Cyberspace White Paper - Foreign Trade Data - Wang Yi on Major-Country Diplomacy - More 20th Congress Study Sessions - Journalists’ Day Reports
Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy in the Tuesday, November 8, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.
Page 1: At the top of the page is a commentary drawing from Xi Jinping’s speech at the opening of the CIIE. The piece says that:
At present, the changes in the world, the times, and the history are unfolding in an unprecedented way, and the world has entered a new period of turbulent change. The haze of the once-in-a-century pandemic has not yet dissipated, the smoke of local conflicts has resurfaced, Cold War mentality and bloc politics are resurgent, unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, economic globalisation has encountered adverse currents. The peace, development, security, and governance deficits have increased, and the world economy is struggling to recover. Global development has encountered serious setbacks, and human society is facing unprecedented challenges. Where is the world headed? Towards development or recession? Towards opening or closure? Towards cooperation or confrontation? This is the question of the times before us. Standing at the crossroads of historical progress, we should recognise the general trend of the world, clarify the future direction, and answer the issues of the times. 当前，世界之变、时代之变、历史之变正以前所未有的方式展开，世界进入新的动荡变革期。世纪疫情阴霾未散，局部冲突硝烟又起，冷战思维和集团政治回潮，单边主义、保护主义抬头，经济全球化遭遇逆流，和平赤字、发展赤字、安全赤字、治理赤字加重，世界经济复苏步履维艰，全球发展遭遇严重挫折，人类社会面临前所未有的挑战。世界向何处去？和平还是战争？发展还是衰退？开放还是封闭？合作还是对抗？是摆在我们面前的时代之问。站在历史前进的十字路口，我们应该认清世界大势，明确未来方向，解答时代课题.
After painting this rather grim picture, the commentary says that “difficulties and challenges further tell us that human beings are a community with a shared future. Only by accurately understanding the laws of historical development, conforming to the trend of the times of peace, development, cooperation and win-win cooperation, and forging a more open consensus, can all countries create an open and prosperous future for global development.” 困难和挑战进一步告诉我们，人类是休戚与共的命运共同体，各国只有准确认识历史发展规律，顺应和平、发展、合作、共赢的时代潮流，凝聚更多开放共识，让开放为全球发展带来新的光明前程，才能共创开放繁荣的美好未来.
The next paragraph talks about opening up, calling for:
“building a world economy featuring open cooperation, open innovation and open sharing”;
creating “a development pattern featuring shared benefits, balance, coordination and inclusiveness, win-win cooperation, and common prosperity”;
“promoting the common values of mankind of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom in order to replace estrangement between civilisations with exchanges, conflict between civilisations with mutual learning, and sense of civilisational superiority with coexistence.”
After this, the piece reiterates Xi’s comment that “China remains committed to the fundamental national policy of opening up to the outside world,” and that it will “firmly pursue a mutually beneficial and win-win strategy of opening up, and continue to provide new opportunities for the world with the new development of China.”
“China insists on opening up rather than closing down; adheres to mutual benefit and win-win and not zero-sum games; insists on adhering to justice and upholding righteousness; stands on the right side of history, i.e., on the side of human civilisation and progress; and unswervingly adheres to the path of peaceful development, always being a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order.” 中国坚持开放、不搞封闭，坚持互利共赢、不搞零和博弈，坚持主持公道、伸张正义，站在历史正确的一边，站在人类文明进步的一边，始终不渝坚持走和平发展道路，始终做世界和平的建设者、全球发展的贡献者、国际秩序的维护者.
In this context, the piece references the GDI and GSI, calling them “of great strategic significance in addressing the risks and challenges facing the world today.”
The other top story on the page is about Xi congratulating the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization on its 25th anniversary. Xinhua reports:
“The Chinese government and the organization have joined hands to implement the Global Development Initiative and jointly launched the Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic Initiative to encourage countries to reduce plastic pollution, respond to climate change and accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, he said. Xi stressed that China has been vigorously promoting ecological progress and pursuing the development concept of harmonious coexistence between man and nature. China is willing to continue to work with all parties to build a community of life for man and nature and construct a clean and beautiful homeland for future generations, Xi said.”
Next, there’s a report on the autumn grain harvest in China. The report informs that as per the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, as on November 7, the national autumn grain harvest has reached 1.237 billion mu, accounting for 94.7%. Also, 91.9% of winter wheat and 94.4% of winter rapeseed have been sown.
