Chinese century-old wisdom and the diplomacy of peace in a turbulent world

The world has entered 2026 burdened by deep uncertainty. Wars persist, trust among major powers has eroded, multilateral institutions are under strain, and economic fragmentation threatens global development. Humanity once again stands at a crossroads: one path leads toward confrontation, exclusion, and zero-sum rivalry; the other toward dialogue, cooperation, and shared security. At this defining moment, China's diplomacy—rooted in centuries-old civilizational wisdom and guided by contemporary visionary leadership—has emerged as a stabilizing force committed to global peace, balance, and development.

In the opening weeks of 2026, Chinese President Xi Jinping's intensive bilateral and multilateral engagements across neighboring regions, Europe, North America, and the Global South have drawn wide international attention. These interactions are not isolated diplomatic gestures; they reflect a coherent worldview shaped by Chinese history, philosophy, and long-term strategic thinking. Under Xi's leadership, China's diplomacy is opening a new chapter—one that seeks not dominance, but harmony; not confrontation, but coexistence; and not exclusion, but a community with a shared future for humanity.

A civilizational approach to diplomacy

Chinese diplomacy is deeply informed by the country's civilizational heritage. For thousands of years, Chinese political thought has emphasized harmony without uniformity, mutual respect, moral responsibility, and peaceful coexistence. Concepts such as 和而不同 (he er bu tong, harmony in diversity) and 天下 (tian xia, a world shared by all) continue to shape China's modern foreign policy thinking. Rather than viewing international relations as a battlefield of inevitable conflict, China approaches diplomacy as a process of balancing interests, managing differences, and expanding common ground.

Xi has consistently translated this philosophical inheritance into practical diplomacy. His vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity is not rhetorical idealism; it is a structured response to a fragmented world order. It offers an alternative to hegemonic politics by proposing cooperation based on equality, respect for sovereignty, and shared development.

Constructing closer global partnerships

China's early-2026 diplomatic calendar reflects this inclusive vision. On New Year's Eve, Xi exchanged greetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, reviewing a year of substantive progress in the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era. This relationship, grounded in mutual respect and non-alignment, contributes to strategic stability and resists bloc confrontation in international politics.

On Jan. 5, Xi welcomed President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea, the first foreign head of state to visit China in 2026. Their meeting underscored the importance both sides attach to neighborly relations. As close neighbors and economic partners, China and the ROK reaffirmed the need for frequent communication, people-to-people exchanges, and pragmatic cooperation. Such engagement reflects China's belief that regional peace is built through dialogue rather than deterrence.

The same day, Xi met Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin, marking the first visit by an Irish Taoiseach in 14 years. Their discussions highlighted how China engages Europe not through ideological alignment, but through strategic communication, political trust, and mutually beneficial cooperation. Ireland's commitment to deepening ties with China adds momentum to China-EU relations at a time when Europe seeks strategic autonomy and balanced global engagement.

China's outreach continues across the Atlantic and the Arctic Circle. The visit of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Jan. 16—the first by a Canadian prime minister in eight years—resulted in constructive proposals to guide bilateral ties onto a path of steady and sustainable development. Meanwhile, the ongoing visit of Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo reflects growing European interest in engaging China as an indispensable economic and diplomatic partner.

Equally significant is China's unwavering solidarity with the Global South. As China and Africa mark 70 years of diplomatic relations, Xi's congratulatory message to the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges reaffirms a partnership based on equality, respect, and shared modernization. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's first overseas visit of the year to Africa—continuing a 36-year tradition—symbolizes China's consistency and sincerity.

China's engagement with Latin America follows the same principle. In his conversation with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Xi emphasized China's commitment to being a good friend and partner to countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and to advancing the China-LAC community with a shared future. These interactions demonstrate China's efforts to amplify the voice of developing countries and promote a more balanced global order.

In an era marked by protectionism and economic coercion, China's diplomacy has sent a clear message: openness and cooperation remain the only sustainable path forward. Xi's engagements in early 2026 strongly reaffirm China's commitment to high-level opening-up and win-win development.

As China enters the implementation phase of its 15th Five-Year Plan, the global appetite for Chinese opportunities is evident. Chinese modernization—characterized by innovation, green development, and shared prosperity—offers tangible benefits to partners worldwide. Xi's assurance that China will open its doors even wider reflects strategic confidence and a sense of responsibility toward global development.

Deepening people-to-people bonds

Beyond state-to-state relations, China's diplomacy places people at its core. Xi has repeatedly emphasized that friendship among nations is rooted in mutual understanding between peoples. Cultural exchange, youth engagement, and educational cooperation are therefore essential pillars of China's foreign policy.

The designation of 2026–2027 as the China-Russia Years of Education reflects a long-term investment in mutual understanding. With the ROK, Xi called on both sides to increase personnel exchanges and promote interactions in areas such as youth, media, sports, think tanks and local governments.

In his meeting with Martin, Xi extended a warm welcome for more Irish youth to come to China for study and exchanges.

Perhaps most symbolically, Xi's response to a letter from a U.S. youth delegation underscored his belief that future stability depends on younger generations. By encouraging American youth to become ambassadors of friendship, China is investing in long-term peace beyond short-term political cycles.

This emphasis on human connection reflects the inclusive nature of Chinese civilization—one that values diversity, learning, and coexistence. In a world increasingly shaped by misinformation and cultural estrangement, China's insistence on dialogue and mutual learning is both timely and necessary.

Advancing multilateralism for a shared future

Global governance today faces severe fragmentation. Yet China has consistently positioned itself as a defender of true multilateralism. In his 2026 New Year message, Xi acknowledged global turbulence while reaffirming China's readiness to work with all countries for peace and development.

China's approach is clear: respect for sovereignty, adherence to international law, and commitment to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. Xi has repeatedly stressed that major powers bear special responsibility to set positive examples rather than impose unilateral agendas.

At a time when some advocate decoupling, confrontation, and zero-sum games, China offers a different logic—one rooted in cooperation and shared security. As Xi has emphasized, division has no future, and the return to the law of the jungle is neither acceptable nor sustainable.

As 2026 begins, China's major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics has set a steady and confident course. Drawing on century-old wisdom and contemporary strategic insight, China is injecting stability into a volatile world. Its diplomacy offers not only hope, but practical pathways for cooperation, development, and peace.

About the author: Zamir Ahmed Awan is a sinologist, former Pakistani diplomat and the founding chair of the Global Silk Route Research Alliance (GSRRA), based in Islamabad, Pakistan. He can be reached at awanzamir@yahoo.com.