Yang Jiemian

Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, part and parcel of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era, constitutes a major theoretical outcome of combing the basic tenets of Marxism with the real practice of major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, which provides guidance for Chinese diplomatic work with distinctive features to forge ahead in a comprehensive manner from one victory to another in the new era. As the whole Party is immersed in the in-depth study of the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), it is more imperative than ever for us to thoroughly understand and earnestly act on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy in particular, so as to serve and contribute to achieving the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a strong modern socialist country on all fronts and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through a Chinese path to modernization with still higher morale and greater enterprise.

PRACTICAL FOUNDATIONS AND INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT FOR XI JINPING THOUGHT ON DIPLOMACY

Great practice creates a great era, which begets great theories. In constant development, Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy has been a product of the ever-evolving domestic and international landscape.

Over the past 70-plus years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and over the past 40-plus years since reform and opening-up in particular, China’s foreign relations have been evolving continuously, with rising international standing and increased role to play. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, facing ever changing international situation, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, China’s diplomatic work has registered all-round and historic accomplishments of far-reaching significance, solving multiple deep-seated problems that had stretched on for a long time. At the same time, changes unseen in a century have accelerated, with rising protectionism and unilateralism, a lackluster global economy and repeated shocks to the global industrial and supply chains due to non-economic factors. The US-led West has held on to the Cold War mentality and bent on creating confrontation, leading to ever more strained international political, economic, technological, cultural and security relations. The world has entered into a period of turbulence and transformation.

Always taking a scientific approach of seeking truth from facts, Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy has made accurate judgments on the domestic and international environment. On the domestic front, the report to the 19th CPC National Congress pointed out that “The basic dimension of the Chinese context—that our country is still and will long remain in the primary stage of socialism—has not changed. China’s international status as the world’s largest developing country has not changed. ” That being said, as historical and dialectical materialism has taught us, changes and constants are dependent of each other as a dialectical unity. As far as the primary stage of socialism is concerned, China is at a new starting point and a “new development stage”. In the ample description of General Secretary Xi Jinping, “The new development stage we are in today is just one part of the primary stage of socialism”, “this new stage will see our Party lead the people in completing the historic transformation from standing up and becoming prosperous to growing stronger”, and “The next 30 years make up the development stage in which we will finally complete this great ambition”. As for China’s international identity as the largest developing country in the world is concerned, the phase-specific goals and the cyclical conditions for China are changing. The characteristic of China as a major developing country has become more salient. As pointed out in the report to the 20th CPC National Congress, “As a major developing country”, “China is prepared to invest more resources in global development cooperation. It is committed to narrowing the North-South gap and supporting and assisting other developing countries in accelerating development”.

As far as the basic international situation is concerned, based on the profound changes of the international landscape, the report to the 20th CPC National Congress has made the following observation, “Today, our world, our times, and history are changing in ways like never before. The historical trends of peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit are unstoppable. The will of the people and the general trends of our day will eventually lead to a bright future for humanity. And yet, the hegemonic, high-handed and bullying acts of using strength to intimidate the weak, taking from others by force and subterfuge, and playing zero-sum games are exerting grave harm. The deficit in peace, development, security, and governance is growing. The world has once again reached a crossroads in history, and its future course will be decided by all the world’s peoples.” It is without doubt that Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy is an important banner and key guidelines at this crossroads.

Amidst the complex and ever changing international situation, major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics has forged ahead and played a new movement in the symphony of diplomacy of the contemporary world. First of all, major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era has identified and made great strides for the overarching goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind. General Secretary Xi Jinping has put forward the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative successively, which further enriches the idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind. The idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind has been fully reflected in the documents of the United Nations and other international organizations. Notable progresses have been registered in building a China-Africa Community with a Shared Future, China-Arab Community with a Shared Future, China-Latin America Community with a Shared Future, China-ASEAN Community with a Shared Future, and China-Central Asia Community with a Shared Future. Second, China has been pressing ahead with a multi-dimensional, multi-tiered, and all-round diplomatic agenda. China has gradually established a global partnership network featuring equality, openness and cooperation. Vigorous efforts have been made to set up a framework of major country relations towards peaceful coexistence, overall stability and balanced development. Guided by its neighborhood diplomacy featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness and the principle of building friendship and partnership with its neighbors, China has deepened its relations with neighboring countries. Upholding the principles of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith in pursuit of shared interests and the greater good, China has enhanced solidarity and cooperation with the vast number of developing countries. As a result, an allencompassing cooperation mechanism has been up and running. Last but not least, actively engaged in global governance, China is firm in safeguarding the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter so as to make global governance more equitable and just and inject positive energy into peace and development of the world. For example, China has fulfilled its responsibilities and obligations in good faith as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. It has sent a total number of over 50,000 personnel on UN peacekeeping missions and has become the second largest funding contributor to both the UN and its peacekeeping operations. For another example, China has taken the lead in realizing the Millennium Development Goals, and in implementing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, contributing over 70% of global poverty reduction. China has provided new opportunities to the world through its own development. For many years in a row, it has contributed on average over 30% of world economic growth. Serious in implementing the Paris Agreement, China has announced targets of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality as well as nationally determined contributions, thus playing a crucial role in responding to climate change. Such examples abound.

