By Li Jian

The Chinese diplomacy has come a long way since the founding of the People's Republic of China 68 years ago. In recent years, in view of a volatile and turbulent world, Chinese President Xi Jinping laid out creative new vision, new thinking, and new initiatives for the Chinese diplomacy, contributing Chinese perspectives and wisdom to a more fair, just and equitable global governance regime, in an effort to promote win-win cooperation and common development, so as to achieve a community of shared future for mankind.

Building a new type of international relations featuring win-win cooperation.

Different from the zero-sum Cold War mentality, the core principle of China's diplomacy is win-win cooperation as we follow a win-win approach across political, economic, security and cultural fields. We regard the development of a global network of partnerships as the main pathway of diplomacy. Such partnerships should be equal, peaceful and inclusive in nature. They should not be dominated by any party, or draw lines of division, still less should they be directed against any imaginary enemies or third parties. The partnerships should transcend the Cold War mentality of "either with us or against us", which has created confrontation between opposing alliances. China wants to present to the world a new modality for developing state-to-state relations. Upholding the principles of dialogue over confrontation, partnership over alliance, China has established partnerships of this progressive nature with some 100 countries, regions or regional organizations, blazing a new trail in relations between countries with a new global network of partnerships. China has been working to establish a framework for sound and stable relations with major countries and has maintained a good and stable relationship with the United States, Russia, EU, BRICS members and other major developing countries. In a spirit of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and with amicable and prosperous neighborhood peripheral diplomatic policy, China safeguards new vistas for enhancing friendship and cooperation with our neighbors. In growing relations with Africa, China acts on the principles of sincerity, practical results, affinity and good faith, and upholds the values of friendship, justice and shared interest. In an effort to take China-Africa cooperation to a new level, China has made active efforts to implementing the Ten Major Cooperative Plans with Africa. With the establishment of a strategic cooperative relationship with Arab states, a strategic partnership with Pacific island countries having diplomatic relations with China, and a five-dimensional relationship with Latin American and Caribbean countries underpinned by the China-CELAC Forum, we have put in place cooperation mechanisms covering the whole of the developing world.

Fulfilling the responsibility of safeguarding world peace and development.

China is the beneficiary of and contributor to world peace and prosperity. China achieved its development in a peaceful and prosperous world. As a result, China firmly follows the path of peaceful development, always pursues an independent foreign policy of peace, and always takes concrete steps to fulfill its responsibilities as a major power.

Since 1990, China has participated in 24 UN peacekeeping operations by sending more than 35,000 Chinese officers and soldiers, 19 of whom have lost their lives. China has contributed more peacekeepers than any other permanent member on the UN Security Council. China is also the second largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget with 844 million US dollars, accounting for 10.2% of the total. At present, 2,000 Chinese troops are carrying out peacekeeping operations in 7 UN missions across Africa, making great contribution to the peace of Liberia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and the Sudan Darfur region. In addition, China has made efforts to establish a 1 billion dollar China-UN Peace and Development Fund, a 20 billion yuan South-South Climate Cooperation Fund, and an Assistance Fund for South-South Cooperation. China has joined the UN peacekeeping standby force mechanism and formed a peacekeeping police unit and an 8,000-strong standby force for peacekeeping. China has actively advocated for the formulation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and was the first country to release its national plan on implementation. China has been unreservedly providing these global public goods to fulfill our commitment to world peace and development.

Playing a constructive role in advancing the reform of the global governance regime.

In the face of rising conservatism and isolationism across the globe, President Xi Jinping proposed the idea of planning together, building together, and sharing together, and put forward the proposal of reforming the global governance regime and building a community of shared future for mankind, pointing out a right direction for the international community.

