At the end of December 2023, the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs was successfully held. General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important address at the conference, in which he presented a comprehensive review of the historic achievements and valuable experience of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era, gave a profound exposition on the international environment and historical mission of China’s external work on the new journey, and made comprehensive plans for China’s external work for the present and coming periods. The conference identified the theme of China’s external work as building a community with a shared future for mankind, set the noble goal pursued by China in conducting major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, and laid out the top-level plan for China’s diplomatic strategies on the new journey ahead. Practiced and developed over the first decade of the new era, Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy has increasingly demonstrated its extraordinary theoretical quality of keeping in sync with and leading the times, a testament that our Party’s understanding of China’s relations with the world has reached a new and higher level.

We must study and implement the guiding principles of the conference, follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era, especially Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, act with a stronger sense of historical responsibility and a more vibrant spirit of innovation to make new headway in our major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, and create a more favorable international environment and provide more solid strategic support for building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through the Chinese path to modernization.

A summary was made at the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs of the historic achievements of China’s external work in the new era. They include the following ten points: establishing and developing Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy; showcasing distinct Chinese characteristics, style and ethos in China’s diplomacy; advocating the building of a community with a shared future for mankind; creating a new model of diplomacy led by the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy; fostering major-country dynamics featuring peaceful coexistence, overall stability and balanced development; forming a wide-ranging, high-quality global network of partnerships; advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation; effectively upholding China’s sovereignty, security and development interests; showing the way in reforming the international system and order; and strengthening the centralized, unified leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC). To fully appreciate the extraordinary historical process of China’s diplomacy in the new era, the key is to understand the basic thread and underlying logic of these ten achievements in a multi-dimensional, systemic and interconnected manner.

First, Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy serves as the fundamental guideline. Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy is based on General Secretary Xi Jinping’s profound strategic thinking about changes of the world, of our times and of historical significance, and rooted in the great practice of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era. It is a shining example of applying the basic tenets of Marxism to the practice of China’s diplomacy and fine traditional Chinese culture. It has not only built on the proud diplomatic tradition of New China but also kept abreast of the times, broken new ground and opened up new vistas in China’s diplomatic theory and practice.

Second, head-of-state diplomacy offers strategic guidance. General Secretary Xi Jinping is the core of the CPC Central Committee and the entire CPC, and the top decision-maker and chief architect of our external work. As the highest form of China’s diplomacy, head-of-state diplomacy has played an important and irreplaceable role in major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era, achieving exemplary and landmark diplomatic results and fully reflecting China’s image as a confident, open and responsible major country. It is thanks to the great foresight and statesmanship of General Secretary Xi Jinping that China has been able to pursue its diplomacy against all odds amid the great transformation of the world, and to remain calm, confident and proactive in the context of a changing international landscape.

Third, building a community with a shared future for mankind stands as the bright banner. General Secretary Xi Jinping, with his broad strategic insight, extraordinary political wisdom and deep commitment to the world as the leader of a major party and a major country, has gained a deep understanding of the prevailing trends and laws governing the evolution of human society, ingeniously put forth the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and charted the right course for the world at a historical inflection point. Building a community with a shared future for mankind is the core tenet of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. It reflects the high consistency of the CPC’s founding aspiration and mission with the trend of our times, and embodies the broadest common expectations of people around the globe for a better world. With tremendous theoretical value and far-reaching historical significance, this vision is gaining increasingly strong influence, vitality and appeal.

Fourth, CPC leadership provides the fundamental safeguard. CPC leadership is our greatest political strength and the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It is also the most fundamental principle and greatest source of strength for China’s diplomacy. Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, three Central Conferences on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs and one symposium on neighborhood diplomacy have been convened; the system and mechanisms for the leadership by the CPC Central Committee over the external work have been improved; and the Law on Foreign Relations and the guidelines on the CPC’s leadership over foreign affairs have been promulgated. All this has ensured greater coordination among various departments under the unified stewardship of the CPC central leadership, thereby providing strong political and organizational safeguards for China’s diplomacy in the new era.

Major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era builds on and carries forward New China’s diplomacy. Withstanding high winds and choppy waters and overcoming various difficulties and challenges, we have, in our external work, provided strong leadership in the development of the world, shaped our country’s external environment profoundly and gained much more strategic autonomy and initiative in our diplomacy. China has become a responsible major country with enhanced international influence, stronger capacity to steer new endeavors and greater moral appeal.