Next, there’s a report on Li Keqiang signing a decree outlining a set of regulations on the conclusion of treaties, which will come into effect on January 1, 2023. Xinhua reports:
The regulations stipulate that treaties involving vital national interests in fields such as politics, diplomacy, economy, society and security should be reported to the Communist Party of China Central Committee before they are concluded.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the mandate to oversee the conclusion of a treaty, and offer guidance to relevant State Council departments in negotiating and concluding treaties in accordance with legal procedures, said the statement. It added that local governments have no power to enter into any treaty unless authorized otherwise by the Constitution, laws or the State Council.
The regulations also specify 10 types of treaties that should be reviewed by the State Council and placed before the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress for ratification – the report doesn’t detail the 10 types.
The regulations stipulate the procedures concerning the application of treaties in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions. The State Council is basically empowered in this regard.
Finally, prior to the signing of a treaty, the provisions should be reviewed by legal teams of concerned State Council departments. They should consult the Ministry of Justice if they find that specific provisions contradict domestic laws and regulations, or the country's international obligations under treaties in force.
Finally, there’s a report on China’s foreign trade for the first 10 months. China’s foreign trade of goods climbed 9.5% year on year to 34.62 trillion yuan (around $4.79 trillion) during the first 10 months of the year.
Exports rose 13% year on year to 19.71 trillion yuan, while imports increased 5.2% from a year ago to 14.91 trillion yuan. China’s trade surplus was 4.8 trillion yuan, an increase of 46.7%.
China exported 11.25 trillion yuan of mechanical and electrical products, an increase of 9.6%, of which mobile phones were 779.04 billion yuan, an increase of 8.7%; automobiles exports were 309.17 billion yuan, an increase of 72%.
The trade volume of private companies expanded 14.4% to reach 17.44 trillion yuan, accounting for 50.4% of China's total foreign trade, 2.2 percentage points higher than the same period last year.
ASEAN was China’s largest trading partner. Trade with ASEAN was 5.26 trillion yuan, an increase of 15.8%. The EU and the US were China's second-largest and third-largest trading partners. China’s trade with BRI countries expanded to 11.23 trillion yuan, an increase of 20.9%.
Page 2: Much of the content on this page is about the new white paper “Jointly Build a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace.” Let me do a quick breakdown of the document, which is available in English here. The paper has four sections. The first section outlines the challenge and basic frameworks.
My brief take: As you go through the document, two things stand out. First, the shadow of the deepening strategic rivalry with the US looms large over all aspects. The document underscores a deep sense of anxiety about the US undermining China’s political stability and economic prospects through technology tools. Second, Beijing’s is a state-centred prism of sovereignty for anything related to cyberspace governance. The objective is to ensure sovereignty by creating frameworks that minimise external influence and create rules of engagement with this in mind while trying to further development objectives. There is little room in this document for an individual-centred prism on digital governance, say with privacy, freedom, and security from an individual’s perspective being at the heart of global cyberspace governance.
“The world has entered a new period of turbulence and change. Problems with the internet such as unbalanced development, unsound regulation, and unreasonable order are becoming more prominent. Cyber-hegemonism poses a new threat to world peace and development. Certain countries are exploiting the internet and information technology as a tool to seek hegemony, interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, and engage in large-scale cyber theft and surveillance, raising the risk of conflict in cyberspace. Some countries attempt to decouple with others, and create schism and confrontation in cyberspace. The increasingly complex cybersecurity situation calls for more just, reasonable and effective cyberspace governance. Global threats and challenges in cyberspace necessitate strong global responses. China is the world’s largest developing country and the country with the largest number of internet users. It understands the underlying trends of the information age; upholds a people-centered approach; and supports global governance based on extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. China insists that the building of a community with a shared future in cyberspace should be based on multilateral and multiparty participation and consultation, respect for cyber sovereignty, and a spirit of partnership; and the international community should be encouraged to expand pragmatic cooperation and jointly deal with associated risks and challenges. The goal of building a community with a shared future in cyberspace conforms to the developments of the information age and meets the needs and expectations of the people throughout the world. It is a plan that China contributes to the global efforts to promote the development and governance of cyberspace on the basis of respecting cyber sovereignty.”
The next bit of the first section talks about building a community of:
Development: “We should adopt more active, inclusive, coordinated, and beneficial policies to accelerate the construction of global information infrastructure and provide developing countries with accessible, affordable and useful internet services.”
