Opposing Hegemonism and Safeguarding World Peace

The fundamental purpose of China’s diplomacy and the consistent national policy since the founding of New China are also an important part of Mao Zedong’s diplomatic thought. Hegemonism and power politics are the roots of post-war tensions and turbulence in the international situation and the greatest threats to world peace and security. In order to guarantee a peaceful environment for China’s socialist construction and maintain world peace and security, Mao Zedong had always regarded opposing imperialism and hegemonism, maintaining world peace, and promoting human progress as the fundamental goal and historical mission of China’s diplomacy. After the birth of New China, Mao Zedong emphasized that China must build peace and strive for peace. The longer the peacetime is, the better. No fights will be to our advantage. In the opening speech of the first Plenary Meeting of the National People's Congress in 1954, Mao Zedong proposed: “Our overall mission is to unite the people of the country, win the support of all international friends, fight for the building of a great socialist country, and struggle to defend international peace and promote human progress.” In order to maintain peace, Mao Zedong advocated “daring to fight against and defeat imperialism, instead of begging for peace by yielding or compromising without principle”.

He proposed to unite all peace-loving countries and peoples in the world, form an international united front, and struggle together. The strategy of the united front is to develop progressive forces, strive for the middle forces, oppose stubborn forces, and oppose major enemies threatening world peace. Since Reform and Opening-up, Deng Xiaoping inherited and developed this diplomatic strategic thought pioneered by Mao Zedong. He emphasized that China shall adopt an opposing stance on superpowers and hegemonism, no matter under any circumstances, and no matter where hegemonism comes from. In the opening speech of the 12th CPC National Congress in 1982, Deng Xiaoping identified anti-hegemonism and safeguarding world peace as one of the three major tasks of the Chinese people in the 1980s.

Later, he repeatedly emphasized that even in the 21st century, we shall always bear in mind two points: one is to oppose hegemonism and safeguard world peace, and the other is that China always belongs to the Third World, which is a foundation of our foreign policy. To strive for peace, we must oppose hegemonism and power politics. The goal of China’s foreign policy is to strive for world peace and build socialism with Chinese characteristics. According to the fundamental purpose of China’s diplomacy, which is to oppose hegemonism and maintain world peace, China actively participated in various international disarmament activities and put forward a series of recommendations and propositions; resolutely opposed all arms races and advocated the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons and biological weapons, chemical weapons and space weapons, as well as large-scale reduction of conventional armaments; required all countries to withdraw troops stationed in other countries’ territories; and advocated peaceful settlement of all international disputes. Since entering the 21st century, especially since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Communist Party of China has unswervingly adhered to this national policy. To this end, it has made arduous and creative explorations, and successively proposed and practiced a series of creative diplomatic concepts such as “responsible power”, “peaceful development” “harmonious world”, “building a new type of international relations centered on win-win cooperation”, creating a “community of shared future for mankind”, and “a new security concept of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation”.

In terms of neighboring diplomacy, it is proposed to adhere to developing good-neighborly relationship and partnership with neighboring countries, adhere to securing an amicable, tranquil and prosperous neighborhood, highlight the concept of “amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness”, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and strive to achieve better own development while benefiting the neighboring countries, promoting peace with development and guaranteeing development with peace. In the field of multilateral diplomacy, China sincerely participates in multilateral affairs and supports the United Nations, the G20, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the BRICS countries to play an active role. China actively participates in UN peacekeeping operations and is now the country that provides the most funds and personnel for UN peacekeeping operations. China has also taken the initiative to reduce armaments for several times. In 2015, China made another 300,000 cuts in troops. In short, China’s 60 years of consistent practices have proved that it is the backbone of opposing hegemonism and maintaining world peace. China resolutely opposes hegemonism, resolutely safeguards the core national interests, and safeguards national sovereignty, security and development interests. We will never find or produce trouble but if the trouble comes, we will challenge and solve it effectively. No country should expect us to trade with our own core interests, nor expect us to swallow the bitter fruits that undermine our sovereignty, security and development interests.