Wang Yi's Big Speech on Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy
The Chinese Foreign Minister says that China has 'already become a responsible major power with greater international influence, innovative leadership, and moral appeal.'
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivered a speech at a symposium on Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, which was held at the Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy Research Center. The meeting was held on the occasion of the publication and release of the ‘Study Outline on Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy (2025 Edition).
Here’s what Wang said:
Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy is a continuously developing and open Marxist theory that always stands at the forefront of the times, answers new questions of the world, and provides powerful ideological weapons and scientific guidance for Chinese diplomacy to advance courageously. On the new journey of the new era, General Secretary Xi Jinping has personally advanced a series of major theoretical and practical innovations, leading China’s external work to achieve historic accomplishments and undergo historic transformations. This updated and republished edition of the ‘Outline’ systematically sorts General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speeches and expositions in recent years, fully reflecting the major results achieved in theoretical innovation. 习近平外交思想是不断发展的、开放的马克思主义理论，始终站在时代最前沿，回答世界新课题，为中国外交勇毅前行提供强大思想武器和科学指南。新时代新征程上，习近平总书记亲自推进一系列重大理论和实践创新，领导中国对外工作取得历史性成就、发生历史性变革。此次《纲要》更新再版，系统梳理了习近平总书记近年来的重要讲话和论述，充分反映了理论创新取得的重大成果.
Every step forward in theoretical innovation requires a corresponding step forward in ideological strengthening. We must seize the opportunity presented by the Outline’s republication to quickly launch a learning campaign, profoundly grasp the scientific system, spiritual essence, and practical requirements of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, and continuously use the Party’s innovative theories to unify our thinking and guide our actions. 理论创新每前进一步，思想武装就要跟进一步。我们要以《纲要》再版为契机，迅速掀起学习热潮，深刻把握习近平外交思想的科学体系、精神实质、实践要求，持续用党的创新理论统一思想、指导行动.
To study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, one must deeply comprehend the advanced character of the times embodied in the promotion of theoretical innovation. General Secretary Xi Jinping, with a spirit of seeking truth, has advanced theoretical innovation and, with an entirely new perspective, deepened understanding of the laws of human social development, making major contributions to the development of Marxist international relations theory. 学习贯彻习近平外交思想，就要深刻领悟推进理论创新的时代先进性。习近平总书记以追求真理的精神推进理论创新，以全新的视野深化对人类社会发展规律的认识，为马克思主义国际关系理论的发展作出了重大贡献.
The fundamental path of theoretical innovation is the ‘two integrations.’ General Secretary Xi Jinping insists on integrating the basic principles of Marxism with the specific realities of Chinese diplomacy in the new era, and with China’s excellent traditional culture, imbuing Chinese diplomacy as a major power with a broader historical perspective and a more solid cultural foundation. Building a community with a shared future for mankind embodies the beautiful vision of ‘all under heaven for the common good’, developing global partnerships upholds the inclusive spirit of ‘harmony without uniformity’, the concept of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness interprets the way of interaction based on ‘loving virtue and being kind to neighbours’; the Belt and Road Initiative reflects the sense of responsibility embodied in ‘establishing oneself and helping others succeed’. 理论创新的根本途径是“两个结合”。习近平总书记坚持马克思主义基本原理同新时代中国外交具体实际相结合、同中华优秀传统文化相结合，赋予中国特色大国外交更宏阔的历史纵深、更坚实的文化根基。构建人类命运共同体彰显“天下为公”的美好愿景，发展全球伙伴关系秉持“和而不同”的包容精神，亲诚惠容理念诠释“亲仁善邻”的交往之道，“一带一路”倡议体现“立己达人”的担当情怀.
A major advance in theoretical innovation is that the scientific system is becoming increasingly complete. The 2023 Central Foreign Affairs Work Conference incisively summarised the principles and policies of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, proposed advocating for equal and orderly world multipolarity and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation, established the lofty goals pursued by new era Chinese diplomacy, and clarified the scientific system of the ‘four beams and eight pillars’ for constructing a human community with a shared future. The first Central Conference on Peripheral Work in 2025 proposed the common vision of building the ‘five major homes’ of peace, tranquility, prosperity, beauty, and friendship, pointing out the direction forward for constructing a peripheral community with a shared future. 理论创新的重大进展是科学体系日益完备。2023年中央外事工作会议精辟概括中国特色大国外交的方针原则，提出倡导平等有序的世界多极化、普惠包容的经济全球化，确立新时代中国外交追求的崇高目标，明确了构建人类命运共同体“四梁八柱”的科学体系。2025年首次中央周边工作会议提出建设和平、安宁、繁荣、美丽、友好“五大家园”共同愿景，为构建周边命运共同体指明前进方向.
