This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up. Over the past decades, tremendous changes have taken place in China’s economy and society, and some of the country’s diplomatic policies as well, but what has remained is its consistent commitment to world peace and cooperation with other countries.   

CGTN has selected the following phrases to show the important policies of Chinese diplomacy in the new era.

Major-Country Diplomacy

In 2017, the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) made a top-level design for China's diplomacy in the new era. It has been made clear that major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics aims to foster a new type of international relations and build a community with a shared future for mankind, which not only condenses the general goal of China's diplomacy in the new era, but also shows the direction where China wants to make joint efforts with the rest of the world.

As China opens up to the world, it has made greater efforts to integrate to the international community as a responsible major country. China's network of global partnerships has been expanded in the principles of treating each other as equals and win-win cooperation. It has actively explored ways of resolving hotspot issues and play a more constructive role in upholding world stability and security. It also hosted several major international conferences including the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, the G20 Summit and Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Acting as a responsible major country, China is committed to contributing to world peace, promoting global development, and upholding the international order.

The Belt and Road

Proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, the Belt and Road refers to an initiative that includes the building of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. It is a global economic endeavor that links Asia with Europe and Africa by revitalizing China's most prominent ancient trading routes.

As of July 2018, over 100 countries and international organizations have signed on to cooperate with China on the Belt and Road. As the initiator, China has invested hundreds of billions of U.S. dollars into transportation and infrastructure building, trade facilitation, financial cooperation as well as cultural exchanges with countries that lie along the Belt and Road.

Community with a Shared Future for Mankind

At its 19th National Congress, the Communist Party of China reaffirmed China's commitment to working together with the rest of the world to build a community with a shared future for mankind. 

Building such a community calls on global efforts in establishing a harmonious world where everyone can live peacefully. People across the world should be guided by the belief that all under heaven are of one family, and should embrace each other with open arms, enhance mutual understanding, as well as set aside differences to seek common ground.

This is part of the "40 Years in Words" special series that examines in keywords some of China's policy milestones, changes in people's livelihood and cultural staples from the country's reform and opening-up to commemorate 40 years of the historic drive.

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40 Years in Words: China's economic development from reform and opening-up