Rise to the Challenges, Serve the Nation and Embark on a New Journey for Major-Country Diplomacy with Chinese Characteristics

迎难而上 为国担当 奋力开启中国特色大国外交新征程

Wang Yi, State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China

国务委员兼外交部长 王毅

Ⅰ

一

In 2020, our world went through a pandemic and global changes, both of a scale unseen in a century. It was truly an extraordinary year for both China and the world.

刚刚过去的2020年，百年变局与世纪疫情相互激荡、叠加共振，无论对世界还是中国都是极不平凡的一年。

Over the past year, the momentum of human progress suffered a setback and humanity faced consequential choices. COVID-19 caught us all by surprise. It threatened lives and public health across the world. People's livelihood and well-being was hit hard by the ensuing economic recession. In an increasingly fluid and changing world, anachronistic practices of unilateralism and protectionism were on the rise, driven by resurgent power politics and Cold War mentality. At the same time, the evolution of the international landscape was speeding up. The new scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation were gathering momentum. Humankind gained a more profound appreciation of the need for embracing a shared future. At this watershed moment, the vast majority of the international community are calling for solidarity over division, openness over isolation, and cooperation over confrontation.

这一年，人类发展进程遭受冲击、面临抉择。疫情突如其来，病毒肆虐威胁生命健康，经济衰退重创民生福祉，强权政治、冷战思维沉渣泛起，单边主义、保护主义逆流横行，世界进入动荡变革期。同时，国际格局演进提速换挡，新科技革命和产业变革蓄势待发，各国人民对人类命运共同体的认知更加深刻。站在历史的分水岭，要团结不要分裂、要开放不要封闭、要合作不要对抗，成为国际社会绝大多数成员的共同心声。

Over the past year, the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese nation overcame tough challenges and opened up new prospects for the future. Facing the devastating impact of COVID-19 and a complex international environment, the entire nation rallied behind a common purpose under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. China was the first to contain the virus, to pursue international cooperation against COVID, to reopen the economy safely and to restore economic growth. The country met the historic target of ending extreme poverty on schedule and secured decisive achievements in fully establishing a moderately prosperous society. Such progress has put China on course to realize its First Centenary Goal. The Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee set out a great vision for China's development in the next five years and beyond and launched a new journey toward fully building a modern socialist country, marking a giant step toward the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

这一年，党和国家事业发展攻坚克难、开创新局。面对疫情大考和复杂外部环境，在以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚强领导下，中国人民万众一心，众志成城，率先控制疫情，率先开展抗疫合作，率先复工复产，率先恢复经济增长。脱贫攻坚历史使命如期完成，决胜全面建成小康社会取得决定性成就，实现第一个百年奋斗目标胜利在望。党的十九届五中全会擘画了未来五年乃至更长一个时期国家发展的宏伟蓝图，开启了全面建设社会主义现代化国家新征程，中华民族伟大复兴向前迈出了新的一大步。

Over the past year, China pursued major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics and made solid progress. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, and with presidential diplomacy charting the course, we in the diplomatic service focused on forging a joint international response to COVID-19 and met the challenges head on. We rose to the occasion with proactive steps and fought the coronavirus and the "political virus" at the same time. We took concrete actions as a major, responsible country to advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Our actions helped to create a sound international environment for national development and rejuvenation and made new, major contributions to world peace and development.

这一年，中国特色大国外交奋楫破浪、坚毅前行。外交战线在习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想和习近平外交思想的科学指引下，以元首外交为引领，以抗疫外交为主线，迎难而上，主动应变，同步抗击新冠病毒和国际政治病毒，以实际行动践行人类命运共同体理念，展现负责任大国担当，为国家发展和民族复兴营造良好外部环境，为世界和平与全球发展作出新的重大贡献。

Ⅱ

二

Presidential diplomacy and leadership has set the direction for China's external relations, sending a strong message of solidarity in a challenging time. It provides a source of strength and stability in a time of enormous uncertainty. After the onset of the once-in-a-century pandemic, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the history of human civilization is also one of fighting diseases and disasters. Virus does not respect borders, nor does it distinguish between races. Humankind is a community with a shared future, and solidarity and cooperation is the most powerful weapon to defeat COVID-19.

