By Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram, the Executive Director of the Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future, Pakistan.
China does not support hegemony and unilateralism. Beijing's foreign Policy provided a ground for multilateralism and a better world for all humanity through its diplomacy and foreign relations. In the international arena, e.g. UN, SCO, ECO, and Asian Development bank China's participation is well-integrated and result oriented. President Xi Jinping's grand plan for poverty alleviation and prosperity for all has proven him a distinct visionary leader. In this regard, China has always tried to accelerate its friendly ties with the region and beyond.
Recently in the 14thNational People's Congress in Beijing, March 7, 2023, Foreign Minister, Qin emphasized that the world is undergoing major changes unseen in a century, China will continue to pursue the independent foreign policy of peace, and will continue to implement the mutually beneficial strategy of opening up. “China will always be a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order” also, China will host two major diplomatic events at home this year — the first China-Central Asia Summit and the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.
Regarding the regional countries, China has increased economic cooperation with countries through initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). These initiatives have helped to raise trade and investment between China and other countries and have supported economic development in the region. Furthermore, China has taken a leadership role in global efforts to address climate change to bolster its cooperation. In 2020, China pledged to reach carbon neutrality by 2060 and to peak its carbon emissions before 2030. This commitment has been widely welcomed by other countries and has helped to build closer ties with China on environmental issues. China has provided support to many countries on climate change through various initiatives.
Also, China has provided technical and financial support to developing countries through South-South cooperation initiatives. For example, China has supported renewable energy projects in Africa and Asia and delivered training for technicians from other countries. It prioritized clean energy and included climate change as a critical priority in its BRI, which aims to promote economic development and connectivity across Asia, Europe, and Africa. China has invested in renewable energy projects, such as hydropower and solar, in countries along the BRI. It is essential to highlight that China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development was established in 1992 to provide policy advice to the Chinese government on international environmental issues. It has also facilitated dialogue and cooperation between China and other countries on climate change. Additionally, China is one of the most significant contributors to the Green Climate Fund, established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to support developing countries in mitigating and adapting to climate change. And it has contributed to the Global Environment Facility, which funds environmental projects in developing countries. China is not merely giving technical support but is the largest shareholder in the AIIB, which finances infrastructure projects in Asia. The AIIB has included climate change as a key priority and has invested in renewable energy and sustainable transport projects.
Overall, China has actively supported other countries' efforts to address climate change, particularly in developing countries. However, some critics have raised concerns about the environmental impact of China's investments in other countries, and there is a need for greater transparency and accountability in these initiatives. China has provided humanitarian aid to other countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, including medical supplies and expertise. This has helped to strengthen China's relationships with other countries. China has recently increased its cultural diplomacy efforts, promoting the Chinese language and culture through initiatives such as the Confucius Institutes. This has helped to build cultural ties with other countries and promote mutual understanding.
Also China is striving for the importance of multilateralism in its Foreign Policy and has supported institutions such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization. This has helped strengthen global governance and promote cooperation on public health and climate change. These positive features of China's foreign Policy demonstrate a willingness to cooperate and engage with other countries on various issues. While there are still challenges, these positive developments suggest China is committed to playing a constructive role in the international community.
Moreover, China has established cordial ties with many countries worldwide through diplomacy, trade, and other forms of cooperation. Talking about diplomatic ties with various countries Including Russia, China has a strategic partnership and share a common vision on many global issues, such as supporting multipolar world. They also have a significant trade relationship and cooperate on projects such as energy pipelines.
Another significant relationship is between China and Pakistan, investing heavily in infrastructure projects in Pakistan, e.g. the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Coming to Iran, China and Iran have deepened their economic ties in recent years, with China being a major buyer of Iranian oil and investing in infrastructure projects in Iran. Moreover, China has been increasing its presence and investment in many African countries in recent years, focusing on infrastructure development. This has led to closer ties between China and many African governments. China has also been building closer ties with many Southeast Asian countries through trade and infrastructure projects and still needs a door for enhanced cooperation. China has been investing in and trading with many European countries e.g. Germany and the UK are major trading partners. However, some western countries perceive China as a threat and prevailing propaganda against China through media and groundless facts. The strict pandemic.
Overall, China's relationships with other countries are friendly and can be enhanced through several factors, such as political ideology, economic cooperation, and geopolitical considerations. China has had a growing network of friends, made more and more new friends, and strengthened ties with old ones.