The outstanding contribution of theoretical innovation is profoundly answering questions of the times. General Secretary Xi Jinping has innovatively proposed four major global initiatives, forming an organic whole that promotes prosperity through common development, ensures stability through universal security, increases mutual trust through mutual learning among civilizations, and seeks unity through improving governance, injecting rare stability into a world of intertwined changes and turbulence, and providing precious positive energy. 理论创新的突出贡献是深刻回答时代课题。习近平总书记开创性提出四大全球倡议，形成以共同发展促繁荣、以普遍安全保稳定、以文明互鉴增互信、以完善治理求大同的有机整体，为变乱交织的世界注入难得的稳定性，提供宝贵的正能量.
Studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy requires a profound understanding of its historical initiative in serving national rejuvenation. New theoretical developments guide new diplomatic practices, propelling China’s distinctive major-country diplomacy into a new stage where it can be even more proactive, serving the cause of building a strong nation and achieving national rejuvenation with clearer historical consciousness. The centralised and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee over foreign affairs has been comprehensively strengthened, with the ‘Foreign Relations Law’ and the ‘Regulations on the Party’s Leadership over Foreign Affairs’ successively formulated and promulgated, further consolidating the overall coordinated framework of foreign affairs. 学习贯彻习近平外交思想，就要深刻领悟服务民族复兴的历史主动性。理论新发展指导外交新实践，推动中国特色大国外交进入一个可以更有作为的新阶段，以更清晰的历史自觉服务于强国建设、民族复兴伟业。党中央对对外工作的集中统一领导得以全面加强，《对外关系法》、《党领导外事工作条例》相继制定颁发，对外工作的大协同格局更加巩固.
In the historical process of deepening and expanding the all-around diplomatic layout, China–US relations are developing in the direction of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win–win cooperation; China–Russia strategic coordination has become more mature, stable, and resilient; our country’s relations with peripheral countries have entered their best period since modern times; the Global South’s joint self-strengthening continues to take new steps forward; we are actively promoting reform and improvement of the global governance system; and are firmly safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, security, and development interests. 在深化拓展全方位外交布局的历史进程中，中美关系朝着相互尊重、和平共处、合作共赢方向发展，中俄战略协作更加成熟稳定坚韧，我国同周边关系进入近代以来最好时期，全球南方联合自强不断迈出新的步伐，我们积极推动对全球治理体系的改革完善，坚定维护国家的主权、安全、发展利益.
Under the banner of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, the strategic autonomy and historical initiative of external work have increased significantly, and our country has already become a responsible major power with greater international influence, innovative leadership, and moral appeal, and its relations with the world have entered a new period in which it can grasp historical initiative to a greater extent and influence the direction of world development to a greater degree. 在习近平外交思想旗帜下，对外工作的战略自主性和历史主动性显著增强，我国已成为更具国际影响力、创新引领力、道义感召力的负责任大国，同世界关系进入一个可以更多把握历史主动、更大程度影响世界发展方向的新时期.
To study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, we must deeply comprehend the moral leadership that reveals where people’s hearts lie. General Secretary Xi Jinping holds the future and destiny of humanity in his heart, directly confronts the world’s difficult problems and challenges, contributes wisdom to the cause of human progress, and points out the direction for improving global governance. 学习贯彻习近平外交思想，就要深刻领悟昭示人心向背的道义引领性。习近平总书记胸怀人类前途命运，直面世界难题挑战，为人类进步事业贡献智慧，为完善全球治理指明方向.
Looking across history, human society calls for a new type of theory of international relations, and Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy is both national and global, both bearing a historical mission and aligning with the trend of the times. It advocates transcending conflict and confrontation through peaceful development, replacing absolute security with common security, abandoning zero-sum games with mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, preventing civilizational conflict through exchange and mutual learning, caring for the Earth through green development, creating a new form of human civilization through Chinese-style modernization; not walking the old, misguided paths of ‘the strong must dominate’ or colonial plunder, but instead opening up a new, correct path for major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, writing a new chapter in the political civilization of humankind. 纵观历史，人类社会呼唤新型国际关系理论，习近平外交思想既是民族的，又是世界的，既肩负历史使命，又顺应时代潮流。主张以和平发展超越冲突对抗，以共同安全取代绝对安全，以互利共赢摒弃零和博弈，以交流互鉴防止文明冲突，以绿色发展呵护地球家园，以中国式现代化创造人类文明新形态，不走国强必霸、殖民掠夺的老路邪路，而是开辟中国特色大国外交的新路正路，书写了人类政治文明的崭新篇章.
