Research Center for People-to-People Diplomacy Strategy of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries: Advancing the Theoretical and Practical Development of People-to-People Diplomacy in the New Era Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy
Recently, President Xi Jinping replied to a message from the teachers and students of a youth pickleball cultural exchange delegation from Montgomery County, Maryland, USA. This group was visiting China as part of the initiative to invite 50,000 American youths to China for exchange and study over the next five years. President Xi congratulated them on their successful visit and encouraged them to "be messengers of friendship for the new generation of the two countries and make greater contributions to enhancing the friendship between the two peoples." This earnest message from President Xi has become a new story of friendship [1] in promoting non-governmental friendly exchanges between China and the United States.
Non-governmental diplomacy was established by the Party, flourishes because of the Party, and grows strong through the Party; it has always been closely linked to the cause of the Party and the people. Since the New Era, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and particularly Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, China’s external work has achieved all-around and historic achievements, and non-governmental diplomacy has also realized new developments. General Secretary Xi Jinping attaches great importance to non-governmental diplomatic work and has put forward a series of important expositions. These expositions contain both epistemology and methodology, constitute an important component of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, and provide the fundamental follow-through for non-governmental diplomatic work on the new journey in the New Era. We must be comprehensive and systematic, keep up in a timely manner, think deeply, and connect with reality to study and grasp the essence, practical requirements, and implementation measures of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on non-governmental diplomacy. From this, we must continuously draw ideological strength to open new horizons for non-governmental diplomacy, actively promote the development of its theory and practice, and better serve the overall domestic development and the general situation of overall diplomacy.
Deeply study and grasp the historical logic, theoretical logic, and practical logic of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on non-governmental diplomacy.
General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on non-governmental diplomacy grasp the essence of issues from history, theory, and practice, refining and elevating the theory and practice of non-governmental diplomacy. They possess a profound historical, theoretical, and practical logic. The multi-dimensional connection and dialectical unity of these "three logics" are important reasons why this series of expositions is so attuned to the times, instructional, and practical.
From the perspective of historical logic, General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on non-governmental diplomacy are an inheritance and development of the diplomatic concepts and historical experience of New China, drawing on the essence of the wisdom of fine traditional Chinese culture, and spanning the past, present, and future. First, they are in the same lineage as the diplomatic concepts of New China. Comrade Mao Zedong emphasized: "The Chinese people are willing to practice friendly cooperation with the people of all countries in the world." During the new period of reform, opening up, and socialist modernization, Comrade Deng Xiaoping pointed out: "If there is only cooperation between the two governments without non-governmental contact, it is impossible for the relations between the two countries to have a solid foundation." Comrade Jiang Zemin emphasized: "We will continue to extensively carry out non-governmental diplomacy, expand external cultural exchanges, enhance friendship between peoples, and promote the development of state-to-state relations." Comrade Hu Jintao pointed out: "Developing non-governmental diplomacy is conducive to enhancing the friendship of the people of all countries, promoting economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, and laying a broad social and mass foundation for the development of state-to-state relations." Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has attached great importance to non-governmental friendship and the bond between peoples. He has profoundly summarized and fully utilized the historical experience since the founding of our Party, proceeded from new realities, and stated on many occasions that "amity between people holds the key to sound state-to-state relations" [2] and "the foundation of the development of relations between countries lies in the two peoples," as well as "non-governmental diplomacy is foundational work for enhancing people's friendship and promoting the development of state-to-state relations." These important expositions are in the same lineage as the long-standing concepts of non-governmental diplomacy of our Party while also advancing with the times.
