Wang Yi’s year-end article elaborates China’s foreign policy
On December 27, the Study Times, an important newspaper run by the The Party School of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, published a year-end article of Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, elaborating China's major foreign policies.
The title of the article is “Hold High the Glorious Banner of Xi Jinping's Thought on Diplomacy and Create a New Prospect for Major Country Diplomacy with Chinese Characteristics ——Annual Review and Outlook of China's Diplomacy.” (高举习近平外交思想光辉旗帜 开创中国特色大国外交新局面——中国外交年度回顾与展望)
Xi Jinping’s Thought on Diplomacy is one of the several key pillars of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Others include Xi’s Thoughts on economics, legal system, culture, ecological civilizations, strengthening the military, etc.
In the first paragraph, Wang defined the world situation in 2024 as “The international situation is characterized by intertwined changes and disruptions. Geopolitical conflicts are lingering and escalating. The attempts of ‘decoupling’ and ‘supply chain disruption’ are becoming more and more intense. Meanwhile, the countries of the Global South are accelerating their rise, and the general trend of the once-in-a-century changes is becoming clearer. " (国际局势变乱交织，地缘冲突延宕升级，“脱钩断链”愈演愈烈，全球南方加快崛起，百年变局的大势走向愈加清晰)
In the first part of the article, Wang outlined Xi’s major diplomatic activities during the past year, including participation in the 70th anniversary conference of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, the China-Arab Cooperation Forum, and the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. He also highlighted four significant visits to Europe, Central Asia, BRICS summit, and Latin America, as well as participation in a series of multilateral meetings. During these diplomatic engagements, Xi conducted in-depth strategic communications with various world leaders, aiming to broaden common interests and advocating for enhanced unity and cooperation within the international community. He noted that discussions with other nations often centered around friendship and trust, with the broad consensus being cooperation and win-win outcomes. Additionally, through meeting visitors and writing letters, Xi promoted friendly relations with people from various countries, strengthening the public foundation for healthy ties.
In the second part of the article, Wang discussed the new breakthroughs achieved in promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. He said that, building a community with a shared future for mankind is a major concept put forward by Xi. It has profoundly answered the question of the times, namely "What kind of world should we build and how should we build it", promoted the historical leap of relations among countries from peaceful coexistence to a shared future, and presented a bright prospect of peace, security, prosperity and progress for the world.
He believes that building a community with a shared future for mankind has become a magnificent cause in which all parties participate. China and Brazil announced the China-Brazil Community of Shared Future for Jointly Building a Fairer World and a More Sustainable Planet. China and Serbia initiated the building of the China-Serbia Community of Shared Future in the new era, achieving a breakthrough in the construction of the community of shared future in Europe. Chinese and African leaders unanimously agreed to jointly build an all-weather China-Africa Community of Shared Future in the new era, demonstrating the common aspiration of more than 2.8 billion Chinese and African people to stand together through thick and thin and move forward hand in hand. The construction of regional communities of shared future between China and Central Asia, between China and ASEAN, between China and countries in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin, between China and Arab countries, and between China and Latin American and Caribbean countries has been carried out one after another.
Building a community with a shared future for mankind reflects the unremitting pursuit of building a fair world. At the G20 Summit in Rio, Xi comprehensively expounded China's views on global governance and put forward ideas and propositions for improving global governance around five dimensions, namely economy, finance, trade, digital and ecology. The concept of a shared future for mankind has been written into United Nations General Assembly resolutions and multilateral documents on many occasions. Goals for building communities of shared future in various fields such as cybersecurity, climate change and health have been successively established. Under the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, China has put forward the "Three Global Initiatives". Currently, 82 countries have joined the "Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative", 119 countries and international organizations have supported the Global Security Initiative, and the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the resolution proposed by China to establish the International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations.
He said that building a community with a shared future for mankind has been identified as the noble goal of China's diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. On the issue of the Ukraine crisis, China has always adhered to an objective and just stance, actively promoted peace talks, and dispatched special envoys to conduct three rounds of shuttle diplomacy within the year. China has promoted the adoption of the first Gaza ceasefire resolution by the UN Security Council, facilitated the holding of reconciliation dialogues among Palestinian factions and the signing of the "Beijing Declaration", and provided multiple batches of humanitarian assistance to Gaza. China has mediated peace in northern Myanmar, promoted multiple rounds of peace talks among conflicting parties, supported Afghanistan in building an inclusive government and in peaceful reconstruction, and has been consistently committed to the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue. When the situation in Syria suddenly changed, China adhered to the principle of "Syrian-led and Syrian-owned" and supported Syria in safeguarding its sovereignty and restoring stability.
In the third part, Wang highlighted China's efforts in promoting the development of countries worldwide and contributing to global prosperity during its modernization process.
He stated that China provides confidence for developing countries to pursue their own paths to modernization through its success. China aims to drive global peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation, and common prosperity through high-quality initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative and the eight actions announced by President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit to support global development.
Currently, the China-Europe Railway Express has exceeded 100,000 trips, while the Chancay Port has emerged as the latest landmark of the new land-sea trade route in the new era. A total of 155 countries have joined the Belt and Road Cooperation family.
In addressing the historical question of what type of modernization to pursue, Xi proposed advancing a modernization that is just and equitable, open and win-win, people-centered, inclusive and diverse, environmentally friendly, and peaceful and secure.
China is advancing high-quality development through high-level openness, which presents broad opportunities for other countries' modernization. A series of institutional opening-up measures have been adopted, including a continuous reduction of the negative list for foreign investment, the complete opening of the manufacturing sector, and the granting of zero-tariff treatment for all products to the least developed countries that have established diplomatic relations with China. The country has held import expos for seven consecutive years; it continues to optimize policies for foreigners coming to China by unilaterally implementing visa exemptions for 38 countries and transit visa exemptions for 54 countries. China is also actively aligning with international high-standard trade rules, energizing the Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area process, and unwaveringly promoting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation.
