China's diplomatic approach amid growing global uncertainties

World
Europe

China will continue to pursue peaceful development, and to forge international relations of mutual benefit and respect, said Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee at the 19th CPC National Congress, calling for all countries to work together to build a community of shared future.

Xi stressed that China will continue to hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit and uphold its fundamental foreign policy goal of preserving world peace and promoting common development, in a world faced with growing uncertainties and destabilizing factors.

Pursuing a defensive national defense policy

Xi said China will never pursue its development at the expense of other countries' interests, but at the same time it will never give up its legitimate rights and interests.

Xi Jinping and other leaders of the Group of 20 (G20) members, some guest countries and international organizations pose for a group photo ahead of the opening ceremony of the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, September 4, 2016. /Xinhua Photo

"No one should expect China to swallow the bitter fruit that undermines its interests," Xi said.

China pursues a national defense policy that is defensive in nature, which means China's development does not pose threat to any country. No matter what stage of development it will reach, China will never seek hegemony or engage in expansion, he noted.

Building a community of shared future for mankind

"Our world is full of hope as well as challenges," Xi said. "No country alone can address the many challenges facing mankind; and no country can afford to retreat into self-isolation."

He called on the people of all countries to work together to form a community of shared future for all mankind and build an open, inclusive, clean, and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security, and common prosperity.

China remains firm in pursuing an independent foreign policy of peace.

"We respect the rights of the peoples of all other countries to choose their own path of development. We endeavor to uphold international fairness and justice, and oppose the act of imposing one’s will on others, interfering in internal affairs of other countries, and the practice of the strong bullying the weak," Xi said.

Adhering to opening-up policy

China adheres to its fundamental national policy of opening-up, pursues development with its door kept wide open, supports multilateral trade regimes, works to facilitate the establishment of free trade areas, and builds an open world economy.

Xi said China will actively promote international cooperation through the Belt and Road Initiative, and increase assistance to other developing countries, especially the least developed countries, and do its part in reducing development gap between the South and the North.

"The future of the world lies in the hands of the peoples of all countries, and the future of mankind hinges on their choice. We Chinese are ready to work with the peoples of all other countries to build a community of shared future for mankind and create a bright tomorrow for all of us," Xi said.