Wang Hui: Developing Amidst the Trends of the Times
“Judging the internal by what is manifest, and knowing the future by observing the past.” [1] For a country or a nation to undergo revitalization, it must advance within the logic of historical progress and develop amidst the currents of the times. This is the most critical inspiration provided by China’s more than 40 years of reform and opening up. Grasping and conforming to the trends of the times concerns not only the foresight of national strategic decision-making but also the ability to seize development opportunities, respond to risks and challenges, and win the initiative and the future amidst the great changes unseen in a century. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has closely monitored the evolution of world trends and the currents of the times, emphasizing the need to be adept at thinking through comparative analysis of long historical cycles while also possessing the insight to discern changes from subtle details [2]. Deeply studying and comprehending these important discourses helps us better understand the profound changes in the current global landscape and provides strategic guidance for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
On April 7, 2013, at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that countries around the world are becoming increasingly interconnected and interdependent; numerous developing countries across the globe, comprising billions of people, are striving toward modernization, and the trend of the times—peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit—is becoming stronger. Since the end of the 20th century, the rapid development of information technology and its deep integration with global markets have accelerated economic globalization, driving transnational cooperation to extend into multiple fields such as economy, technology, security, and culture, further consolidating the close ties and interdependence between nations. In this context, countries place greater emphasis on dialogue and consultation, resolving differences through peaceful means and addressing global challenges through cooperation. Mutual benefit and common development have become mainstream concepts and universal aspirations, and the trend of the times toward peace and development continues to deepen. At the same time, the rise of many developing countries—including the BRICS nations, emerging market economies, and regions such as Africa and Latin America—has significantly enhanced their influence on the international stage. They have not only become important engines of global economic growth but also actively participate in global governance, promoting the development of the international order in a more just and reasonable direction. With the profound changes in the international balance of power, world multipolarity is developing in depth, and the discourse power of developing countries in global issues is continuously increasing, injecting new impetus into global peace and development.
On November 24, 2014, at the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that recognizing the general trend of world development and keeping up with the trend of the times is an extremely important task that is "always new" even as it is "always performed." Currently, the changes of the world, of the times, and of history are unfolding in unprecedented ways. The international landscape is undergoing profound evolution, the world economy is experiencing deep adjustments, international contradictions and conflicts are intensifying, and the international order is accelerating its transformation. Facing an increasingly complex and volatile global situation, countries must accurately grasp the general trend of world development and conform to the trend of the times to formulate practical and effective development strategies. If it fails to accurately identify the world trend, any country may miss historical opportunities or even be marginalized by the waves of global development. It is worth noting that the general trend of world development is dynamic, and the trend of the times is constantly evolving. If a country clings to past conceptual frameworks and empirical judgments and fails to adjust its cognition in time, it may lose its accurate judgment of the current and future situation. Therefore, only by continuously deepening the understanding of the general trend of world development and flexibly adjusting strategic policies according to changes can a country maintain strategic initiative in global competition and ensure the effectiveness and foresight of its national development strategies.
On June 10, 2018, at the 18th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states in Qingdao, Shandong, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that in the face of the new situation of great development, great change, and great adjustment in the world, in order to better advance the cause of human civilization and progress, we must "stand high and look far" [3] to correctly recognize and grasp the world trend and the currents of the times. Today’s world landscape is being profoundly reshaped; hegemonism and power politics still exist, traditional and non-traditional security threats are intertwined, and unilateralism, trade protectionism, and de-globalization sentiments are rising. The global situation is more complex and volatile, with instability and uncertainty significantly increasing. In this context, countries need strategic vision and a global perspective, being adept at identifying, responding to, and seeking change amidst volatile situations, nurturing new opportunities in crises, and opening new chapters amidst shifts. Despite numerous challenges, the trends of peaceful development, equity and justice, and win-win cooperation are increasingly evident, gradually leading the transformation of the global governance system and promoting the continuous progress of human civilization. It is precisely driven by this trend of the times and global shift that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization emerged and has continued to grow. It has consistently conformed to the trend of the times, dedicating itself to strengthening cooperation among member states in political, economic, and security fields, jointly responding to regional and global challenges, and enhancing its influence and constructive role in international affairs.
On April 19, 2021, during an inspection of Tsinghua University, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that the youth should have the courage to innovate, profoundly understand and grasp the trend of the times and national needs, dare to be the first and dare to make breakthroughs, contribute to the country with their intelligence and wisdom, and serve society with an enterprising spirit. Youth are the most energetic and creative group in society and should stand firmly at the forefront of innovation, actively responding to the call of the times. As the primary driving force leading development, innovation must conform to the trend of the times and keep pace with technological and social progress. Currently, emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, green development, and the digital economy are rising rapidly; youth should stand at the very forefront of the changes of the era, closely integrating their personal development goals with national strategic needs. Only by deeply understanding longitudinal trends and staying close to the technological frontier and social needs can the youth apply their efforts with precision in innovative practice and contribute to the country’s high-quality development. In this process, the youth must dare to question and explore, remain undeterred by failure when facing challenges, and accumulate experience and improve capabilities through continuous trial and error, ultimately achieving self-breakthrough and growth. More importantly, the youth must enhance their sense of mission, integrate their personal ideals into the great cause of national rejuvenation, truly shoulder the responsibilities bestowed by the times, and grow into "new people of the era" [4] capable of taking on the heavy responsibility of national rejuvenation.
On June 28, 2024, at the conference marking the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that the concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity conforms to the trend of the times—peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit—and has opened up a new realm of peace and progress. As globalization continues to advance, peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit have become the globally recognized trends of the times. This trend points the way for the development of international relations and reflects the common aspirations of people in all countries. The concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity is precisely a positive response to and profound interpretation of this trend of the times. It promotes the shared values of all humanity—peace, development, equity, justice, democracy, and freedom—and advances global governance through extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, advocating for the construction of a new type of international relations based on mutual respect, equity, justice, and win-win cooperation. This concept not only aligns with the direction of the common development of human society but also responds to the shared expectation of the world's people for a better future. Facing global challenges such as climate change and resource depletion, this concept provides a path for cooperation that transcends national borders and cultures. It conforms to the trend of the times, actively promoting the realization of lasting peace and common prosperity, and assisting the people of all countries in joining hands to address global issues and create a better future.
On May 8, 2025, during a tea chat with Russian President Putin at the Kremlin presidential office, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that as long as China and Russia maintain strategic resolve and adhere to strategic coordination, no force can stop the two countries from realizing their respective development and revitalization, stop the heartfelt aspirations of the Chinese and Russian people for friendship across generations, or stop the trend of the times toward world multipolarity and economic globalization. World multipolarity refers to the interaction of countries and groups with significant influence, pushing international relations toward a multipolar pattern; economic globalization is the process by which economic activities cross national and regional borders, and the interdependence of national economies continues to deepen. These two major trends are the result of global power competition and cooperation, an irreversible trend of the times, and an important basis for strategic decision-making. Through strategic resolve and strategic coordination, China and Russia actively respond to external risks and challenges, promoting the deep alignment and cooperation between the "Belt and Road" Initiative and the Eurasian Economic Union. Within international mechanisms such as the SCO and BRICS, the two countries have jointly promoted membership expansion and deepened comprehensive cooperation in fields such as trade, energy, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges, becoming an indispensable and important force in the global governance system. This cooperation not only conforms to the trend of the times but also, by promoting the implementation of the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, actively shapes the direction of international order reform, pushing the world toward a multipolar development that is equal and orderly and a globalization that is inclusive and beneficial for all.