Xi Jinping & Wang: Yi New Year Addresses

China of course has its own New Year for its calendar, but the rest of the world has a different clock allowing Xi Jinping to give two New Years Addresses, one to the world and one to China. His initial audience is Chinese as he reviews the year, but then also Humanity as a whole. Xi’s address was given on 31 December. What follows is the official English transcript with my emphasis:

Greetings to you all! As energy rises after the Winter Solstice, we are about to bid farewell to the old year and usher in the new. From Beijing, I extend my best New Year wishes to each and every one of you!

In 2023, we have continued to forge ahead with resolve and tenacity. We have gone through the test of winds and rains, have seen beautiful scenes unfolding on the way, and have made plenty real achievements. We will remember this year as one of hard work and perseverance. Going forward, we have full confidence in the future.

This year, we have marched forward with solid steps. We achieved a smooth transition in our COVID-19 response efforts. The Chinese economy has sustained the momentum of recovery. Steady progress has been made in pursuing high-quality development. Our modernized industrial system has been further upgraded. A number of advanced, smart and green industries are rapidly emerging as new pillars of the economy. We have secured a bumper harvest for the 20th year in a row. Waters have become clearer and mountains greener. New advances have been made in pursuing rural revitalization. New progress has been made in fully revitalizing northeast China. The Xiong'an New Area is growing fast, the Yangtze River Economic Belt is full of vitality, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is embracing new development opportunities. Having weathered the storm, the Chinese economy is more resilient and dynamic than before.

This year, we have marched forward with robust steps. Thanks to years of dedicated efforts, China's innovation-driven development is full of energy. The C919 large passenger airliner entered commercial service. The Chinese-built large cruise ship completed its trial voyage. The Shenzhou spaceships are continuing their missions in space. The deep-sea manned submersible Fendouzhe reached the deepest ocean trench. Products designed and made in China, especially trendy brands, are highly popular with consumers. The latest models of Chinese-made mobile phones are an instant market success. New energy vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products are a new testimony to China's manufacturing prowess. Everywhere across our country, new heights are being scaled with dogged determination, and new creations and innovations are emerging every day.

This year, we have marched forward in high spirits. The Chengdu FISU World University Games and the Hangzhou Asian Games presented spectacular sports scenes, and Chinese athletes excelled in their competitions. Tourist destinations are full of visitors on holidays, and the film market is booming. The "village super league" football games and "village spring festival gala" are immensely popular. More people are embracing low-carbon lifestyles. All these exhilarating activities have made our lives richer and more colorful, and they mark the return of bustling life across the country. They embody people's pursuit of a beautiful life, and present a vibrant and flourishing China to the world.

This year, we have marched forward with great confidence. China is a great country with a great civilization. Across this vast expanse of land, wisps of smoke in deserts of the north and drizzles in the south invoke our fond memory of many millennium-old stories. The mighty Yellow River and Yangtze River never fail to inspire us. Discoveries at the archeological sites of Liangzhu and Erlitou tell us much about the dawn of Chinese civilization. The ancient Chinese characters inscribed on oracle bones of the Yin Ruins, the cultural treasures of the Sanxingdui Site, and the collections of the National Archives of Publications and Culture bear witness to the evolution of Chinese culture. All this stands as testament to the time-honored history of China and its splendid civilization. And all this is the source from which our confidence and strength are derived.

While pursuing its development, China has also embraced the world and fulfilled its responsibility as a major country. We held the China-Central Asia Summit and the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, and hosted leaders from across the world at many diplomatic events held in China. I also paid visits to a number of countries, attended international conferences, and met many friends, both old and new. I shared China's vision and enhanced common understandings with them. No matter how the global landscape may evolve, peace and development remain the underlying trend, and only cooperation for mutual benefit can deliver.