Security: “We will strengthen international cooperation in protecting critical information infrastructure and data security, maintain information technology neutrality and industrial globalization, and jointly curb the abuse of information technology. We should strengthen strategic mutual trust, share timely information on cyber threats, effectively coordinate the handling of major cybersecurity incidents, cooperate to combat cyber terrorism and crimes, and jointly safeguard peace and security in cyberspace.”
Responsibility: “We should leverage the role of the United Nations as the main channel in international cyberspace governance, and give play to the role of government, international organizations, internet companies, technical communities, social organizations and individual citizens to promote mutual trust and coordinated and orderly cooperation. To make the governance system more just and equitable, we should improve dialogue and consultation mechanisms, jointly study and formulate norms for cyberspace governance, and reflect the interests and concerns of all parties in a more balanced way, especially those of developing countries.”
Shared interests: “We should step up policy support to help micro, small and medium-sized enterprises use new-generation information technology to promote innovation in products, services, processes, organizations and business models, so that these enterprises can share more opportunities from the development of the digital economy. We should attend to the protection of vulnerable groups on the internet, strengthen the cultivation of internet ethics and civilization, promote the healthy development of internet culture and foster a sound cyber environment. We should promote inclusive development on a global scale, reinforce the cyber development capabilities of developing countries, bridge the digital divide, share the achievements of internet development, and facilitate the effective implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
The principles for building this community are:
Respect cyber sovereignty: No country should seek cyber hegemony; use the internet to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs; engage in, incite, or support cyber activities that endanger other countries’ national security, or infringe on other countries’ key information infrastructure
Safeguard peace and security: “Countries should oppose hostile cyber actions and aggression, prevent arms race and armed conflicts in cyberspace, and prevent and oppose terrorism, obscenity, drug trafficking, money laundering, gambling, and other criminal activities in cyberspace. All parties should abandon the Cold War mentality, zero-sum game and double standards; seek peace through cooperation; and strive to achieve their own security through common security.”
Promote openness and cooperation: “We oppose politicizing cybersecurity issues. We oppose trade protectionism. We oppose narrow-minded factionalism. We oppose dividing the internet and exploiting one’s own strengths to undermine the security of other countries’ supply chains in information and communications technology (ICT) products and services.” — this bit about protectionism is said without any sense of self-reflection, of course.
Maintain good order: “Cyberspace is not an ‘extrajudicial place’. Cyberspace is virtual, but the users of cyberspace are real and they should abide by the law and the rights and obligations of all parties should be clarified. We will continue to manage, run, and use the internet in accordance with the law, and ensure that the internet operates in a sound manner based on the rule of law. We will strengthen the development of cyber ethics and civilization, employ the guiding role of moral education, and use the outstanding achievements of human civilization to nourish cyberspace and preserve the online environment.”
The next two sections deal with the development and management of the Internet in China and China’s contribution to building a shared cyberspace community.
There is some useful data in there:
“According to the statistics provided by research agencies, by 2021, the value of the digital economy had reached 45.5 trillion yuan, accounting for 39.8 percent of GDP and becoming a major growth engine…By June 2022, there were 1.05 billion internet users in China, and the internet penetration rate had reached 74.4 percent. A total of 1.85 million 5G cell towers had been built with 455 million 5G cell phone subscribers. China hosts the world’s largest 5G network and becomes one of global leaders in 5G standards and technology.”
“The BeiDou-3 global navigation satellite system is now operational, and began to provide global services in July 2020. In 2021 China’s satellite navigation and positioning services generated 469 billion yuan of industrial output. By year end there were more than one billion terminal products with BeiDou positioning functions in use, and more than 7.9 million automobiles and 100,000 automatic driving farming vehicles had installed the BeiDou system.”
“By February 2022, 55.3 percent of the key processes of large industrial enterprises had become digitally controlled, and the application of digital R&D tools was as high as 74.7 percent. The Action Plan for Industrial Internet Development (2018-2020) was formulated, and an innovation and development initiative for the industrial internet has been carried out, stimulating nearly 70 billion yuan of investment and incubating four national industrial internet demonstration bases and 258 pilot projects.”
