Over the recent years, China's diplomatic approach has been criticized by some as being too soft. Some scholars also urged the government to be aggressive in foreign affairs. But I believe China doesn't have to be aggressive. Sticking to its own belief and remaining calm are good enough.

Before the invention of steam power, intercontinental relations required dangerous journeys, fighting storms in Atlantic crossings, or struggling through heat waves and water shortages for months on the inland route. At that time, diplomacy was limited to a small elite. International relations were simple and stable.

But the rapid development of modern technology has profoundly changed the way diplomacy is performed. It has greatly shortened the distance between nations and introduced many new elements and approaches into the international relations. Ordinary people can now participate in and influence national policies simply by clicking their mouse.

This is why the notion of public diplomacy has become popular. It also means that diplomacy has become a public affair. Therefore, forceful diplomacy may find itself less appealing these days. Diplomacy has to be in line with modern politics. Simply being "forceful" or "aggressive" without considering the bigger picture of a country's overall global strategy will do no good.

While a country's power and strength will influence its diplomacy, it doesn't necessarily mean that a powerful and strong nation should take an aggressively position. If a country is strong, it goes without saying that other countries will take it seriously. 

China is no longer a weak country. It has become such an important international player that everything it buys will drive the price higher while anything it sells will pull the price down. When China's moves can determine the outcome of international markets, being aggressive in diplomacy will no doubt make others concerned about China's intentions.

A country's own development can only be achieved by participating in complicated relationships with the outside world. The world is also a huge arena where countries compete, cooperate and constrain each other. This complexity shows that no nation in the world can achieve its own goal freely and unchallenged. The harder a country pushes for its own agenda, the more resistance it will get from the international community.

If a country insists on doing so, its relations with the rest of the world will eventually end up in a vicious circle. It will have to increase its military spending to support its aggressive tone and be prepared for any physical conflict, but that will drag down its own economy and lead to isolation. Diplomacy, like politics, is about winning over support. Being blindly aggressive will only lose support.

China needs to understand why the world has concerns over it. As the biggest emerging power, China's rapid development has shocked the world, but this success also brings challenges and doubts. The way we tackle these opposing voices will in turns decide the way other countries perceive us.

But being rational in diplomacy doesn't mean we should be passive. Diplomacy is a two-way relationship. While we are trying to be objective and rational with the rest of the world, the world should also be so with China. China and other big emerging countries will become stronger and more powerful. This is how history evolves and it cannot be reversed simply by a few countries' discontent.

These countries will need to be rational with China as well, and solve their problems with China by accepting China's new role in modern international affairs. This will bring mutual benefits for both sides. China will need to be active in cultivating such understanding, but it should also be patient, giving space and time for these countries to adjust their minds and policies.

The author is vice president at China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn

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