The international environment in 2023 was far from peaceful, with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, which threatens to ignite a powder keg in the Middle East.

As international issues continue to increase, major powers have a compelling obligation to enhance the well-being of the world.

Following the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2022, the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs was held in Beijing on Dec 27 and 28 last year, during which several key points were raised on the role major countries should play in international affairs.

General Secretary Xi Jinping summarized the historic achievements of China's major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012. These achievements include enhancing the autonomy and initiative of China's diplomatic strategy, becoming a responsible major country with greater international influence, building innovative leadership, and enhancing moral appeal. It was also emphasized that in dealing with major issues concerning the future and destiny of humanity and the direction of world development, China should "maintain a clear stance, firmly occupy the moral high ground in international affairs, and unite to seek the support of the majority of the world".

Many European and United States media outlets interpreted China's diplomatic strategy from a negative perspective. They questioned whether China was strengthening its "wolf warrior diplomacy" and adopting a more "assertive" approach to pursue its interests in diplomatic interactions.

The fact is, China has been playing an active and constructive role in international affairs, which is beneficial for global peace and stability. For example, through Chinese diplomatic mediation, long-standing rivals in the Middle East — Iran and Saudi Arabia — restored diplomatic relations after seven years of estrangement. The number of alliances is not necessarily an indicator of diplomatic success.

Diplomatic strategies should draw lessons from history. The Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs proposed the concept of "apply systems thinking with a correct understanding of history and of the big picture, navigate the prevailing trends, adopt a coordinated approach and seize the initiative".

The remote causes of the outbreak of World War I were the complex alliance relationships between the two major camps, the Allies and the Central Powers, which resulted in a serious arms race, tense relations and the involvement of multiple countries in regional conflicts that eventually escalated into a world war.

Large-scale alliance camps have more disadvantages than benefits in international relations, especially those with a military nature. With the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact and the disintegration of the Soviet Union in the 1990s, the Cold War ended. However, regional defense cooperation organizations that counterbalanced the Warsaw Pact during the Cold War, such as NATO, have continued to exist and expand.

The possession of a large number of nuclear weapons and conventional forces by NATO member countries has caused concern among many countries, especially Russia, which is located near several NATO countries. Declassified documents from the US National Archives have confirmed that then Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev received promises from then US president George HW Bush and then British prime minister Margaret Thatcher that NATO would not expand eastward. However, the subsequent expansion of NATO was one of the main reasons for the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022.

These historical lessons highlight the foresight of China's commitment to independent and nonaligned diplomacy and its embodiment of the role of a major country. China's adherence to the nonaligned principle allows it to avoid taking sides in international conflicts, enabling it to play a moderating role in recent international affairs and conflicts. It also benefits China in building a high-quality global network of partnerships and contributing to global peace and stability.

Then US national security adviser Henry Kissinger's secret visit to China in 1971, known as the "icebreaking trip", was achieved because his diplomatic thinking transcended the frameworks of alliances, ideologies and the Cold War situation. It laid the foundation for the normalization of US-China relations and contributed to the end of the Cold War, leading the world toward peace and stability.

Unfortunately, today's US government has reverted to a Cold War mentality, seeking hegemony by intensifying pressure on China and other "unfriendly" countries in politics and economics.

Against this international background, the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs proposed that China must uphold fundamental principles and break new ground. China's diplomatic approach rejects all acts of power politics and bullying, and vigorously defends its national interests and dignity.

China's nonaligned major-country diplomacy seeks equality among nations and humanity, and Beijing has consistently pursued this goal in the past. Through initiatives like the high-quality Belt and Road Initiative, China engages in pragmatic cooperation with participating countries, providing support in terms of technology, funding and experience to promote economic development. China also aims to build a community with a shared future for mankind, cooperating with various regions and countries to establish partnerships.

Ivan Chu is a member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies. Edward Wong is a researcher at the Hong Kong Sustainable Development Research Institute.