Key Points: 

– Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy takes the “Ten Upholds” as its overall framework and core principles, clarifies the historical mission, general goals, and a series of guidelines and principles that must be adhered to in China’s foreign affairs work in the new era, and profoundly reveals the essential requirements, inner laws, and direction of advancement of great power diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

– We must always take the initiative in the complex international situation, we must insist that diplomatic authority lies with the Party Central Committee, resolutely maintain the authority and centralized leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and ensure that commands and prohibitions are unified and synchronized.

– To do a good job in foreign affairs work in the new era, we must provide comprehensive, full coverage, and high-quality services for comprehensively deepening reform and opening up. In order to achieve the “Two Centennial” objectives and realize the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, we must create a good external environment and strive for more understanding and support.

– We must adhere to a foreign policy of sovereignty and peace, unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development, and unswervingly pursue a mutually beneficial and win-win strategy of openness. This is a strategic choice we have made based on our own national conditions and fundamental interests.

– We must resolutely maintain the leadership of the CCP and the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, resolutely defend national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, resolutely curb and crack down on separatism in all forms, actively ensure economic and financial security, and effectively safeguard overseas interests. 

Not long ago, the Central Foreign Affairs Work Conference was successfully held. This was a historic conference held against a backdrop where major global development, changes, and adjustments had entered a critical period and socialism with Chinese characteristics had entered a new era. The most important result of this conference was the establishment of the guiding position of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, which is of great and far-reaching significance for the comprehensive implementation of the spirit and deployments of the 19th National Party Congress and the in-depth promotion of foreign affairs work in the new era. 

I

Since the 18th Party Congress, in the face of the changing international situation, the Party Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, has promoted the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. They have led China’s foreign affairs work to overcome difficulties and forge ahead. They have gone through many risks and tests, won many tough battles, and accomplished many important and difficult tasks. They have embarked on a new path of great power diplomacy with Chinese characteristics and have created a good external environment in order to achieve the “Two Centennial” objectives and the Chinese dream of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. We have persisted in coordinating the overall domestic and international situation, persisted in strategic confidence and the maintenance of strategic determination, persisted in advancing innovation in diplomatic theory and practice, persisted in strategic planning and a global layout, persisted in defending the core and vital interests of the country, persisted in mutually beneficial cooperation that is both upright and advantageous, persisted in bottom-line thinking and risk awareness, pioneered the promotion of great power diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, attained historic achievements, and accumulated valuable experience. 

For over five years, General Secretary Xi Jinping has attached great importance to foreign affairs work, formulated strategies, and personally made a total of 30 visits to 61 countries, achieving full coverage of important regions, countries, and international organizations. In his grand diplomatic practice, General Secretary Xi Jinping has firmly grasped the general development trend of China and the world, deeply pondered the future and destiny of mankind, and proposed a series of new ideas, new propositions, and new initiatives that are rich in Chinese characteristics, embody the spirit of the times, and lead the trend of human development and progress, thereby forming Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy for Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era, namely Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy takes the “Ten Upholds” as its overall framework and core principles, clarifies the historical mission, general goals, and a series of guidelines and principles that must be adhered to in China’s foreign affairs work in the new era, and profoundly reveals the essential requirements, inner laws, and direction of advancement of great power diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era. 

The first is to uphold the maintenance of the authority of the Party Central Committee as the leading entity in order to strengthen the Party’s centralized leadership over foreign affairs work. This is the fundamental assurance of good work in foreign affairs. The Party is key to properly handling the affairs of China. We must always take the initiative in the complex international situation, we must insist that diplomatic authority lies with the Party Central Committee, resolutely maintain the authority and centralized leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and ensure that commands and prohibitions are unified and synchronized. We must strengthen the centralized leadership and overall coordination of foreign affairs work, mobilize all parties to use their power to jointly participate in and promote the country’s overall diplomacy, and form a situation where the Party summarizes the overall situation and coordinates the foreign affairs work of all parties. 

The second is to uphold the promotion of great power diplomacy with Chinese characteristics with the mission of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. This is the historical mission entrusted to foreign affairs work in the new era. To do a good job in foreign affairs work in the new era, we must provide comprehensive, full coverage, and high-quality services for comprehensively deepening reform and opening up. In order to achieve the “Two Centennial” objectives and realize the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, we must create a good external environment and strive for more understanding and support. We must adhere to the people-centered diplomatic philosophy, better integrate China’s development with the world’s development, and strive to realize the yearning and struggle of the Chinese people and the people of the world for a better life. 

