Self-confidence and independence, openness and inclusivity, fairness and mutually beneficial cooperation

— Wang Yi took part in a seminar on the international situation and Chinese diplomacy in 2023 and gave a speech

On January 9, 2024, a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, took part in the opening ceremony of the seminar on the international situation and Chinese diplomacy in 2023 in Beijing and delivered a speech.

Wang Yi noted that in 2023, there was a significant and far-reaching evolution of international relations, as well as a thorough progress in Chinese-style modernization. 2013 was an innovative and fruitful year for Chinese diplomacy. Under the firm leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the core of which is Comrade Xi Jinping, Chinese diplomacy, defending fundamental principles and introducing innovations, boldly and decisively moved forward, created a favorable environment for building a powerful state and national revival, and also made a new contribution to protecting world peace and stimulating joint development.

Wang Yi recalled six highlights of Chinese diplomacy in 2023: the meaningful and effective diplomacy of the head of state created a new monument to the diplomacy of a great power with Chinese characteristics; the construction of a community of a common destiny of mankind was thoroughly promoted, which gave a new impetus to building a wonderful future for humanity; a high-level Forum on International Cooperation within the framework of One Belt, One Road The joint construction of the “One Belt, One Road” was successfully carried out, and entered a new stage of high-quality development; A historic expansion of the BRICS mechanism was carried out, uniting new forces of cohesion and cooperation between developing countries; the China-Central Asia summit was successfully held, a new platform of good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation in the region was created; China contributed to reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which created a new model of political settlement of pressing problems. Wang Yi noted that these six events left behind remarkable moments in Chinese diplomacy, wrote a completely new chapter of mutually beneficial cooperation with the world, embodied distinctive Chinese features, Chinese style and Chinese posture, and demonstrated China’s growing international influence, innovation, leadership and moral appeal in a new era.

Wang Yi stressed that in the past year, in the face of important issues concerning the future and fate of mankind and the direction of world development, Chinese diplomacy has always stood on the right side of history, on the side of progress and made decisions that have stood the test of practice and time: Chinese diplomacy resolutely chooses cooperation rather than confrontation, unity rather than division, openness rather than closeness, peace rather than war, multilateralism rather than unilateralism, justice rather than the politics of force.

“In the face of external interference and provocations, we fought resolutely and vigorously, and in response to all kinds of unjustified suppression, we took legitimate and reasonable countermeasures. The general unity of the international community in support of the “one China” principle has been strengthened. The determination of 1.4 billion Chinese to promote national reunification is unshakeable,” Wang Yi said.

Wang Yi said that Chinese diplomacy is people’s diplomacy, and serving the people is the original mission, which is always remembered by employees of foreign ministries. Over the past year, as more and more Chinese people left the country for the world to manage COVID-19 measures against class B infectious diseases, diplomatic and consular protection and services also tirelessly kept pace with this, providing compatriots abroad with round-the-clock services, returning them home from war-torn areas. “On our own initiative, we focused on the party and state central work, made efforts to create favorable conditions for the development and construction of the country, built bridges to promote international cooperation, and worked tirelessly to improve the welfare of the people,” Wang Yi said.

Wang Yi noted that the Central Workshop on Foreign Affairs had developed a comprehensive external work plan for the coming period. An important outcome of the meeting was the clarification of the main direction of diplomatic work — assistance in building a community of a common destiny of mankind, the establishment of a noble goal for the diplomacy of a great power with Chinese characteristics and the creation of a bright banner for the development and progress of human society. In 2024, the staff of diplomatic departments will pay close attention to promoting the construction of a community of a common destiny of mankind, comprehensively serve Chinese-style modernization, defend fundamental principles and introduce innovations, be full of determination and constantly create a new situation of great power diplomacy with Chinese specifics. “We will always adhere to self-confidence and independence, fulfill our duties as a responsible large country and make a proper contribution to the progress of mankind with oriental wisdom; we will always maintain openness and inclusivity, strengthen and expand the network of global partnership and jointly promote the development and progress of human civilization; we will always preserve justice and honesty, advocate for the construction of an equal and orderly multipolar world and insist that large and small countries play their role in a multipolar system; and we will always To support mutually beneficial cooperation, actively promote inclusive and inclusive economic globalization and encourage the peoples of all countries to embark on the path to modernization.

Wang Yi stressed that Chinese diplomacy will continue under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the core of which is Comrade Xi Jinping, will continue to combine the development of China and the world, the interests of the Chinese people and the peoples of the world, cooperate with all countries to take on the responsibility of an era with a broader vision and more active actions, join forces to solve problems and to move the world towards a better and brighter future.

The seminar on the International Situation and Chinese Diplomacy in 2023 was jointly organized by the Chinese Institute of International Studies and the Chinese Foundation for International Studies.