China repeatedly affirms positive role on global stage

ByAnthony Moretti

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends a press conference on China's foreign policy and external relations on the sidelines of the third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 7, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

China has demonstrated on multiple occasions over the past month that it is a positive actor on the global stage. The world needs that right now, and there is no question that Beijing will continue to attract admirers because of what it is saying and doing.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, highlighted many of the nation's accomplishments during a media briefing on March 7, as China's Two Sessions domestic political gathering continues.

He noted that as the international landscape changed in 2024, the country affirmed its responsibilities to domestic and global development while advancing the key goal of establishing a community with a shared future. Indeed, China has expanded bilateral relations, such as a mature and stable China-Russia relationship, and global communication, with the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation a key highlight. In 2025, China hosts the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which on Friday the Foreign Minister referred to "a big family of 26 countries" with common development as one of its key pillars. That will be just one event this year in which China's commitment to being an ally to countries big and small will be on display.

China's president and foreign minister have often spoken of the nation always being on the right side of history. In the unsettled world that exists in the early part of 2025, China will consistently promote peace and stability. That "should be the choice of all countries," Wang said on Friday. Fostering peace and stability means being a steady advocate for robust free trade, multilateralism, international agreements and international justice, and China can defend what it has said and done in these and other areas.

Wang's remarks at Friday's event align well with his comments at last month's Munich Security Conference where he offered an optimistic view of international relations. He affirmed that China is willing to strengthen strategic communication with the EU, enhance mutual understanding, and jointly contribute to greater global stability. When one recognizes the current stresses on Europe's economic, military and political communities, an extended hand of friendship would arrive at a perfect time.

While in Germany, Wang also said that China recognizes and endorses the multipolar world that exists in the twenty-first century and added that his country rejects any efforts at protectionism, which is in direct conflict with multi-polarization. Finally, he assured world leaders that China remains committed to full support of the United Nations.

A journalist asks a question at a press conference attended by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the third session of the 14th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 7, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's positive positions became increasingly noticeable at the UN. Again, China's foreign policy and relations are at the center of the stage. Chinese foreign minister had the potential for peace in Ukraine and Gaza on his mind, telling gathered delegates that "China supports all efforts conducive to peace talks." In short, resolving crises is paramount to China, and it can be counted on to press all conflicting sides to sit down and find agreement.

Foreign Minister Wang has affirmed in multiple locations and at multiple events over the first few weeks of 2025 that China respects global agreements and wants the UN to be an influential player in solving international crises. Such messages are especially valuable now because of the turbulence emanating from other parts of the globe. Meanwhile, we know significant portions of the Global South are finding affinity with China; yes, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is the signature item that binds so much of the region together. One of the most celebrated recent accomplishments involved the opening of Chancay Port in Peru, which is likely to generate $4.5 billion annually for the South American country. On Friday, the foreign minister called upon the Global South to maintain a sharp focus on development, knowing it had China as its firm ally.

There are more than 150 countries involved with the BRI, and its initial decade was celebrated in multiple areas around the world. Moreover, the ties between China and BRI partner countries are based on significant collaboration and conversation. But we cannot forget that China continues to support the bloc’s ambitions to develop with their various histories, cultures and norms respected. Such an attitude is in sharp contrast to what many countries, especially the countries from Global South, heard in the past.

Finally, significant humanitarian projects undertaken by China, and what it has done over the past few years to assist the people of Syria is especially laudable, provide evidence that Beijing will fill any void that other nations refuse to fill because such actions align with China's expressed interest to support peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and win-win cooperation.

Whether the issue is international development, trade, global security, humanitarianism or something else, China is doing right by the world. It is presenting a model for talking the talk and walking the walk that all nations should follow.

Foreign Minister Wang stated during his media conference that China's relations with the world have undergone positive and profound changes. There is every reason to anticipate China will continue to showcase that in 2025.

The author isan associate professor at the Department of Communication and Organizational Leadership at Robert Morris University in the U.S.