China offers new vision of global diplomacy
As a diplomat with 40 years of experience, I have observed Chinese President Xi Jinping's vision of international relations and his contributions to global governance.
Over the past decade, Xi has championed a harmonious approach to international cooperation, bringing new momentum to this traditionally conservative field.
Students of political science would be familiar with Carl von Clausewitz's famous dictum that war is merely the "continuation of policy by other means". But Chinese diplomacy has long advocated a different vision of international relations — one that seeks to prevent conflict through dialogue and mutual understanding before violence begins.
History shows how misunderstandings can escalate into crises, crises into armed conflicts, and conflicts into devastating wars. Diplomacy seeks to interrupt this chain before violence erupts.
Chinese diplomacy offers a renewed vision of international relations itself.
I had the privilege of witnessing Xi's historic first visit to UNESCO. In March 2014, a year after he became president, he visited the UNESCO headquarters in Paris for an in-depth exchange of ideas, presenting his vision of international relations and cultural heritage.
The approach was both novel and unexpected at the time. During the meeting, Xi said he wanted to understand how China could contribute more effectively to UNESCO and the international community.
He then delivered his first address within the UN system to ambassadors from all over the world.
At the time, Samuel Huntington's The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order, which argued that future conflicts would be fought between civilizations rather than states, was highly influential.
"History tells us that only through exchanges and mutual learning can a civilization be filled with vitality," Xi said. "If all civilizations can uphold inclusiveness, the so-called 'clash of civilizations' will be out of the question, and the harmony of civilizations will become a reality."
Xi's speech made a significant impression on those involved in international policymaking. The message was strong and clear, and was widely heard.
Today, as the world faces growing divisions rooted in profound misunderstandings, Xi's message continues to be relevant. These divisions often stem from the inability of the former "global center" to recognize the emergence of a new multipolar world in which every country has a voice.
UNESCO was founded in 1945 on the conviction that wars begin not only on battlefields. Its Constitution states: "Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed." If ignorance, intolerance and hatred contribute to conflict, then education, science and culture must become instruments of peace.
While political agreements may be negotiated within months, changing mentalities requires generations. Xi's message at UNESCO was not only an invitation to dialogue, but also a call to embrace several fundamental principles: "Civilizations are equal, and such equality has made exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations possible. All human civilizations are equal in terms of value. They all have their respective strengths and shortcomings. There is no perfect civilization in the world. Nor is there a civilization that is devoid of any merit. No one civilization can be judged superior to another."
Xi has developed a cohesive system of approaches and solutions through his four global initiatives (the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative), forming a coherent concept of international relations.
The Global Civilization Initiative, first proposed in 2023, promotes cultural exchange, mutual learning and the rejection of attempts to impose development and governance models based on Western ideology. It proposes cooperation among civilizations as the foundation of a more stable international order.
On the eve of the 75th anniversary of the People's Republic of China, on Sept 30, 2024, after the ceremony at which I received the Chinese Government Friendship Award, I had the privilege of attending Xi's address in the Great Hall of the People. His message was directed not only to the Chinese people, but to the international community as a whole. Xi stressed that humanity lives on the same planet and that all nations of the world have an equal right to determine the future of the planet and share the achievements of global progress.
These principles were encapsulated in the Global Governance Initiative announced on Sept 1, 2025.
As Xi stated, "All countries, regardless of size, strength and wealth, are equal participants, decision-makers and beneficiaries in global governance. There should be no double standards, and the house rules of a few countries must not be imposed upon others."
For a country that has emerged as a global leader in economic and social development, advocating equality rather than privilege reflects both confidence and responsibility. On the other hand, the United States' approach to international cooperation is fundamentally different.
This year's US Presidential Memorandum directed federal agencies to stop participation in and funding for 31 UN entities considered contrary to US interests.
Xi's historic visit to UNESCO in March 2014 paved the way for cultural protection and dialogue among civilizations. This year, Xiamen, Fujian province, will host the 21st session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage from Nov 30 to Dec 5, reflecting China's growing contribution to global governance.
The author is former head of the Asia-Pacific Unit, Sector for Priority Africa and External Relations at UNESCO and a recipient of the 2024 Chinese Government Friendship Award.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
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