Along the way, we are bound to encounter headwinds. Some enterprises had a tough time. Some people had difficulty finding jobs and meeting basic needs. Some places were hit by floods, typhoons, earthquakes or other natural disasters. All these remain at the forefront of my mind. When I see people rising to the occasion, reaching out to each other in adversity, meeting challenges head-on and overcoming difficulties, I am deeply moved. All of you, from farmers in the fields to workers on factory floors, from entrepreneurs blazing the trail to service members guarding our country -- indeed, people from all walks of life -- have done your very best. Each and every ordinary Chinese has made an extraordinary contribution! You, the people, are the ones we look to when we fight to prevail over all difficulties or challenges.

Next year will mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. We will steadfastly advance Chinese modernization, fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy on all fronts, speed up building the new development paradigm, promote high-quality development, and both pursue development and safeguard security. We will continue to act on the principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, promoting stability through progress, and establishing the new before abolishing the old. We will consolidate and strengthen the momentum of economic recovery, and work to achieve steady and long-term economic development. We will deepen reform and open up across the board, further enhance people's confidence in development, promote vibrant development of the economy, and redouble efforts to boost education, advance science and technology and cultivate talents. We will continue to support Hong Kong and Macao in harnessing their distinctive strengths, better integrating themselves into China's overall development, and securing long-term prosperity and stability. China will surely be reunified, and all Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose and share in the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Our goal is both inspiring and simple. Ultimately, it is about delivering a better life for the people. Our children should be well taken care of and receive good education. Our young people should have the opportunities to pursue their careers and succeed. And our elderly people should have adequate access to medical services and elderly care. These issues matter to every family, and they are also a top priority of the government. We must work together to deliver on these issues. Today, in our fast-paced society, people are all busy and face a lot of pressure in work and life. We should foster a warm and harmonious atmosphere in our society, expand the inclusive and dynamic environment for innovation, and create convenient and good living conditions, so that the people can live happy lives, bring out their best, and realize their dreams.

As I speak to you, conflicts are still raging in some parts of the world. We Chinese are keenly aware of what peace means. We will work closely with the international community for the common good of humanity, build a community with a shared future for mankind, and make the world a better place for all.

Right at this moment, when the lights in millions of homes light up the evening sky, let us all wish our great country prosperity, and let us all wish the world peace and tranquility! I wish you happiness in all the four seasons and success and good health in the year ahead!

Thank you! 

Traditional is the correct word, yet it conveys a reassuring tone. It’s also Conservative in the traditional sense. Pragmatic is another word. Not said along with the statement that China’s a responsible leading nation is its maturity, although that and its wisdom was stated at the end of that paragraph, “only cooperation for mutual benefit can deliver.”

Wang Yi is China’s Foreign Minister, and earlier today he was at the 2023 International Situation and China's Diplomacy Symposium where he delivered a speech reviewing China’s diplomacy for 2023, “Self-confidence, self-reliance, openness and inclusiveness, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation.” His speech is longer and covers much more ground, and you’ll find many of Xi’s expressions being repeated in Wang’s own way:

Dear experts and friends,

It is a great pleasure to gather with you at the beginning of the new year to have an overview of the international situation and talk freely about China's diplomacy. In the turbulent era, we face the changes in a century together, think about the way forward together, thank you for your care and support over the past year, and continue to look forward to your insights.

The year 2023 that has just passed is a year of major and far-reaching changes in international relations and a year of solid progress in Chinese-style modernization. This year is also a year of exploration and harvest for China's diplomacy.

Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, China's diplomacy has been upright and innovative, forging ahead, creating a favorable environment for building a strong country and national rejuvenation, and making new contributions to safeguarding world peace and promoting common development. After taking stock, there are six highlights worth recalling.

The first highlight is that the diplomacy of the heads of state is splendid, creating a new monument of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.

Throughout 2023, President Xi Jinping personally drew up and personally presided over the diplomacy of the two major venues, attended three multilateral summits, carried out four important foreign visits, held more than 100 meetings and phone calls, and talked about friendly cooperation and discussed the world's major plans with all parties with the grace of a leader of a major party and a big country. From the Kremlin minister to the Guangzhou Songyuan Summit, from "Chang'an Fu Hand in Hand" to "Comrades and Brothers", from the BRICS moment of the "Rainbow Country" to the Asia-Pacific blueprint of the "Sunshine Country", from "Chengdu achieves dreams" to "the tide rises on the Qiantang River and surging in Asia", it has shown the myriad of Chinese weather in the new era, promoted the two-way flow between China and the world, and opened up a new situation in China's foreign relations.

