Tehran – Immediately after the Chinese New Year celebration, Iran is about to welcome the traditional New Year’s knowls. According to the ancient Chinese saying, “Work all year round depends on a good start to spring” means that you should plan at the beginning of spring to set goals and directions for the year.
Today, as the world is invisible to a century, the escalation of geopolitical conflict, one after another, instability and uncertainty become increasingly prominent, there is a pressing question of all nations facing us in shaping new year’s foreign policy. Here we would like to outline China’s foreign policy through four important concepts for Iranian friends from all walks.
The first concept is “peaceful development.” Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out that peace is like air and sunlight. You can’t benefit without realizing it, but you can hardly survive if you lose it. Peaceful development is a central concept of China’s diplomacy and China’s strict commitment to the world. China does not have the genes to invade other countries. The Chinese state has always supported the philosophical wisdom of “harmony of diversity” and “turning conflict into friendship.”
The results of China’s current developments are achieved through peaceful means and never descends the beaten track “all powerful countries seek hegemony.” China adheres to resolving conflicts, building consensus through dialogue and consultation, and opposes the use of force or coercion in dealing with international conflicts. Whether it promotes political resolution to the Ukrainian crisis or advocating for ceasefires and emissions in the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict, China will consistently adopt a constructive approach to cool regional flashpoints and support all peace-driven efforts. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China is actively involved in international peacekeeping operations and maintains a crucial force in protecting global peace.
“Fairness and justice” is the second concept. Supporting international equity and justice is an important requirement for building a new type of international relations. International issues should not be monopolized by a small number of countries, and developmental benefits should not be excluded only by a few. Developing countries have the right to clarify and protect legitimate interests, and all people have the right to pursue a prosperous life. China supports equality among all countries, regardless of size, encourages strengthening the representation and voice of developing countries in the international system, and advances the democratization of international relations. In the human rights field, China is firmly opposed to double standards or multiple standards on human rights issues.
It argues that human rights should belong to all humanity, not as a privilege for a few, but rather that the rights of self-sufficiency and development constitute the main fundamental human rights, and balance individual and collective rights. From supporting the African Union’s accession to promoting the expansion of the BRICS cooperation mechanism to the G20, China has consistently worked to ensure greater debate for developing countries and guide global governance towards a greater balance. At the same time, China argues that international issues should be resolved through equal consultations between countries and through explicitly opposed interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
“Win-Win cooperation” is the third concept. The proverb is, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Faced with the escalation of global challenges, you cannot thrive in isolation. Prioritizing self-interests only leads to collective losses. Rather than pursuing narrow interests, states must engage in bloc conflicts and unite rather than share responsibility. China’s diplomacy pursues cooperation that is beneficial to both sides as an operational path, rejects the zero-sum mentality, and supports true multilateralism.
We advocate the global governance philosophy of “co-consultation, joint contribution, shared interests,” and actively provide public goods to improve global governance. After more than a decade of dedication, The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has achieved incredible progress. From railway projects to SEA Transbridge, the Landmark Infrastructure Project has increased connectivity in partner countries, unlocking economic potential, and attracted widespread acclaim. Since China and Iran signed the BRI memorandum, China has opened a “green channel” for Iranian agricultural exports, allowing Iranian specialty products and crafts to enter the Chinese market.
The fourth concept is responsibility. President Xi Jinping emphasized that larger countries should act like larger countries and show more responsibility. An important reason for frequent confusion in today’s world is that some countries believe in the superiority of strength and unilateral responsibility and refuse to assume the corresponding international responsibility and duties. As a responsible major nation, China has always carried out practical action to fulfill its international responsibility and fulfill its commitment to building communities in a shared future for humanity. China firmly supports the authority and role of the United Nations, defends the objectives and principles of the United Nations Charter, and respects the rule of international law.
China has never engaged in exceptionalism. It offers the greatest certainty in today’s uncertain world, not to mention “hopefully use it or abandon it if it doesn’t work.” In response to global challenges such as climate change and food security, China has actively implemented its commitment to carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, proposed the International Food Security Cooperation Initiative, and made important contributions to solving issues related to concrete actions.
Iran is a country with important regional and international influence and plays a distinct role in addressing regional and global issues. The two countries, trusted friends and partners of China, are comprehensive strategic partners, key members of the Global South, share identical or consistent positions on many regional and international issues. In the new year, China is ready to work with Iran to fully implement the important consensus reached by its leaders, deepen exchange and cooperation in various fields, advance the well-being of both people, and make new contributions to promote peace, stability and development in the region and beyond.