Innovations in diplomatic theory, practice

Energetically working to stabilize and advance the good-neighborly relations in the surrounding areas. China's relations with its neighbors are, on the whole, moving towards a more favorable direction. While attending the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2013 and the State events held on its sidelines, Comrade Xi Jinping expounded on the new ideas in China's domestic and foreign policies, which promoted China's strategic trust with the relevant countries and elevated its relations with the neighboring countries. We have received visits by state leaders from neighboring countries, such as President Truong Tan Sang of Vietnam, President Park Geun-hye of the Republic of Korea and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan, strengthened bilateral ties with neighboring countries in areas including Southeast Asia and Central Asia, and consolidated good-neighborly friendship and cooperation with them. With respect to such issues as Diaoyu Islands and South China Sea, we have acted firmly to uphold our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests while working hard to appropriately handle and resolve the disputes with the neighboring countries through dialogue and negotiation. On the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, while firmly committed to the goal of denuclearization, we have actively reached out to relevant countries to move the situation on the Peninsula towards relaxation.

Vigorously working to strengthen friendship and cooperation with developing countries. Comrade Xi Jinping's successful visits to Africa and Latin America have fully reflected the great importance we attach to developing countries. By visiting Tanzania, South Africa and the Republic of the Congo, Comrade Xi Jinping set a precedent for a Chinese head of state to visit Africa during his first overseas trip. What is more, he met with over a dozen African leaders at a breakfast meeting, with fruitful results achieved in renewing friendship, enhancing mutual trust, advancing cooperation and identifying opportunities for common development. By visiting Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica and Mexico and holding bilateral talks with leaders of eight Caribbean countries, Comrade Xi Jinping has enhanced China's political trust and result-oriented cooperation with them and brought China's overall cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean to a new high.

Deeply engaging in and shaping processes of multilateral diplomacy: When meeting leaders of international organizations, Comrade Xi Jinping stressed China's commitment to the advocacy and practice of multilateralism and the great value it attaches to the important role of the United Nations and other international organizations. China will honor its due international obligations and work in close cooperation with relevant international organizations in maintaining world peace and security, promoting human development and progress and addressing global issues and challenges. Fresh progress has been made in China's relations with major international organizations. Attending the Fifth BRICS Leaders' Meeting in Durban, South Africa, Comrade Xi Jinping worked for closer communication and coordination with other major developing countries on global economic and political matters of great consequence and brought about progress in building BRICS mechanisms. The Summit issued the eThekwini Declaration and Action Plan, decided to establish a development bank and a contingent reserve arrangement among BRICS countries, thus providing a strong impetus to the establishment of a new international political and economic order that is fairer and more equitable.

The Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as General Secretary has made innovative headway on the basis of past achievements. A sound and momentous beginning has thus been achieved in our diplomatic work. With the layout being more comprehensive and more balanced, China's diplomacy under new circumstances displays such features as rich ideas, clear priorities, firm positions, flexible approaches and distinctive styles. This has not only aroused greater interest of all parties to further develop relations with China, which paves the way for sound diplomatic work in the latter half of the year and even the next five to ten years, but also has boosted the morale of the Party, the army and the people, thus greatly galvanizing the enthusiasm of our Party and our people of all ethnic groups to work for the realization of the "two centenary goals" as set by the 18th Party Congress.