Policy of shared destiny enlivens world outlook

How can China, the world's second-largest economy, ensure it will not follow in the footsteps of big powers to seek hegemony? One can find the answer in a new foreign policy address by President Xi Jinping in which he vowed to develop a distinctive diplomatic approach, complete with salient Chinese features, befitting China's role as a major country.

Delivering a major speech on foreign policy over the weekend, Xi said that, instead of seeking hegemony like some big powers, China would follow an independent foreign policy of peace and pursue peaceful development and win-win cooperation.

China's interactions with the international community have become closer than ever before. Also, its dependence on the rest of the world - and vice-versa - and involvement in international affairs have increased. This means China should not consider only its own development demands on the international community, but also the demands and aspirations of the international community on China when handling international relations. Fittingly, boosting mutual interest continues to be a key part of China's diplomacy.