Chinese President Hu Jintao put forward a four-point proposal on building a harmonious world on Wednesday, calling on the international community to work together for world peace and development.

During his speech at the general debate of the 64th session of the UN General Assembly, Hu said the trend towards peace, development and cooperation has grown stronger than ever in the world.

Chinese President Hu Jintao addresses the 64th United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 23, 2009. The 64th session of the UN General Assembly kicked off its general debate on Wednesday. [Yao Dawei/Xinhua]

Meanwhile, he noted that the instability and uncertainties in the international landscape pose "severe challenges" to world peace and development.

In the face of unprecedented opportunities and challenges, members of the international community should continue the joint endeavor "to build a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity and contribute to the noble cause of peace and development of mankind," he said.

The Chinese president put forward his four-point view with regard to world peace and development.

First, the international community should view security in a broader perspective and safeguard world peace and stability.

"Security is not a zero-sum game, and there is no isolated or absolute security," he said.

Hu said countries should embrace a new security thinking of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and coordination.

"While maintaining one's own national security, we should also respect the security concerns of other countries and advance the common security of mankind," said the Chinese president.

Chinese President Hu Jintao addresses the 64th United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 23, 2009. The 64th session of the UN General Assembly kicked off its general debate on Wednesday.[Ju Peng/Xinhua]

Second, the international community should take a more holistic approach to development and promote common prosperity.

"The deepening economic globalization has linked the development of all countries closely together," he said.

Without the development and equal participation of developing countries, there cannot be common prosperity in the world, nor a more just and equitable international economic order, he added.

"We believe that common development is an important way to redressing global development imbalances and achieving sustainable development," said Hu.

Responsible measures should be taken to counter the international financial crisis, firmly oppose protectionism and actively work for an early, comprehensive and balanced outcome of the Doha round negotiations, said Hu.

Third, members of the international community should pursue cooperation with a more open mind and work for mutual benefit and common progress.

Hu said climate change, food security, energy and resource security and public health security are all global challenges and no country is immune from them.

"The only way for us to meet these challenges and ensure harmony and peace is to engage in closer international cooperation," said Hu.

Fourth, the international community should be more tolerant to one another and live together in harmony.

"Mutual learning and tolerance among different civilizations is an inexhaustible source of strength for social progress," said Hu.

Countries should acknowledge differences in cultural tradition, social system and values and respect the right of all countries to independently choose their development paths, added Hu.

Hu arrived in New York on Monday for a series of UN meetings. He is also scheduled to attend a financial summit of the Group of 20 in Pittsburgh on Thursday and Friday.

(Xinhua News Agency September 24, 2009)