“China has formulated and enforced a number of fundamental and comprehensive laws that affect the overall situation, including the Electronic Commerce Law of the People’s Republic of China, Electronic Signature Law of the People’s Republic of China, Cybersecurity Law of the People’s Republic of China, Data Security Law of the People’s Republic of China, and Personal Information Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China. These laws serve as key pillars of the cyber legislation framework in which the Constitution plays a cardinal role, laws and administrative, divisional, and regional regulations serve as important support, traditional legislation lays the foundations, and specialized cyber laws governing online content management, information technology development, cybersecurity and other elements function as the backbone”
“China has been actively developing its legal system to make it compatible with the platform economy, improving its regulatory mechanism to boost business development, and fostering a sound environment for the digital economy so as to promote fair competition and orderly development on social media platforms…A number of policies and regulations have been devised to provide clear guidance for the sound operation of the platforms, such as Guidelines of the Anti-monopoly Commission of the State Council for Anti-monopoly in the Field of Platform Economy, and Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Online Transactions. Investigations have been conducted on platform behaviors that hamper fair competitions and infringe upon the rights and interests of the consumers and employees, such as compelling platform users to choose one platform rather than another, engaging in big data-enabled price discrimination against existing customers, and blocking certain URL links. Administrative penalties have been imposed to protect the rights and interests of market players including small and medium-sized enterprises, employees and consumers.”
The final section then outlines China’s future proposals. These are:
Respecting network sovereignty: “China firmly opposes all forms of hegemony and power politics, interference in other countries’ internal affairs, and double standards. It does not support, engage in, or conspire around cyber activities that undermine national security in other countries. China advocates that the principle of sovereign equality established by the UN Charter be applied to cyberspace…”
Maintaining peace, security and stability in cyberspace: “China opposes the so-called absolute security for some at the expense of the interests of others, and any form of arms race in cyberspace. China advocates that the cybersecurity concerns of all countries, large or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, should be noted and addressed, and that countries should make peaceful use of cyberspace to promote economic and social development…”
Creating an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory digital environment (again, no sense of self-reflection in making this point): “Those who build walls and barriers and call for decoupling and severing supply chains will hurt not only others but also themselves. Win-win cooperation is the only way forward. Creating an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for digital development is a requirement for stronger global digital economic cooperation, which will promote the recovery and development of the global economy. China opposes the politicization of technological issues and the containment of other countries’ enterprises by abusing state power and violating market principles and trading rules. China advocates that all governments should actively maintain open, secure, and stable global supply chains for IT products and services, strengthen collaborative R&D on new generations of information technology, and integrate into the global innovation network.”
Strengthening international cooperation in protecting critical information infrastructure: “China firmly opposes the use of information technology to undermine the critical information infrastructure of other countries, steal their data, or engage in any other form of zero-sum game. The international community should advocate the concept of cybersecurity based on openness and cooperation, and oppose network eavesdropping and cyberattacks. Governments and relevant authorities of all countries should strengthen cooperation on early warning, risk prevention, information sharing and emergency response, and actively share experience on protecting critical information infrastructure.”
Maintaining the security and stability of the core-resource management system for the internet: “China advocates guaranteed availability and reliability of core internet resources – to be used by all countries and jointly managed and fairly distributed by the international community, so that the technological systems for the resources, including the domain name system, are secure, stable, and resilient. There should be a guarantee that services will not be interrupted or terminated due to any political or human factors. China advocates that governments, industry authorities, and businesses work together to accelerate the use of IPv6 technology and applications.”
Cooperation in combating cybercrime and cyberterrorism:
Promote data security, development and utilization: “China supports the flow, development, and utilization of data, and promotes data sharing, and would like to actively work with other countries, international organizations, enterprises, and think tanks, engaging in exchanges and cooperation to safeguard data security, development and utilization, promoting relevant international rules and standards under bilateral and multilateral frameworks, and steadily ensuring the interoperability of different data protection rules to promote the safe and free flow of data across borders.”
Build a fairer and more rational cyberspace governance system: “China upholds genuine multilateralism and opposes any form of unilateralism, camps or coteries targeting specific countries.”
Jointly building a better cyberspace: “China proposes that countries should cooperate with each other, industry organizations and companies should strengthen self-discipline, and individuals should improve their digital literacy, combining to counter fake online information, strengthen cyber governance, maintain sound online order, and enrich cyberspace with the excellent fruits of human civilization.”
Sharing the benefits of the internet: “Internet and digital technology should play a full role in combating epidemics, improving people’s lives, and eliminating poverty. The international community should promote new technologies and applications for the common good, provide more innovative digital products, and promote open, inclusive, sharing, balanced and sustainable development. Efforts should be made for more countries and people to benefit from the information technology, enjoy the fruits of internet development, and actively contribute to the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
Page 3: Just one report to note. Wang Yi met with Csaba Korosi, president of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Xinhua reports:
“Noting China always supports the cause of the UN and the important role of the UNGA, Wang said China will continue to participate in international cooperation on climate change and make positive contributions to the success of the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). China is also ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation on water resources with other countries through the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, Wang added.”