Head-of-state diplomacy is characterized by high-level dialogues that are highly strategic and heart-to-heart exchanges. In July last year, not far away, in Building 5 of the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, where Dr. Kissinger stayed when he visited China for the first time more than 50 years ago, President Xi Jinping cordially met and feasted this century-old man who has visited China 100 times. This special arrangement shows China's fine tradition of never forgetting its old friends. In the past year, President Xi Jinping also delivered an important speech to the American people, carried out cordial exchanges with Vietnamese youth, and sent letters full of affection and encouragement to Greek scholars, Bangladeshi children, South African university students, Cuban scientists and other friendly people, watering the tree of friendship, sowing the flowers of friendship, and writing a new chapter of mutual acquaintance.

The second highlight is that the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind has been steadily promoted, injecting new impetus into building a better future for mankind.

Last month, General Secretary Xi Jinping paid a historic state visit to Vietnam, and the most important political outcome reached by the two sides was to elevate bilateral relations to a community with a shared future for China and Vietnam of strategic significance. This positioning not only marks a new height of "comrade and brother" relations between China and Vietnam's two socialist neighbors, but also marks the full coverage of the construction of a community with a shared future on the Indochina Peninsula.

Over the past year, the building of a community with a shared future has made great strides. Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have joined the ranks of building a community with a shared future to achieve full coverage of Central Asia. Following Thailand and Indonesia, we have reached a consensus on building a community with a shared future with Malaysia. During President Xi Jinping's visit to South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa and President Ramaphosa announced that they would work together to build a high-level China-South Africa community with a shared future, and China-Africa relations have entered a new stage of jointly building a high-level community with a shared future. The construction of regional communities with a shared future such as China-Arab States, China-Latin America and the Caribbean, and China-Pacific Island Countries has also shown a new atmosphere.

Last year marked the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping's advocacy of building a community with a shared future for mankind. Ten years of struggle, ten years of success. Building a community with a shared future for mankind has evolved from a concept to a scientific system, from a Chinese initiative to an international consensus, and from a beautiful vision to rich practice.

The third highlight is the successful holding of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which has pushed the Belt and Road Initiative into a new stage of high-quality development.

2023 marks the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping's proposal to jointly build the Belt and Road. Over the past decade, the Belt and Road Initiative has extended from Eurasia to Africa and Latin America, from hard connectivity to soft connectivity and heart connectivity, building the world's broadest and largest international cooperation platform, and becoming a road of cooperation, opportunity and prosperity for the joint development of the country.

In October, the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was held in Beijing, which is China's most important home diplomacy in 2023. President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech, summing up successful experiences from the achievements of the past decade, putting forward eight actions to demonstrate China's responsibility, announcing that the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" has entered a new stage of high-quality development, and advocating that all countries work together to achieve world modernization. Tens of thousands of delegates from 151 countries and 41 international organizations came with expectations for friendship, cooperation, and development, and returned with a list of 458 important achievements and a $97.2 billion cooperation agreement. The Belt and Road Initiative will surely provide a steady stream of impetus for promoting world economic growth and promoting global common development.

The fourth highlight is the historic expansion of the BRICS mechanism, which has brought together new forces of solidarity and cooperation among developing countries.

Adhering to the spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, the BRICS countries are committed to promoting global growth and improving global governance, showing vigorous vitality and attractiveness, and dozens of developing countries have formally applied to join.

When China assumed the rotating presidency of the BRICS in 2022, President Xi Jinping proposed that the BRICS countries should open their doors to seek development and promote cooperation with open arms and called for the recruitment of new members and the gathering of new forces. All parties agreed to take the BRICS Year as an opportunity to start the process of enlargement. After a year of preparatory consultations, during the Johannesburg Summit 2023, the leaders of the five countries made a political decision, and the BRICS family officially welcomed new members.