元首外交领航定向，发出共克时艰最强音。沧海横流，山岳弥坚。面对世纪大疫，习近平总书记指出，人类文明史也是一部同疾病和灾难的斗争史。病毒没有国界，疫病不分种族。人类是命运共同体，团结合作是战胜疫情最有力的武器。

With global vision and responsibility as the leader of a major country, General Secretary Xi Jinping engaged in intensive diplomacy. He held 88 meetings or phone calls with world leaders and heads of international organizations and attended 23 multilateral events, including the Extraordinary G20 Leaders' Summit on COVID-19, the 20th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the 12th BRICS Summit, the 27th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and the 73rd World Health Assembly. General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed building a global community of health for all, and called for fighting an all-out global war against COVID-19, making a collective response at the international level, supporting the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international organizations, and enhancing macroeconomic policy coordination. These proposals guided China's diplomatic outreach throughout this period, added new dimensions to China's relations with other countries, and helped to build the broadest possible consensus on fighting COVID-19 together. They were warmly received by the international community.

习近平总书记以大国领袖的世界情怀和使命担当，密集开展元首外交，同外国领导人及国际组织负责人会晤、通话88次，出席二十国集团领导人应对新冠肺炎特别峰会、上海合作组织成员国元首理事会第二十次会议、金砖国家领导人第十二次会晤、亚太经合组织第二十七次领导人非正式会议、第73届世界卫生大会等23场重要外交活动，倡导构建人类卫生健康共同体等重大理念，提出打好疫情防控全球阻击战、有效开展国际联防联控、积极支持世界卫生组织等国际组织发挥作用、加强宏观经济政策协调等重要主张，为中国开展抗疫外交指引方向，为中国同各国关系发展注入新的内涵，为全球团结抗疫凝聚最广泛共识，赢得国际社会普遍赞誉。

We have carried out anti-COVID diplomatic actions in the spirit of compassion and humanitarianism, demonstrating a strong sense of responsibility. As a Chinese saying aptly puts it, "A just cause finds great support and compassion knows no borders." Since the start, China has worked with WHO and the international community in an open, transparent, science-based and responsible manner. Being the first to report cases, China has since publicized key information including the genome sequencing and published guidelines for treatment and containment at the first opportunity. We have organized over 100 video meetings with experts of other countries and opened an online knowledge center for sharing experience of COVID response with all countries. We have firmly supported the lead role of WHO, and provided funding to the organization and the UN Global Humanitarian Response Plan.

抗疫外交有情有义，彰显尽责有为新担当。大道不孤，大爱无疆。中国从一开始就本着公开、透明、科学、负责的态度，同世卫组织和国际社会携手抗击疫情。最早向世界报告疫情，第一时间发布新冠病毒基因序列等关键信息，第一时间公布诊疗方案和防控方案。组织上百场跨国视频专家会议，开设向所有国家开放的疫情防控网上知识中心，毫无保留地与各国分享抗疫经验。坚定支持世卫组织发挥领导作用，向世卫组织和联合国全球人道主义应对计划提供资金援助。

At a time when our country was still grappling with the virus, we launched the largest humanitarian campaign since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. We have provided assistance to over 150 countries and 10 international organizations and sent 36 expert teams to 34 countries in need. As the world's largest manufacturer of medical supplies, we have provided countries around the world with over 220 billion masks, 2.3 billion protective suits and one billion testing kits. We have also advanced R&D collaboration on drugs and vaccines and cross-border prevention and control. These are but a few examples of China's strong desire to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

在自身疫情防控任务艰巨情况下，发起新中国成立以来规模最大的全球人道主义行动，向150多个国家和10个国际组织提供抗疫援助，为有需要的34个国家派出36支医疗专家组。发挥最大医疗物资产能国优势，向各国提供了2200多亿只口罩、23亿件防护服、10亿份检测试剂盒。积极推进药物、疫苗研发合作和国际联防联控，以实际行动表明了中国推动构建人类命运共同体的真诚愿望。

We have stood at the forefront of fighting for our country's rights and interests with firm and robust diplomacy. In everything we do, we bear in mind the big picture and the fundamental interests of our country. We have taken a clear stand against misguided US moves to politicize and label the virus and pushed back against the "political virus". We have refuted slanders and smears against China's political system and path and defended China's political system and the leadership of the Party.