Page 4: A report on the Central Propaganda Group’s discussions around the 20th Party Congress spirit across key agencies. He Lifeng, who heads the NDRC, spoke there.
He spoke about the “core essence of the spirit of the 20th Party Congress, the need to deeply understand the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, firmly grasp the objectives, requirements and key tasks of Chinese-style modernisation. He said that the Two Establishments are the decisive factor for the great changes in the decade of the new era, and are an inevitable requirement to cope with the severe and complex environment in the future.” 何立峰从深刻领会党的二十大精神核心要义、深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义、牢牢把握中国式现代化的目标要求和重点任务等方面，进行了系统宣讲和阐述. 他表示，“两个确立”是新时代十年伟大变革的决定性因素，是应对今后严峻复杂环境的必然要求.
He added that “we must unswervingly take studying, publicising and implementing the spirit of the 20th Party Congress as the primary political task at present and in the future, unite more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, and deeply understand the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, deeply understand the scientific connotation, Chinese characteristics and essential requirements of Chinese-style modernisation, accurately grasp the major principles on the road ahead, conscientiously implement the major arrangements made at the 20th Party Congress, do a solid job in development and reform, and strive to make new contributions to the comprehensive promotion of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese-style modernisation.” 要坚定不移把学习宣传贯彻党的二十大精神作为当前和今后一个时期首要政治任务，更加紧密团结在以习近平同志为核心的党中央周围，深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，全面贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，深刻领会中国式现代化的科学内涵、中国特色和本质要求，准确把握前进道路上的重大原则，认真落实党的二十大作出的重大部署，扎实做好发展改革工作，努力为以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴作出新的贡献.
Likewise, Wang Chen spoke at the NPC meeting. He too focussed on the Two Establishments and Chinese-style modernisation. He also talked about building a socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics, building a socialist country under the rule of law, and strengthening legislation in key areas, emerging areas, and foreign-related areas.
Xiao Jie made the presentation at the General Office of the State Council. He too spoke about the promotion of Chinese-style modernisation, the Two Establishments and the 4-4-2 formulation. Then, at a meeting in Nanjing, Xie Fuzhan presented a report. Xie said that the 20th Party Congress is of great and far-reaching significance in guiding the Party and the people to march towards the second centenary goal. In Zhengzhou, Shen Shen Chunyao, Director of the Legal Affairs Committee of the NPCSC, delivered a report, and in Beijing, Hou Jianguo, President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivered a report at an event.
All of these tend to have a similar pattern, with some variations depending on the scope of work. For instance, Hou Jianguo also mentioned the need to “enhance the sense of mission and responsibility” with regard to science and tech development and “enhance the sense of urgency of accelerating the realisation of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and building a strong scientific and technological country.”
Next, today is Chinese Journalists’ Day. So, there are stories around this. For instance, there’s a report about 10 journalists speaking at an event in Beijing under the theme of 好记者讲好故事 - good journalists tell good stories. Then, there’s coverage on CCTV of journalists telling their stories. This event was sponsored by the Central Propaganda Department, the Cyberspace Administration of China, the National Radio and Television Administration, and the All-China Journalists Association. This show was broadcast on CCTV. I think the first paragraph outlines the contours of the journalism that is being lauded.
“The news front is guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly publicising and explaining the Party’s innovative theory in depth, actively disseminating the Party’s voice, constantly strengthening feet power, eye power, brain power & pen power, carefully following the mass line of the new era, actively creating a credible, loveable and respectable image of China, and effectively serving the overall work of the Party and the country. 新闻战线以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，深入宣传阐释党的创新理论，积极传播党的声音，不断增强脚力、眼力、脑力、笔力，用心走好新时代群众路线，积极塑造可信可爱可敬的中国形象，有力服务党和国家工作大局.
There’s also an article by Yin Lujun from the All-China Journalists Association. Yin refers to journalists as “disseminators of the Party’s policy propositions, the recorders of the times, the promoters of social progress, and the watchmen of fairness and justice.” 作为党的政策主张的传播者、时代风云的记录者、社会进步的推动者、公平正义的守望者，广大新闻工作者肩负着光荣使命和重大责任.