Looking around the world, the rational cores of the diverse civilizations of all countries connect with one another, and the universal values for all humanity promoted by Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy contain the shared ideas accumulated through human development and progress, drawing the greatest ‘concentric circle’ of the value pursuits of different countries and nations. The Belt and Road ‘big family’ already covers three-quarters of the world’s countries; the four major global initiatives have received support from more than 100 countries and international organizations; 84 countries have joined the ‘Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative’; and more and more countries and regional organizations are willing to join hands with China to build a community of shared future. Statesmen and insightful figures from around the world have all stated that Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy has great significance for the era and for the world, and that the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind brings peace, development, and hope to the world. 环顾世界，各国多元文明的合理内核彼此相通，习近平外交思想弘扬的全人类共同价值，蕴含着人类发展进步积淀的共同理念，画出不同国家民族价值追求的最大同心圆。“一带一路”大家庭已覆盖全球四分之三国家，四大全球倡议得到100多个国家和国际组织支持，84个国家加入“全球发展倡议之友小组”，越来越多国家和地区组织愿意同中方携手建设命运共同体。国际政要和有识之士纷纷表示，习近平外交思想具有重大时代和世界意义，构建人类命运共同体理念为世界带来和平、发展和希望.
To study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, one must deeply grasp its practical guidance for understanding and mastering laws and methods. Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy adheres to the Marxist standpoints, viewpoints, and methods, incisively summarising the new experiences and new understandings of the ‘six musts’, and providing a scientific method for guiding external work.
We must insist on upholding principles, which means being clear-cut on major issues of right and wrong, speaking out for fairness and justice, and firmly standing on the right side of history.
We must embody the responsibility of a major country, which means adhering to the tradition of independence and self-reliance, responding to the universal concerns of people of all countries with a global vision, and leading the world in peace and development.
We must establish a systemic perspective, which means upholding a correct historical perspective and overall perspective, and analyzing the situation and formulating policies using the perspective of universal interconnectedness and continuous development.
We must adhere to both maintaining integrity and pursuing innovation, which means adhering to the fundamental direction of Chinese diplomacy, keeping pace with the times, and continuously exploring new ideas and measures.
We must carry forward the spirit of struggle, which means not fearing power and hegemonism, firmly establishing bottom-line thinking, not yielding an inch on matters of principle, and being flexible and mobile on matters of strategy.
We must give play to institutional advantages, which means upholding that diplomatic power lies with the Party Central Committee, strengthening overall coordination, and ensuring that all regions and departments form a powerful joint force.
学习贯彻习近平外交思想，就要深刻领悟把握规律方法的实践指导性。习近平外交思想坚持马克思主义立场观点方法，精辟概括“六个必须”的新经验新认识，提供了指导对外工作的科学方法。必须做到坚持原则，就是在大是大非上旗帜鲜明，捍卫公平正义上仗义执言，坚定站在历史正确一边。必须体现大国担当，就是坚持独立自主传统，以胸怀天下的抱负，回应各国人民普遍关切，坚持引领世界的和平与发展。必须树立系统观念，就是秉持正确历史观、大局观，运用普遍联系、不断发展的观点分析形势、制定政策。必须坚持守正创新，就是坚守中国外交的根本方向，与时俱进，不断探索新思路和新举措。必须发扬斗争精神，就是不畏强权霸道，树牢底线思维，原则问题上寸步不让，策略问题上灵活机动。必须发挥制度优势，就是坚持外交大权在党中央，加强统筹协调，确保各地区各部门形成强大合力.
A great era gives rise to great thought, and great thought guides great practice. Closely following the pace of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy as it leads the trend of the times, and looking back on the extraordinary course of diplomatic work in the new era, we increasingly and more deeply come to appreciate that: 伟大时代产生伟大思想，伟大思想指导伟大实践。紧跟习近平外交思想引领潮流的步伐，回顾新时代外交极不平凡的历程，我们越来越深刻体会到:
The General Secretary’s strategic leadership is the fundamental guarantee. Since the start of the new era, the reason why diplomatic work has been able to accomplish a series of major and important tasks, and achieve a series of major breakthroughs, lies fundamentally in General Secretary Xi Jinping steering the course and being at the helm, and in the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. This is our greatest certainty amid an uncertain world, and the greatest source of confidence for overcoming every hardship and obstacle on the road ahead. 总书记的战略引领是根本保证。新时代以来，外交工作之所以能办成一系列大事要事，取得一系列重大突破，根本在于习近平总书记领航掌舵，在于习近平外交思想科学指引。这是我们应对世界不确定性的最大确定性，是前进道路上战胜一切艰难险阻的最大底气.