This expansion has created a milestone in the development of the BRICS mechanism and opened a new era of joint self-reliance of the "Global South". The expanded BRICS will more effectively promote the development of the global governance system in a fair and reasonable direction, and will more effectively enhance the representation and voice of the "Global South" in international affairs.

The fifth highlight is the successful holding of the China-Central Asia Summit, which has created a new platform for regional good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation.

China and the five Central Asian countries have always been friendly neighbors adjacent to each other in terms of mountains and rivers, and China hopes most to see stability, prosperity, harmony and connectivity in Central Asia. At the critical juncture of the development of the international situation, President Xi Jinping and the heads of state of the five Central Asian countries gathered in the ancient capital of Xi'an to launch the first China-Central Asia Summit from the starting point of the ancient Silk Road, which is of great historical and practical significance.

President Xi Jinping comprehensively expounded China's foreign policy toward Central Asia, and jointly decided with the heads of state of the five countries to build a closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future, formally establish the China-Central Asia Heads of State Meeting mechanism, and establish the permanent secretariat of the China-Central Asia mechanism. The summit signed a series of multilateral and bilateral documents, drew up a blueprint for cooperation in various fields, and reached consensus on major cooperation such as establishing a China-Central Asia energy development partnership and supporting the construction of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor.

This historic summit has completed the platform construction and comprehensive layout of China-Central Asia cooperation, opened up a new upward channel, and will surely become a new monument in the history of China-Central Asia relations. The cooperation between the two sides is based on equality and respect, openness and inclusiveness, and mutual support, which has injected positive energy and stability into the region and the world.

The sixth highlight is that it has brought about a historic reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, setting a new model for political settlement of hotspot issues.

President Xi Jinping has in-depth communication with the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Iran, helping Saudi Arabia and Iran overcome grievances and move towards each other. With the strong support of the Chinese side, the three parties reached the Beijing Agreement, and Saudi Arabia and Iran announced the resumption of diplomatic relations, thus setting off a "wave of reconciliation" in the Middle East. We are glad to see that Syria has returned to the Arab League family, Qatar and Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Syria and Tunisia and Saudi Arabia, Iran and Sudan, and Turkey and Egypt have all resumed diplomatic relations or normalized relations, and the fate of the Middle East is returning to the hands of the peoples of the region.

The Saudi-Iranian reconciliation is a major victory for dialogue and peace, and a useful practice for resolving hotspot issues with Chinese characteristics. China has always been an active, goodwill and reliable mediator, never superstitious about force, never seeking geopolitical self-interest, never imposing itself on others, and has always supported the people of the Middle East in independently exploring the path of development and in resolving differences through dialogue and consultation. I would like to stress that China will continue to be a promoter of security and stability in the Middle East, a partner in development and prosperity, and a supporter of unity and self-reliance, and make more contributions to regional reconciliation, peace and harmony.

These six highlights have left behind wonderful moments of China's diplomacy, written a new chapter of win-win cooperation with the world, embodied distinctive Chinese characteristics, Chinese style and Chinese style, and demonstrated China's increasing international influence, innovation leadership and moral appeal in the new era.

Dear friends!

Over the past year, in the face of major issues related to the future and destiny of mankind and the direction of the world's development, China's diplomacy has always stood on the right side of history and the progress of the times, and made decisions that can stand the test of practice and time.

First, between cooperation and confrontation, we firmly choose cooperation. Relations between major countries affect the stability of the world pattern, and China has always believed that it is necessary to have a big mind and a big responsibility. To this end, China will always make additions, seek justice and peace, take a clear stand against competition and confrontation among major countries, and persistently promote benign interaction between major countries.

We will continue to deepen China-Russia comprehensive strategic cooperation, contribute to the development and rejuvenation of each other's countries, support the world towards multipolarization, and promote democracy in international relations. President Xi Jinping chose Russia for his first foreign visit last year, and met with President Putin twice this year, with a high degree of mutual trust and strategic guidance between the heads of state of China and Russia, practicing true multilateralism, deepening practical cooperation in various fields, and maintaining global strategic stability.

