Formulation of Foreign Policy of New China on the Eve of its Birth

In September 1949, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference held its first session in Beijing and adopted "the Common Programme of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference" which provides: "The principle of the foreign policy of the People's Republic of China is protection of the independence, freedom, integrity of territory and sovereignty of the country, upholding of lasting international peace and friendly cooperation between the peoples of all countries, and opposition to the imperialist policy of aggression and war". The "Common Programme" not only defines the basic principles, including giving the force of law to the three major policy decisions of "starting anew", "putting the house in order before inviting guests" and "leaning to one side". The "Common Programme" provides that "the People's Republic of China shall unite with all peace-loving and freedom-loving countries and peoples throughout the world, first of all with the USSR, all People's Democracies and all oppressed nations. It shall take its stand in the camp of international peace and democracy, to oppose imperialist aggression and to defend lasting world peace"; "the People's Republic of china may restore and develop commercial relations with foreign governments and peoples on the basis of equality and mutual benefit" and so on. All these basic principles and specific policies facilitated the implementation of New China's diplomatic work.