Upholding Chinese characteristics is the foundation of conviction. Unswervingly walking our own path, inheriting the fine traditions of New China’s diplomacy, adhering to socialism’s political direction, and being rooted in the deep accumulation of Chinese civilisation, we can provide Chinese solutions to breaking through the difficult problems of the times. Upholding the guidelines and principles of self-confidence and self-reliance, openness and inclusiveness, fairness and justice, and cooperation and win-win outcomes, and continuously shaping the unique style of Chinese diplomacy, we can gain support from many and move steadily toward distant goals. 坚持中国特色是信念之基。坚定不移走自己的路,传承新中国外交的优良传统，坚持社会主义的政治方向，植根中华文明的深厚积淀，就能为破解时代难题提供中国方案。坚持自信自立、开放包容、公道正义、合作共赢的方针原则，不断塑造中国外交独特风范，就能得道多助、行稳致远.
Building a community with a shared future for mankind is a glorious banner. Standing at the crossroads where humanity must choose its future direction, Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy clearly states that building a community with a shared future for mankind is the lofty goal of China’s diplomacy in the new era, and also where the future of the people of all countries lies, promoting international relations to achieve the historic leap from seeking common ground while reserving differences to sharing the same boat and helping each other, and pointing out the correct direction for world development at a turning point in the times. 构建人类命运共同体是光辉旗帜。站在人类何去何从的十字路口，习近平外交思想明确构建人类命运共同体是新时代中国外交的崇高目标，也是世界各国人民前途所在，推动国际关系实现了从求同存异到同球共济的历史跨越，在时代转折关头为世界发展指明了正确方向.
Creating a favourable international environment for Chinese-style modernisation is a mission that must be fulfilled. As our country’s development enters the crucial stage of basically realising socialist modernisation, the evolution of the international landscape has a profound impact on domestic development. External work must keep firmly in mind its original aspiration and mission, focus tightly on economic construction as the central task, actively create a good external environment for achieving high-quality development, provide new opportunities for the world through China’s new development, and realize mutual benefit and win-win results through positive interaction between China and the world. 为中国式现代化营造有利国际环境是应尽使命。我国发展进入基本实现社会主义现代化的关键时期，国际形势演变深刻影响国内发展，对外工作要牢记初心使命，紧紧围绕经济建设这个中心，积极为实现高质量发展创造良好外部环境，以中国新发展为世界提供新机遇，在中国与世界的良性互动中实现合作共赢.
The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC has charted a new blueprint for China’s development during the 15th FYP period, and the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups across the country are marching forward towards the bright prospects of Chinese-style modernisation. On this new journey, the diplomatic and foreign affairs front must more consciously arm itself with Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, overcome difficulties, forge ahead, and deliver results worthy of the times and the people. 党的二十届四中全会擘画了“十五五”时期中国发展新蓝图，全党全国各族人民正在向着中国式现代化光明前景阔步前行。新征程上，外交外事战线要更加自觉地用习近平外交思想武装头脑，攻坚克难，开拓进取，交出无愧时代、不负人民的答卷.
We must further raise our political standing. Thoroughly studying the Outline is a major political task at present and for a period to come. The diplomatic and foreign affairs front must meticulously plan and arrange its work, focusing on comprehensive learning, understanding, and implementation, accurately grasping the essence of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and improving our ability to manage international situations and handle foreign affairs. We must more deeply comprehend the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, and serve and safeguard head-of-state diplomacy well with more loyal political character, a more vigorous spiritual state, and more solid political capability, thus forming the first echelon in practicing the ‘Two Safeguards’. 我们要进一步提高政治站位。深入学习《纲要》是当前和今后一个时期的重大政治任务。外交外事战线要精心部署安排，在全面学习、全面把握、全面落实上下功夫，准确把握习近平外交思想的精髓要义，提高驾驭国际局势和处理涉外事务的能力。要更加深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，以更忠诚的政治品格、更昂扬的精神状态、更过硬的政治能力服务保障好元首外交，走好践行“两个维护”的第一方阵.