The third is to uphold the promotion of building a community of common destiny for mankind with the purpose of maintaining world peace and promoting common development. This is the general goal of foreign affairs work in the new era. Building a community of common destiny for mankind requires the concerted efforts of all countries to build a world of lasting peace, universal security, common prosperity, openness, tolerance, cleanliness, and beauty. At the same time, we must promote the construction of a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice, and mutually beneficial cooperation and jointly take a new path in the exchanges between countries. Building a community of common destiny for mankind is the goal and direction, while building a new type of international relations is the prerequisite and path. We must hold high the banner of Chinese diplomacy, lead the way for mankind, and open up a broad highway for the common development of China and the world. 

The fourth is to uphold socialism with Chinese characteristics as the foundation in order to strengthen strategic confidence. This is the fundamental requirement that must be followed in foreign affairs work in the new era. The “Four Matters of Confidence” are the source of our strength and the foundation of our beliefs. They embody China’s national will, the spirit of the nation, and our international image in the new era. The path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics will continue to develop, contributing Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to addressing the problems facing humanity. We must always hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics and be firm in our strategic confidence. Having grasped the root and soul of foreign affairs work, the path of great power diplomacy with Chinese characteristics will grow wider and wider. 

The fifth is to uphold “Belt and Road” construction based on the principles of mutual consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits. This will be the general plan for China’s opening up to the outside world and foreign cooperation for a long time to come, and it is also an important practice platform for the concept of a community of common destiny for mankind. The joint construction of the “Belt and Road” initiative originated in China, but its opportunities and results belong to the world. Through the construction of the “Belt and Road”, we must strengthen policy communication, facility connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial linkage, and intrapersonal bonds with relevant countries so that the principles of mutual consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits can be further transformed into results of mutually beneficial cooperation. We must carry forward the “Spirit of the Silk Road” (丝路精神), share opportunities for common development with other countries, and open up prospects for common development. 

The sixth is to uphold the path of peaceful development based on mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation. This is a basic principle that Chinese diplomacy must uphold long-term. We must adhere to a foreign policy of sovereignty and peace, unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development, and unswervingly pursue a mutually beneficial and win-win strategy of openness. This is a strategic choice we have made based on our own national conditions and fundamental interests. Peace requires mutual respect, and development requires cooperation with mutual benefit. China adheres to the path of peaceful development, and other countries should also jointly follow the path of peaceful development. We must always be a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order. 

The seventh is to uphold the building of global partnerships relying on deepening our diplomatic layout. This is an important meaning of Chinese diplomacy for the new era. It is necessary to promote coordination and cooperation between powers to build an overall stable and balanced framework for the development of great power relations, strengthen neighborly and friendly relations with neighboring countries in accordance with the concept of closeness, sincerity, and inclusiveness and the diplomatic policy of being good to neighbors and partnering with neighbors, adhere to the correct outlook on justice and interests and the concept of true affinity and sincerity to promote solidarity and cooperation with developing countries, actively do a good job in multilateral diplomacy, and continuously deepen and improve our diplomatic layout. We must build a comprehensive, multi-level, and three-dimensional global partnership network and form a “circle of friends” from all over the world. 

The eighth is to uphold the ideas of fairness and justice in order to lead the reform of the global governance system. This is an important direction of effort of Chinese diplomacy for the new era. The global governance system is at an important stage of profound evolution, and global governance is increasingly becoming the frontier and key issue in China’s foreign affairs work. We must seize the opportunity, shoulder important responsibilities, actively participate in the reform and construction of the global governance system, advocate the democratization and rule of law in international relations, support the United Nations as it takes an active role, promote an increase in the representation and voice of developing countries in international affairs, and actively promote the construction of a more balanced global governance system that reflects the desires and interests of the majority of countries. 

The ninth is to uphold the positioning of core national interests as the bottom line to maintain national sovereignty, security, and development interests. This is the starting point and end point of foreign affairs work. We must resolutely maintain the leadership of the CCP and the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, resolutely defend national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, resolutely curb and crack down on separatism in all forms, actively ensure economic and financial security, and effectively safeguard overseas interests. We must continue to enrich and develop ways and means to safeguard national interests, effectively prevent and resolve various risks and challenges, and provide escort support for reform, development, and national rejuvenation. 

The tenth is to uphold shaping the unique style of Chinese diplomacy in the direction of combining the excellent traditions of foreign affairs work with the characteristics of the times. This is the marker of the spirit of Chinese diplomacy. The Chinese nation is a peace-loving nation that possesses the spirit of perseverance and a world sentiment which holds that everyone on earth constitutes a single people. Since the founding of New China, we have formed a diplomatic tradition featuring sovereignty, peaceful development, and mutually beneficial cooperation. Entering the new era, foreign affairs work has demonstrated a brand-new style of advancing with the times, hard work with enthusiasm, and pioneering advancement, forming a set of effective strategic ideas and tactics. We must carry forward our excellent traditions, continuously enrich and develop diplomatic strategies, and raise great power diplomacy with Chinese characteristics to a higher level.

Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy is an important part of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era. It is a major theoretical crystallization that combines the basic principles of Marxism with the practice of great power diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. It is a concentrated expression of the thought on governing the country of the Party Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping as its core, in the field of diplomacy. It is the fundamental line to follow and guide for action in China’s foreign affairs work in the new era. 

II

We must earnestly study, deeply understand, and fully grasp the spiritual essence and scientific connotations of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and effectively unify our thoughts and actions with the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speeches and the Central Foreign Affairs Work Conference as well as with Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. 

(i) We must accurately grasp the general development trend of China and the world in the new era. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that to grasp the international situation, we must establish a correct view of history, a correct view of the overall situation, and a correct view of roles. Looking at history, we will inevitably face various difficulties and challenges as we move forward. We must have the courage to carry out a great struggle characterized by many new historical characteristics from the strategic point of combining domestic and international affairs. Looking at the overall situation, peace and development are still the themes of the times. We must continue to hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit, work hard to build a new type of international relations, build a community of common destiny for mankind, and continue to promote the noble cause of peace and development for mankind. Looking at roles, our country is moving closer to the center of the world stage. China will develop closer relations with the outside world. We must unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development, participate more actively in global governance, and play a greater role in international affairs. We must have profound insight into the new changes in the development of China and the world, fully understand the new connotations of the relationship between China and the world, accurately grasp the new laws governing interaction between China and the world, and actively control the new direction of China and the world. 

(ii) We must do a good job in foreign affairs work during the period of historical convergence. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the period from the 19th Party Congress to the 20th Party Congress is a period of historical convergence for the achievement of the “Two Centennial” objectives and is of special significance in the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. We must not only grasp the general trend of accelerated multipolarization of the world, but also focus on deepening the adjustment of relations between great powers; not only grasp the general trend of the sustainable development of economic globalization, but also focus on the profound evolution of the world economic structure; not only grasp the general trend of the overall stability of the international environment, but also focus on the complex situation of international security challenges; not only grasp the general trend of exchanges and mutual learning among various civilizations, but also focus on turbulence arising from the mutual interaction of different ideologies and cultures. Properly responding to and resolving the various risks and challenges brought about by the period of historical convergence in China’s development and the transitional period in world development and transformation is an important responsibility that must be undertaken in foreign affairs. We must persist in coordinating the overall domestic and international situations, strengthen strategic planning and comprehensive operations, and strive to create a good external environment conducive to national development and national rejuvenation. 

(iii) We must resolutely implement the Party Central Committee’s strategic deployments for foreign affairs work. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that we must focus on important nodes in the work of the Party and the state and promote the continuous creation of new aspects in foreign affairs work; hold high the banner of building a community of common destiny for mankind and promote the development of the global governance system in a more just and reasonable direction; adhere to mutual consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits and promote the construction the “Belt and Road” so that it is solid and deep, stable and long-term; adeptly manage the relationships between great powers and promote the establishment of a framework for the overall stable and balanced development of great power relations; do a good job in diplomacy with neighbors and promote a more friendly and favorable surrounding environment; deepen unity and cooperation with developing countries and promote the formation of a new situation of joint progress and common development; and more deeply promote in-depth exchanges and mutual learning between China and the world. We must resolutely implement the strategic deployments of the Party Central Committee, firmly grasp the general development trend of China and the world in the new era, focus on the main line of serving the national rejuvenation and promoting human progress, and continue to raise great power diplomacy with Chinese characteristics to new historical heights. 

(iv) We must continuously strengthen the Party’s centralized leadership over foreign affairs work. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that diplomacy is the concentrated expression of the will of the country and it is necessary to insist that diplomatic authority rests with the Party Central Committee. The most essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party. The greatest advantage of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party. Since the 18th  Party Congress, China’s foreign affairs work has been able to make a series of historic achievements. At the root of these achievements is the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era and Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. We must resolutely maintain the authority and centralized leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, have the Party summarize the overall situation and coordinate all parties to carry out all aspects of foreign affairs work, and ensure that the Party Central Committee’s foreign policies and strategic deployments are implemented. 

III

At the present and for a time to come, the front line of foreign affairs work must regard the study and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and the spirit of the Central Foreign Affairs Work Conference as its primary political task. Through learning, understanding, and diligent practical application, they will promote foreign affairs work in the new era to continuously display a new atmosphere and realize new actions. 