Second, they draw upon the essence of the wisdom of fine traditional Chinese culture. Fine traditional Chinese culture has a long history and deep roots. General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on non-governmental diplomacy encapsulate the spiritual markers of "the world belongs to the public" [3] and "helping each other in times of trouble." Phrases like "when the Great Way prevails, the world is shared by all" [4] and "the people are enlightened, and all nations live in harmony" [5] describe a beautiful vision of a "Great Harmony" [6] society, reflecting the essence of Eastern civilization. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Humanity is a community with a shared future where everyone shares honor and disgrace," reflecting the inherent laws of the interconnectedness of human society. This guides non-governmental diplomacy to promote and practice the common values of all humanity, to continue to work with all peace-loving countries and peoples to meet challenges and achieve common prosperity, and to strive to gather a powerful force to promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. This series of expositions reflects the moral standards of the strong not dominating the weak and the rich not insulting the poor. With the concept of "universal love and mutual benefit" [7], China has always advocated peaceful coexistence, equality, and mutual benefit, and opposed the strong bullying the weak and zero-sum games. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "To seek peace, seek development, promote cooperation, and strive for win-win results is our common desire and responsibility," pointing the way forward for non-governmental diplomacy to adhere to the principle of mutual respect, actively expand equal, open, and cooperative global partnerships, and continuously consolidate the social and public opinion foundation for friendly cooperation among countries. This series of expositions upholds the value pursuit of "appreciating the beauty of others and sharing beauty together" [8] and "harmony without uniformity" [9]. The spiritual depth of "a single flower does not make spring, while a hundred flowers in full bloom bring spring to the garden" reflects the broad-mindedness of equality, respect, and inclusiveness in fine traditional Chinese culture. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Only through mutual respect, mutual learning, and harmonious coexistence in diversity can this world be colorful and prosperous," guiding non-governmental diplomacy to uphold the concepts of mutual respect, treating each other as equals, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and win-win cooperation, thus promoting the sharing of opportunities and the joint meeting of challenges with all countries in the world.
From the perspective of theoretical logic, General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on non-governmental diplomacy demonstrate a distinct Marxist theoretical character and form a rigorous theoretical system. First, they adhere to materialist dialectics. General Secretary Xi Jinping insists on using the ideological method of materialist dialectics to observe things, analyze problems, and solve problems, guiding non-governmental diplomacy to proceed from objective reality and to understand and grasp the laws and characteristics of development through the unity of opposites and the mutual promotion of practice and cognition. General Secretary Xi Jinping accurately grasped the trend of the evolution of the international situation and made the important exposition that "China is in its best period of development since modern times, and the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century [10]; the two are intertwined and interacting," pointing out that to do a good job in diplomatic work, one must keep in mind both domestic and international situations. We must unify our thinking and understanding with the major judgments of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, ensuring that non-governmental diplomatic work on the new journey always moves forward along the correct direction guided by the Party. We must persist in grasping the principal contradiction and the principal aspect of the contradiction, and actively face and resolve contradictions. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The China-US relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world. How China and the United States get along will determine the future and destiny of humanity." As the world's largest developing country and developed country, the health and stability of China-US relations are vital to world peace and development. Non-governmental diplomacy must actively serve head-of-state diplomacy and coordinate with official diplomacy, practicing both the "two-point theory" [11] and the "key-point theory" [12], striving to strengthen the non-governmental bonds between China and the US, and making the assistance in improving and developing China-US relations an important direction of work for the current and future period.
Second, they adhere to the materialist conception of history. General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly grasps the basic viewpoints of Marxism on the laws of human social development and its historical trends, gains insight into the "macro-logic," "macro-power," and "macro-trend" behind the trajectory of international relations, and always maintains the historical initiative for the development of the cause of the Party and the country. This points the way forward for non-governmental diplomacy to grasp historical laws and seize historical opportunities. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out the need to "pick up the telescope of historical laws," stating that "humanity can understand, adapt to, and apply historical laws, but cannot stop historical laws from functioning," and clarifying the principle that "no amount of twists and turns can stop the wheel of history from moving forward," requiring us to maintain strategic resolve and strategic confidence. In our non-governmental diplomatic work, we must accurately understand the laws of historical development and scientifically plan the points of convergence, entry, and focus for non-governmental diplomatic work, extensively mobilizing various subjects and resources to jointly participate in the cause of non-governmental friendship.
From the perspective of practical logic, General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on non-governmental diplomacy always adhere to a problem-oriented, goal-oriented, and result-oriented approach, originating from practice and guiding practice. First, they are rooted in the practice of non-governmental external exchanges under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. General Secretary Xi Jinping attaches great importance to non-governmental diplomatic work, leading by example and personally taking charge, guiding non-governmental diplomacy through head-of-state diplomacy, and setting the course for non-governmental diplomacy in the New Era. As early as 1985, when Comrade Xi Jinping served as the Secretary of the Zhengding County Party Committee in Hebei province, he established a deep bond with the people of Iowa in the United States; when he served as the Secretary of the Fuzhou Municipal Party Committee, he personally unearthed and continuously cared for the "Guling story" [13], encouraging non-governmental friendly individuals from China and the US to inherit and carry forward the story and the bond of Guling. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping made a special trip during his 2014 visit to Australia to visit the family of the late Governor Bacon, whom he met while working in Fujian; during his 2017 visit to Laos, he took time to meet with his Laotian classmates from the August 1st School [14]. He has extensively contacted and interacted with people from all walks of life and ordinary citizens, continuously enriching and developing the important expositions on non-governmental diplomacy in practice.
