Illustration: Liu Rui/GT
The report delivered by Xi Jinping at the opening of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) introduced "Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era," gave form to the basic strategy of adhering and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics.
According to Xi's report on home affairs, socialism with Chinese characteristics has crossed the threshold into a new era, and the Chinese nation has undergone an enormous transformation - it has stood up, grown rich and become stronger. Today, China is closer, more confident, and more capable than ever before to making the goal of national rejuvenation a reality.
He also stressed that the Party is the highest force for political leadership which embodies the essence of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
The report noted that the march of development is irreversible, the mutual dependence of each country is increasingly strengthened and forces in the international arena are more balanced. In this light, human society is facing a series of common challenges. Xi thus appealed to all nations to make concerted efforts in building a community of common destiny.
China advocates world governance through consultations, participation and sharing, calls for the democratization of international relations, supports giving full play to the roles of the UN, promoting greater representation and voice of developing countries, in order to build an open, inclusive, clean, and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, and common prosperity.
For China itself, its major task until the middle of the century is to take a two-step approach to build China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful. It is believed that such dream is shared by every country.
Hence, in terms of future diplomacy, China will stick to the basic principle of peaceful development and reform and opening up, keeping promoting international cooperation under the Belt and Road initiative, making contributions to not only Chinese people, but also to all humans across the world. Beijing will keep following the path of peaceful development and firmly pursue an independent foreign policy underlined by peace.
When it comes to major power diplomacy, China pursues stable and coordinated development. In terms of peripheral foreign policies, Beijing sticks to the policy featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, a policy of friendship and partnership. It will also uphold the right approach to justice and interests, adhere to the principles of sincerity, practical results, affinity and good faith to develop its relations with developing countries.
In terms of diplomacy, China advocates holding onto a comprehensive view of national security with political security as the basis. It should have a plan for external and internal security, ensure its own security while promoting common security. With a defensive national defense policy, China should be dedicated to establishing a new view on security which features cooperation and sustainability.
Economically, China should prioritize development. Eyeing both international and domestic situation, China should stick to its Belt and Road initiative, promote trade and innovative investment and push forward industrial cooperation. It should release convenient policies for free trade and investment, relax the standard for market entry and expand the service industry overseas.
In the cultural sphere, we must emphasize the importance of culture and the necessity of communication between different civilizations. In Xi's report to the 19th CPC National Congress, it stressed that culture is a country and nation's soul and matters for national rejuvenation. The socialist culture with Chinese characteristics includes traditional culture, revolutionary culture and advanced socialist culture. Within the country, China should implement core socialist values and promote cultural soft power. Internationally, China can enhance its communication capabilities.
In totality, the statement about diplomacy articulated in Xi's report summarized the exploration and implementation of the diplomatic theories since the 18th National Congress and the basic strategy of China's diplomacy in this new era, which is to seek cooperation in international relations and promote the community of common destiny as a harbinger of world peace, a contributor to global development and a maintainer of international order.
The author is director of the Department of International Strategy at the Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn
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