Wang outlined in the fourth part China's cooperation with other Global South countries, which shows it as a key focus of Chinese diplomacy. He stated that the rise of the Global South is a clear indication of significant global changes. China has always been an important member of the Global South and remains committed to promoting unity and prosperity among these nations.
Xi proposed for open and inclusive cooperation among Global South countries and announced support for eight measures aimed at enhancing collaboration. He encouraged nations within the Global South to serve as stabilizing forces for peace, the driving force for open development, contributors to global governance, and facilitators of mutual understanding among civilizations, thus making contributions to human progress.
In 2023, the BRICS nations achieved historic expansion, marking the beginning of "Big BRICS Cooperation," with the BRICS family becoming a primary channel for unity and collaboration among Global South countries. China's cooperation with African nations, Arab countries, Latin American and Caribbean nations, and Pacific island countries continues to improve in quality and scope.
In the fifth part, Wang listed China's relations with major countries and regions over the past year.
China-Russia relations was the first. President Xi Jinping met with President Vladimir Putin three times this year, deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two nations. They maintained close communication and coordination in multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. He said the relationship is founded on principles of non-alignment, non-confrontation, and non-targeting of third parties, remaining unaffected by external factors or coercion.
Europe was listed as second. Wang stated that Europe is an important direction for China's diplomacy and a healthier, more stable China-Europe relationship serves the fundamental interests of both sides and meets global expectations. In May, Xi made a historic visit to Europe, ushering in a new era for China-France relations on the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties, enhancing the deep friendship between China and Serbia, and transforming China-Hungary relations into a comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era. Xi also engaged in strategic communications with European leaders from Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy in various bilateral and multilateral settings. As two of the world’s major civilizations and contemporary powers, China is willing to manage differences with Europe, seek win-win solutions, jointly promote free trade, and defend multilateralism.
Relations with neighboring countries ranked third. Wang noted that China’s interests are increasingly aligned with those of its neighbors, with mutual trust and friendship deepening. Leaders from Vietnam's ruling party and government visited China, while Indonesia's newly elected president made two visits to China shortly after taking office. China and Malaysia celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The comprehensive, high-quality forward-looking partnership between China and Singapore remains vigorous. Traditional friendships with Laos and Cambodia continue to flourish, and the comprehensive strategic partnership with the five Central Asian countries has been elevated. Additionally, a series of multilateral cooperation initiatives were undertaken last year, including the implementation of the "Lancang-Mekong Visa" and the substantial completion of negotiations for the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement 3.0. The China-Central Asia mechanism secretariat has become operational, and Belarus was accepted as a new member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, creating new platforms for cooperation. The prime ministers of China, Russia, and Mongolia held talks agreeing to accelerate the construction of the economic corridor among the three nations. Regional connectivity has also seen rapid development, with the launch of direct express services across the Caspian Sea, the signing of the intergovernmental agreement on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project, and significant progress in key projects including cross-border railways and new land-sea channels, reflecting a shared desire among regional countries for integration.
India and Japan, two major countries in the Asia-Pacific region, were ranked fourth. Wang noted improvements in relations with both countries, characterized by "continued trust-building and clarification." Xi met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, agreeing to enhance strategic communication, maintain peace and stability in border regions, and stabilize bilateral relations. China and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to advancing a mutually beneficial strategic relationship.
The United States was ranked fifth. China aims to implement the "San Francisco Vision" to sustain overall stability in Sino-U.S. relations. The two countries conducted two rounds of strategic communications and five meetings of financial and economic working groups, fostering practical cooperation in areas such as drug control, law enforcement, and climate change, while renewing the science and technology cooperation agreement. Both nations co-sponsored resolutions on artificial intelligence at the United Nations General Assembly, and nearly 15,000 American youths participated in a program to come to China. Meanwhile, China firmly upholds its sovereignty, security, and development interests, and strongly opposes the United States’ illegal and unreasonable pressures, particularly regarding the U.S. interference in China's internal affairs, including issues related to Taiwan.
In November, Xi met with President Biden and sent congratulatory messages to President-elect Trump. Xi established four non-negotiable red lines for the U.S. regarding Taiwan, democracy and human rights, governance systems, and development rights.
In the subsequent parts, Wang outlined several fundamental principles of China's foreign policy, emphasizing that it is led by the Party, focused on protecting the interests of the Chinese people, and committed to safeguarding national interests and dignity. He noted that China's diplomatic philosophy and policies align with the shared aspirations of the vast majority of countries, adhere to the objective laws of historical development, and occupy a moral high ground in international relations. In the future, China will steadfastly uphold peace and promote unity within the international community.
Wang also highlighted significant events on the agenda for Chinese diplomacy next year, including support for Kazakhstan's hosting of the second China-Central Asia Summit, as well as facilitating the signing and implementation of the upgraded China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement 3.0. He mentioned efforts to improve relations with India and advance the implementation of the Ten Partnerships on Modernization within the framework of the China-Africa cooperation. Wang pointed out that China accelerate the establishment of the "Five Major Cooperation Patterns" between China and Arab countries and enhance cooperation with Latin American countries in 2025 which is the 10th anniversary of the China-Latin America Forum. Through these efforts, Chia will continually promote solidarity among countries of the Global South.
China will also continue to advance the high-quality Belt and Road Initiative and accelerate the construction of a Free Trade Area in the Asia-Pacific region. Wang mentioned that China will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, host the "China Year" for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and support Brazil in hosting the BRICS summit and COP 30, as well as South Africa in hosting the G20 summit. Additionally, China will try its best to host the 9th Asian Winter Games.