As China has become a major country in the world, its diplomatic theory and practice have drawn worldwide attention. Featured with Chinese characteristics, style and ethos, China’s diplomacy, which intends to promote the well-being of the entire humanity, is showcased by a recent conference in China.
Held in Beijing on December 27-28, 2023, the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs was attended by all the top diplomatic policy-makers of China. General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and President Xi Jinping delivered an important address, which presented a systematic 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.
One of the most important historic achievements made by Chinese diplomacy in the new era is establishing and developing Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, with building a community with a shared future for mankind as its core tenet. Proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013, 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. More and more countries have realized that the future of humanity should be in the hands of all countries, international rules should be written together by all, global affairs should be jointly handled by all, and development benefits should be shared by all. Practices have proved that the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind reflects the common aspiration of the whole world and represents the right direction of human progress. In summary, in building a community with a shared future for mankind, 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, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and the platform for action is high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. On this basis, China will work together with all countries to deliver a brighter future for the world.
How China views the international landscape and the trend of the history underpins its diplomacy, and the answer can also be found in this conference:
--It was noted that 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. That said, faced with temporary challenges around the globe--be it wars, natural disasters or economic downturn, China remains confident that there will be a brighter future for human society. China stands ready to work together with all parties for the betterment of our lives.
--The conference calls for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. As a member of the Global South, China always stands on the side of developing countries. Therefore, it believes that all countries, regardless of size, should be treated as equals--in a multipolar world, every country can find its own place to exert relevant influence, and hegemonism and power politics should be rejected, democracy should be truly promoted in international relations, the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter should be observed by all, and true multilateralism should be practiced. To pursue a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, the common needs of all countries should be met, especially the developing countries, and the development imbalances between and within countries resulting from the global allocation of resources should be properly addressed. Since globalization cannot be reversed in the long run, we should oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, protect the global supply chain from accidents or human-made disturbances, and make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all.
As this Conference clarified the goals and guiding principles for work related to China’s foreign affairs, China will follow its guidance in deepening the relationship with Grenada. As developing countries, China stands ready to jointly build an equal and orderly multipolar world, promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, in order to establish a community of shared future for humankind. Next Saturday, January 20, 2024, marks the 19th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic ties, and Grenada’s 50th anniversary of Independence on February 7 is also approaching. As we commemorate these two important occasions, let us wish for a brighter future for our bilateral relations and prosperity for the Grenadian people.
