This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. Both history and reality show that without the Party, there would be no People’s Republic of China, neither would socialism with Chinese characteristics be possible. The Party is the backbone for the Chinese people and the anchor of China’s diplomacy. The Party’s leadership is the essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and the Party’s centralized and unified leadership is the fundamental guarantee for accomplishing diplomatic work.
Diplomacy embodies a state’s will, and diplomatic work comprises an important part in the Party’s general undertakings. When promoting diplomatic work under new situations, it’s essential to adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. Only when the diplomatic power is in the Party, can we break new ground in China’s distinctive major-country diplomacy, can the working pattern featuring the Party planning overall work and coordinating all sides be forged.
Only when the Party’s leadership over China’s diplomacy is strengthened, can we practice the Party’s original aspiration in diplomatic work. Just as State Councilor Wang Yi spoke on China’s foreign policy and external relations last week, the Party’s original aspiration is the pursuit of happiness for the people and of renewal of the nation. It determines the responsibilities and duties of China’s diplomacy. To pursue peaceful development and win-win cooperation and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind is a provision in the Constitution of the CPC and the Constitution of the PRC. It is also the general goal of China’s diplomacy.
After defining the right political path, the diplomatic staff is the decisive factor. A diplomatic rank should be built that is not only loyal to the Party, the country and its people, but also politically right, vocationally proficient, and highly disciplined. Only in this way can the Party’s external policy and strategic plan be implemented to the ground, and the original aspiration of the Party be practiced in diplomatic work.
(The author is assistant research fellow at the Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy Studies Center.)