Second, they are rooted in the realistic needs of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. General Secretary Xi Jinping has closely integrated new era conditions and practical requirements to propose a series of new concepts, propositions, and initiatives such as building a community with a shared future for humanity, the common values of all humanity, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the "Three Global Initiatives" [15], which possess distinct characteristics of the times, brand-new ideological content, and profound practical value. General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on non-governmental diplomacy are the result of continuous exploration, upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground in the process of adhering to and developing the practice of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. They are a powerful ideological weapon tested by practice and full of practical power, opening up a new realm of non-governmental diplomatic theory and practice, and serving as our important guide for planning and promoting non-governmental diplomacy in the New Era.
Profoundly grasp the rich connotations of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on non-governmental diplomacy.
General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on non-governmental diplomacy are rich in connotation, broad and profound. They focus on the long-term development of state-to-state relations and the deep cultivation of people-to-people friendship, leading non-governmental diplomacy in the New Era to achieve historic achievements and undergo historic transformations.
A consistent view of the people. The "view of the people" is a core concept of Marxist philosophy, emphasizing that the people are the creators and drivers of history, the creators of social material and spiritual wealth, and the decisive force in social change. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has insisted on putting the people first, inheriting and developing the deep "people-centered sentiment" of the CPC. President Xi pointed out: "The deep friendship of the people is the source of power for the development of state-to-state relations" and "People’s friendship is the foundational force for promoting world peace and development, and the basic prerequisite for achieving win-win cooperation." In 2023, President Xi attended a welcome banquet co-hosted by friendly American organizations in San Francisco and delivered a speech, mentioning the word "people" more than 60 times and emphasizing: "The future of China-US relations is created by the people. The more difficult the times are, the more we need to tighten the bond between our peoples and enhance communication between hearts, and the more we need more people to stand up and speak out for China-US relations." These important expositions condense the theoretical starting point and practical origin of adhering to a people-centered approach. They deeply summarize the foundational role played and the important contributions made by non-governmental diplomacy in promoting the healthy development of state-to-state relations, demonstrating the theoretical characteristics of our Party's adherence to the Marxist view of the people and fully manifesting the people-oriented character of Marxism.
A systematic view of balancing and coordinating all factors. The "systematic view" is an important category of Marxist epistemology and methodology; it is a fundamental ideological and working method. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "External work is a systematic project. Political parties, the government, the National People's Congress, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the military, local authorities, and the non-governmental sector must strengthen overall planning and coordination, each with their own focus, and cooperate with each other to form a situation of major coordination in external work where the Party oversees the overall situation and coordinates all parties, ensuring that the Party Central Committee’s diplomatic principles, policies, and strategic deployments are implemented." Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has coordinated the two overall situations of domestic and international affairs, adhered to a systematic view and strategic thinking, and promoted the formation of an external work system with clear levels, prominent focus, and orderly operation. It has continuously promoted the integrated development of non-governmental diplomacy, city diplomacy, and public diplomacy, forming a new situation led by head-of-state diplomacy, driven by high-level visits, demonstrated by high-level mechanisms, combining bilateral and multilateral efforts, and mobilizing both official and non-governmental actors. This further enriches and develops the scientific methodology of Marxism, requiring non-governmental diplomatic work to be both systematically planned and focused on the "ox's nose" [16] (the key link), continuously enhancing the integrity and coordination of work, achieving overall balance while highlighting key points, and fully interpreting the practical character of Marxism.
A concept of righteousness and interests that combines both. Balancing righteousness and interests (yi and li), and prioritizing righteousness over interests, are distinct value standards and spiritual markers of fine traditional Chinese culture, as well as a salient feature of New China’s diplomacy. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Righteousness reflects one of our concepts, the concept of Communists and socialist states. It is not a good phenomenon that some people in this world live very well while others live very poorly. True joy and happiness are found in everyone being happy and prosperous together. We hope for the common development of the whole world, especially for the rapid development of the vast number of developing countries. Interest means adhering to the principle of mutual benefit and win-win results, rather than engaging in a zero-sum game. We have an obligation to provide help within our capacity to poor countries, sometimes even prioritizing righteousness over interest or sacrificing interest for righteousness; we must never be solely profit-driven or preoccupied with petty gains.” General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on adhering to a correct concept of righteousness and interests conform to the inherent requirements of socialism with Chinese characteristics, align with the historical trend of peace, development, cooperation, and win-win results, and match the general trajectory of the development of relations between China and the world. These insights not only hold important guiding significance for our further improvement of nongovernmental diplomacy in the New Era but also further enrich the common values of all humanity.