We must further strengthen theoretical development. Demonstrating the Chinese path and Chinese principles contained in Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, and answering the questions of the times and questions of the world from international society, all cannot be separated from the academic world’s systematic research and theoretical interpretation. The broad community of think-tank scholars must bravely scale the heights of theory, keep pace with innovation, and be good at using a rigorous and scientific attitude to build the knowledge system of the study of China’s diplomacy. 我们要进一步加强理论建设。彰显习近平外交思想蕴含的中国之路、中国之理，回答国际社会的时代之题、世界之问，都离不开学术界的体系化研究、学理化阐释。广大智库学者要勇攀理论高峰，紧跟创新脚步，善于用严谨科学的态度，构建中国外交学知识体系.
We must further demonstrate a sense of responsibility and initiative. The purpose of study lies entirely in application. The diplomatic and foreign affairs front must continuously transform the results of study into solid work and effective results, taking the building of a community with a shared future for mankind as the main thread, promoting the four major global initiatives to go deeper and become more substantive, pushing the high-quality development of jointly building the Belt and Road, deepening and expanding global partnerships, and building a more just and reasonable global governance system. We must continuously promote innovation and upgrading in diplomatic concepts, systems, and capabilities, enhance the initiative, foresight, and creativity of foreign-related work, and forge a diplomatic iron army capable of shouldering the heavy responsibility of national rejuvenation. 我们要进一步展现担当作为。学习的目的全在于运用。外交外事战线要不断把学习成果转化为实干实效，围绕构建人类命运共同体这一主线，推动四大全球倡议走深走实，推进共建“一带一路”高质量发展，深化拓展全球伙伴关系，构建更加公正合理的全球治理体系。持续推动外交观念、体制、能力革新提升，增强对外工作主动性、预见性、创造性，打造堪当民族复兴重任的外交铁军.
We must further enhance communication effectiveness. Communication power determines influence, and discourse power is initiative power. We must take the major concepts and initiatives proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping as core resources, combine publicising China’s positions with responding to global challenges, and construct a narrative system that integrates Chinese and foreign elements and is refreshing and eye-catching. Be close to different countries and groups, innovate communication modes and methods, give play to the combined strength of online and offline, of government, society, academia, and media, and tell China’s stories and the stories of the Chinese people well, and tell well the story of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and its practice. 我们要进一步提升传播效能。传播力决定影响力，话语权就是主动权。要以习近平总书记提出的重大理念倡议为核心资源，把宣介中国的主张同应对全球性挑战结合起来，构建起融通中外、耳目一新的叙事体系。贴近不同国家和群体，创新传播载体方式，发挥线上线下、官民学媒合力，讲好中国和中国人民的故事，讲好习近平外交思想与实践的故事.
As one of the research institutions for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era established with the approval of the Party Central Committee, the Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy Research Center has been operating for five years. Under the care and guidance of the Central Propaganda Department and other departments and all quarters, and through the unremitting efforts of the comrades at the Center, the Center has achieved fruitful results in systematic research, theoretical interpretation, and international exchange, and its academic influence, policy influence, and international influence have continuously increased. I hope everyone will make persistent efforts, publish more high-quality works, and create a highland for diplomatic thought research; establish specialized theoretical research publications and build authoritative theoretical positions; strengthen external publicity and dissemination, and strive to create high-level academic exchange platforms; cultivate excellent talent teams, advance the construction of a national high-end think tank, and further play a leading and demonstrative role in the research of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, continuously polishing this ‘golden brand’. 作为经党中央批准成立的习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究机构之一，习近平外交思想研究中心成立已逾5年，在中宣部等各部门、各方面关心指导下，经过中心同志们不懈努力，中心在体系化研究、学理化阐释、国际化交流方面成果丰硕，学术影响力、政策影响力、国际影响力不断提升。希望大家再接再厉，出版更多的精品著作，打造外交思想研究高地；创办专门理论研究刊物，建设权威理论阵地；加强对外宣介传播，争创高层次学术交流平台；培养优秀人才队伍，推进国家高端智库建设，在习近平外交思想研究方面进一步发挥带动示范作用，不断擦亮这一“金字品牌”.
Thought guides direction, and struggle creates the future. We must unite even more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, follow Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, and make new and greater contributions to comprehensively advancing the construction of a strong country and the great undertaking of national rejuvenation with Chinese-style modernisation. 思想指引方向，奋斗开创未来。我们要更加紧密地团结在以习近平同志为核心的党中央周围，以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想特别是习近平外交思想为遵循，为以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业作出新的更大贡献.