Strengthen CPC Central Committee Leadership over Foreign Affairs*

May 15, 2018

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee, we have worked creatively to break new ground in our diplomatic theories and practices. We have better pursued and expanded our global diplomatic agenda. We have initiated the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). We have been more actively involved in reform and improvement of the global governance system. We have been firm in safeguarding China's sovereignty, national security and development interests.

The Party's centralized and unified leadership over our foreign affairs has been enhanced. We have pursued a distinctive Chinese approach to diplomacy befitting a major country, and achieved historic successes.

Given the build-up of factors of uncertainty and instability in the world today, we are faced with both opportunities and challenges. We must therefore have a correct reading of the evolving international environment and the development trends in both China and the world, while being conscious of potential risks and challenges that may arise on our journey ahead. We must be prepared to address problems should they arise.

Now and in the time to come, we should pursue a broader diplomatic agenda, and see that our major initiatives are delivered as planned. We should guard against risks and dangers, and make sure that China's sovereignty, national security and development interests will never be compromised.

BRI cooperation provides a solid platform for building a global community of shared future. In just a few years, this initiative has evolved from vision into action, a results-oriented project of international cooperation. We should follow up on the programs and projects agreed at the First Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, and work closely with other BRI participants to build consensus and plan for future cooperation. We should open up further and enhance dialogue, consultation, and cooperation with other parties. We should see that BRI cooperation makes solid and sustainable progress and deliver true benefits to the peoples of participating countries.

The conduct of foreign affairs at the subnational level is an integral part of the foreign affairs agenda of the Party and the government. It can make a significant contribution to international exchanges and cooperation and to reform and development of local areas.

The conduct of foreign affairs at the subnational level must be planned under the centralized and unified leadership of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs to ensure success. The resources for foreign affairs at the subnational level should be managed centrally and used for localities with clear and specific objectives.

To advance China's foreign affairs in the new era, the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs should play its role of policy-making, deliberation and coordination. The commission should encourage and promote new breakthroughs in diplomatic theories and practices, and provide guidance in opening up new horizons.

We should strengthen top-level design and coordination, and build up our capacity to chart the right course, craft overall plans and design policies. We should advance reform of foreign affairs-related systems and mechanisms, and strengthen the training and management of officials involved.

We should ensure that priority programs are carried out through proper management, inspection and follow-up measures and that the Party Central Committee's decisions on foreign affairs are implemented in full.

* Main points of the speech at the first session of the Commission for Foreign Affairs under the CPC Central Committee.

(Not to be republished for any commercial or other purposes.)