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Studying and Implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy in a Deep-going Way and Opening up New Horizons in China's External WorkBy Yang Jiechi (People's Daily Online) 09:02, May 16, 2022
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Since the beginning of this year, faced with the complex situation where major global changes unseen in a century have been compounded by a once-in-a-century pandemic, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has taken into account both the domestic and international imperatives, worked on development and security as two top priorities, coordinated progress in COVID-19 response and in economic and social development, and observed and responded to international vicissitudes with calm and composure. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we have forged ahead on all fronts with unity and fortitude, fully implemented the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee, and advanced work in various fields in a deep-going way. A series of new and important achievements have been made in the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Following the fundamental guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy in our external work and continuously advancing major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, China has maintained its initiative and advantageous position in the overarching strategic context.
In February and March this year, we overcame various difficulties and challenges, including those related to COVID-19, and successfully hosted the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games which attracted worldwide attention. With around 170 official representatives from nearly 70 countries and international organizations attending, close to 3,000 athletes from around 90 countries and regions competing, and billions of people around the world watching and setting the record for Winter Olympics ratings, a strong momentum was created in the international community against the politicization of sport, and the sinister attempts by anti-China forces to sabotage the Games and use the occasion to contain and suppress China were completely thwarted. During the Games, head-of-state diplomacy and home-ground diplomacy were conducted extensively. These diplomatic engagements fully demonstrated China’s confidence and openness as well as its commitment as a major country to resolutely promoting world peace and development. They also contributed greatly to building international consensus among the people of all countries for peace, friendship, unity, cooperation, civilizational progress and a shared future, injecting confidence and hope into a turbulent and unstable world.
In March, we successfully convened the annual sessions of the National People’s Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, which smoothly completed all agenda items. They fully reflected the common aspirations of the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, and pooled enormous strength for advancing the cause of the Party and the country and for setting out on a new journey with confidence. They marked a new chapter of democracy, unity, truth-seeking and enterprise, and demonstrated once again to the world the institutional strength and unique advantage of China’s whole-process people’s democracy.
Since the beginning of this year, tested by rising complexity and uncertainty in the external environment, the CPC Central Committee, with strategic vision and sound decision-making, has introduced in a timely way a series of policies conducive to economic and social stability and development. The Chinese economy kicked off to a steady start this year. Production on the supply side and market on the demand side have generally remained stable. People’s livelihoods have been protected with robust and effective steps. New progress has been made in achieving high-quality development. All this speaks volumes about China’s resilience against economic shocks and our country’s great vitality and dynamism. In the first quarter, China’s GDP grew by 4.8 percent year-on-year, ranking in the front among the major economies of the world and remaining a primary driver for global growth. From January to April, the total volume of import and export grew by 11.2 percent and paid-in foreign investment by 20.5 percent year-on-year, which serves as a clear indication that China continued to open wider to the world. With China’s contribution, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement has come into effect on schedule, marking the official launch of the world’s most promising free trade area covering the largest population and boasting the most diverse membership. From January to April, trade between China and other RCEP countries registered 3.84 trillion yuan, an increase of 3.9 percent from the same period of 2021. ASEAN has remained China’s largest trading partner, with two-way trade reaching 1.84 trillion yuan, up by 7.2 percent year-on-year. Trade between China and other Asian countries has also maintained a sound momentum of growth. International institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank all expressed the belief that China has ample policy space to boost the economy, and the future holds out still greater prospects.
