Wang Yi: Major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics to reach new heights in 2026

China's major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics is set to reach new heights in 2026, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during the Symposium on the International Situation and China's Foreign Relations in Beijing on Tuesday.

He said that under the 15th Five-Year Plan, starting next year, China will enter a new stage in its global relations, thereby contributing more to humanity's development and progress, and laid out seven promises. They are as follows:

Stronger strategic support for China's national development and rejuvenation

Facilitating a good start to the 15th Five-Year Plan will be an important mission for China's diplomacy in 2026. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will enhance its historical initiative and political awareness, ensure it faithfully fulfills its new tasks in head-of-state diplomacy, contribute to high-quality development, and mitigate internal and external risks to maintain China's strategic initiative amid international competition. The ministry will also align the interests of the Chinese people more closely with those of other nations, organically introduce experiences of Chinese modernization to the modernization endeavors of the globe, and ultimately create a more favorable external environment for China to become a great modern socialist country in all respects, advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese modernization.

Develop new trails to forge a new type of major-country relations

China remains unwavering in its pursuit of peaceful development. It is also committed to encouraging other major countries to jointly build a structure of major-country relationship characterized by peaceful coexistence, overall stability and balanced development.

In order to achieve a sound, steady and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations on the premise of firmly safeguarding our sovereignty, security and development interests, the ministry will shape a new model of positive engagement with the U.S. in line with the three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Regarding China-Russia relations, the ministry aims to achieve lasting good-neighborliness, comprehensive strategic coordination, mutually beneficial, win-win cooperation, and to work together with Russia to maintain good major-country relations and international strategic stability.

The China-Europe tradition of mutual respect will be cherished. China is committed to seeking common ground and shelving differences, upholding openness and cooperation, and working for mutual benefit. China promised to open new space for China-Europe relations and to be a true partner with Europe in firmly upholding multilateralism.

Work more actively to build a community with a shared future among neighboring countries

China will implement the guiding principles of the Central Conference on Work Related to Neighboring Countries, following the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness while staying true to the vision of a shared future for humanity. China intends to join hands with neighboring countries to build a peaceful home by advocating a sense of common security, managing differences properly, and keeping conflicts at bay.

The Ministry will actively mediate and cool down hot-button issues to restore stability, foster strategic mutual trust and eliminate the root causes of disputes to ensure a safe and secure region. To build a prosperous home, China will harness the potential of cooperation under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) framework, ensure the early implementation of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) 3.0, and deepen development integration. The nation will also strengthen exchanges in ecological conservation and sustainable development. By expanding cultural exchanges and people-to-people connectivity, China aims to consolidate popular support for a regional community with a shared future.

Foster greater synergy for the Global South's joint march toward modernization

As the largest developing country, China will firmly safeguard the overall interests of the Global South and remain committed to strength through unity.

The ministry views BRICS as a vital platform and will support a bigger, stronger BRICS mechanism to promote the representation of the Global South in a multipolar world. Marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations with African countries in 2026, China will advance the Initiative on Cooperation Supporting Modernization in Africa and push for zero-tariff policies. Regarding the Middle East, China will host the second China-Arab States Summit to strengthen solidarity and accelerate negotiations on a China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Free Trade Agreement. China also remains closely attentive to Latin America and the Caribbean, supporting their sovereignty and independent development paths.

Inject stronger impetus into global openness and cooperation

The 15th Five-Year Plan serves as the new blueprint for China's development and offers a vision for win-win cooperation. China will adhere to high-standard opening up, continue to share the benefits of its mega market, and counter decoupling and isolation.

The nation will advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation by coordinating major signature projects with "small and beautiful" livelihood programs. China remains committed to the WTO-centered multilateral trading regime and will resist protectionism and "tariff hegemony." As the host of APEC 2026, China will strengthen coordination with member economies to advance the building of an Asia-Pacific community and explore pathways toward a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).

Make greater contributions to reforming and improving global governance

Together with like-minded countries, China will practice true multilateralism as a steadfast defender of the international system. The ministry will work with all sides to strengthen the authority of the UN and support its central role in world peace. China will vigorously push to refocus the development agenda, ensuring that Global South countries receive greater weight in international governance. In an open spirit, the nation will work with all parties to develop new governance mechanisms and fill existing gaps.

Safeguard national interests with a stronger sense of mission and responsibility

Navigating a world in transformation, the ministry will stand by its principles, firmly safeguard China's sovereignty, security, and development interests, and thwart any attempts to split the country. The ministry remains committed to people-centered diplomacy. By strengthening risk early-warning mechanisms and law enforcement cooperation, China seeks to ensure its people and businesses overseas feel safe, secure, and fully assured.