外交斗争坚定有力，勇立维护权益第一线。国之大者，铭记于心。我们旗帜鲜明反对美方将疫情政治化、病毒标签化的错误行径，不让任何“政治病毒”横行于世界。坚定回击任何对中国制度和道路的造谣抹黑，坚决捍卫党和国家的政权安全和制度安全。

We have thwarted attempts to meddle in China's internal affairs through issues relating to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet. We have upheld China's sovereign independence and the basic norms governing international relations. We have taken firm and proper steps in the handling of disputes over territorial boundaries and maritime rights and interests, resolutely safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity. With justice on our side, we have exposed disinformation, scapegoating and blame-shifting and set the record straight, leaving behind an objective and truthful account of what has happened. We have taken firm counter-measures against unilateral sanctions and "long-arm jurisdiction" on the spurious grounds of "national security", thereby protecting China's dignity and the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies and citizens.

有力挫败利用台湾、涉港、涉疆、涉藏等问题干涉中国内政的图谋，维护主权独立和国际关系基本准则。坚定妥善处理领土边界和海洋权益争端，有力捍卫国家主权和领土完整。义正词严驳斥各种虚假信息，戳穿各种甩锅推责，展示和留下客观真实的历史叙事。坚决反制滥用国家安全借机大搞所谓单边制裁和长臂管辖，维护国家和民族尊严以及企业和公民正当权益。

We have deepened opening-up and cooperation, reinforcing our commitment to mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. The tides of reform are sweeping across China. Reform and opening-up is accelerating across the board, as evidenced by the implementation of the new Foreign Investment Law and the further shortening of the negative list for foreign investment to just 33 items. With these steps, China is opening its door even wider to the world. We have set out to foster a new development paradigm with domestic circulation as the mainstay and domestic and international circulations reinforcing each other. By vigorously boosting domestic demand, we are providing greater market opportunities for the world and broader space for international cooperation.

开放合作持续深化，奏响互利共赢主旋律。潮起东方，风正帆悬。中国改革开放进程全面提速，新版外商投资法启动实施，外商投资准入负面清单进一步减至33项，对外开放合作的大门越开越大。提出构建以国内大循环为主体、国内国际双循环相互促进的新发展格局，通过大力扩充国内市场需求，为世界提供更多市场机遇，为各国创造更多合作空间。

China's mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries has continued to move forward despite COVID-19, providing an important underpinning for global recovery. The Belt and Road cooperation has demonstrated great resilience and vitality. The China-Europe Railway Express has hit new records in both the number and the volume of freight services. It has been compared to a "steel camel fleet" that vigorously supported COVID response by countries along its route. At a high-level video conference on Belt and Road cooperation held recently, the participants agreed to work toward a Silk Road for Health, adding another building block to high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. The third China International Import Expo was a success. It was attended by over 3,600 companies from more than 150 countries and regions and resulted in intended deals worth US$72.62 billion. The China market is increasingly becoming a boon for the world, shared by all and accessible to all.

中国同各国互利合作逆势前行，为全球经济复苏提供重要支撑。共建“一带一路”展现强劲韧性和旺盛活力，中欧班列开行数和发货量创历史新高，成为助力沿线各国抗疫的“钢铁驼队”。“一带一路”国际合作高级别视频会议达成建设“健康丝绸之路”共识，形成高质量共建“一带一路”良好势头。成功举办第三届中国国际进口博览会，150多个国家和地区的3600多家企业参展，累计意向成交726.2亿美元。中国市场进一步成为世界的市场、共享的市场、大家的市场。

We have advanced relations with major countries in a holistic manner, upholding the overall framework for strategic stability. Mutual trust is essential in major-country relations. The unity and friendship between China and Russia is rock-firm and unbreakable. General Secretary Xi Jinping has had five phone calls with President Vladimir Putin, which guided the continuous growth of China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era. The two countries have steadily enhanced cooperation in COVID response and many other areas, and worked in concert to uphold the victorious outcome of World War II as well as international fairness and justice. Together, China and Russia have become pillars of stability in a fluid international landscape.

大国关系统筹推进，维护战略稳定总框架。大国之交，互信为贵。中俄团结如山，友谊牢不可破。习近平总书记同普京总统5次通话，引领中俄新时代全面战略协作伙伴关系持续提升。两国抗疫和务实合作扎实推进，共同维护二战胜利成果与国际公平正义，成为动荡世界中的重要稳定力量。

Celebrating the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties, China and the European Union (EU) have strengthened coordination and cooperation, deepened mutual trust, upheld multilateralism and tackled global challenges together. The two sides signed an agreement on geographical indications and decided to build partnerships for green and digital cooperation. Negotiations for the China-EU investment agreement were concluded on schedule. Closer cooperation in all these areas is adding new dimensions to the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership.