On the basis of reviewing the historic achievements of China’s diplomacy in the new era, “six imperatives” has been identified at the Conference as new experience and understanding of the external work, i.e. it is imperative to uphold principles, shoulder China’s responsibility as a major country, apply systems thinking, uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, carry forward our fighting spirit, and leverage our institutional strengths.

On major issues of right and wrong, it is imperative to uphold principles. China is a socialist country led by the CPC. We should take a clear position by standing on the progressive side of history and on the side of fairness and justice, work actively to meet the common aspirations and legitimate concerns of people of all countries, and demonstrate the people-centeredness of the CPC and the commitment to serving the people in China’s foreign policy. This way, we will always rally abundant support for the just cause, hold the high ground of justice and have strategic initiative.

On promoting peaceful development, it is imperative to shoulder China’s responsibility as a major country. It is incumbent on China, the biggest developing country and a major country, to uphold justice in a world undergoing profound changes and turbulence and to shoulder responsibility at critical moments, and hence be a firm defender of world peace and champion of global development. At the same time, and through Chinese modernization, we are ready to be helpful in the efforts of other developing countries that want to achieve development while preserving their independence, so that all countries will be able to embark on the right path toward modernization through peaceful development.

On making strategies and policies, it is imperative to apply systems thinking. The CPC, a Marxist party armed with theories of dialectical and historical materialism, should know how to analyze, study and assess international situation with the understanding that things are universally connected and constantly evolving. We should be able to see the present from a historical perspective and look beyond the surface to get to the crux of issues, so as to discern and analyze accurately the laws and direction of the profoundly changing world, and make sound foreign policies.

On making progress in both theories and practices, it is imperative to uphold fundamental principles and break new ground. In our external work, we should not only carry forward the fine traditions but also blaze new ground. We need to draw on past achievements in steering new endeavors which, in turn, consolidate the progress we have made. Over the years, China’s diplomatic work has withstood numerous tests, accomplished no small number of key and major tasks, and made a series of significant breakthroughs. Facts have proven that it is the outstanding character and defining feature of China’s diplomacy to advance with the times and break new ground while upholding fundamental principles.

On addressing risks and challenges, it is imperative to carry forward our fighting spirit. The CPC has never been deterred by intimidation, swayed by fallacies, or cowed by pressure. Only with the courage and ability to carry on our fight, can we overcome various difficulties and obstacles. Going forward, we will face an even more severe international situation and more complex external environment. We must forge ahead with an indomitable spirit and tenacious efforts to open up new horizons in our external work.

On strengthening coordination, it is imperative to leverage our institutional strengths. The greatest strength of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the leadership of the CPC. By upholding and strengthening the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee over the external work, we will be able to ensure smoother coordination and collaboration among all regions and all departments, advance and implement major strategic plans more forcefully, and achieve even greater success in China’s diplomacy.

The “six imperatives” captures succinctly the new developments and practices of Chinese diplomacy in the last five years. It is a thorough account of our basic experience in conducting major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era, further enriching and developing Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. Having been tested repeatedly in practice, the “six imperatives” demonstrates the political, theoretical and institutional strengths of the CPC, and reflects the CPC’s inherent internationalist vision and its historic mission of pursuing world harmony. It is an invaluable asset that we must hold dear and an important guide for our external work on the new journey ahead.

The Conference reached important conclusions on the strategic environment for China’s future development. It was pointed out that great transformation is accelerating across the world. Changes of the world, of our times, and of historical significance are unfolding like never before, and the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation. Yet the overall direction of human development and progress will not change, the overall dynamics of world history moving forward amid twists and turns will not change, and the overall trend toward a shared future for the international community will not change. We must have full confidence in these trends of historical impact. These important conclusions are based on in-depth analyses of the major changes in the international balance of power, of the transformation and reshaping of the international system and order, and of the interplay between different concepts and ideas on a global scale. They provide important guidance for our understanding of the international situation.

