Since the conclusion of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in November 2012 and the end of the annual sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in March 2013, the Party Central Committee with Xi Jinping as general secretary has raised many important strategic ideas on China's external affairs as well as diplomatic policies and principles, and taken a number of major diplomatic initiatives.

New diplomatic initiatives

China has persistently enhanced relations with major countries. Xi made Russia his first overseas visit as China's president, which strengthened bilateral cooperation in the economy, trade, energy and strategic security and consolidated the basis of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination. Meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama at the Annenberg Estate in Los Angeles, Xi and Obama agreed to work together to build a new model of major-power relations based on mutual respect and benefit, thus drawing the blueprint for expanding the future bilateral relationship. With other Chinese Party and state leaders visiting European countries, China has played host to French President Francois Hollande and other European leaders, and worked to open up new areas of mutually beneficial and pragmatic cooperation between China and Europe.

China has been energetically working to stabilize and advance friendly relations in the surrounding region. With respect to issues such as the disputes over the Diaoyu Islands and South China Sea, China has acted firmly to uphold territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests while working hard to appropriately handle and resolve the issues through dialogue and negotiation. On the North Korea nuclear issue, while firmly committed to the goal of denuclearization on the peninsula, China actively contacted countries to move the situation on the peninsula toward a resolution.

China has been vigorously making efforts in strengthening friendship and cooperation with developing countries. Xi's successful visits to Africa and Latin America reflect the great importance China attaches to developing countries. China has also been deeply engaged in multilateral diplomacy.

Innovative diplomacy

Confronted with a complex international situation, the Party Central Committee has achieved a series of major breakthroughs in diplomatic theory and practice within a very short period of time.

- The Chinese Dream

Xi has emphatically pointed out that the Chinese Dream is shared by Chinese people of all ethnic groups and cherished by each and every individual in the country. The Chinese Dream requires a peaceful and stable international environment, and China is committed to realizing the dream through peaceful development. Since the Chinese Dream is closely linked with the dreams of other peoples around the world, China is committed to helping other countries, developing countries and neighboring countries in particular. China will share more development opportunities with other countries so as to facilitate their efforts to realize their dreams. China hopes to see win-win cooperation and common development with the rest of the world. While working to realize the Chinese Dream, the people of China hope to realize a world dream through concerted efforts with people around the globe.

Xi's description of the Chinese Dream is a continuation and development of China's peaceful development in the new era. It has enhanced international understanding and recognition of China's peaceful development strategy. Many foreign leaders and people from various sectors regard the Chinese Dream as consistent with the dreams of their own countries and peoples, and have expressed readiness to join the Chinese people in realizing the beautiful dream shared by all mankind.