The current trade frictions stand in contrast to what China views as the way forward in global relations. In a 2013 speech in Moscow, Chinese President Xi Jinping first raised the idea of building a "Community with a Shared Future for mankind". The concept has since been acknowledged by the international community as "China's way".

It reveals China's vision for the world, where countries are closely connected, economies are more open, and different cultures exist in harmony. The concept is not just seen as a guide for China's policy-making, but also has been accepted by other countries seeking a better future for their people. It has been repeatedly mentioned at UN general assemblies and in UN resolutions as an underlining principle for future international relations.