中欧以建交45周年为契机，强化协调合作，增进彼此互信，坚定维护多边主义，共同应对全球挑战。双方签署中欧地理标志协定，决定打造中欧绿色合作、数字合作伙伴关系，如期完成中欧投资协定谈判，中欧全面战略伙伴关系增添时代内涵。 

The past year witnessed the most challenging situation in China-US relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties over four decades ago. In response to US bullying and provocations, China took justified, firm and proportionate counter-measures to resolutely defend national sovereignty, security and development interests, to firmly uphold the norms of international relations and international fairness and justice, and to vigorously safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of many countries, developing countries in particular. In the meantime, China's policy toward the United States is stable and consistent. Determined and cool-headed, China has handled and managed its differences with the US in a constructive fashion, and made its contributions to strategic stability in the international system.

中美关系经历建交40多年来最严峻局面。面对美国反华势力的霸凌挑衅，中方开展有理有利有节斗争，坚定维护国家主权、安全、发展利益，坚定维护国际关系准则和国际公平正义，坚定维护世界各国特别是广大发展中国家的正当权益。同时，中方保持对美政策的稳定性和连续性，以坚定和冷静态度，建设性处理和管控分歧，努力维护国际体系的战略稳定。

We have deepened and expanded partnerships, taking global cooperation to a higher level. Solidarity and mutual help are crucial in trying times. During 2020, we took new steps toward building a community with a shared future with our neighbors. We realized a stable transition in China-Japan relations despite a change of administration, handled China-India relations with prudence, and engaged in productive cooperation with the Republic of Korea on resuming economic interactions in the context of COVID-19. General Secretary Xi Jinping's visit to Myanmar ushered in a new era for the bilateral ties. Building a community with a shared future has become a broad consensus in Asia-Pacific cooperation. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) was signed. This major development, together with China's announcement of favorably considering joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), are a strong boost to confidence in eventually building a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific. Premier Li Keqiang attended the leaders' meetings for East Asian cooperation. China and ASEAN marked a historic milestone of becoming each other's largest trading partners. China and the five Central Asian countries launched a mechanism of foreign ministerial meeting.

伙伴关系走深走实，打造全球合作升级版。患难与共，风雨同舟。周边命运共同体建设迈出新步伐。中日关系平稳过渡，稳妥把握中印关系方向，与韩国有效推进复工复产等互利合作。习近平总书记访问缅甸，推动中缅关系进入新时代。亚太区域合作达成建设共同体重要共识。区域全面经济伙伴关系协定正式签署，积极考虑加入全面与进步跨太平洋伙伴关系协定，提振了各方共建亚太自贸区的信心。李克强总理出席东亚合作领导人系列会议，中国与东盟实现互为第一大贸易伙伴的历史性突破。“中国+中亚五国”外长会晤成功启动。

Solidarity and cooperation between China and other developing countries showed new vibrancy. The Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity Against COVID-19 was a success. There were productive interactions under dialogue mechanisms with Latin American and Caribbean countries and with Arab states. China supported other developing countries with needed medical and other supplies, and pushed for the accessibility and affordability of COVID vaccines in the developing world. China also took an active part in developing and implementing the G20's Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI), and co-hosted with the UN a high-level video conference on poverty eradication and South-South cooperation. From fighting the coronavirus and restoring the economy to building a shared future, China worked closely with its neighbors and fellow developing countries, thus enhancing mutual solidarity and friendship through a challenging period.

同发展中国家团结合作展现新气象。举办中非团结抗疫特别峰会，实现中拉、中阿等重要集体对话平台全覆盖。向有需要的发展中国家提供抗疫医疗和物资援助，致力于实现疫苗在发展中国家的可及性和可负担性，积极参与制定和落实二十国集团缓债倡议，与联合国共同举办减贫与南南合作高级别会议。中国同广大周边和发展中国家在抗击疫情和复苏经济方面同呼吸、共命运，深化了双方守望相助的友好情谊。

We have pushed global governance forward against all odds, demonstrating the power of multilateralism. As the saying goes, one needs to stand tall and see far, through the obscuring mist. In the face of pushback and setbacks to global governance, General Secretary Xi Jinping has made China's proposition clear at several major multilateral meetings. He elaborated on China's firm commitment to multilateralism, to the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and to building a community with a shared future for mankind. pointing the way forward for the global governance reform.

