China’s Diplomacy and Its Drive Towards “Community with a Shared Future for Mankind”

China’s international strategy is defined by the concept of “foreign policy with Chinese characteristics,” following three principles that are based on culture, economy, and responsibility.

As far as culture is concerned, Chinese diplomacy is exercised through the exchange of ideas, information, art, language, and other cultural teachings between countries and their peoples to promote mutual understanding.

Over the past 15 years, the ability to conduct effective economic diplomacy has led to a growing Chinese presence abroad. This growth has been further consolidated through the design and construction of infrastructure both in Africa and in Europe, as well as in Central Asia, without neglecting the Chinese cooperation with South American countries.

China’s economic diplomacy draws its strength from the principle of win-win cooperation and non-interference in the internal affairs of the countries which receive loans and assistance from China. This approach has proved to be far more attractive over time than the approach adopted by Western countries, which is conditioned by the adoption of Western ideologies.

The so-called Washington Consensus model has privileged U.S.-led countries, neglecting the interests of the rest of the world. The genuine desire for stability expressed by Beijing during international summits reflects a path of continuous endeavor aimed at developing an equal and cooperative international system.

Such objectives are accompanied by the proposal of great international projects, the outcome of which represent a definitive exit from past Western imperialism, during which China suffered from serious acts of aggression. Therefore, China’s goal in recent years has been to achieve a “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”

China’s foreign policy is encompassed in the motto “community with a shared future for mankind,” which was proposed during the opening of the Belt and Road forum in 2017. It has served as a core value driving China’s international relations and affirms the country’s opposition to hegemonism and unilateralism, highlighting its commitment to unity among the peoples of the world.

China reinforced this commitment in September 2021 at the United Nations General Assembly, where the Global Development Initiative (GDI) was also put forward. In October 2022, more than 100 countries and international organizations expressed their support of the initiative, and 68 countries have since joined the GDI Group of Friends at the UN.

The Global Development Initiative lends fresh impetus to the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda by revitalizing global development partnerships, mobilizing international development resources, deepening development cooperation, bridging the north-south hemisphere gap, and aiming for stronger, greener, and healthier global development.

Imma Elenoire Laudieri Di Biase is a sinologist and international analyst.