Abstract

Since Xi Jinping assumed leadership in 2012, the international narrative, especially in the Western media, has generally portrayed China’s foreign policy as having undergone significant changes. The most notable shift is the perception that President Xi has abandoned the “hide and bide” strategy championed since Deng Xiaoping’s era, leading to a more “assertive” posture. In reality, Beijing’s foreign policy has always been a blend of continuity and change. The Xi Jinping doctrine continues to reflect many core principles that have historically shaped the Communist Party of China’s diplomatic approach, for example, “independence,” “self-reliance,” “mutual respect,” and “development first.” At the same time, in an evolving international landscape, President Xi has emphasised the need to redefine the goals, priorities, and allocation of resources in Beijing’s foreign policy to better align with the cause of Chinese modernisation in the new era.

Under Xi’s tenure, China has placed greater emphasis on “summit diplomacy” as a tool for guiding the evolution of the international order based on shared vision, and has increasingly focused on the impact of “economic diplomacy” on Global South nations. It has also taken a more active role in “mediation diplomacy,” positioning itself as a “peace facilitator” in regional conflicts. Additionally, Beijing has prioritised people-to-people diplomacy and cultural exchanges to increase mutual understanding and foster friendlier connections at the societal level. As the world enters a new period of turbulence and transformation, while Chinese diplomacy in the above areas have made steady progress, it also faces considerable challenges.

About the Speaker

Chen Dongxiao is the President of Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS). Dr Chen got his PhD from Fudan University. He receives a special government subsidy of the State Council. Dr Chen specialises in the studies of United Nations, China’s foreign policy and China-US relations. He has led numerous research projects commissioned by China National Foundation of Social Sciences Studies, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Taiwan Affairs Office of State Council and so on. Dr Chen has published extensively on the UN reform and China’s multilateral diplomacy. He is the chief editor of China Quarterly of International Strategic Studies (CQISS), a flagship English journal on China’s diplomacy published by SIIS and World Scientific Publishing House (Singapore). He is also the adjunct professor of Shanghai International Studies University.

Dr Chen is the high level advisor of Independent Team of Advisory (ITA) for ECOSOC Dialogue on longer-term positioning of United Nations Development System (2016), the member of ASEAN Regional Forum’s (ARF) Expert and Eminent Person (EEP), senior advisor on economic diplomacy for China’s Foreign Ministry, senior advisor of International Business Leaders Advisory Council for the Mayor of Shanghai (IBLAC). He also holds the position as Vice Chair of China National Association of International Relations.