全球治理激流勇进，弘扬多边主义正能量。登高望远，穿云破雾。面对全球治理遭受的冲击和挫折，习近平总书记出席一系列重要多边会议，全面阐释中国坚定维护多边主义、践行共商共建共享原则、推动构建人类命运共同体的时代主张，指明全球治理体系变革的正确方向。

Working with the rest of the international community, China has firmly upheld the international system with the UN at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the multilateral trading regime with the World Trade Organization (WTO) as the cornerstone. We have supported efforts to bring more democracy to international relations and make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial for all.

中国与国际社会一道，坚定维护以联合国为核心的国际体系，以国际法为基础的国际秩序和以世界贸易组织为基石的多边贸易体制，支持国际关系进一步走向民主化，支持经济全球化朝着更加开放、包容、普惠、平衡、共赢的方向改革完善。

China has followed the tide of history. It has taken part in international cooperation on climate change in a responsible manner, and undertaken to strive to peak CO2 emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. This is China's contributions to global ecological preservation. In the same spirit, China has proposed a Global Initiative on Data Security aimed at fostering an international cyberspace featuring peace, security, openness and cooperation.

中国站在历史潮流一边，以负责任态度参加应对气候变化国际合作，庄重宣布将力争于2030年前二氧化碳排放达到峰值，努力争取2060年前实现碳中和，为全球生态文明作出中国贡献。发布《全球数据安全倡议》，推动打造和平、安全、开放、合作的国际网络空间。

China has stood on the side of international justice. It has firmly upheld the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear issue and put forward a constructive proposal of building a platform for multilateral dialogue for the Gulf region. China has continued to advocate the phased and synchronized approach to achieve the two goals of denuclearization and establishment of a peace mechanism on the Korean Peninsula. China has supported advancing intra-Afghan talks and mediated between Bangladesh and Myanmar in addressing their disagreements. Through these efforts, China has explored a distinctive Chinese way of resolving hotspot issues.

中国站在国际道义一边，坚定维护伊朗核问题全面协议，提出搭建海湾地区多边对话平台的建设性倡议。倡导按照分阶段、同步走思路，推进实现朝鲜半岛无核化和建立半岛和平机制两大目标。支持促进阿富汗人内部谈判，斡旋孟加拉国和缅甸之间纠纷，积极探索具有中国特色的热点问题解决之道。

We have worked all out to serve the development of our country, breaking new ground in people-centered diplomacy. The people's wish is what we should strive for. In the early days of the epidemic, we helped mobilize life-saving medical supplies from around the world to address the pressing needs back home. With infections rising globally, we worked with fellow Chinese at home and abroad to build a strong line of defense at our borders and preserve the hard-won gains in containing COVID-19 at home. As the economy gradually reopened, we took creative steps to open "fast tracks" and "green lanes" for the movement of people and goods, which has helped to keep industrial and supply chains stable and open and bolster domestic economic recovery and social development.

服务发展尽心尽力，谱写外交为民新篇章。民之所向，我之所往。疫情初期，在全球范围协助筹集医疗物资，以解国内抗疫斗争之急。面对疫情不断蔓延，与海内外同胞齐心协力，严守疫情防控“国门关”，维护国内来之不易抗疫成果。复工复产启动以来，创造性设立中外人员往来“快捷通道”、物资运输“绿色通道”，保障产业链供应链稳定畅通，助力国内经济社会恢复发展。

We have stayed committed to the people-centered principle in our work, kept in mind the safety and well-being of every fellow countryman and woman abroad, and carried out consular protection missions across the world. We urged the governments of host countries to pay more attention to addressing the difficulties encountered by overseas Chinese citizens. We set up online telemedicine platforms and offered prompt support to those infected. We delivered more than 1.2 million health kits to overseas Chinese students, sent emergency medical supplies to our nationals in 100-plus countries, and arranged over 350 ad hoc flights to bring home stranded fellow countrymen. With our consular protection hotline 12308 operating 24/7, we have extended the bond of love linking overseas Chinese with their motherland to every corner of the world, and conveyed the solicitude of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council to everyone.

坚持以人民为中心，心系海外同胞安危冷暖，在全球范围内开展领事保护专项行动。促请驻在国政府重视解决中国公民遇到的各种问题，搭建远程医疗救助网络平台，及时救治不幸染疫的同胞。向海外留学生发放120多万份“健康包”，向100余国的海外侨胞送去各类紧急防疫物资，安排350多架次临时航班接回面临困境的在外人员。“12308”领事保护热线24小时不停运转，祖国与海外游子的爱心桥梁伸展到天涯海角，党中央、国务院的关心关爱传递到每一个人。