China's responsible diplomacy provides stability and certainty for a volatile world: China Daily editorial

China's composure and adherence to principles in handling China-US relations reflect its determination and confidence to bringing stabilities and certainties to a turbulent world.

That is also a key message of the news conference of China's foreign minister on the sidelines of the annual session of China's top legislature in Beijing on Sunday. In laying out the country's diplomatic policy, Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized that in a volatile world marked by conflict and uncertainty, China's diplomacy seeks to provide stability, certainty and constructive solutions.

China and the United States are both big countries, as Wang said. "Neither side can remodel the other, but we can choose how we want to engage, that is, to commit to a spirit of mutual respect, to hold the bottom line of peaceful coexistence, and to strive for the prospect of win-win cooperation."

Taking stock of the global landscape, it is hard to imagine what the world will become should some countries continue to act in opposition to the common good. The fighting grinds on in Ukraine and the Middle East, while countries glare at one another across the trade barriers erected by some. In many parts of the world, everyone claims to want stability while nervously moving chess pieces across the geopolitical board.

The certainty of China's foreign policy, as Wang underscored, is anchored by its head-of-state diplomacy. Under its strategic guidance, China has intensified engagement with countries around the world, strengthening dialogue, building trust and expanding cooperation.

The country has put forward the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity. Behind this vision are the common expectations of people around the world for a peaceful future.

In a world tied together by supply chains, digital networks, climate pressures and economic collaboration, this vision of a community striving together for a better collective future acts as a beacon lighting the way forward for humanity. It advocates cooperation instead of confrontation, openness instead of division, dialogue instead of conflict, and mutual benefit instead of zero-sum game.

Diversity is the inherent nature of human civilization. Countries should respect others that follow different development paths. In this context, multipolarity is not a threat but a natural and desirable evolution of the global order. Rejecting a so-called "G2" framework, Wang stressed that in a multipolar world, every nation, regardless of size or strength, is an equal member of the international community, and can find its place and play its role.

Apart from contributing these international public goods, China's foreign policy also begins close to home. "Immovable neighbors" is the term China often uses in its call for neighbors to work for a peaceful, stable and prosperous regional environment where disputes do not define the entire relationship. That thinking shapes Beijing's approach to the South China Sea issue — that disagreements should be addressed through dialogue with directly concerned parties while keeping the broader region stable.

The diplomacy of China demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility for the region and the world at large. Whether addressing regional hot spot issues or global challenges, China consistently promotes peace talks, the political settlement of disputes and inclusive development.

Beyond its immediate neighborhood, China continues to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with developing countries. The Global South is a vital force for peace and development in today's world, and China's partnerships with African nations, Latin American and Caribbean countries and other developing economies aim to promote industrialization, connectivity and sustainable growth while promoting the Global South having a greater say in global governance.

Be it the Ukraine crisis or the conflicts in the Middle East, China has remained steadfast in working with all peace-loving countries to achieve a peaceful resolution through negotiations. Such efforts reflect China's commitment to fairness and justice in international affairs and its belief that lasting peace can only be achieved through dialogue.

This position is supported by the framework of global initiatives China has proposed — on development, security, civilization and governance. Together, these public goods offer constructive Chinese solutions to common global challenges.

The initiatives also reflect China's conviction that on major issues of right and wrong, it is imperative to uphold principles. In the process, as Wang said, the country will firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and defend the legitimate rights and interests of all countries, especially developing nations.

China has never been deterred by intimidation, swayed by fallacies, or cowed by pressure. Wang reiterated that China and the United States, as the world's two largest economies, need to properly manage their differences in the spirit of mutual respect, hold the bottom line of peaceful coexistence, and strive for win-win cooperation.

In a world where geopolitical drama grabs the headlines, China's strategic composure provides a steady and much-needed counterpoint to division and conflict. As Wang's remarks reveal, it is long-view diplomacy, whose goal is a better future for all.