Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and president, speaks at the central conference on foreign affairs work, held in Beijing on Friday and Saturday. (JU PENG / XINHUA)
Blueprint outlined at meeting boosts peace and development, experts say
Xi Jinping thought on diplomacy of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era will guide China's major-country diplomacy to open up new prospects while pursuing a path of peaceful development, diplomats and experts said.
Xi, the country's president and general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, systematically put forward the thought on diplomacy when addressing a two-day central conference on foreign affairs work in Beijing, which ended on Saturday.
He underscored the importance of keeping in mind both domestic and international imperatives in the nation's foreign affairs work, saying that the diplomatic work should take national rejuvenation and promoting world peace and common development as the main task, strive to build a community with a shared future for mankind and firmly safeguard the country's sovereignty, security and development interests.
Xi's speech is based on an in-depth assessment of the international situation and provides guidance to front-line diplomatic personnel in dealing with external relations, said Cui Tiankai, China's ambassador to the United States.
Realization of people's needs for a better life does not mean a closed-door development, nor does it mean a development at the expense of other countries' interests, the ambassador said.
In today's world, countries should seek common development and win-win partnerships on the basis of mutual respect, and that is why Xi proposed building a community with a shared future for mankind, Cui said.
Xi stressed that the nation's foreign affairs work must uphold the authority of the CPC Central Committee as an overarching principle and adhere to the Party's centralized and unified leadership.
"The flag of a community with a shared future for mankind should be upheld to help make the global governance system fairer and more reasonable and the development of the Belt and Road Initiative in the principle of wide consultations, joint contributions and shared benefits should be solidified to elevate the country's opening-up to a new level," Xi said.
He also highlighted furthering the country's foreign relations, including those with major powers, neighboring countries and developing countries.
Ma Zhaoxu, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said the president's thought on diplomacy will be a fundamental guideline for the country to implement major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. It also contributes a Chinese solution to the world, he said.
"Guided by the Xi Jinping thought on diplomacy of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, we will strive to safeguard the nation's sovereignty, security and development interests so as to make contributions to realizing the 'Two Centenary Goals' as well as the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation," Ma said.
During his speech, Xi said that China has been in the best period of development in modern times while the world is undergoing the most profound and unprecedented changes in a century — and that the two aspects are intertwined and interact.
He pointed out China follows the path of peaceful development based on mutual respect and winwin cooperation.
He said it will take an active role in leading reforms of the global governance system and in building a more complete network of global partnerships.
With rising protectionism and a backlash against globalization, the external challenges and uncertainties toward China's economic development become increasingly complex, so the country needs a clear understanding of its role and position in the world, said Zhou Fangyin, a researcher of China's foreign policies at the Guangdong Institute for International Strategies.
Decision-makers should have a coolheaded analysis of the international situation and China's relation with the rest of the world to expand the nation's strategic space in the world, Zhou said.
"President Xi stressed 'strategic confidence' in his speech, which reveals that, despite growing uncertainties and strategic pressure, China is confident about the longterm picture of its overall development," Zhou said, adding that building of a community of shared future for mankind is a long-term strategy based on the international situation.
Xi also called for a strong contingent of foreign affairs personnel who are loyal to the Party, the country and the people, as well as the reform of institutions and mechanisms concerning foreign affairs, to improve governance capabilities.
Premier Li Keqiang presided over the conference, with participants including other members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Vice-President Wang Qishan as well as Party and government officials responsible for the foreign affairs work.