“In the decade of the new era, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, journalists rolled up their sleeves and worked hard, marching forward rain or shine, striving to create thoughtful, warm, and high-quality news works, which won sincere praise and wide recognition.” 新时代10年，在习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想指引下，新闻工作者撸起袖子加油干，风雨无阻向前行，努力创作有思想、有温度、有品质的新闻作品，收获了真诚点赞、赢得了广泛认可.
Yin adds that journalists must strengthen their feet power, eye power, brain power & pen power, focussing on the reality and the lives of the masses, because “only in this way can we better showcase the bright prospects of China’s path, the remarkable strengths of China’s system, and China’s contribution to the world's development, and highlight the original mission of a century-old Party of seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation.” 才能更好展现中国道路的光明前景、中国制度的显著优势、中国发展的世界贡献，彰显一个百年大党为中国人民谋幸福、为中华民族谋复兴的初心使命.
Page 6: There’s a long article by Wang Yi, talking about major country diplomacy in the context of Xi’s report at the 20th Party Congress.
In the first section of the article Wang argues that “promoting major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics is an inevitable requirement for the development of the Party and the country in the new era.” He makes three points in this section.
First, he begins by arguing that to fulfil the original mission of the Party, it is necessary to promote major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. He adds that Chinese diplomacy is different from Western diplomacy in the following ways:
“The essential attribute of the Party determines that China’s diplomacy must always adhere to Socialism with Chinese characteristics as the foundation, strengthen its strategic self-confidence, and firmly defend the socialist path chosen by the Party to lead the people; the mission of the Party determines that China’s diplomacy must always adhere to safeguarding world peace, promoting common development and promoting the construction of community of shared future for mankind; the Party's value pursuit determines that China’s diplomacy must always adhere to independence, promote fairness and justice, and uphold the right path in the world.” 党的本质属性决定了中国外交必须始终坚持以中国特色社会主义为根本增强战略自信，坚定捍卫党领导人民选择的社会主义道路；党的使命宗旨决定了中国外交必须始终坚持维护世界和平、促进共同发展，推动构建人类命运共同体；党的价值追求决定了中国外交必须始终坚持独立自主，弘扬公平正义，坚守人间正道.
Second, to realise the great rejuvenation of the nation, it is necessary to promote major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. 实现民族伟大复兴，需要推进中国特色大国外交. In this, he argues that since the 18th Party Congress, China’s “comprehensive national strength and international status have been significantly enhanced and it has gradually approached the centre of the world stage. The Chinese nation’s march toward the great rejuvenation is unstoppable.” He also warns that the closer one gets to the goal, the tougher it will become. He explains that with the churn in the international system, instability and uncertainty are on the rise. “China’s development has entered a period in which strategic opportunities, risks and challenges will coexist with each other.” Therefore, it is important to “coordinate both domestic and international situations, carry out major-country diplomacy with a more global perspective, more enterprising spirit, and more Chinese characteristics, and create a peaceful and stable international and regional environment for national rejuvenation.” 党的十八大以来，我国综合国力和国际地位显著提升，日益走近世界舞台中央，中华民族迈向伟大复兴的步伐不可阻挡。行百里者半九十。越是接近实现目标，越将面临风高浪急甚至是惊涛骇浪的风险考验。国际体系变革期的不确定不稳定因素日益突出，我国发展进入战略机遇和风险挑战并存、不确定难预料因素增多的时期，伟大复兴必然伴随具有许多新的历史特点的伟大斗争。我们必须统筹国内国际两个大局，开展更具全球视野、更富进取精神、更有中国特色的大国外交，为实现民族复兴营造和平稳定的国际和地区环境.
Third, he argues that major country diplomacy is needed given the profound changes unseen in a century that are taking place in the world. In today’s world, the international balance of power and the global pattern are undergoing profound changes. The trend of world multi-polarisation, economic globalisation and democratisation of international relations is irresistible. At the same time, unilateralism, protectionism and hegemonism are still rampant, and the world has entered a new period of turbulent change…As a major country with more than 5,000 years of civilisation and as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, it is necessary for us to carry out major-country diplomacy with our own characteristics, fulfil our international responsibilities and obligations, work with other countries to embark on a new path of peaceful development and win-win cooperation, carry forward the common values of all mankind, and work together to build community of shared future for mankind.” 应对世界百年变局，需要推进中国特色大国外交。当今世界，国际力量对比和全球格局正在经历深刻演变，世界多极化、经济全球化、国际关系民主化潮流势不可当。同时，单边主义、保护主义、霸权主义依然横行，世界进入新的动荡变革期...作为有着5000多年文明积淀的大国，作为联合国安理会常任理事国，我们有必要通过开展具有自身特色的大国外交，履行承担的国际责任与义务，同各国一道走出一条和平发展、合作共赢的新路，弘扬全人类共同价值，携手构建人类命运共同体.
