Photo: Xinhua/Ju Peng
Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Chinese President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at the Central Conference on Foreign Affairs Work in Beijing, capital of China. The conference was held in Beijing from Wednesday to Thursday.
BEIJING, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Central Conference on Foreign Affairs Work was held in Beijing from Wednesday to Thursday. The conference was attended by the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xi Jinping (Xi Jinping), who delivered an important speech. The conference was attended by Li Qiang, Zhao Lezi, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Si, members of the Politburo Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee, and Vice President Han Cheng.
In his important speech Xi Jinping introduced a systematic review of the historical achievements and valuable experiences of diplomacy of major countries with Chinese characteristics in the new era, gave an in-depth account of the international environment and the historical mission of China's foreign work in the new path, and put forward comprehensive plans for China's foreign work in the current and coming period. Li Qiang, who chaired the conference, stressed the importance of ensuring proper external work on the New Road under the leadership of Xi Jinping thoughts on diplomacy and set out the requirements for the study and implementation of the guiding principles of the Secretary-General's important speech Xi Jinping.
It was clearly stated at the conference that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, historic achievements have been secured and historic changes have been made in China's external work on the great road to advance the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. First, we have established and developed Xi Jinping's thought on diplomacy, which has opened new horizons in the theory and practice of Chinese diplomacy and provided the basic guidance for the progress of the diplomacy of major countries with Chinese characteristics. Second, we have shown the distinctive Chinese characteristics, style and ethos in our diplomacy and created an image of a confident, independent, open and inclusive big country with a global vision. Third, we have advocated building a community with a shared future for humanity, showing the right direction for human society leading to common development, lasting peace and security, and mutual learning among civilizations.
Fourth, we have followed the strategic guidance of the Head of State's diplomacy and played an increasingly important and constructive role in international affairs. Fifth, we have taken a holistic approach to relations with all parties in order to promote the dynamism of major countries characterized by peaceful coexistence, overall stability and balanced development. Sixth, we have expanded our comprehensive strategic alignment and created a vast, high-quality global network of partnerships. Seventh, we have advanced high-quality cooperation in the Belt and Road Project and created the world's most extensive and largest international cooperation platform. Eighth, we have pursued both development and security, and effectively defended China's sovereignty, security and development interests with firm will and indomitable fighting spirit. Ninth, we actively engaged in global governance and showed the way to reform the international system and order. For the tenth, we have strengthened the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee and achieved greater coordination in China's foreign affairs activities.
The conference highlighted that in the decade of the new era, we have experienced strong winds and rough waters and have overcome various difficulties and challenges in China's external work. We have opened up new perspectives in the diplomacy of major countries with Chinese characteristics, and we have gained much greater strategic autonomy and initiative in our diplomacy. China has become a responsible major country with increased international influence, a stronger ability to lead new efforts, and greater moral appeal.
The conference highlighted that many valuable lessons have been learned in the new era of Chinese diplomacy. It is essential to follow the principles. We must take a clear and firm stance on fundamental issues concerning the future of mankind and the direction of the world, maintain international moral high ground, and unite and mobilise the vast majority of our world. It is essential to assume China's responsibility as a major country. We must uphold the spirit of independence, advocate peaceful development and promote global stability and prosperity. It is essential to apply systems thinking. With a correct understanding of history and the big picture, we must navigate the prevailing trends, adopt a coordinated approach and take the initiative. It is essential to adhere to basic principles and break new ground.
We need to build on the beautiful tradition and basic direction of Chinese diplomacy while gradually working on innovations in theory and practice. It is essential to continue our fighting spirit. We must reject all acts of power politics and intimidation and vigorously defend our national interests and dignity. It is imperative to make use of our institutional strengths. Under the centralized and unified leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, all regions and all departments must coordinate with each other and build strong synergies.
The conference noted that a major transformation is accelerating around the world. Changes in the world, our times and historical significance are happening 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, nor will the overall dynamics of world history moving forward amidst upheaval, nor will the overall trend towards a shared future for the international community. We must give full credence to these trends of historical impact.
The conference highlighted that looking to the future, China faces new strategic opportunities in its development. On a new path, diplomacy of major countries with Chinese characteristics will enter a new stage in which much more can be achieved. We must focus on the central task of the CCP of China and the country, striving for progress while maintaining stability, breaking new ground while upholding the basic principles and firmly safeguarding China's sovereignty, security and development interests. We will explore new frontiers in China's diplomatic theory and practice, foster new dynamics in China-world relations, and enhance China's international influence, appeal and power in shaping events to a new level. We will create a more favorable international environment and provide more solid strategic support for building China as a great modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through China's path to modernization.