The China-EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has gone through 20 years. In the past year, President Xi Jinping has had in-depth communication with leaders of many European countries and EU institutions such as France and Germany, and high-level dialogues in the fields of strategy, economy and trade, green and digital have achieved fruitful results. China-EU relations are not targeted, dependent on, or controlled by any third party, and if China and the EU join hands, bloc confrontation will not be fought, and a "new Cold War" will not be fought. China-Australia relations are back on track, and the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries has regrouped and set off again, presenting a virtuous circle of healthy and stable development. The leaders of China and Japan affirmed that they are willing to comprehensively promote a mutually beneficial strategic relationship, properly address existing problems, and build a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship that meets the requirements of the new era.

How China and the United States get along is a matter of the future of mankind and the future of the planet. At the beginning of the year, China-US relations encountered serious difficulties, and China made clear its solemn position and demanded that the US side change its erroneous perception of China and return to a rational and pragmatic China policy. Through arduous efforts, the two sides have reconstructed communication and dialogue, and bilateral relations have stopped falling and stabilized. In November last year, President Xi Jinping was invited to hold a historic meeting with President Biden in San Francisco, during which the two sides had a frank and in-depth exchange of views on strategic, overall and directional issues related to China-US relations. President Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out that it is impossible for China and the United States not to deal with each other, it is unrealistic to want to change each other, and no one can bear the consequences of conflict and confrontation, and the correct way is mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. President Biden reiterated the five-point commitment of the Bali Summit, emphasizing that the United States is happy to see China's development and prosperity, and does not seek to suppress and contain China's development, does not seek decoupling from China, and does not support "Taiwan independence". The two sides reached consensus on more than 20 outcomes, resumed and established a series of dialogue and communication mechanisms, and formed a future-oriented "San Francisco Vision".

Secondly, between unity and division, we firmly choose unity. The greatest concern of the international community today is whether mankind will be divided and whether a new cold war will break out in the world. President Xi Jinping gave China's answer: "Unity is strength, confidence is gold." We resolutely oppose geopolitical coteries and destabilizing cliques, and are committed to building a new type of international relations and consolidating and expanding global partnerships.

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the concept of friendship, sincerity and tolerance, President Xi Jinping further advocated the Asian values of peace, cooperation, inclusiveness and integration, and drew a new vision of an Asian homeland of peace, tranquility, prosperity and beauty, and friendly coexistence. China and Indonesia have achieved landmark achievements such as the completion and opening of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway, the positioning of China-Singapore relations has been upgraded to an all-round and high-quality forward-looking partnership, the Lancang-Mekong cooperation is down-to-earth and ever-changing, and the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership is becoming closer and more at the forefront. For the first time, we released the "Outlook on China's Neighboring Foreign Policy in the New Era", demonstrating our conviction and determination to work with our neighboring countries to safeguard regional tranquility in the face of changes and build a highland of development in the face of crises and challenges.

We firmly unite with the Global South and share a common destiny with developing countries. President Xi Jinping once again set foot on the hot soil of Africa after five years, presided over the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue, and laid out a new blueprint for China-Africa cooperation. We have continuously enhanced the level of strategic mutual trust between China and the Arab States and stepped up the implementation of the outcomes of the first China-Arab States and China-GCC Summits. We have successfully hosted more than 10 leaders of Latin American countries to visit China and attend the G77 and China Havana Summit, accelerating the upgrading of China-Latin America relations.

Looking at the rejuvenation of Asia, Africa and Latin America, the collective rise of developing countries, and the new round of awakening of the "Global South", we have more confidence in the future of the world and more hope for the unity of mankind. Modernization should not belong only to a few countries and a few people, but to all countries and all people. We firmly believe that as long as all countries in the world put aside their differences and work together in unity, all difficulties will be solved and the vision of world modernization will be realized.