He ends this section by praising the Central Committee with Xi at its core for having foresight, broad-mindedness and coordinating the overall strategy of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the international changes and calling for China’s foreign affairs work to show “a new atmosphere/style, achieve new actions, and strive to create a new situation” with top-level design and overall planning becoming key features.
He highlights three speeches by Xi that clarified this approach, i.e., the 2014 and 2018 Central Foreign Affairs Work Conferences and the 19th Party Congress speech in 2017.
Section two of the article talks about the achievement of groundbreaking and historic achievements in major country diplomacy over the past decade. In this, Wang makes 7 points.
First, he talks about the strengthening of Party leadership over foreign affairs.
Second, he says that China’s international influence has been comprehensively enhanced. In this, he talks about BRI, GSI, GDI and international summits that have been held in China.
Third, Wang writes that there has been more intense diplomacy led by the head of the state. In this, he highlights Xi’s engagements with foreign leaders. “President Xi Jinping has made 42 fruitful visits, covering 69 countries on five continents; he has received more than 100 heads of state and government at home.” He adds: “We have promoted the building of new international relations, with a partnership network covering the whole world, and established different forms of partnerships with more than 110 countries and regional organisations…” In these, he mentions the three major power relations, beginning with Russia, the EU and finally the US. He also talks about regional organisations.
Fourth, he says that China has “promoted fairness and justice” and advocated “true multilateralism”; “opposed all unilateralism, protectionism, hegemonism and power politics”; “adhered to taking a stance based on the merits of the matter”; “promoted the political solution of hot issues such as Iranian nuclear issue, Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, the Afghan issue and Middle East issue”; and engaged in “South-South cooperation and firmly safeguarded the legitimate rights and interests and development space of developing countries.” 倡导真正的多边主义，反对一切单边主义、保护主义、霸权主义和强权政治。坚持按照事情本身的是非曲直决定立场，提出并践行中国特色热点问题解决之道，推动伊朗核、朝鲜半岛核、阿富汗、中东等热点问题的政治解决。积极开展南南合作，坚定维护发展中国家的正当权益和发展空间.
Fifth Wang argues that China has comprehensively protected national interests. In this, Wang talks about China having maintained “strategic determination”, “carried forward the fighting spirit,” “firmly safeguarded the core interests of the country and national dignity” and having “grasped the initiative in development and security” amid “unreasonable blackmail and extreme pressure” tactics. He talks about having “resolutely countered any wrongful acts that infringed on China’s sovereignty and interfered in internal affairs”, emphasising that they have “never budged on the issue of principle, and firmly defended the national sovereignty, security and development interests.” 面对无理讹诈和极限施压，保持战略定力，发扬斗争精神，展示不畏强权的意志决心，坚定维护国家核心利益和民族尊严，牢牢掌握了发展和安全主动权。坚决反制任何侵犯我国主权、干涉我国内政的错误行径，在原则问题上寸步不让，坚定捍卫国家主权、安全、发展利益. Wang also talks about peeling away Taiwan’s diplomatic partners and “consolidating the pattern of the international community's adherence to the one-China principle,” and thwarting various attacks and smears against China on the issues of Taiwan, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Tibet, the pandemic, human rights, etc. 连续与台湾地区9个所谓“邦交国”建复交，有力打击“台独”分裂势力气焰，巩固国际社会坚持一个中国原则的格局。连续挫败利用台湾、涉疆、涉港、涉藏、涉疫、人权等问题对我国发动的各种攻击抹黑.
Sixth, he talks about economic diplomacy, which has supported comprehensively deepening reform and opening to the outside world.
Seventh, he argues that China’s strategic operations have been enhanced. He says that the approach is one of strategic planning with tactical flexibility. He adds that China’s diplomatic toolkit has been enriched and its capacity to conduct major-country diplomacy has been enhanced. 增强历史主动精神，面对大是大非旗帜鲜明，面对风险挑战积极化解，团结一切可以团结的力量、调动一切可以调动的积极因素。战略上主动运筹、战术上灵活机动，外交“工具箱”不断充实，开展大国外交的能力不断提升，服务“国之大者”的作用更加彰显.