Going forward, China faces new strategic opportunities in its development. On the new journey, major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics will enter a new stage where much more can be accomplished. We must not be complacent about our past achievements, or be intimidated by the high winds and choppy waters in the external environment. Instead, we must keep our eyes on realizing Chinese modernization, forge ahead with great enterprise and write a new chapter in the history of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. We must focus on the central task of the CPC and the country, seek progress while maintaining stability, break new ground while upholding fundamental principles, and firmly safeguard China’s sovereignty, security and development interests. We will explore new frontiers in China’s diplomatic theory and practice, foster new dynamics in the relations between China and the world, and raise China’s international influence, appeal and ability to shape events to a new level.

At the same time, we must always remember that China remains a developing country, and faces arduous tasks regarding reform, development and stability. In conducting diplomacy, we must stay committed to our political character, focus on our central tasks and serve the overall national interests. We must keep enhancing our capabilities for strategic thinking, operational planning and emergency response, with a view to creating a more favorable international environment for building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through the Chinese path to modernization.

The Conference gave a systematic elaboration on and a comprehensive summary of the substantial practices in building a community with a shared future for mankind over the past decade, and established the pillars of building a community with a shared future for mankind as a scientific system: The goal is to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and shared prosperity; the pathway is promoting global governance that features extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit; the guiding principle is to apply the common values of humanity; the basic underpinning lies in building a new type of international relations; the strategic guidance comes from the implementation of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI); and the platform for action is high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. On this basis, we hope to work with countries of the world to meet challenges and achieve prosperity for all. Such is the top-level design of China’s diplomatic strategy on the new journey.

Since the 18th National Congress, our Party has endeavored to come up with systematic answers to the “three epochal questions” concerning the course of the Party, the country and governance. Building on this effort and bearing the future of the world in mind, General Secretary Xi Jinping has raised the question of our times: Where should humanity be heading? His answer to the question—building a community with a shared future for mankind—encapsulates how China proposes to solve the questions of what kind of world to build and how to build it. The proposal of this important vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind and China’s practice to implement it has elevated the Party’s understanding of the laws governing the development of human society to a new level. It underscores the CPC’s commitment not only to pursuing happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation but also to human progress and world harmony.

Since the dawn of the new era, building a community with a shared future for mankind has developed from a Chinese initiative to an international consensus, from a promising vision to substantive actions, and from a conceptual proposition to a scientific system. It has served as a glorious banner leading the progress of the times. So far, China has engaged with dozens of countries and regions in building communities with a shared future in various forms, and promoted the vision in multiple fields such as health, the relationship between man and nature, cyberspace, and maritime development. These initiatives have pointed the direction for humanity to pursue common development, lasting tranquility and mutual learning between civilizations. Under the general framework of building a community with a shared future, General Secretary Xi Jinping has proposed the GDI, GSI and GCI, giving further response to the universal aspiration of all peoples for peace, development and cooperation, and offering China’s solutions to the common problems facing humanity today.

A country’s foreign policy is closely linked to its domestic agenda as its external and internal imperatives correlate and interplay with each other. At a fundamental level, we should handle the relationship between the three well: a community with a shared future for mankind, global transformation, and Chinese modernization. Building a great modern socialist country in all respects and achieving national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization is the top political priority on the new journey of the new era. To accomplish this central task of the Party and the country, we must hold high the banner of building a community with a shared future for mankind to steer global transformation in the right direction. We need to pursue China’s development in the broader development of the world, and advance the interests of both the Chinese people and people the world over. By doing so, we will facilitate the move toward a brighter future of peace, security, prosperity and progress in the world.

It was pointed out at the Conference that in view of the series of major issues and challenges facing the world today, China calls for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. These two major propositions are highly relevant to the issues of the day and provide strategic guidance. They will generate more favorable conditions for world peace and development, and lay a more solid foundation for building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Multipolarity is the general trend of the world today. Great transformation is accelerating across the world. The international balance of power is undergoing profound realignment. The Global South is gaining a stronger momentum, shaping the trajectory of the world history in a profound way. The overwhelming majority of the members of the international community, be they big or small, all stand for a multipolar world and reject the old path of bloc confrontation and zero-sum competition, still less a repeat of war and conflict. However, consensus is yet to emerge on how to advance the multipolar process in a drastically changing world, and in what way countries participate in and facilitate this process. Right at this historic juncture, China’s proposition has charted the course forward for advancing a multipolar world.

