The width and depth of China's diplomacy have been greatly expanded since China has implemented a more active foreign policy in recent years. This has aroused deep concern from the U.S. Washington's elites have made stereotyped analyses of China's strategic intentions from a geopolitical perspective. Out of anxiety, they are keen on analyzing China's diplomatic failures, more like seeking grounds to comfort themselves.
A commentary published by Foreign Policy recently reviewed the foreign policy failures China has made over the past few years. It claimed the U.S. is being welcomed in Asia because of China's diplomatic blunders. It also pointed out China's diplomatic setbacks in Europe, taking the refusal of the EU to grant China "market economy status" as evidence.
China does face a string of challenges in the South China Sea and Northeast Asia. But they do not represent the whole picture. In fact, our diplomatic strategies have become more clear-cut and active, and some strategic breakthroughs, which are beyond imagination, have been made to reshape China's diplomatic landscape.
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a highlight. The bank was successfully founded despite obstructions by the U.S. and Japan. It's a diplomatic masterpiece by a new emerging economy. The One Belt, One Road initiative, as an important blueprint for regional cooperation, not only has a clear vision but also conforms to reality. Giving full play to the advantages of China's economies of scale, and focusing China's foreign relations on win-win cooperation, the initiative demonstrates a new mindset of China that is different to those of out-dated expansionist powers.
EU members have maintained a sound relationship with China. Our close partners span from Africa to Latin America. China-Russia relations have been unprecedentedly consolidated; the AIIB and the "Belt and Road" initiative have gained wide popularity in China's periphery; a China-centered East Asian economic pattern has taken shape, and the connectivity between China and surrounding countries is gradually advancing.
Chinese diplomacy in recent years has witnessed new problems. The root cause is that the U.S. rebalance to the Asia-Pacific has strategically squeezed China. So far, the frictions between China and a few neighboring countries are still controllable. By preventing the Philippines and Vietnam from further nibbling away at China's reefs, islands as well as maritime interests, and our success in island construction, China has gained the momentum in safeguarding its sovereignty. The interference of the U.S. and Japan has complicated the South China Sea issue, but wrangling with them has helped boost China's capabilities of handling international disputes.
A rising power will always be suppressed by an established power. China as a rapidly developing country must do more in diplomacy. There will be ups and downs in the process, but the results matter more. China's peaceful rise is a fact. This is enough to give China's diplomacy a high score.