During the 2014 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Beijing and the 2016 G20 Hangzhou Summit, China has played important roles in both the Asia-Pacific cooperation and the G20's transformation and economic globalization. Faced with the sluggish world economic recovery, China called for the establishment of an innovative, open, interconnected and inclusive world economy, offering an integrated prescription to address both the symptoms and root causes of the challenges faced by world development. Against the backlash to globalization around the world, at the opening session of the 2017 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, President Xi Jinping proposed to re-balance economic globalization, charting a correct path for the international community during a time of bewilderment. Over the past years, China has promoted the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Silk Road Fund and the BRICS New Development Bank, and has taken an active part in the formulation of rules governing such emerging areas as marine and polar affairs, cyberspace, nuclear security and climate change. Through these efforts, China has contributed its strength and wisdom to the reform of the global governance regime.

Contributing to world development through the Belt and Road initiative.

The Belt and Road initiative is China's latest effort of opening-up under the new circumstances. With policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bonds as its five major goals, this initiative has enjoyed active support and participation from over 140 countries and regions and international organizations. Total trade between China and other Belt and Road countries exceeded 3 trillion US dollars, and Chinese investment in these countries surpassed 50 billion dollars, helping promote economic development and job creation in countries along the routes of the Belt and Road initiative. According to IMF, trade in goods among Belt and Road countries and regions will reach 1.96 trillion dollars in 2020, accounting for 38.9% of the global total. In May this year, China held the first Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing. Over 1,500 delegates from 5 continents, including 29 foreign heads of state and government leaders attended the Forum. The Forum yielded a list of outcomes and adopted a series of action plans, pointing out the direction for the Belt and Road cooperation with both a grand vision and a clear road map. The Belt and Road initiative was originated in China but has benefited the whole world. It has already evolved into an open and inclusive platform for international cooperation and become a most popular global public goods.

Safeguarding the common interest of developing countries with BRICS cooperation.

The BRICS Xiamen Summit marks a new beginning of the second "golden decade" of BRICS cooperation. The BRICS mechanism has entered a new stage of "three-wheel drive" of economy, politics and people-to-people and cultural engagement from the previous "two-wheel drive" of economy and politics. The China initiated "BRICS +" model has received warm welcome among developing countries. Born under the international situation going through profound and complicated changes and adjustments, BRICS cooperation has transformed itself through the past ten years of development from a humble beginning to what is now a powerful force of solidarity and mutually beneficial cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries. Over the past ten years, combined GDP of the BRICS has grown by 179%, from 12% to 23% of the world economy. Trade increased by 94%, from 11% to 16% of the world's total. Together, the BRICS contribute to over half of the global economic growth rate. The urban population increased by 28%. All of these progress has delivered tangible benefits to the three billion plus people of the BRICS.

South Africa joined the BRICS in 2010. Since then, the BRICS has associated itself with Africa, the continent with the largest number of developing countries. With South Africa, the BRICS has become more representative geographically. South Africa stands as an important bridge connecting the BRICS and Africa in development cooperation. Through responding actively to Africa's aspirations for addressing climate change, realizing sustainable development, and combating terrorism, BRICS countries have united strongly to uphold the common interests of all developing countries. This August, during the official launch of the Africa Regional Center of the New Development Bank in Johannesburg, the NDB announced that it will approve 1.5 billion dollars of loans to South Africa in 18 months. Moving forward, BRICS cooperation will surely make greater contribution to the development of South Africa and Africa, and will help activate even more international cooperation with Africa, creating more opportunities for Africa to realize independent sustainable development. As South Africa takes over BRICS presidency next year, China is willing to work with all parties to support South Africa to successfully hold the 10th BRICS Summit, and jointly push forward BRICS cooperation towards a brighter future.

The major-power diplomacy with distinct Chinese features has stood the test of changing international situation and has improved itself over time. China has been and will remain a contributor to world peace and development and a protector of the international order. The Chinese people have a profound love for their own country, but they are also global and care deeply about the world. Going forward, China will continue to work with other countries to uphold fairness and justice in regional and international affairs. We firmly believe, China will do well only when the world does well, and vice versa. We are confident that joining hands together we can build a beautiful world of harmony and win-win cooperation.