Third, between openness and closure, we firmly choose openness. The world economy is recovering sluggishly, protectionist tendencies are on the rise, pan-politicization and pan-security trends are spreading, and arguments such as "small courtyards with high walls", "decoupling and breaking chains" and "de-risking" are emerging one after another, but these practices run counter to the trend of the times, not only dragging down their own development, but also seriously weakening global momentum. China believes that the process of globalization is irreversible and that the sea of the world economy cannot retreat into isolated lakes. Only by opening wider to the outside world can we resolve challenges, and only by strengthening cooperation can we achieve sustainable development.

Over the past year, we have been actively building various open platforms. Major exhibitions such as the CIIE, the Consumer Expo, the CIFTIS, and the Canton Fair will resume offline to share China's development opportunities with other countries. We have made every effort to optimize the protection of foreign investment and intellectual property rights, and accelerate the construction of a market-oriented, law-based and international business environment. We will continue to increase investment in Belt and Road countries, and expand cooperation with other countries in the fields of infrastructure, industry, economy and trade, and scientific and technological innovation, so as to create more jobs and incomes for all countries. We continue to facilitate people-to-people exchanges between China and foreign countries, implement unilateral visa exemption for many countries, simplify visa procedures for China, increase the number of international flights, and provide more convenience for foreign tourists. China is taking concrete actions to open its door wider and wider.

Fourthly, between peace and war, we firmly choose peace. Since the outbreak of the Ukraine crisis, President Xi Jinping has put forward "four shoulds", "four commons" and "three points of thinking", and last year he personally communicated deeply with the leaders of various countries and multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, clearly pointing out that China firmly persuades peace talks and will never seek profits. We have issued the document "China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis", dispatched special government envoys to engage extensively with relevant parties, taken a clear stand on respecting the sovereignty of all countries and abandoning the Cold War mentality, and actively promoted the resumption of peace talks and peace, and continued to accumulate conditions for the end of the war and peace talks.

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict affects the Middle East as a whole. President Xi Jinping has repeatedly stated China's position, calling for a ceasefire to stop the fighting, prevent the expansion of the conflict, effectively protect civilians, and strengthen humanitarian assistance, stressing that the fundamental way out is to implement the "two-state solution" and promote an early, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue. In solidarity with Arab and Islamic countries, we have convened a high-level meeting of the Security Council on the Palestinian-Israeli issue, dispatched a special envoy to promote peace talks, and at the same time stepped up humanitarian assistance to extend a helping hand to the people of Gaza in need. As the rotating presidency of the Security Council, we successfully pushed the Security Council to adopt the first resolution since the outbreak of the conflict and issued China's Position Paper on the Settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, which was highly appreciated by the international community.

We support inclusive and moderate governance and peaceful reconstruction in Afghanistan. We will mediate the conflict in northern Myanmar towards reconciliation and resolutely maintain peace and stability along the border. Persistently promoting a political settlement of the Korean Peninsula and the Iranian nuclear issue is an indispensable and constructive force for maintaining world peace and tranquility.

Fifthly, between multilateralism and unilateralism, we firmly choose multilateral. In today's world, old and new contradictions are intertwined, unilateralism is on the rise, "national priority" is prominent, and the deficit in international social governance and trust is increasing unabated. China has always maintained that to address global challenges, we need to rely on global governance. China is committed to true multilateralism, firmly supports the international system with the United Nations at its core, abides by the norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, upholds the concept of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, actively provides international public goods, and promotes the international community to seek common development, build security and rejuvenate civilization.

Over the past year, we have actively promoted the implementation of the Global Development Initiative. More than 70 countries have joined the Group of Friends, more than 200 cooperation projects have taken root, a US$4 billion fund for global development and South-South cooperation has been put into operation, and the network of Global Development Promotion Centers has been fully rolled out. In response to the intensification of the impact of climate change, China has played an active role in promoting the United Nations Conference on Climate Change to reach the "UAE Consensus" and helping developing countries improve capacity building.

Over the past year, the impact of the Global Security Initiative has grown. With the support of more than 100 countries and international and regional organizations, and a number of bilateral and multilateral documents, the Concept Paper on the Global Security Initiative has identified 20 key areas of international security cooperation. We have also put forward the Global AI Governance Initiative to jointly promote the safe development of AI.