The conference stressed that building a community with a shared future for humanity is a core principle of Xi Jinping's idea of diplomacy. China thus proposes to address the question of what kind of world to build and how to build it based on a deepening understanding of the laws governing the development of human society. It reflects the worldview of the Chinese communists, their perception of order and values, is in line with the common aspirations of people in all countries, and sets the course for the progress of world civilizations. It is also a noble goal that China pursues in conducting the diplomacy of major countries with Chinese characteristics for the new era. Since the beginning of this new era, building a community with a common future for mankind has evolved from a Chinese initiative into an international consensus, from a promising vision into substantial action, and from a conceptual design into a scientific system. It serves as a glorious banner to guide the progress of the times.
In summary, in building a community with a shared future for humanity, the goal is to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and shared prosperity, the way to go is to promote global governance characterized by broad consultation and shared contribution to the common good, the guiding principle is the application of the shared values of humanity, the fundamental underpinning is the building of a new type of international relations, strategic leadership is based on the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilisation Initiative, and the platform for action is the high quality cooperation of the Belt and Road Initiative. On this basis, we seek to bring countries together to face challenges and achieve prosperity for all, and to establish a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress for our world.
The conference stressed that, given the many serious issues and challenges facing the world today, China calls for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. An equal and orderly multipolar world is a world in which all countries, regardless of their size, are treated as equals, hegemonism and power politics are rejected, and democracy is truly promoted in international relations. For progress towards greater multipolarity to be generally stable and constructive, the aims and principles of the UN Charter must be respected by all, the universally accepted basic norms governing international relations must be adhered to by all, and genuine multilateralism must be practised.
A universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation is one that meets the common needs of all countries, especially developing countries, and properly addresses the imbalances in development between and within countries that result from the global distribution of resources. It is important to resolutely oppose the efforts to reverse globalisation and abuse the concept of security, to oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, to strongly promote liberalisation and facilitation of trade and investment, to overcome the structural problems hindering the healthy development of the world economy and to make economic globalisation more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial for all.
It was made clear at the conference that in the current and coming period, China's foreign activities will be guided by Xi Jinping's idea of socialism with Chinese characteristics for the new era, and especially Xi Jinping's idea of diplomacy. It should serve the goals and objectives of China's modernisation and be guided by the principles of self-reliance and independence, openness and inclusiveness, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation. Focusing on the theme of building a community with a shared future for humanity, we need to strengthen strategic planning in line with changing times, deepen and improve our diplomatic set-up, follow a problem-oriented approach and apply a systematic way of thinking. We need to make the strategic tasks of Chinese diplomacy more multidimensional and comprehensive. We need to act with a greater sense of historical responsibility and a more vibrant spirit of innovation in order to make new progress in our major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.
The conference stressed that adherence to the basic principles and breakthroughs in our external action is a natural prerequisite for achieving new progress in our major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics on a new path and for providing a stronger foundation for China's modernization. It is important to strengthen the intellectual and theoretical competence of the foreign service, deepen the reform of systems and institutions, support the building of a contingent of foreign affairs personnel, and continue to make our external action more scientifically based, forward-looking, proactive and innovative.
The conference stressed that we must unswervingly uphold the supreme authority of the CPC Central Leadership in foreign affairs, conscientiously promote the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and further strengthen the systems and institutions for the CPC leadership in foreign work. All localities and departments should keep in mind the big picture and coordinate with each other to implement the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee of China concerning our external work, both literally and in this spirit.
Wang Yi made closing remarks. Senior officials of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Ministry of Commerce, the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission and Yunnan Province, and a representative of the Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations addressed the conference. The conference was attended by members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and members of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, leaders of the Standing Committee of the All-China People's Congress, State Councilors, the President of the Supreme People's Court, the Procurator-General of the Supreme People's Procuratorate and leaders of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
The conference was attended by members of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, prominent officials of provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government, cities separately listed in the State Plan and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, relevant departments of the central organs of the Communist Party of China and state institutions, relevant people's organizations, relevant departments of the Central Military Commission and certain financial institutions directly under the Central Government, as well as Chinese ambassadors, consuls-general with ambassadorial rank posted abroad and representatives to international organizations.
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