In the first year of the 15th five-year plan, Chinese President Xi Jinping's diplomatic activities focused on several key areas: relations with major powers, cooperation with neighboring countries, strengthening ties with the Global South, and seeking solutions to current international crises.
The Chinese leadership emphasizes peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit as the fundamental principles of its foreign policy.
One of the most significant diplomatic moments this year was the May meeting between Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump in Beijing. It followed their previous discussions in Busan, South Korea, and, according to the Chinese side, opened a new stage in China-U.S. relations.
During the visit, both presidents met for official talks as well as more informal occasions. The Chinese side emphasized the need to create a stable framework for bilateral relations and a long-term strategic dialogue between the two countries.
Relations with Russia also hold an important place. This year, both countries are commemorating 30 years of strategic partnership and 25 years since the signing of the Treaty on Good Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation. Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have continued their regular strategic dialogue since the beginning of the year.
China's diplomacy towards Europe also remains active. This year, China has been visited by, among others, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, or Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. In addition to political relations, their discussions focused primarily on economic and trade cooperation.
In this context, Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized that relations between major powers are of crucial importance for global strategic stability, and that major countries bear a special responsibility for maintaining peace.
Relations with neighboring countries remain an important part of China's foreign policy. The Chinese leadership considers them one of the foundations for the country's stability, security, and long-term economic development.
The first foreign trip this year by Xi Jinping was in June to North Korea, marking the 65th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance between the two countries. During his visit to Pyongyang, he met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to discuss further development of bilateral relations.
However, contacts are not limited to North Korea. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung was the first foreign head of state to visit China this year at the beginning of the year. Since April, representatives from more than ten neighboring countries have visited, including Vietnam, Laos, and Tajikistan.
One of the main topics of these discussions was deepening economic, political, and security cooperation, and building closer long-term partnerships between China and its neighbors.
Another significant direction of Chinese diplomacy is cooperation with countries of the Global South. This year, a number of representatives from developing countries in Latin America, Africa, and other regions have visited Beijing.
In February, Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi visited China, becoming the first Latin American head of state to visit the country this year. During his meeting, Xi Jinping emphasized Beijing's interest in further developing cooperation not only with Uruguay but also with Latin America as a whole.
```Representatives from several African countries also traveled to China. Beijing emphasizes its efforts to link its own economic development with new trade and investment opportunities for other developing countries.
According to Xi Jinping, the 15th five-year plan not only provides a framework for future Chinese development but also offers new opportunities for foreign partners. According to the Chinese leadership, China wants to continue opening up its economy and, through its own growth, create more space for international cooperation.
Chinese Solutions to Global Problems
Another important pillar of this year's diplomatic activities is the response to international conflicts and the transformation of the global governance system.
In connection with tensions in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East, Xi Jinping presented four principles that, according to the Chinese side, should contribute to peace and stability: respect for peaceful coexistence, state sovereignty, and international law, while also linking security with economic development.
Regarding the Ukrainian crisis, the Chinese president continues to emphasize that solutions should be sought through dialogue and negotiation.
At the same time, Beijing is advocating for changes in the global governance system. The Chinese leadership argues that current international institutions must better respond to new economic, security, and technological challenges, while also taking greater account of the position of developing countries.
According to the Chinese perspective, Xi Jinping's diplomatic activities since the beginning of this year combine efforts to stabilize relations between major powers, strengthen cooperation with neighboring countries and the Global South, and increase China's involvement in solving global problems.
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