As the Chinese mainland prepares to celebrate the 2024 Spring Festival, marking the Year of the Dragon, it's a perfect moment to reflect on China's diplomatic strides in 2023. Unlike the fierce dragons of Western lore, the dragon symbolizes nobility, benevolence, wisdom, and good fortune in Chinese culture, mirroring the nation's diplomatic ethos.
Amid a volatile global landscape, China has positioned itself as a beacon of openness and inclusiveness. The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, held in Beijing, witnessed delegates from 151 countries and 41 international organizations. This gathering resulted in 458 important outcomes and cooperation documents valued at $97.2 billion, reaffirming China's commitment to enhancing global connectivity and supporting emerging markets.
Furthermore, the revitalized BRICS alliance now represents almost half of the world's population and over $30 trillion in GDP. This expansion offers a substantial platform for developing nations to advocate for their interests, promote win-win cooperation, and envision an international order grounded in justice and fairness.
In contrast, the United States has been assembling exclusionary blocs like the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) and the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC). However, these initiatives have yet to deliver tangible investments or solutions to the debt challenges faced by many developing countries.
NATO's expansion into the Asia-Pacific region has also raised concerns, with critics arguing that it oversteps the organization's mandate. While professing solidarity with nations seeking a secure world, the deployment of military assets overseas has been viewed by some as a display of force rather than collaboration.
Through these efforts, China's diplomacy in 2023 underscores a commitment to building inclusive partnerships and fostering sustainable development, setting a contrasting path to the exclusionary strategies employed by other global powers.
Reference(s):
Looking back, looking forward – Understanding China's diplomacy
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