Diplomacy has grown from strength to strength

In the seven decades since its founding, the People's Republic of China's diplomacy has passed through three phases, each with its rich vein of thought, wisdom and visionary blueprint.

In the first phase, during Chairman Mao Zedong's leadership from 1949 to 1976, China had to deal with the postwar tensions and tried to find the means to realize peace and development.

The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence were the most important achievement of that phase. The five principles laid the foundation for Chinese diplomacy - of seeking independent and peaceful diplomatic relations with other countries. The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence not only won worldwide acknowledgment but also accorded with the pursuit of peace and helped conclude relatively comprehensive, inclusive and stable agreements.