THEORETICAL CONNOTATIONS AND SYSTEM BUILDING OF XI JINPING THOUGHT ON DIPLOMACY

Doctors from the Chinese medical aid team explain the model of human acupuncture points to students in Namibia.

UNESCO Children’s Choir performs at the Winter Olympics Chinese New Year Concert recording in Paris, France.

As the architect for major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, with a keen understanding of the vicissitudes of the international situation, the pulse of the times and the trends of the world, General Secretary Xi Jinping has put forth a series of original diplomatic strategies and important ideas and initiatives, thus creating Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and contributing Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions for solving major global issues and building consensus and synergy for promoting the development and progress of mankind.

In the nutshell, Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy can be summarized in the following ten aspects, namely, to uphold the authority of the CPC Central Committee as the overarching principle and strengthen the centralized, unified leadership of the Party over external work; to advance major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics to fulfill the mission of realizing national rejuvenation; to take preserving world peace and pursuing common development as the purpose to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind; to enhance strategic confidence with the socialism with Chinese characteristics as the support; to forge ahead the Belt and Road construction in the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared results; to follow the path of peaceful development on the basis of mutual respect and win-win cooperation; to develop global partnerships while advancing diplomatic agenda; to lead the reform of the global governance system with the concept of fairness and justice; to take national core interests as the bottom line to safeguard China’s sovereignty, security and development interests; and to nurture a distinctive style of Chinese diplomacy by combining the fine tradition of external work with the characteristics of times. Centering on the “ten upholds”, Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy has clearly laid out the historical mission, general goals and a series of principles for China’s diplomatic work in the new era, which also reveals the intrinsic requirements, underlying laws, and future directions of major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.

Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy is a profound scientific system. We must understand and implement it from the following three aspects.

First, clear-cut ideological guidance. Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy is the latest outcome of applying Marxism to the Chinese context and keeping abreast of our times in diplomatic work. It is based on the Marxist principles of seeking truth from facts and aligning knowledge with practice, on the unity between understanding the world and transforming the world, and on drawing inspirations from the best of both Chinese and foreign cultures. As a result, Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy has its clear-cut purposive, moral and ethical standards and based on them, set out the goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind and striving for a new type of international relations.

Second, careful and strategic thinking. Strategic thinking is a defining feature of the CPC, which stresses toplevel design, strategic interactions, strategic composure, and strategic readjustments. With continuous development in strategic thinking, major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics has evolved into a multi-dimensional strategic blueprint that links work at selected spots to that in the entire area. First, it is committed to expanding the converging points of interest with all countries with ever deepening global partnerships featuring equality, openness and cooperation. Second, with coordinated and sound interactions with other major countries, it is conducive to building a pattern of major country relations characterized by peaceful coexistence, overall stability, and balanced development. Third, upholding its neighborhood diplomacy featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness and the principle of building friendship and partnership with its neighbors, it has contributed to enhanced mutual trust and shared interests with neighboring countries. Fourth, upholding the principles of sincerity, real results, affinity, and good faith in pursuit of shared interests and the greater good, it is committed to safeguarding the shared interests of developing countries. Fifth, it has enhanced exchanges and cooperation with political parties and organizations of other countries and encouraged people’s congresses, the CPPCC committees, the military, local governments and people’s organizations to conduct their international exchanges.

Third, innovations in policies and principles. Foreign policy is the focal point and platform to put ideological guidelines and strategic thinking into practice. Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy has carried forward the basic diplomatic principles of New China, such as the independent foreign policy of peace, the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence and the principle that countries, big or small, are all equal. At the same time, Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy is also full of innovation in keeping up with the times. It is committed to safeguarding the sovereignty, security and development interests of the country, stands opposed to hegemonism and bullying and advocates important code of conduct such as strengthening international cooperation.

EXPERIENCE AND INSPIRATIONS OF MAJOR COUNTRY DIPLOMACY IN THE NEW ERA

As pointed out by General Secretary Xi Jinping in his report to the 20th CPC National Congress, “Although this is an era fraught with challenges, it is also an era brimming with hope. The Chinese people are ready to work hand in hand with people across the world to create an even brighter future for humanity.” Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and the guidelines of the 20th CPC National Congress, major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics will certainly forge ahead with new victories on the new journey ahead.

First, guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics will continue to serve Chinese modernization. Prosperity of the country and happiness of the people is the foundation and ultimate goal of Chinese diplomacy. The central task of China’s major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics for the current period is to “promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts with Chinese modernization”. On the one hand, major country diplomacy must serve high-quality development, the top priority in governing and rejuvenating the country. On the other hand, we must fully recognize the mutually reinforcing relationship between practice and theory by giving greater play to the agency role of correct thinking and ideology so that the diplomatic work and the central tasks of the Party and the country will respond to one another in simultaneous resonance.

Opening ceremony of photo exhibition about Xinjiang held in Geneva, Switzerland.

Second, we must comprehensively study and act on Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the main system and general framework, while Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy is the subsystem and a specific area. The two are mutually reinforcing and complement one another. In comprehending the two, we must bear in mind three points. First, we must be fully aware of the origin of foreign policy theories. Foreign policy is the extension of domestic politics and has its root in domestic politics. Foreign policy theories are the application, extension and development of domestic theories. Therefore, we must “put our national interests first, focused on internal political concerns”. Second, taking Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy as the fundamental guidance and guide to action of China’s diplomatic work, we must translate results of theoretic studies into guidance for winning more and tougher battles and accomplishing greater outcomes. Third, we must emphasize the consistent and inclusive nature of China’s foreign policy theories. China is committed to delivering happiness for the people at home and human progress abroad. Both its domestic and international purposes represent the right direction of history. In the course of our studies and research, we must grasp the inherent relationship between the grand goals of socialism and communism and phase-specific targets and further consolidate the theoretical foundation of the new type of international relations and the community with a shared future for mankind.

Third, we must follow the fundamental methodology of dialectical materialism under complex circumstances. The world today has entered into a period of turbulence and transformation with complex circumstances and sharp increases in uncertainties and unknown factors. As the largest developing country in the world, China plays an indispensable role in international relations and global governance. Therefore, we must follow the instruction of General Secretary Xi Jinping to “study and grasp the fundamental method of materialistic dialectics, constantly enhance our capacity to apply dialectical thinking, and improve our ability to deal with complex situations and problems.” It is without doubt that foreign policy decision-making and implementation faces great external uncertainties, therefore a balance has to be struck between the immediate and long-term interests, partial and overall interests, China and the world, economics and politics, as well as interests and the greater good so as to “be ready to withstand high winds, choppy waters, and even dangerous storms” and score new victories in major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.

Fourth, we must follow the foreign policy purpose of safeguarding world peace and promoting common development. As pointed out by General Secretary Xi Jinping, to “take the path of peaceful development is a strategic choice of the CPC in line with the trend of the times and China’s fundamental interests.” China is committed to the independent foreign policy of peace and decides its foreign policies and principles based on its national character, strength, and international environment in line with its national conditions. China is committed to the path of peaceful development and a win-win opening up strategy. Striving to advance its diplomatic agenda based on the principles of independence, self-reliance, peace, and mutual benefit, China has been making great efforts to work with the international community to jointly deal with traditional and non-traditional security challenges, to coordinate the relationship between peace and security as well as peace and development on a global scale with a view to upholding the common human values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom and building a world of lasting peace.

China donates supplies to disaster-stricken people in southwest Pakistan.

Fifth, on the new journey ahead, China’s major country diplomacy will continue to demonstrate the courage and ability to carry on our fight. On the one hand, the stronger China gets, the more resistance and risks it will face, and hence the more arduous tasks to safeguard the sovereignty, security and development interests of the country. As a result, more great battles with new historical features lie ahead. For example, China will unswervingly safeguard its national interests and dignity. With stronger will, more concrete actions and more vigorous measures, it will build a unbreakable line of defense for safeguarding national interests and dignity and keep the initiative of national development and security firmly in our own hands. On the other hand, we must be good at fighting. Believing in that both those that share the same aspirations with us and those having different views from us can be our partners, we must continue to unite all possible forces. Foreign policy is an art, which calls for necessary compromise and concessions and finding the largest common denominator to make the world a better place.

On Oct. 16, 2022, the 20th National Congress of the CPC opened in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi Jinping made a report to the congress on behalf of the 19th Central Committee.

In the final analysis, the success of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the solid foundation for major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. Therefore, what is most important is to manage our own affairs well. What China should focus domestically is to uphold the leadership of the CPC and the fundamental national policy of reform and opening up to realize the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally-advanced, harmonious and beautiful. Internationally, China will continue to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind and to seek harmony in the world and happiness for the people. Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, we are confident and able to contribute Chinese insight, Chinese input and Chinese strength to making the world a better place.