He concludes this section by saying that the key to China’s diplomacy lies in the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping's diplomatic thought.
The third section talks about practising Xi’s diplomatic thought. In this too, he makes seven points.
First, he says that “the Party's centralised and unified leadership is the greatest political advantage of China's diplomacy and socialism with Chinese characteristics is the source and foundation of China's diplomacy.” 党的集中统一领导是中国外交的最大政治优势，中国特色社会主义是中国外交的源泉和根基。So these must be adhered to.
“Chinese-style modernisation is a modernisation that takes the path of peaceful development.” In this, he talks about China’s rise not being like the traditional rise of great powers nor one where a strong country must seek hegemony, etc, and about China being on the right side of history.
China’s diplomacy is geared towards building a community with a shared future for mankind, he argues. This is basically framing China’s rise as non-threatening.
“Promote the building of a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation.” Wang adds that “countries cannot enter the 21st century, with their heads still being stuck in the old frameworks of colonial expansion, Cold War mentality and zero-sum games. We should transcend the culture of the strong bullying the weak with mutual respect, transcend hegemonic behaviour with fairness and justice, transcend a system of beggar-thy-neighbour with win-win cooperation, discard the concept of power politics, and embark on a new path of international relations. 各国不能身体进入21世纪，脑袋还停留在殖民扩张的旧时代里，停留在冷战思维、零和博弈的老框框内。要以相互尊重超越恃强凌弱，以公平正义超越霸凌霸道，以合作共赢超越以邻为壑，对近代以来的权力政治观念予以扬弃，走出一条国与国交往的新路。
Advocate the common values of all mankind and build a value system of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. “Peace and development are our common cause, fairness and justice are our common ideals, and democracy and freedom are our common pursuits. Different countries have different histories, cultures and national conditions, but people share the same heart and have an equal right to pursue and explore the common values of all mankind. There is no superior ‘freedom and democracy’ and no such thing as ‘universal value’ that is exclusive to anyone. Imposing one’s own values on others can only increase the source of turmoil, and drawing ideological lines can easily lead to conflicts.” 和平与发展是我们的共同事业，公平正义是我们的共同理想，民主自由是我们的共同追求。各国历史、文化、国情不同，但人民心灵相通，都有追求和探索实现全人类共同价值的平等权利。不存在高人一等的“自由民主”，不存在唯我独尊的“普世价值”，把本国价值观强加于人只能增加动荡之源，按意识形态划线极易造成冲突之祸。
Demonstrate distinctive Chinese style of diplomacy.
Wang ends this section by saying that China’s diplomacy in the new era adheres to and applies the world outlook and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era..
The fourth and final section calls for continuity in diplomacy. Wang makes five points in this.
First, adhere to independence and safeguard international fairness and justice. He talks about China never seeking hegemony, deciding on matters based on merits, respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, respecting the development path and social system independently chosen by the people of all countries, resolutely opposing all forms of hegemonism and power politics, opposing Cold War mentality, and opposing interference in the internal affairs of other countries, etc. He adds: “We will resolutely safeguard national unity and territorial integrity. If external forces dare to play with fire and provoke, we will meet them head-on.” 我们将坚决维护国家统一和领土完整，外部势力胆敢玩火挑衅，必将予以迎头痛击.
Second, expand global partnerships. In this, he talks about promoting “the establishment of a major-country relationship pattern featuring peaceful coexistence, overall stability and balanced development.” 我们将坚持促进大国协调和良性互动，推动构建和平共处、总体稳定、均衡发展的大国关系格局. He also talks about strengthening solidarity and cooperation with developing countries, safeguarding the common interests of developing countries, and telling China’s story well.
Third, adhere to opening to the outside world and promote common development. In this, he talks about opposing the building of walls, breaking of chains, decoupling, unilateral sanctions and maximum pressure tactics. He commits to adhering to the “correct direction of economic globalisation, promote trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation, advance bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation, promote international macroeconomic policy coordination…” This bit is also worth noting: “We will increase resources for global development cooperation, make efforts to narrow the North-South gap, and firmly support and help developing countries to accelerate their development.” 将加大对全球发展合作的资源投入，致力于缩小南北差距，坚定支持和帮助广大发展中国家加快发展。
Adhere to global governance reform.
Adhere to building a community with a shared future for mankind.
He ends by calling for the Party to unite more closely around the Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, deeply understand the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, reiterates the 4-4-2 formulation and calls for study of Xi’s thought on diplomacy.