Zivadin Jovanovic, president of the Belgrade Forum for a World of Equals, former Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Yugoslavia

Topic One: 95 years of CCP

1. You are friend of China and often visit China. What impressed you most in China?
Rreply: Yes indeed. For decades I have been involved in development of cooperation and friendship between Serbia (Yugoslavia) and China. Today our relations have strategic character. Recent state visit of the President of PR of China Xi Djinping to Serbia is of historic importance as it has created basis for our cooperation in 21st century.
I am impressed by unprecedented transformation of China from underdeveloped and closed country into the most prosperous and open society with the highest economic, scientific and technological achievements in the world.  Chinese overall development has become inspiration and well of optimism for contemporary world faced with many challenges and problems.

2. Before the foundation of PRC, China was backward in the world. But now China has been in the center of the world stage. In your opinion, what's the basic reason for such achievement? What role has CCP played in the progress?
Reply: CCP played decisive role in all stages of Chinese new history and development. CCP has always stayed firmly united with own people defending freedom from foreign masters and fascist occupiers, safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, tracing strategy for overall economic, social and cultural development. Thanks to the CCP, everyday needs of a man and woman, as human beings, have always been in the center of political decision making process. So, I believe, that this unity of the Party, People and the State is the basis for the great achievements of China in all fields.

3. Compared with other communist parties, what's the secret of CCP to make such great success?
Reply: If there are any secrets then they are CCP`s own unity and responsibility, openness and innovative approach to the future. Historic achievements of CCP have been based on profound understanding, firstly, of the needs and potentials of the people, secondly, of world trends and challenges and thirdly, of the importance of long-term vision and planning. Openness has many aspects but, CCP`s openness to study experiences of other parties and other social systems, while firmly building own, socialist system of Chinese colors, based on concrete own conditions, needs and culture – is unique, the most valuable policy.

4. China is exploring a new path in developing itself. What contribution has China made towards the world in the development?
Reply: China`s contribution to peace and development in the world is enormous. As the Permanent member of UN Security Council and very influential member of many other international organizations, be it universal or regional, China has always strived for peace, justice and equal chances for development of all nations.  
We are grateful to China that she has not voted in favor of UN sanctions against Serbia (FRY) in May 1992, that China strongly condemned NATO military aggression against Serbia (FRY) in 1999 and that China refused to recognize unlawful, unilateral secession of Serbian southern Province of Kosovo and Metohija.   
Peaceful coexistence,  respect of UN role and basic principles of the International Law, such as respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries of the world, small or big ones, developed or underdeveloped, militarily strong or weak - have always been guiding criteria of  China`s foreign policy. China has won admiration for solidarity and enormous contribution to the development of developing countries, especially those of Asia, Africa and South America. Concept of worldwide win win cooperation is symbol of Chinese approach to solving major economic problems and getting out of prolonged world economic crises.  
Multidimensional, global Initiative One Belt One Road introduced by president Xi Djinping in 2013 has already been widely supported as completely new concept to the global development based on shared interests, connectivity in infrastructure, production culture and human relations in general.
China is founder or co-founder of Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS, Asian Bank for Infrastructure, New Development Bank, G-20 (presently presided by China) and other international forums. All these illustrate the growing global influence of China toward creation of multi-polar world free of any domination. If there is consensus that Asia is the center of the World development in 21st Century, it is clear, too, that China is the center and leader of Asia. Strategic partnership between China and Russia is the hope for world peace, stability and prosperity.

Topic Two:  The South China Sea Arbitration (if you have ready articles on this topic please send to me.)

1. The dispute between China and the Philippines is complicated and sensitive. The ad hoc arbitral tribunal is made up of 5 people, in which 4 are from the west. Can they understand and judge the case properly?
Reply: It is really difficult to imagine how the ad hoc tribunal could resolve this complicated bilateral dispute, especially if only one side opts for such method and the other side has different approach. Supposed composition of the tribunal, that you are referring to, in my opinion, is rather indicative of biased, prejudicing approach, to say the least. Therefore, I am very skeptical towards this method.

2. The dispute is about the sovereignty. Does the tribunal have enough legal authority to solve the dispute?
Reply: In my opinion, such a tribunal lacks legal ground and qualification to be deciding on this problem. It does not have necessary authority to make decision about question of the sovereignty, nor could it oblige any party to participate.

3. What will the result of arbitration bring to the situation of the dispute?
Reply: Having regard to the facts, history and the essence of dispute, I think this arbitration is not the way to solve the problem. It is rather the method to postpone any solution if not to further complicate the whole situation. This certainly cannot be in the interest of either side. The question remains who could benefit from trying to impose such a tribunal?

4. In your opinion, what is the best way to solve such dispute?
Reply: It is quite clear that the negotiation of directly involved parties is the best way to solve the problem in their mutual interest, without interference of any factors from outside.  This would remove a sensitive problem in good neighborly relations and open wide space for their win win cooperation. No doubt that the whole region would benefit from mutual understanding, freedom of navigation and growing cooperation.
                                                      

ZIVADIN JOVANOVIC                                                        
Born in 1938, in Oparic, central Serbia. I graduated at Law Faculty, Belgrade University in 1961. Working in Yugoslav diplomacy for 40 years including duties in Canada, Keniya, Angola.
Assistant Federal minister (1994-1998). Federal minister of Foreign Affairs of FR of Yugoslavia 1998-2000.
Vice-President of the Socialist Party of Serbia (1997-2002), elected member of Yugoslav and Serbian Parliaments.
Founder and President of Foundation Diaspora for Motherland  (1999 -), Foundation for scholarship for talents (1999 -), Think Tank association Belgrade Forum for a World of Equals (2000), New Silk Road think Tank Connectivity Research Center (2016).
Official visits to China: 1996 and 1999. Several working visits to China, including SRTA founding Conference in Shenzhen, in February 2016 and Shanghai Forum in May, 2016.
Languages: Serbian, English, French, Russian, Portugues.
Books: Bridges (2003), Abolishing the State (2003), Kosovo`s Mirror (2006) and others.
Married, two daughters.
                 

BELGRADE FORUM FOR A WORLD OF EQUALS
The Belgrade Forum for a World of Equals founded in 2000. Is an independent, non-profit Research Association researching and struggling for peace, sovereign equality of states, nations and individuals; for the truth in international relations; for respecting of the International Law and role of UN; for cooperation on equal footing; for multi-polar world relations; against abuse of human rights for interference in internal affairs; against any form of domination and discrimination; against international terrorism but also against abuse of the antiterrorist struggle for expansion of geopolitical interests; antiterrorist struggle must be coordinated under auspices of UN; for freedom in choosing own path of internal and foreign policy; against export of democracy and so called color revolutions; against of militarism and interventionism of NATO; against revival of fascist and Nazi ideology and systematic revision of history, especially, history of the First and Second World Wars.
Belgrade Forum is a member of the World Peace Council (Athens). Cooperates with many independent associations and think tanks in Serbia, Europe and the world. Actively participates in the activities of SRTA (Silk Road Think Tank Association) as a founding member. Cooperates with Chinese Center for Contemporary World Studies (CCCWS), Shanghai Forum and other think tank associations.
Every year, 22-24 of March, Belgrade Forum holds regular international forums devoted to peace, cooperation and security issues.
Belgrade Forum is initiator of founding of Silk Road Contectivty Research Center (COREC)