The multipolar world China champions is one based on equality. It means all countries, regardless of their size, are treated as equals; hegemonism and power politics are rejected; international affairs are not dominated by only a handful of countries; and democracy is truly promoted in international relations. Each and every country or country group should have its place in the multipolar system, and the conventional myth that multipolarity is the monopoly of a few big powers should be debunked. The multipolar world China champions is one based on order. It means that the progress toward greater multipolarity should be generally stable and constructive. It should be a historical process in which countries choose solidarity over division, communication over confrontation, and cooperation over conflict. If all countries can observe the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, uphold the universally recognized basic norms governing international relations, and practice true multilateralism, multipolarity will not lead to turbulence or disorder.

Economic globalization is an inherent requirement of developing productive forces, a natural result of scientific and technological advancement, a sure path to human progress and more importantly, an irreversible trend of the times. Since the end of the Cold War, economic globalization has enabled thriving trade, easy investment, greater flow of people and technological advancement, underpinning the rapid development of the world economy. However, recent years have seen notable prevalence of various forms of protectionist measures and disturbing attempts to shift blames onto others to deflect attention from one’s domestic problems. Facts have proven that the beggar-thy-neighbor approach to roll back globalization will not solve one’s own deep-seated problems; it will only disrupt the global industrial and supply chains, hamper the healthy development of the world economy, and undermine the interests of all countries.

The economic globalization China advocates is one that is universally beneficial. It means meeting the common needs of all countries, especially the developing countries, properly addressing the development imbalances between and within countries resulting from the global allocation of resources, and delivering balanced and adequate development. This will help foster a globalization process that enables faster development of all countries, especially the developing countries, and realize universal benefit and common prosperity. The economic globalization China advocates is one that is inclusive. It means supporting all countries in pursuing development paths suited to their respective national realities while joining hands to promote the common development of the entire humanity. All forms of unilateralism and protectionism should be opposed, and all attempts to impose discriminatory or exclusionary standards and rules should be rejected. Trade and investment liberalization and facilitation should be promoted, global industrial and supply chains should be kept stable and unimpeded, and there should be mutual respect for the legitimate interests and reasonable concerns. This is the way to overcome the structural problems hindering the healthy development of the world economy and sustain the dynamism and momentum of global economic growth.

At the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs, it was made clear that in the current and upcoming periods, China’s external work shall be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era and Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy in particular, and shall serve the goals and missions of Chinese modernization and follow the principles of self-confidence and self-reliance, openness and inclusiveness, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation, with a view to breaking new ground in major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics and making new contribution to the development and progress of humanity. These principles, by drawing on the diplomatic theory and practice since the founding of the People’s Republic of China seven decades ago and especially since the start of the new era, encapsulate our Party’s summary of the guidelines for major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.

The principle of self-confidence and self-reliance underscores the imperative to strengthen our confidence in our path, theory, system and culture, have firm conviction in the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and stay committed to the ideal of building a community with a shared future for mankind. We must develop our country and nation with our own strength, deal with China’s issues in light of the Chinese context, and build China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through the Chinese path to modernization. We must firmly uphold our independent foreign policy of peace, stay true to the belief that peace and development represent the unstoppable trend of our times, and unswervingly pursue the new path of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. The principle of self-confidence and self-reliance is an important element of the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era. It represents the inherent character of Chinese communists and serves as the basis for further innovation in China’s diplomatic theory and practice.

The principle of openness and inclusiveness underscores the imperative to take into account both domestic and international dynamics, uphold the basic state policy of opening to the outside world, take proactive measures for opening up, contribute to building an open global economy, and deliver more benefits to the people of China and across the world. Countries’ independent choice of their development paths as well as the diversity of civilizations in the world must be respected. It is important to refrain from imposing one’s own values and model on others or engaging in ideological confrontation, and let inter-civilization exchanges and mutual learning become a driving force for the progress of human society. Such is a path that must be taken to promote greater democracy in international relations and a crucial premise for achieving common development of all countries. Openness and inclusiveness are deep-rooted qualities of the Chinese civilization. We should consistently champion mutual respect, mutual tolerance and equality among countries.

The principle of fairness and justice underscores the imperative to always determine our position and policy based on the merits of the issue in question when handling international affairs, abide by the basic norms of international relations, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of all countries, especially developing countries. We should call on all countries to pursue the new path of state-to-state relations that favors dialogue and partnership over confrontation and alliance, resolve differences and disputes through dialogue and cooperation, and oppose all hegemonic, high-handed and bullying acts, the Cold War mentality and attempts to stoke division and confrontation. Upholding fairness and justice has been a fine tradition and unwavering commitment of Chinese diplomacy. From putting forth the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence with neighboring countries in Asia over 70 years ago to actively advancing the building of a community with a shared future for mankind in the new era, we have taken concrete actions to contribute our strength in safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.