Over the past year, the Global Civilization Initiative has moved from concept to practice. The Sino-Greek Center for Mutual Learning of Civilizations was completed at the University of Athens, and the "Understanding China" International Conference and the "Liangzhu Forum" were successfully held.

Sixth, between justice and might, we firmly choose justice. Today's world is not peaceful, and the acts of power bullying are deeply harmful. As a responsible major country, China has always upheld justice. We resolutely oppose hegemonism and power politics, resolutely resist the monopoly of international affairs by a few countries, call for greater representation and voice of developing countries in the global governance system, support the priority of addressing historical injustices against African countries, urge the lifting of all illegally imposed unilateral sanctions, firmly safeguard the common and legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, and promote the development of the international order in a more just and equitable direction.

Defying power and defending justice is, of course, also reflected in safeguarding China's national sovereignty, national dignity and territorial integrity. In the face of external interference and provocations, we have waged a resolute and forceful struggle, and we have taken legitimate and reasonable countermeasures against all kinds of unreasonable suppression. The one-China pattern of the international community has been further consolidated, and the determination of the 1.4 billion Chinese people to promote national reunification is as solid as a rock. No one and no force should attempt to challenge the iron will of the Chinese people, nor should they try to harm China's core interests.

Dear friends,

China's diplomacy is people's diplomacy, and serving the people is our original aspiration and mission that we always keep in mind. In the past year, with the transition of the new crown epidemic prevention and control, more Chinese people have gone abroad and into the world, and diplomatic and consular protection and services have also closely followed. In 2023, we launched the implementation of the Regulations on Consular Protection and Assistance, launched the "Chinese Consul" mini program, and the 12308 hotline received more than 530,000 calls for help and handled more than 80,000 cases of various types throughout the year, providing all-weather and zero-hour services for overseas compatriots. We evacuated thousands of compatriots from war-torn places around the world, and once again opened up the "Ten Thousand Miles Home". No matter where you go, the motherland will always be behind you, and the embassy or consulate is a distant home.

Over the past year, China's diplomacy has never forgotten that China is still the largest developing country, and achieving fuller and more balanced development remains the most urgent aspiration of the people. We have taken the initiative to benchmark the work of the Party and the state center, and are committed to creating favorable conditions for domestic development and construction, building bridges for promoting international cooperation, and making unremitting efforts to improve the well-being of the people.

Dear friends,

Just a week ago, the Central Foreign Affairs Work Conference was successfully held in Beijing, which was a landmark meeting. General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech, comprehensively summing up the ten historical achievements of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era, systematically summarizing six valuable experiences, profoundly expounding the international environment and historical mission facing foreign work in the new journey, and making comprehensive arrangements for foreign work in the coming period. The important outcome of the meeting was to clarify the main line of diplomatic work of promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, set lofty goals for major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, and set up a glorious banner for the development and progress of human society. The meeting proposed to take Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, as the guide, to open up a new realm of China's diplomatic theory and practice with a more proactive historical responsibility and a more dynamic creative spirit, shape a new pattern of China's relations with the world, and raise China's international influence, charisma and shaping power to a new height.

Dear friends,

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and a crucial year for achieving the goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan. President Xi Jinping clearly pointed out at the Central Foreign Affairs Work Conference that major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics has entered a new stage that can be more effective. We will focus on the main line of promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, comprehensively serve the biggest politics of the new era of Chinese-style modernization, uphold integrity and innovation, keep the overall situation in mind, and continue to create a new situation in major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.

