How Xiplomacy pushes change in global governance
Xinhua
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(File photo: Xinhua)

BEIJING, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Two oceans, four continents, 60,000 km, 70 hours, over 100 events ... the numbers bear witness to Chinese President Xi Jinping's flights in less than a month's time, which took him to the Asia-Pacific, Europe and Latin America.

This is just one glimpse of Xi's packed diplomatic schedule this year featuring four major home-court events and multiple overseas visits, in which Xi's diplomatic visions, collectively known as Xiplomacy, are becoming increasingly understood and shared by other parts of the world.

FLAGSHIP VISION

On the sidelines of the just concluded G20 summit in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires, Xi told UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that he has long pondered how countries around the world can work together for shared benefits, achieve harmony in diversity and cooperate for win-win results. This has led to his proposal to build a community with a shared future for mankind and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Guterres said China has always adhered to a multilateral approach to global affairs, supported international cooperation in tackling climate change and other areas and played an exemplary role in implementing the Paris Agreement. The UN, Guterres added, acknowledges China's role in world affairs.

The brief interaction between Xi and the UN chief was a recognition of China as an enthusiastic supporter of global cooperation. Furthermore, it highlighted China's call for reforming existing international mechanisms for greater fairness and justice.

At the beginning of 2017, the Chinese president made a keynote speech at the UN Office at Geneva titled "Work together to Build a Community of Shared Future for Mankind," at a critical moment when global growth had been strained by unilateralism and protectionist policies.

Xi's remarks let the world know that China is willing to work with other countries to form a blueprint for the future, one based on cooperation.

Put into practice at various multilateral occasions over the past two years, the vision has gained wider international recognition and traction as a Chinese solution to cope with global challenges.

David Gosset, founder of the Europe-China Forum, said China has been pursuing the concept of "Datong," or "the world of great harmony," since ancient times, and the idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind is a reinterpretation of "Datong" in the 21st century.

With China's continuous development, the idea -- doused in Chinese wisdom -- will definitely have a profound influence on the world, Gosset said.

LEADING EFFORTS

Based on the conviction for a shared future, Xi has reiterated China's pledge to greater openness on several occasions. On that front, China is walking the walk.

By hosting the first-ever China International Import Expo in Shanghai in November this year, China reaffirmed its commitment to free and balanced trade, and once again demonstrated that the country will not close its door to the world.

China remains a stabilizing factor in the world economy through rigorous changes at home as it marks the 40th anniversary of its reform and opening-up policy, experts have observed.

Globally, China has been leading efforts in building an inclusive and reasonable multilateral system.

From the BRI to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, from championing dialogue and consultation on pressing global issues to advocating regional cooperation and integration, China has infused a dose of confidence and certainty into the world through a series of practical endeavors.

China is offering new models of growth by promoting a more open global economy and stepped-up cooperation, Enrique Dussel Peters, head of the China-Mexico Studies Center at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, told Xinhua.

Who is better than China to champion these measures, Dussel said, noting that over the past 40 years, China has undertaken a "very successful" reform and opening-up process that has been acknowledged across the globe.

CREATING SYNERGY

Xi's diplomatic visions have increasingly become an inspiration for other countries, while more and more governments are motivated to participate in China-proposed initiatives and willing to align their development plans with those of China.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has reiterated that the BRI and its flagship project in Pakistan, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, will be a win-win in the region and beyond.

The Nation, an English-language daily in Pakistan, quoted him as saying that he has followed Xi closely as a statesman, and that his government is also keen to learn from China's experience in combatting poverty and fighting corruption.

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said in an interview with Chinese media before Xi's state visit to his country that he thinks the BRI holds relevance for Portugal.

"I think we have enabled convergence in this regard," Rebelo de Sousa said, citing the strategic location of Portugal as a gateway to Europe on the sea.

The BRI, proposed by China five years ago, has grown into a platform for all parties to share opportunities and pursue common development. Over 140 countries and international organizations have signed BRI cooperation documents with China.

"Most economists recognize you cannot have long-term, even medium-term growth without investment in infrastructure," Stephen Perry, chairman of Britain's 48 Group Club said.

The BRI "is transformational because it's transnational," Perry said, "so infrastructure development under the framework can become more inclusive in development."