A concept of development that advances with the times. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “We must center our efforts on key milestones in the work of the Party and the state to promote a continuous opening of new horizons for external work.” Facing the changes unseen in a century, General Secretary Xi Jinping has gained deep insight into new shifts in Chinese and global development, comprehensively recognized new connotations in China’s relationship with the world, and accurately grasped new laws of interaction between China and the world. With a brand-new vision, he has deepened the understanding of the laws governing the development of the cause of nongovernmental diplomacy, requiring us to blaze new trails [17] based on a grasp of these laws according to the time and situation. For example, in recent years, President Xi Jinping has met with American figures from all walks of life, sent letters to China-US nongovernmental friendship events, and replied to letters from friendly personages such as the US-China Youth and Student Exchange Association in Washington State, descendants of General Stilwell, and veterans of the Flying Tigers. He has focused on promoting the forward development of nongovernmental friendship between China and the United States, tilling the soil and adding warmth to the foundation of China-US relations. In 2023, while attending a welcome banquet jointly hosted by American friendly organizations in San Francisco and delivering a speech, President Xi Jinping pointed out: “The hope of the China-US relationship lies in the people, its foundation is in the grassroots, its future is in the youth, and its vitality is in subnational sectors.” These important expositions, led by head-of-state diplomacy, enrich and develop the connotation and extension of nongovernmental diplomacy. They are profound insights into the essential laws of China-US relations and deep wisdom to inspire the healthy, stable, and sustainable development of China-US relations, conforming to the fundamental aspirations for exchange and cooperation between the two peoples and the universal expectations of the world’s people for the stable development of China-US relations.
A concept of the world [18] based on a shared future. The Communist Party of China is not only a party that seeks happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, but also a party that seeks progress for humanity and the Great Harmony [19] for the world. Since the advent of the New Era, General Secretary Xi Jinping’s proposal to build a community with a shared future for humanity is both a direct inheritance and development of the Marxist “true community” and a manifestation of upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground in regard to the traditional Chinese cultural concepts of “harmony among all nations” (xiehe wanbang) and “universal peace for all states” (wanguo xianning). It is the concrete manifestation of the “concept of the world” in the New Era. In his important speech at the ceremony marking the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “The Communist Party of China is concerned about the future and destiny of humanity and moves forward hand in hand with all progressive forces in the world.” General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized that “the world is one family” and shares a common destiny, advocating that all countries pull together in times of trouble to build a bright future. The aim is to pass the torch of peace from generation to generation, maintain a constant flow of momentum for development, and let the torch of civilization shine brightly. From mission and concept to solution and path, these important expositions contain an inherently rich and systematically rigorous “concept of the world.” They care for the present while looking to the future, reflecting General Secretary Xi Jinping’s profound historical vision and broad global sentiment, contributing Chinese wisdom to the firm maintenance of world peace and the promotion of common development for all countries.
An open and inclusive concept of civilization. History has fully proved that resolving the prominent contradictions and problems facing humanity requires not only relying on material means to overcome difficulties but also relying on spiritual strength to act with sincerity and rectify the heart. Since the New Era, General Secretary Xi Jinping has made a series of important expositions on the concept of civilization, pointing out that “to maintain world peace and promote the common development of all countries, we must vigorously strengthen civilization exchanges and mutual learning. Nongovernmental diplomacy is the deepest source of strength for promoting civilization exchanges and mutual learning.” He stated that “China is willing to work with the international community to adhere to and promote a concept of civilization based on equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness.” He proposed the Global Civilization Initiative, issuing a sincere appeal to the world to enhance dialogue between civilizations and promote the progress of human civilization through inclusive mutual learning, clarifying China’s position on deepening civilization exchanges. This is both a correct understanding of the laws of human civilization development and a rejection and transcendence of the theories of “civilizational superiority” and the “clash of civilizations,” aligning with the common desire of different civilizations to learn from and promote one another.
