context: The concept of major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics was first mentioned in Chinese media back in 2013. ‘Major country diplomacy’ is the official Chinese translation of daguowaijiao 大国外交 but it can also be worded as ‘great power diplomacy,’ which perhaps more accurately describes Beijing’s aspirations. The concept, many features of which are long-standing tenets of Chinese diplomacy, shows the priorities and style of Chinese foreign policy under Xi Jinping.
As part of the nationwide study campaign to grasp the 'spirit' of the 20th Party Congress, Wang Yi 王 毅 State Councilor and Foreign Minister published a lengthy article on major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in People’s Daily. In the first part of the piece, he stated that major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics is an inevitable requirement for the development of the Communist Party and China in the New Era. Promoting major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics is necessary
- to fulfil the original mission of the Party
- to realise the great rejuvenation of the nation
- given the profound changes that are happening around the world
Furthermore, Wang listed achievements of China's diplomacy over the past decade, such as
- strengthening of Party leadership over foreign affairs
- China’s enhanced international influence (including BRI, GSI, GDI and international summits that were held in China)
- diplomacy being led by Xi Jinping, in particular
- Xi's 42 foreign visits, covering 69 countries on five continents
- Xi received more than 100 heads of state and government at home
- establishing a partnership network covering the whole world
- establishing different forms of partnerships with more than 110 countries and regional organisations
- promoting fairness and justice
- protecting national interests
- economic diplomacy supporting reform and opening (e.g., China becoming a major trading partner of more than 140 countries and regions)
- enriched diplomatic toolkit
In the third part of the article, Wang reflected on practising Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, stating that
- socialism with Chinese characteristics is the source and foundation of China's diplomacy
- China is taking the path of peaceful development
- China’s diplomacy is moving towards building a community with a shared future for mankind
He also reflected on the following points
- promoting the building of a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness and justice, as well as win-win cooperation
- advocating the common values of all mankind and building a value system of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics
- demonstrating a distinctive Chinese style of diplomacy
In the final part of the article, Wang emphasised the need to
- adhere to independence and safeguard international fairness and justice
- expand global partnerships
- adhere to opening to the outside world and promoting common development
- adhere to global governance reform
- adhere to building a community with a shared future for mankind