平共处五项原则的基础上发展关系。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen zhǔzhāng suǒyǒu guójiā dōu yīng zài Hépíng Gòngchǔ Wǔ Xiàng Yuánzé de jīchǔ shàng fāzhǎn guānxì.
  • English: We advocate that all countries should develop relations on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
  • Analysis: `在…的基础上 (zài… de jīchǔ shàng)` is a common structure meaning “on the basis of…” and is frequently used with these principles.
• Example 4:
  • 互不干涉内政是和平共处五项原则的核心之一。
  • Pinyin: Hù bù gānshè nèizhèng shì Hépíng Gòngchǔ Wǔ Xiàng Yuánzé de héxīn zhīyī.
  • English: Mutual non-interference in internal affairs is one of the core tenets of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
  • Analysis: This example highlights one specific principle within the larger set. `核心之一 (héxīn zhīyī)` means “one of the cores.”
• Example 5:
  • 这些原则超越了意识形态和社会制度的差异，成为处理国际关系的准则。
  • Pinyin: Zhèxiē yuánzé chāoyuè le yìshí xíngtài hé shèhuì zhìdù de chāyì, chéngwéi chǔlǐ guójì guānxì de zhǔnzé.
  • English: These principles (referring to the Five Principles) transcend differences in ideology and social systems, becoming the norms for handling international relations.
  • Analysis: This sentence doesn't use the full term but clearly refers to it. It shows the idea behind the principles in action. `超越 (chāoyuè)` means to transcend or surpass.
• Example 6:
  • 只要双方恪守和平共处五项原则，两国关系就能健康稳定发展。
  • Pinyin: Zhǐyào shuāngfāng kèshǒu Hépíng Gòngchǔ Wǔ Xiàng Yuánzé, liǎng guó guānxì jiù néng jiànkāng wěndìng fāzhǎn.
  • English: As long as both sides abide by the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, the relationship between the two countries can develop in a healthy and stable manner.
  • Analysis: `恪守 (kèshǒu)` is a formal verb meaning “to scrupulously abide by.” This is typical language for a diplomatic joint statement.
• Example 7:
  • 这次会晤重申了以和平共处五项原则指导双边关系的承诺。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì huìwù chóngshēn le yǐ Hépíng Gòngchǔ Wǔ Xiàng Yuánzé zhǐdǎo shuāngbiān guānxì de chéngnuò.
  • English: This meeting reaffirmed the commitment to guide bilateral relations with the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
  • Analysis: `重申 (chóngshēn)` means “to reaffirm,” a common word in diplomatic language. `会晤 (huìwù)` is a formal term for a meeting between leaders.
• Example 8:
  • 在当前复杂的国际形势下，和平共处五项原则依然具有重要的现实意义。
  • Pinyin: Zài dāngqián fùzá de guójì xíngshì xià, Hépíng Gòngchǔ Wǔ Xiàng Yuánzé yīrán jùyǒu zhòngyào de xiànshí yìyì.
  • English: In the current complex international situation, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence still have important practical significance.
  • Analysis: This sentence emphasizes the continued relevance of the principles today. `现实意义 (xiànshí yìyì)` means “practical/real-world significance.”
• Example 9:
  • 他在联合国大会的演讲中，多次提到了和平共处五项原则。
  • Pinyin: Tā zài Liánhéguó Dàhuì de yǎnjiǎng zhōng, duōcì tídào le Hépíng Gòngchǔ Wǔ Xiàng Yuánzé.
  • English: In his speech at the UN General Assembly, he repeatedly mentioned the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
  • Analysis: This shows the typical international stage where the term is used. `联合国大会 (Liánhéguó Dàhuì)` is the UN General Assembly.
• Example 10:
  • 中国的外交政策是以和平共处五项原则为基础的。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó de wàijiāo zhèngcè shì yǐ Hépíng Gòngchǔ Wǔ Xiàng Yuánzé wéi jīchǔ de.
  • English: China's foreign policy is based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
  • Analysis: A clear, definitive statement linking the principles directly to national policy. The `以…为基础 (yǐ…wéi jīchǔ)` structure is a formal way to say “is based on…”

• Mistake: Applying it to personal life. The most common mistake for a learner would be to use this grand political doctrine for interpersonal relationships. It is strictly for relations between states/nations.
• Incorrect: 我和室友同意遵守和平共处五项原则。 (Wǒ hé shìyǒu tóngyì zūnshǒu Hépíng Gòngchǔ Wǔ Xiàng Yuánzé.) - “My roommate and I agreed to abide by the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.”
• Why it's wrong: This sounds comical and absurdly formal. You would simply say `我们好好相处 (wǒmen hǎohǎo xiāngchǔ)` - “We get along well” or `我们约好了互不打扰 (wǒmen yuēhǎo le hù bù dǎrǎo)` - “We agreed not to disturb each other.”
• Nuance: More than just “Peaceful Coexistence.” The English phrase “peaceful coexistence” can be a general aspiration. The Chinese term 和平共处五项原则 is not just an aspiration; it is a specific, named doctrine with five concrete points. It carries the full weight of the Chinese state's diplomatic history and ideology. Forgetting the “Five Principles” (五项原则) part misses the core of its meaning.

• 互不干涉内政 (hù bù gānshè nèizhèng) - Mutual non-interference in internal affairs. This is one of the five principles and is often cited on its own as a cornerstone of Chinese diplomacy.
• 求同存异 (qiú tóng cún yì) - “Seek common ground while reserving differences.” A classic diplomatic strategy championed by Zhou Enlai, often employed in conjunction with the Five Principles.
• 合作共赢 (hézuò gòngyíng) - Win-win cooperation. A more modern phrase popular under recent leadership that builds upon the spirit of “equality and mutual benefit” from the original five.
• 独立自主 (dúlì zìzhǔ) - Independence and self-reliance. This is the overarching foreign policy goal that the Five Principles are designed to protect.
• 霸权主义 (bàquán zhǔyì) - Hegemonism. This is the primary concept that the Five Principles were formulated to oppose.
• 周恩来 (Zhōu'ēnlái) - The first Premier of the PRC and the chief architect and proponent of the Five Principles.
• 万隆会议 (Wàndōng Huìyì) - The Bandung Conference of 1955, a famous international conference where Zhou Enlai promoted the Five Principles to other Asian and African nations.