The principle of win-win cooperation underscores the imperative to actively pursue converging interests, leverage respective strengths, carry out mutually beneficial cooperation and enable each other’s success. Like passengers in the same boat, countries need to join hands in addressing global challenges. It is important to reinforce coordination on macro economic policies and create a favorable global environment for development. Countries should plan together, build together and benefit together, and steer the reform of the global governance system in the right direction. Win-win cooperation is a core principle in fostering a new type of international relations. Amid global changes, no country can stay unaffected, and a “winner-takes-all” approach is at best untenable. We must take the right path of promoting solidarity and cooperation.

The Conference has drawn up the blueprint for China’s external work for the present and coming periods. All of us engaged in foreign-related work must keenly study the important address by General Secretary Xi Jinping, implement its guiding principles, and remain guided by the principles in our thinking and actions.

We should enhance our political stance. Our work must always be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. We should appreciate the decisive significance of the “Two Establishings”, namely, establishing Comrade Xi Jinping’s core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and establishing the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era. We should deliver on the “Two Upholds”, namely, to uphold Comrade Xi Jinping’s core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and uphold the Central Committee’s authority and its centralized, unified leadership. We must maintain a high degree of unity with the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and improve the capacity for political judgement, thinking and implementation. We must have a deep understanding of the spiritual essence, core tenets and latest enrichment of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, and make efforts to translate them into concrete actions. With a more proactive sense of historical responsibility and a more vibrant spirit of innovation, we will usher in new prospects of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.

We should focus on the defining theme of our work. We must hold high the banner of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and continuously add new substance to the theory and practice related to diplomacy. It is crucial to communicate the scientific system of building a community with a shared future for mankind, to further build consensus and to unite the vast majority of the international community. Guided by the top-level design of China’s diplomatic strategy on the new journey, we should put the GDI, GSI and GCI into action and add more substance, promote the building of a new type of international relations, pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, champion an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and contribute greater positive energy to the reform and development of the global governance system.

We should work on planning and implementation. We must shoulder our due responsibilities for China’s diplomatic work on the new journey and better serve the central tasks of the Party and the country. We will explore new approaches and measures in carrying out external work, bearing in mind the priorities in China’s modernization drive and the important agenda of the international community in the coming few years. Committed to the principles of self-confidence and self-reliance, openness and inclusiveness, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation, we will improve the diplomatic layout in keeping with the times, focus on the major issues, follow a problem-oriented approach, and apply a systematic way of thinking to ensure solid implementation of the priority tasks laid out in the strategic planning for diplomacy.

We should uphold fundamental principles and break new ground. Promoting innovation and improvement in such areas as the thinking, systems and capacity of China’s diplomacy is an essential requirement of the new era and the new journey, one that will enable us to navigate global changes and underpin Chinese modernization. We must commit ourselves to openness, draw on the lessons in the evolution of other countries’ diplomacy, deepen understanding of the law of the development of international relations, and make our external work more science-based, forward-looking, proactive and innovative. It is important to strengthen the intellectual and theoretical competence of the foreign service, deepen reform of systems and institutions, carry forward the fine tradition of China’s diplomacy, and advance the building of a stronger contingent of personnel involved in foreign affairs, a diplomatic service that is loyal to the Party, lives up to its responsibilities, is ready and able to defend China’s interests, and acts in strict compliance with disciplines.

We should make full use of our institutional strength. The key to major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics lies in committing to and strengthening Party leadership. We must unswervingly uphold the CPC central leadership’s ultimate authority over foreign affairs, and conscientiously uphold the centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee. We should act in line with the guidelines on the CPC’s leadership over foreign affairs, and strengthen the systems and institutions that ensure such leadership. All localities and departments should bear in mind the big picture, work in coordination and collaboration, faithfully implement the decisions and plans on external work made by the Party Central Committee, and deliver on the outcomes of the Conference by better fulfilling our duties and responsibilities.

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 Wang Yi is Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Minister of Foreign Affairs.