China's active diplomatic posture wins global applause

In a flurry of diplomacy, a "Chinese whirlwind" created by a more confident and active diplomatic posture of the new Chinese leadership engrossed the world in 2014.

Given the leadership change in 2013 and the rejuvenation of reform, the word "eye-catching" best described China's diplomacy that year. In 2014, as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said, China had "a bumper harvest of diplomacy."

With its agenda unfolding across the board and its global network of partnerships basically taking shape, China's diplomacy, facing a new situation and new demands, has got off to a fruitful start.

One of the underlying reasons for the bumper harvest year was the confidence and a more active diplomatic posture shown by the new Chinese leadership.

ACTIVE DIPLOMATIC POSTURE IMPERATIVE

With the commitment to regional and world stability and prosperity, the new Chinese leadership inherited the spirit of reform and a global vision.

During the past year, foreign visits paid by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang added up to 85 days in total, as they left footprints in about 30 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and Oceania.

The overseas trips by the Chinese leaders showed China's commitment to pursuing peaceful development and win-win cooperation with other countries and the constructive role it plays in upholding peace, stability and development in Asia and the world at large.

"The quality of Chinese leaders has always been extremely high," said former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in an interview with Xinhua. "But each generation of Chinese leaders that I have met has reflected a different experience of the Chinese recent history."

The "recent history" of China mentioned by Kissinger refers to China's relentless efforts to realize the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation by accelerating the comprehensive reform and advancing rule of law in an all-round way.

Meanwhile, economic and political turbulence in the world in 2014 made the call for peace and development even stronger. So was the call for cooperation and change and for building a community of shared destiny.

CHINA'S NEW CONCEPTS VITAL

Following the diplomatic initiatives last year, such as taking a right approach to principles and interests, the building of a new model of major-country relations between China and the United States and the pursuit of neighborhood diplomacy of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, the new Chinese leadership put forward new vision this year and publicized these new concepts in the international arena.

At the third Nuclear Security Summit held in the Netherlands this March, Xi elaborated on China's approach to nuclear security, urging global cooperation for lasting nuclear security and development.

While giving details of China's approach to promoting nuclear security, Xi said the world should place "equal emphasis" on development and security, and develop nuclear energy on the basis of security.

Xi shared with the world China's concept of civilization during his visit to the headquarters of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, calling for global efforts to boost exchanges and mutual learning and achieve harmonious coexistence of different civilizations.

Professor Maslov at Moscow's National Research University Higher School of Economics told Xinhua that given China's increasing influence in international affairs, the offering of China's new vision on solving international issues is vital.

"China is an adamant advocate for peaceful growth," said Maslov, adding that the fact that such a powerful and peaceful country is willing to adopt an active diplomatic posture would help maintain regional stability and world peace.

PRAGMATIC COOPERATION APPLAUDED

Fully aware of its responsibility as the world's second-largest economy, China has done its utmost to promote development and prosperity of the world.

By maintaining economic stability at home, China has helped the global economy, the Asian economy, in particular, to effectively resist the downward pressure. As the world's fastest-growing economy, China has created opportunities for countries in the world.

China has proposed a number of ideas and initiatives to create win-win outcomes in Asia and the world, Robert Hormats, vice chairman of Kissinger Associates, a New York-based international consulting firm, told Xinhua.

"China has engaged in a very thoughtful approach to economic diplomacy in 2014," said Hormats, who served as U.S. undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy, and the environment from 2009 to 2013.

"There are several areas that suggest a more active Chinese role in the region: the New Silk Road initiative, the Infrastructure Bank (Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank) and the BRICS Bank," he said.

Hormats's remarks were echoed by Academician Bogomolov at the Russian Academy of Science, who praised China's endeavor to promote common prosperity.

"By promoting the development of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, China has injected a strong impetus to the common development in Eurasia," said Bogomolov, adding that member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization believed that China's development would bring hope for world peace and global development.