We will always be self-confident and self-reliant, and fulfill our responsibilities as a responsible major country. We must put the development and rejuvenation of the country on the basis of our own strength and firmly hold the future and destiny of the Chinese people in our own hands. Based on the continuity, innovation, unity, inclusiveness and peace of Chinese civilization, we will make due contributions to human progress with oriental wisdom. We will give full play to the strategic leading role of the heads of state's diplomacy, and make every effort to host major events such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the Boao Forum for Asia, the China International Import Expo and the Global Action Forum for Shared Development, so as to demonstrate the unique style of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. Coordinate the overall domestic and international situation, firmly safeguard China's sovereignty, security and development interests, and strive for a favorable external environment for building a new development pattern and achieving high-quality development. We should stand firm and shoulder the responsibility on major issues related to the solidarity, cooperation and legitimate rights of the vast number of developing countries, take a clear-cut stand on major issues related to the future and destiny of mankind and the direction of world development, shoulder morality with iron shoulders, and anchor the correct course of historical progress.

We will always adhere to openness and inclusiveness, and consolidate and expand our global partnership network. Implement the consensus reached at the San Francisco Summit between the Chinese and US heads of state, and explore ways to form a correct way for the two major countries to get along. Deepen strategic mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Russia, and consolidate the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between the two countries in the new era. China and the EU will strengthen high-level exchanges and strategic communication, and promote the steady and long-term development of China-EU relations. Adhere to the concept of amity, sincerity, benefit and tolerance and the policy of goodwill and partnership with neighbors, and enhance friendship, mutual trust and integration of interests with neighboring countries. Adhering to the concepts of amity and sincerity and the correct concept of justice and shared interests, we will work hand in hand with developing countries, rejuvenate in solidarity with BRICS countries, and take the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence as an opportunity to promote the building of a new type of international relations. Actively implement the Global Civilization Initiative, promote the common values of all mankind, promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, promote mutual understanding and mutual understanding among people of all countries, and jointly promote the development and progress of human civilization.

We will always uphold fairness and justice, and advocate a multipolar world that is equal and orderly. Practice true multilateralism and promote the democratization of international relations. It is necessary to uphold the equality of all countries, big or small, and that every country has its own place in the global multipolar system and can play its due role. All countries jointly uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, jointly defend the universally recognized basic norms governing international relations, and participate in the reform and construction of the global governance system. We will fully implement the Global Security Initiative, adhere to fairness and justice, actively promote peace talks, constructively participate in the resolution of global and regional hotspots such as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the Ukraine crisis, put forward more Chinese proposals, contribute more Chinese wisdom, and provide more public goods conducive to world peace and development.

We will always adhere to win-win cooperation and actively promote inclusive economic globalization. We will resolutely oppose all forms of unilateralism, protectionism and the phenomenon of "anti-globalization", continue to promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, strive to solve structural problems that hinder the healthy development of the world economy, and maintain the stability and smoothness of the global production and supply chain. We will promote the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, increase investment in global development cooperation, help developing countries improve their capacity for independent development, jointly expand and fairly share the "cake" of economic globalization, make development both adequate and balanced, promote globalization in a more open, inclusive, inclusive and balanced direction, and promote the people of all countries to embark on a smooth road to modernization. We will fully implement the outcomes of the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, improve the quality of cooperation, expand the scope of cooperation, open a new stage of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and continue to provide new opportunities for the world with China's new development.

Dear friends,

The future of humanity is bright, but the road is tortuous. To work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind, we need to build confidence and determination, show pattern and mind, and take action and responsibility. Under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, China's diplomacy will continue to integrate China's development with the development of the world, the interests of the Chinese people and the people of the world, and work with other countries to shoulder the responsibilities of the times with a broader vision and more positive actions, and work together to meet challenges and push the world towards a better and brighter future! {Bolded Italics My Emphasis]

Wow! Quite the orator with that closing paragraph. Quite a recap. Most of the initiatives are covered in previous writings here at the Gym. In a way, Wang could’ve just announced China would be doing more of the same as it seeks to help Humanity attain Harmony. The only specific thing missing was reference to the global financial system, although its ills were mentioned several times. What I see is China and Russia combining to wrest the global governance system—the UN—away from the West’s control and thus save the core of that system for further use. There were several hints made by Wang as to the tools to be employed for that task. Ultimately, however, I don’t see anyway to halt the emergence of two blocs as the current Western elites aren’t ready to share and abandon Zero-sum. That’s the next step in the dialectic.

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