China's Diplomacy Promotes a Human Community with a Shared Future

THIS year China celebrates the centenary anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

- EVANDRO MENEZES DE CARVALHO

Leading up to the commemoration, many international analysts have already started to debate China’s new foreign policy and its impact on the international order. This debate has two motivating factors. The first and most important is the prediction that the Chinese economy will surpass the American economy before 2030. The other factor is the role of Chinese diplomacy in combating the pandemic, through which China has helped more than 100 countries in COVID-19 prevention, control, and vaccination, in contrast to the U.S.’ lackluster responses to the pandemic. This is not a discussion about the world’s leadership profiles but a global governance model for the future.

In the field of international relations and international law studies, European and American theories predominate. To continue along these lines means the world will not be able to come up with new ways of organizing international relations in a context of global transformation, in which China assumes an unprecedented role in its history and the history of humanity.

I assume that, in the 21st century, no major challenge for humanity will be solved without the active participation of China. Challenges related to the environment, financial crises, international security, and global public health, for example, will only be effectively addressed if there is a Chinese contribution. If we agree with this assumption, then there needs to be an understanding of China and a constant dialogue with it. So, what are the obstacles preventing this? Little is known about the Chinese way of thinking, cooperating, and resolving conflicts and how this Chinese approach and wisdom, reflected in its daily diplomatic practices, could favor a new standard of diplomacy and international relations.