An overview of Xi's diplomacy in spring 2023

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Gabonese Republic Ali Bongo Ondimba at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 19, 2023. [Xinhua]

On April 24, Xi received the credentials of 70 ambassadors to China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi said he hoped that ambassadors will have a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of China and serve as envoys of friendship and bridges of cooperation.

Indeed, China has hosted a number of dignitaries since the start of the year, which shows the eagerness of countries to develop friendly ties with China. These dignitaries include presidents of the Philippines, Turkmenistan and Iran, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

CHINA OPPORTUNITIES

Chinese modernization has been a key term in Xi's meetings with foreign leaders.

"China is now promoting high-quality development and high-standard opening up, and advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. This will unlock new opportunities for Brazil and countries around the world," Xi told Lula.

Noting his delightful visit to Huawei where he met Chinese business representatives, Lula expressed deep admiration for China's 5G progress and his hope to expand Brazil-China cooperation in relevant fields. He welcomed Chinese investment in support of Brazil's digital transformation and low-carbon development.

After their talks, the two presidents witnessed the signing of various bilateral cooperation documents on trade and investment, digital economy, scientific and technological innovation, information and communications, poverty reduction, quarantine, space and other areas.

Besides their talks in Beijing, Xi had an informal meeting with Macron in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, a locomotive for high-quality development, where Xi briefed Macron on the essential features and core elements of Chinese modernization.

"We have full confidence in China's future development. We welcome France to continue to actively participate in the China Import and Export Fair, the China International Import Expo, and the China International Fair for Trade in Services to further expand the Chinese market," Xi said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold large-group talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, March 21, 2023. [Xinhua]

In February, China released The Global Security Initiative Concept Paper and China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis, which demonstrate clearly that China always stands for peace and dialogue, contributing wisdom to resolving the crisis.

China's position boils down to supporting talks for peace, Xi stressed in his meetings with foreign leaders, calling for efforts to forge a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture.

Von der Leyen and Macron said that they appreciate China's efforts to promote a political settlement and look forward to China playing a more important role. They also said that they are prepared to work with China to find a way to facilitate talks for peace.

Another landmark in China's diplomacy is mediating talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Both countries agreed to restore diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies and missions within two months after their talks concluded in Beijing on March 10.

Observers said the deal sets a good example for how countries in the region can resolve disputes and differences through dialogue and consultation, and represents the contribution that China, as a responsible major power, can make to a turbulent world.