Strengthening Theoretical Research and Practical Exploration of Nongovernmental Diplomacy in the New Era
Standing at a new historical starting point, we must deeply implement the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress and the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs, earnestly study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on nongovernmental diplomacy, profoundly grasp the rich connotations contained therein, and focus our efforts on creating a new situation for nongovernmental diplomacy in the New Era.
Adhere to the “root” and “soul,” improve political standing, and maintain a firm political direction. We must adhere to the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, always maintain the political character of nongovernmental diplomacy, and consistently focus on the central work of the Party and the state. We must maintain strategic focus and take the initiative amidst complex changes in the international situation, implementing the foreign work decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core without fail. We must deepen our ideological understanding, profoundly comprehend the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, resolutely achieve the Two Upholds, and gain a deep understanding of the Party Central Committee's major judgments on global development trends and the historical mission of diplomacy. We must strengthen strategic confidence, enhance our political responsibility to forge ahead, and cultivate a political character that dares to struggle and is good at struggling. We must strengthen theoretical study, comprehensively, systematically, completely, and accurately learning and understanding Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. We must integrate and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on nongovernmental diplomacy in connection with reality, profoundly grasping their spiritual essence and core requirements, and firmly mastering their practical requirements and implementation methods.
Be adept at “vision” and “planning,” strengthen awareness of the overall situation, and enhance strategic planning. We must actively serve head-of-state diplomacy. Closely following General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important diplomatic activities, we should use grounded, heart-warming, flexible, and content-rich supporting nongovernmental diplomatic activities to create a warm and friendly atmosphere for head-of-state diplomacy, expanding its influence and effectiveness, narrowing the distance between Chinese and foreign peoples, and enhancing their friendship. We must actively serve the top-level design of China’s diplomatic strategy on the new journey, advocating that different civilizations transcend differences, practicing the common values of all humanity, promoting the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and helping the “Three Global Initiatives” [20] take root and produce results, thereby consolidating the foundation of public opinion for building a new type of international relations. We must actively serve bilateral and multilateral diplomatic activities, keeping pace with the international situation and national development needs. By combining key milestones and major bilateral and multilateral diplomatic events, we should strengthen dialogue and communication with all countries and friendly exchanges with personages from all walks of life to continue the friendship between China and the world.
Flexibly apply “strategies” and “techniques,” create diverse channels, and broaden the fields of work. We must do a good job in international sister-city work, earnestly implementing General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instructions and requirements. We should continue to leverage the role of sister-city work as a window for local opening-up, a vehicle for international exchange and cooperation, and a grasp [21] for serving the country’s overall diplomacy. We must expand the network of friendly organizations, carefully organizing their basic constituencies and promoting nongovernmental friendship deep into the grassroots and among the masses. Relying on cultural exchanges, we should extract and display the cultural essence of fine traditional Chinese culture that possesses contemporary value and world significance. We must strengthen public diplomacy, enhancing our capacity for internationalized, regionalized, and targeted expression. We should deeply explain important concepts such as building a community with a shared future for humanity, and actively promote the historical achievements of China’s economic and social development, as well as the important characteristics and world significance of Chinese-path modernization. We must attach importance to the youth demographic, continuously expanding the network of global partnerships to build international consensus on peaceful development and create an international environment conducive to such development.
Grasp “continuity” and “change,” uphold the fundamentals and break new ground, and courageously shoulder the missions of the times. We must carefully consider the environmental conditions and methods for promoting work in the new historical period, handling the dialectical unity between change and constancy, inheritance and development, and principle and creativity, promoting the transformation of innovative results into practical work. On the basis of conducting regularized, systematized, and academic analysis of the experience and methods contained in nongovernmental diplomatic practices, we should focus on the new situations, tasks, and challenges of nongovernmental diplomacy. We must advance key areas, break through difficult points, and create highlights to build consensus and pool strength for the implementation of the community with a shared future for humanity. We must actively embrace the digital age, combining big data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence with traditional external communication methods to promote contemporary China from multiple angles, strengthening positive guidance of international public opinion, shaping a correct international perception of China, and creating a friendly international atmosphere toward China.
In an era of great turbulence and facing a world intertwined with change and chaos, we must persist in taking Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, as our guide. We must unite more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, continuously enhancing the scientific nature, foresight, proactivity, and creativity of nongovernmental diplomacy. We shall open new horizons for the work of nongovernmental diplomacy and make greater contributions to the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the promotion of human peace and development!