Layla Zulfa
Over the past five years, a distinctive "China-style major-country diplomacy" has been meticulously forged on the global stage, largely through the extensive international travels and strategic engagements of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Through 29 meticulously planned visits encompassing 58 countries and numerous pivotal international and regional organizations across all five continents, President Xi has earned the moniker of "chief diplomat" for China, fundamentally recalibrating the nation’s role in global affairs. These diplomatic forays have not merely represented routine state visits; they have systematically elevated China’s leadership stature in critical domains such as global peace, security, governance, and sustainable development. Simultaneously, they have fostered a deeper worldwide understanding of a nuanced Chinese vision and approach, centrally characterized by principles of win-win cooperation and a resolute commitment to building a community with a shared future for mankind.
The Genesis of a New Diplomatic Paradigm
President Xi Jinping assumed the presidency in March 2013, inheriting a nation whose economic might had rapidly expanded, yet whose diplomatic identity was still evolving amidst a complex global landscape. The international arena was grappling with the lingering aftershocks of the 2008 financial crisis, a rise in protectionist sentiments, and an increasingly multipolar geopolitical environment. It was against this backdrop that Xi Jinping unveiled his signature diplomatic philosophy. His inaugural foreign trip as president took him to Moscow in March 2013, a significant symbolic choice that underscored the strategic importance of Russia to China’s foreign policy. There, at the prestigious Moscow State Institute of International Relations, he articulated a clear departure from historical paradigms. "To keep up with the times," Xi declared, "we cannot have ourselves physically living in the 21st century, but with a mindset belonging to the past, stalled in the old days of colonialism, and constrained by zero-sum Cold War mentality." He then passionately called for the establishment of a new type of international relations, one fundamentally anchored in the principle of win-win cooperation. This speech served as the foundational blueprint for China’s proactive and assertive diplomatic posture in the years that followed.
Forging Bilateral Bonds: Key Partnerships and Strategic Engagements
Xi Jinping’s diplomatic efforts have been characterized by a strategic focus on strengthening bilateral ties with key global players, while simultaneously expanding China’s influence across diverse regions.
Russia: An Anchor of Stability
The relationship with Russia has been a cornerstone of Xi’s foreign policy. Over five years, President Xi undertook six visits to Russia and engaged in more than 20 meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin on various international platforms. This frequent high-level engagement has been instrumental in elevating China-Russia ties to what both leaders describe as their "best in history." This robust strategic partnership extends beyond mere rhetoric, encompassing significant cooperation in energy, trade, and defense. By 2017, bilateral trade between China and Russia had recovered from earlier downturns, exceeding $84 billion, demonstrating renewed economic vigor. The two nations have also intensified coordination within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations Security Council, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and BRICS, positioning themselves as a crucial anchor for global peace and security. Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the Russian State Duma, notably remarked, "I believe that the model of bilateral relations that we have created should become one of the examples of civilized interaction between countries in the 21st century," underscoring the perceived exemplary nature of this partnership.
United States: Navigating Complexities
Managing relations with the United States, particularly through a period of White House leadership transition and subsequent uncertainties, has been a delicate yet critical aspect of China’s diplomacy. President Xi consistently advocated for principles of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect, and win-win cooperation as the bedrock for stable China-US relations. His exchanges with President Donald Trump, including a high-profile summit at Mar-a-Lago in April 2017 and a reciprocal visit to Beijing later that year, led to the establishment of new high-level dialogue mechanisms. These mechanisms, such as the China-U.S. Comprehensive Economic Dialogue and the Diplomatic & Security Dialogue, were designed to promote constructive engagement and manage differences in areas ranging from trade and economic policy to regional security issues. Despite inherent strategic competition, the emphasis remained on identifying common ground and fostering cooperation on global challenges.
Europe: A Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
China-Europe relations have expanded significantly under Xi’s leadership, with multiple tours across the continent. China has actively sought to build a comprehensive strategic partnership with the European Union founded on peace, growth, reform, and mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation. Economic ties have deepened considerably, with the EU remaining one of China’s largest trading partners and vice versa. By 2017, bilateral trade between China and the EU surpassed €570 billion. Beyond economic engagement, China has also actively cultivated excellent relationships with countries in Central and Eastern Europe through platforms like the "16+1 cooperation" mechanism (now 17+1 with Greece), which has largely assuaged some European concerns about China’s growing influence by emphasizing practical economic cooperation and infrastructure development.
Neighbors and Regional Integration: The Near Abroad
A significant portion of President Xi’s diplomatic efforts—roughly half of his overseas visits—were strategically dedicated to strengthening ties with China’s immediate neighbors. This focus reflects China’s understanding that regional stability and prosperity are intrinsically linked to its own development and security. Key initiatives have included the establishment of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation mechanism, aimed at fostering sustainable development among riparian states; the updated version of the China-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Free Trade Area, which has further deepened economic integration with a crucial regional bloc; and the advancement of projects like the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor, designed to enhance connectivity and trade across South and Southeast Asia. These efforts underscore a commitment to a shared regional future, promoting stability and economic interdependence.
Developing World: South-South Cooperation
Beyond its immediate neighborhood and major powers, China has also significantly bolstered cooperation with developing countries across Africa and Latin America. This "South-South cooperation" has manifested through substantial Chinese involvement in a myriad of infrastructure and development projects. In Africa, for instance, China has continued its robust engagement through platforms like the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), investing heavily in railways, roads, power plants, and industrial parks. Similarly, in Latin America, the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum has facilitated increased trade, investment, and infrastructure development. These engagements are often framed around principles of non-interference in internal affairs, mutual respect, and shared development, presenting an alternative model of partnership to traditional Western aid.
