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Chinese and German delegates held the 160th Bergedorf Round Table in Beijing on Oct. 29 during German Chancellor Angela Merkel's current China visit to discuss how to reform the current international order in which emerging powers play an increasingly larger role.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel delivers a keynote speech to the 160th Bergedorf Round Table at the former residence of Soong Ching Ling (Madame Dr. Sun Yat-sen) in Beijing on Oct. 29. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

With the theme of "New Players – Old Rules? The Global Order in Transition," the bilateral forum invited opinions on how changes in the international order long defined by Western social concepts should take place, and how different countries could build or rebuild a cooperative, rules-based international system.

"Since the latest international financial crisis, 'unstable' and 'uncertain' have become the 'new normal' in the world," said Guo Yezhou, Vice Director of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), co-host of the Round Table with Germany’s Koerber-Stiftung.

Guo said that, in shaping new international order, all participants should adhere to three principles – consistency, inclusiveness and innovation. "Effective norms and rules in the current order, such as non-interference of the internal affairs of other nations and peaceful coexistence, should be stressed."

He added that the new international order should not harbor either Cold War mentality or become a "zero-sum game," and proposed that China's proposal of a new type of international relationship based on peaceful development for win-win results, as reflected in the "Belt and Road Initiative," offered a new perspective in solving international problems.

The Bergedorf Round Table is Koerber-Stiftung's dialogue platform on diplomacy and security policies, playing an influential role in the international community.

Emerging economies headed by China are making remarkable progress drawing international attention. Generally, Europe has been more tolerant of China's rise and has not blindly tagged along with the United States in opposing China's proposals for common development, such as the "Belt and Road," the AIIB and the New Development Bank.

"The Western countries believe that China is challenging the current world order with its expanding economy. And, in the rising China, Europe, led by the UK and Germany have found their own opportunities," said Jiang Yuechun, head of the Department for World Economy and Development at China Institute of International Studies.

Germany has joined the AIIB and is the international financial institution's largest non-Asian stakeholder, said Chancellor Merkel in her speech to the event held at the former residence of Madame Soong Ching Ling (wife of Dr. Sun Yatsen) on Thursday. She said the German government believed the AIIB was "compatible with general international standards".

Declaring that China was "a country that you cannot describe in a few words," the Chancellor said it and Germany shared common views on many current world challenges such as climate change and terrorism.

"China has close relationship with Pakistan and Pakistan has meaningful relations with the Taliban [in Afghanistan]. We want to help advance a political solution [there]," Chancellor Merkel said in recounting her earlier meeting with her Chinese counterpart Premier Li Keqiang. She added that Germany expects to see a reconciliation between the Afghan government and the Taliban as there were many refugees from Afghanistan in her country.

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