(i) Improve political standing and further equip the mind with Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. Thought is the guide of action, and theory is the guide of practice. We must firmly establish the “Four Consciousnesses,” constantly shore up the “Four Matters of Confidence,” consciously maintain a high degree of consistency with the Party Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and resolutely maintain, sustain, and serve the core. We must deeply comprehend the spiritual essence of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, master the Marxist standpoints and methods that permeate it, adhere to the combination of theory and practice, history and reality, and present and future, and turn it into a powerful force to promote foreign affairs work. We must persist in using Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy to guide practice and advance the work, focus on improving our ability to manage complex international situations and handle weighty matters involving foreign affairs, improve the ability to solve key and difficult problems in diplomacy, and raise foreign affairs work to a new level. 

(ii) Focus on major events and further promote foreign affairs work to better serve national development and national rejuvenation. This year marks the 40th anniversary of reform and opening up, and we successfully held the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference and the Qingdao Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Not long ago, General Secretary Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the eighth ministerial meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum and delivered an important speech, announcing the establishment of a China-Arab strategic partnership to jointly promote the construction of the “Belt and Road.” Recently, General Secretary Xi Jinping has made successful visits to the UAE, Senegal, Rwanda, South Africa, and Mauritius and attended the 10th meeting of the leaders of the BRICS countries, achieving important and fruitful results. Going forward, we must exert all our strength to do a good job in the two major diplomatic events at home, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit and the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, as well as the next stage of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s series of important visits to ensure their complete success. Next year, we will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China and will also host the second “Belt and Road” Forum for International Cooperation. Over the next few years, we will welcome the establishment of a well-off society in an all-round way, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party, and the Beijing Winter Olympics. It is necessary to consider all aspects, advance step by step, focus on the major activities of the Party and the country, make every effort to do various foreign affairs work, and create favorable conditions and make due contributions to the grand goal of establishing a well-off society in an all-round way and then building a modernized socialist superpower in an all-round way. 

(iii) Have the courage to forge ahead and further enhance the initiative and creativity of diplomatic work. We must firmly establish an awareness of the overall situation, focus on the central work of the Party and the country, have the courage to take on responsibility, and fully serve the overall situation of domestic reform, development, and stability. We must make an in-depth summary of the successful experience of foreign affairs work, strengthen follow-up research and judgment on international circumstances, and continuously deepen our understanding of the laws of great power diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. We must persist in advancing innovations in diplomatic theory and practice and contribute more Chinese wisdom and strength to the international community. We must deeply promote foreign affairs work in the new era, effectively respond to and deal with various problems and challenges, and continuously demonstrate the new atmosphere and new actions of great power diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. 

(iv) Strengthen team building and further improve the capabilities and level of foreign affairs work. Strengthening the construction of teams of foreign affairs cadres is a major political task. We must follow the general requirements of the “Four Permanents” (四个永葆) put forward by General Secretary Xi Jinping, build a foreign affairs work team that is loyal to the party, country, and people and is firm in its politics, skilled in its work, strong in its style, and strict in its discipline. We must vigorously promote the spirit of learning, investigation, and research, improve our knowledge structure and knowledge reserves, and enhance professional capabilities and overall quality. We must improve the working and living conditions of personnel stationed abroad and transform the friendly care of the Party Central Committee into a powerful driving force for officials on the front line of foreign affairs work to take initiative in their work. 

(v) Pay close attention to thorough implementation and further ensure that the strategic deployments of the Party Central Committee are implemented. General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized that “deployment counts for one point, implementation for nine points.” All departments and localities must, based on their division of responsibilities, give full play to their initiative and creativity, strengthen their division of labor, coordination, and mutual cooperation, and fully and comprehensively implement the Party Central Committee’s major foreign affairs policies and decided-on deployments. According to the unified deployments of the Party Central Committee, we must do a good job in the implementation of foreign affairs work institution and mechanism reforms, strengthen Party-building in institutions located abroad, form a management system for overseas institutions that meets the requirements of the new era, and provide strong support for the continuous improvement of the quality and efficiency of foreign affairs work. 

Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era presents an extremely bright prospect, and foreign affairs workstations have reached a new historical starting point. Under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era and Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, we must deeply implement the spirit of the Central Foreign Affairs Work Conference, forge ahead, pioneer and innovate, and continue to write new chapters in great power diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. This is done in order to realize the “Two Centennial” objectives, realize the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and make new and greater contributions to the noble cause of building a community of common destiny for mankind and promoting world peace, development, prosperity, and progress!