Strengthening Multilateralism: A Community with a Shared Future
A central ideological pillar underpinning Xi Jinping’s "China-style major-country diplomacy" is the ambitious proposal to build a "community with a shared future for mankind." This concept extends beyond bilateral relations, serving as a guiding philosophy for China’s engagement with regional and international organizations, reinforcing its commitment to multilateralism.
Global Platforms and Advocacy
President Xi has consistently utilized prominent global platforms to articulate China’s vision and advocate for its principles. From his addresses at the United Nations General Assembly to his presence at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ meetings, the Group of 20 (G20) forum, and the BRICS summits (comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), he has steadfastly reaffirmed China’s commitment to economic globalization, UN-led multilateralism, and global peace.
In a landmark keynote speech at the WEF in Davos in January 2017, delivered amidst rising global protectionism and anti-globalization sentiments, Xi Jinping forcefully defended economic globalization. He acknowledged that globalization faced criticisms for its perceived links to sluggish economies, high unemployment, trade protectionism, populism, isolationism, and widening wealth disparities. However, he argued that "in the face of both opportunities and challenges of economic globalization, the right thing to do is to seize every opportunity, jointly meet challenges and chart the right course for economic globalization." He then outlined a path forward for the global economy, emphasizing innovation-driven growth, open and win-win cooperation, fairer governance, and balanced and inclusive development. This speech was widely interpreted as China stepping into a leadership vacuum left by some Western powers, particularly on issues of global economic governance.
At the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries during the BRICS summit held in Xiamen, China, in September 2017, Xi reiterated this conviction, stating, "In an increasingly interdependent and integrated world where countries form a community of shared interests, openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation are the only viable option." These statements collectively underscore China’s belief that multilateralism is the essential solution for complex global problems.
Addressing Global Challenges
China’s commitment to multilateralism is not merely rhetorical; it is demonstrated through concrete actions. Following the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change in June 2017, China reaffirmed its unwavering support for the accord and its significant contributions to global climate action, positioning itself as a leader in environmental governance. Furthermore, China has become a major contributor to UN peacekeeping missions, both in terms of personnel and financial contributions, actively participating in efforts to maintain international peace and security in conflict zones around the world. China’s efforts have been recognized by international figures, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stating, "Multilateralism is the solution for the global problems, and China has been a strong pillar of multilateralism." His predecessor, Ban Ki-moon, had earlier called China "an indispensable partner for the UN’s agenda."
The Belt and Road Initiative: A Grand Vision for Connectivity
Perhaps the most ambitious and defining manifestation of China’s "community with a shared future for mankind" vision is the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), proposed by President Xi in 2013. The BRI is a monumental infrastructure and investment program aimed at building vast trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa, largely along and beyond the ancient Silk Road trade routes.
Scope and Impact
The initiative’s scope is unprecedented, encompassing a wide array of projects including new railways, roads, ports, pipelines, and industrial zones. By 2017, the BRI had garnered participation from over 60 countries, with investment flowing into thousands of projects. Key examples include the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multi-billion dollar project involving infrastructure development, Gwadar Port in Pakistan, and the Ethiopia-Djibouti Railway, significantly improving connectivity in East Africa. The initiative is not merely about physical infrastructure; it is also designed to foster policy coordination, trade liberalization, financial integration, and people-to-people bonds. Critically, the BRI’s projects are explicitly aligned with the development strategies of many participating countries and are being pursued with the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in mind, aiming to contribute to poverty reduction, economic growth, and improved livelihoods across the interconnected regions. While initially met with some skepticism regarding its geopolitical implications and potential debt burdens for participating nations, the BRI has steadily gained momentum and attracted increasing international participation, becoming arguably the greatest gift China has offered to the world in terms of promoting global connectivity and shared development.
Implications and Future Trajectory of China’s Diplomacy
The five years of Xi Jinping’s "chief diplomat" role have undeniably marked a significant turning point in China’s engagement with the world. The country has transitioned from a relatively passive participant in global governance to a proactive shaper of international norms and institutions. This shift has profound implications for global power dynamics, ushering in an era of greater multipolarity.
While China’s "major-country diplomacy" has been lauded for its emphasis on win-win cooperation and multilateralism, it has also faced challenges. Critics have raised concerns about the geopolitical implications of the Belt and Road Initiative, particularly regarding debt sustainability for smaller nations and the potential for increased Chinese influence. Trade tensions, particularly with the United States, and differing views on human rights and regional security issues have also presented hurdles. However, China’s diplomatic efforts under Xi Jinping have consistently emphasized dialogue and cooperation as the preferred methods for resolving disputes and managing differences.
Looking ahead, the "China-style major-country diplomacy" appears to be a long-term strategic direction. It signals China’s enduring commitment to a reformed global governance system that better reflects the interests of developing countries and promotes a more equitable international order. President Xi Jinping’s extensive travel and personal diplomacy have not only elevated China’s international profile but have also cemented his personal brand as a pivotal figure in contemporary global leadership. As China continues its ascent, its diplomatic blueprint, centered on a community with a shared future, will remain a defining feature of the 21st-century international landscape.
Suro Senen
Reynand Wu
