Thorough Grasp of Theoretical and Practical Significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy

As an important part of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy is an epoch-making milestone in the development of New China’s diplomatic theories, and a guide to action for achieving national rejuvenation and advancing the Chinese major-country diplomacy as the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century.

In the seven decades since its founding, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has added a glorious chapter to its development epic, and achieved the “two miracles” of rapid economic development and longterm social stability. The Chinese nation is proudly striding on the great road of “becoming strong” and embracing the brilliant prospects of rejuvenation. China has never been closer to the grand goal of national rejuvenation or more influential on the world than it is today, while the attention paid to China by the international community has never been greater.

At present, China is undergoing profound changes not seen in a century and is securing a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. We are in a period in which the time frames of the “two centenary goals” converge. The major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics is now facing new situation, new tasks, and new requirements which call for continuous efforts and innovations in order to overcome difficulties and gain the upper hand. A new era needs new theories. At the 2018 Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs, Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy was established as the guideline, an epoch-making milestone in the development of New China’s diplomatic theory. It sets the fundamental course for China’s diplomatic work in the new era and points the way for navigating through the complex array of issues in today’s world.1

As a guide to action for achieving national rejuvenation and advancing major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy comprises a complete system rich with implications. It contains the profound thinking of the shared future and coexistence between China and the world. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics has been highly innovative and has made great significant achievements. The international status and influence of China has risen in a remarkable way.

Epoch-making Significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy

In 1949, Comrade Mao Zedong solemnly declared to the world that the PRC was founded and that the Chinese people had stood up. The great event has completely changed China’s miserable fate of being poor and weak, and being bullied and humiliated in modern times. The Chinese nation has since embarked on the path of achieving national rejuvenation.2 Zhou Enlai, China’s first Foreign Minister, pointed out at the founding ceremony of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that “the West Empress Dowager of the Qing Dynasty, Yuan Shikai of the Northern Warlords, Chiang Kai-shek of the Kuomintang, which of them did not fracture the diplomatic dignity? China’s diplomacy for a century had been one of humiliation.”3 The founding of New China marks the opening of a new era in China’s relations with the world. China’s diplomacy has taken on a new look.

At its founding, the Communist Party of China, which led the Chinese people to establish the New China, made the realization of communism its highest ideal and its ultimate goal, and shouldered the historic mission of national rejuvenation. This original aspiration, this mission, is what

inspires Chinese Communists to advance, to seek happiness for all ethnic groups, and to pursue rejuvenation for the Chinese nation. It has profoundly changed the fate and future of the Chinese nation, as well as the pattern and shape of the international landscape.4 The theoretical framework of China’s independent foreign policy has been gradually improved through continuous exploration and practice: the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, advocated in the early days of New China, has now become basic principles of international relations; ever since the reform and opening-up, China has been committed to the path of peaceful development, achieving its own economic rise while facilitating reforms in other countries and contributing to the cause of peace and development of mankind; since the 18th CPC National Congress, China has actively fostered a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind, making China the backbone of world peace and stability. To this day, China’s foreign policy has established a fine tradition with distinctive features. They include: independence as a cornerstone, concern for the common good of humanity, pursuit of equity and justice, commitment to win-win outcomes, facilitating domestic development, and dedication to serving the Chinese people.5

Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is Marxism in the 21st century. The CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core leads the whole Party and people of all ethnic groups to ensure coordinated implementation of the five-sphere integrated plan, and the four-pronged comprehensive strategy, so as to break a new ground for the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics for the new era, and provide a guarantee for the shifts and historic achievements in the cause of the Party and the country. Xi said that since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, China, under the strong leadership of the CPC