Central Conference on Peripheral Work Held in Beijing; Xi Jinping Delivers Important Speech

Central Peripheral Work Conference 4 month 8 Date to 9 The meeting was held in Beijing. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People’s Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the meeting and delivered an important speech. Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi, members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, as well as Vice President Han Zheng, also attended the meeting.

In his important speech, Xi Jinping systematically summarized the achievements and experiences of China’s peripheral diplomacy since the advent of the new era, conducted a scientific analysis of the situation, and clearly outlined the goals, tasks, guiding principles, and specific measures for future work in this area. He emphasized the need to focus on building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries and to strive to open up a new chapter in China’s peripheral diplomacy. During the meeting, Li Qiang stressed the importance of earnestly implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech and ensuring the solid and thorough execution of all tasks related to China’s peripheral diplomacy.

The meeting pointed out that China, with its vast territory and extensive border lines, regards its surrounding regions as an essential foundation for achieving development and prosperity, a priority for safeguarding national security, a top priority in strategizing overall diplomacy, and a key to advancing the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. It is imperative to adopt a global perspective in assessing the surrounding region and to strengthen our sense of responsibility and mission in conducting work related to this region.

The meeting concluded that, since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, we have put forward the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness in our neighborhood diplomacy, advocated and promoted the building of a community with a shared future for our neighbors, taken head-of-state diplomacy as the guiding force, deepened all-round cooperation with neighboring countries, strengthened exchanges across all fields, and jointly safeguarded peace and stability. As a result, a pragmatic and efficient framework for neighborhood work has been established, driving historic achievements and transformative changes in our efforts toward our neighbors. The experiences thus explored and developed in practice must be upheld and effectively applied.

The meeting noted that China’s relations with its neighbors are currently at their best since modern times, while also entering a critical phase in which the regional landscape and global changes are deeply interconnected. It is essential to be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, closely focus on the central tasks of the Party and the country, coordinate the domestic and international contexts and balance development and security, uphold the banner of a community with a shared future for mankind, and pursue the common vision of building five “homes”: peace, tranquility, prosperity, beauty, and friendship. To this end, we should adhere to the principles of good-neighborliness, security for all, shared prosperity, amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, inclusiveness, and a shared future; follow the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness, and inclusiveness as our fundamental guiding principles; use high-quality joint efforts to advance the Belt and Road Initiative as the primary platform; and rely on the Asian security model of shared security and interests, seeking common ground while setting aside differences, and resolving disputes through dialogue and consultation as our strategic underpinning—so as to work hand in hand with neighboring countries to create a brighter future.

The meeting emphasized that, in building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries, it is essential to consolidate strategic mutual trust, support regional countries in pursuing stable and sustainable development paths, and appropriately manage and contain disputes and differences; deepen development integration by establishing high-standard connectivity networks and strengthening cooperation across industrial and supply chains; jointly uphold regional stability through security and law-enforcement cooperation to address various risks and challenges; and expand people-to-people exchanges and facilitate the flow of personnel.

The meeting pointed out that, in order to effectively carry out work related to China’s neighboring countries, it is essential to strengthen the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee and enhance coordination and cooperation across all fronts. It is also necessary to deepen institutional and mechanism reforms, improve the system of foreign-related laws and regulations, strengthen capacity building and team development, and promote innovation in both the theory and practice of work related to China’s neighbors.

Wang Yi delivered a concluding speech.

Leading comrades of the Party and the state, as well as responsible officials from relevant departments, attended the meeting.