Opinion | President Xi's wisdom on diplomacy with Chinese characteristics

By Augustus K. Yeung

Introduction

Recently China Daily reported that President Xi Jinping's two books have been published. They consisted of his collection of speeches that tracked China's contemporary foreign policy evolution, according to experts.

Research on China's foreign policy will be greatly assisted by this newly released publication –two volumes of his collection of speeches on diplomacy.

Armed with this body of theoretical knowledge, a hybrid of Chinese wisdom, old and new. From now on, the nation's modern breed of diplomats can methodically venture out over the fast-changing world, which has lost its leadership, impetus and direction as the U.S. experiences a free fall.

Where's the bold, harmonizing grand vision of U.S. diplomacy that bears the Nixon-Kissinger trademark?!

Whereas, with Xi's collection of books, China's army of diplomats can now employ their "mouths and tongues" (and lashes, if necessary) to lobby the harsh "China critics" and ill-informed commentators, integrating differences of global opinions for their acceptance of modern China, a nation that has been struggling for self-strengthening movement.

What once seemed to be missing, the grand vision that the nation's leadership is painting suddenly looks crystal clear with this publication. How timely!

These Two Books Help the Western World to Better Understand China's Diplomacy…

Published recently, the two volumes include 136 speeches delivered by Xi at international events between March 2013 and November 2021.

They will help the world better understand Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, help ensure that China's diplomatic agenda is better received and bolster its teamwork with partners across the globe in pursuing sustained growth, peace and overcoming uncertainties, experts noted.

Setting examples and precedents for China's contemporary ambassadors and diplomats, since 2013, the president has had a packed diplomatic schedule, making 41 trips abroad to a total of 69 countries, reminding readers of Confucius crisscrossing the interstates, crusading, championing his teachings in the Spring and Autumn Period.

The two volumes contain the full text of Xi's speeches, such as the one made at the UN Office in Geneva in 2017, which will help readers and China's diplomats better understand the paramount importance of his grand vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Readers may also find answers to: How to address the world's gap in development and challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic by reading Xi's speech at the general debate of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly last September. In this speech, President Xi proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI), which has now received support from over 100 countries.

Xi's Updated Theories on Diplomacy vs Outdated Ways of Political Economic Thinking

"As manifested by these two volumes, Xi's proposal on building a community with a shared future for mankind and his putting forward the GDI serve as an essential way to deal with transnational problems and resolve global crises," said Xu Bu, president of the China Institute of International Studies.

Currently, the world's economic development is unbalanced, and infectious diseases, especially the "political virus" (as ambassador Qin Gang coined the concept) have been rampant for quite a long time.

Also, Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy sharply contrasts with outdated ways of thinking that pursue a zero-sum game and power politics.

"Displaying wisdom, insight and unique ideas on major issues concerning mankind's development, President Xi provides China's solutions to global challenges and points out the direction for the progress and development of the entire human community," Xu said.

Wang Fan, vice-president of China Foreign Affairs University, said: "Xi's informative speeches on diplomacy show that great perspectives on history, the big picture and a country's role are key to better tracking the evolving world."

"We should take note of two facts: China's ability to shape, influence and motivate the world is improving; and there is a great need for China to further boost trust with countries and overcome their doubts," Wang remarked.

Xi Elaborated on China's Policy of Amity and Sincerity Toward ASEAN

Wang Wen, executive dean of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies of Renmin University of China, said the collection of speeches "is a testimony to how Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy draws from and concentrates the diplomatic wisdom and success of the country, the CPC and its people".

Thus, the Thought deserves greater academic efforts from home and abroad in its research.

Lyu Chao, dean of Liaoning University's Institute of America and East Asia Studies said: "In his speeches, President Xi accurately elaborated on China's policy toward its neighbors [the ASEAN countries] based on amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness."

Xi's speeches show that China is ready to share opportunities for common development with its 
Southeastern neighbors, the dean said.

Shen Yi, director of Fudan University's Centre for Cyberspace Governance Studies in Shanghai, said the two volumes help outline Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy's "well-founded architecture of theories, detailing planning and respective policy practices".

"And his proposal of building a community with a shared future for mankind displays China's self-driven open mind and inclusive approach to the world," he added. ("Books gather Xi's wisdom on diplomacy". CHINA DAILY. Friday, May 13, 2022)

Conclusion

For China enthusiasts, it's encouraging to see that President Xi Jinping's theories on diplomacy have now been timely collected, published, highlighted by experts, and actively set in motion by Qin Gang, China's flamboyant ambassador in America.

For centuries past, this train of thought has been the logical pursuits of traditional China's teachings, and at pains pushed by our ancient sages as well--who emphasized: Fine-tuning the self-development; harmonizing the family; following the precept of fine-governance of nation; and bringing peace to the new global world.

Now that Xi's theories on diplomacy have been systematized, connecting China's past and present bodies of economy-enriching knowledge and political ideology, readying the nation's young elites--in body and mind--to go out there and concertedly work for the building of a "cosmopolitan community", an ancient but not archaic concept currently being rejuvenized.

 

The author is a freelance writer; formerly Adjunct Lecturer, taught MBA Philosophy of Management, and International Strategy, and online columnist of 3-D Corner (HKU SPACE), University of Hong Kong.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.

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