In recent years, the United States has faced a series of setbacks in its diplomatic efforts. Most non-Western countries are unwilling to take sides with the US in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The influence of the US in the Middle East has also declined significantly. Saudi Arabia and other oil-producing countries have repeatedly rejected Washington’s demands for increases in oil production. The US has also been criticized for condoning Israeli oppression of Palestinians in the Israel-Palestine conflict, leading to growing dissatisfaction among many Middle Eastern countries. In contrast, China has demonstrated Confucian morals and wisdom in its diplomacy, promoting international unity and cooperation, and providing new directions for crisis resolution through the principle of “building partnerships without forming alliances”.
Confucius once said, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Confucianism places emphasis on human-centeredness, mutual respect, care and understanding among people. Throughout history, China’s foreign policy has adhered to the Confucian principles of “achieving harmony in the world” and “being virtuous internally and benevolent externally”, seeking mutual benefits and not seeking to occupy other countries’ territories or resources. This stands in stark contrast to the Western colonial thinking of the past, which promoted “survival of the fittest” and pursued hegemonic expansion under the banner of nationalism. Unfortunately, the foreign policies of the US and some other Western countries still bear traces of this colonial mindset.
The well-known American film series The Purge depicts a future in which the US government allows crime to occur without law enforcement for one day each year in order to suppress the crime rate. The result is that the wealthy, who can afford security and establish impenetrable security systems for their homes, benefit from this system, while the poor are left vulnerable. This concept is reminiscent of the recent “table and menu theory” put forward by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, which reflects a diplomatic philosophy of “survival of the fittest”.
Only by adhering to the diplomatic principles of Confucianism and forsaking self-centered unilateralism and protectionism can we create a peaceful, constructive, and win-win international order and norms
In response to the US’ philosophy of prioritizing power and interests in diplomacy, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed a diplomatic view of treating all countries equally, stating that “those with the bigger fist should not have the final say. And it is definitely unacceptable that certain countries must be at the table while some others can only be on the menu”. This egalitarian concept can be traced back to the Confucian moral principles of ren (benevolence), yi (righteousness), li (propriety), zhi (wisdom), and xin (trustworthiness). Many conflicts and wars in the international arena originate from the pursuit of self-interest and the disregard for these moral norms. For example, violation of the promise that “NATO will not expand eastward” by the US-led NATO was the main cause of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which stems from a lack of xin. The US turning a blind eye to Israel’s military actions in the Israel-Hamas conflict, causing serious harm to Palestinian civilians, shows a disregard for the ren and yi aspects of international relations. Chris Van Hollen, a Democratic US senator and member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, expressed concerns at the end of last year about the US’ failure to take more actions and exert its influence in the Israel-Hamas conflict, which led to a strained relationship with its allies.
Confucianism emphasizes the unity of righteousness and interests, advocating a harmonious attitude to avoid confrontation. It advocates using morality as a standard, communicating with each other about one’s own righteousness and interests, seeking common ground while respecting differences. China has put this philosophy into practice in its diplomacy. Even in the face of continuous suppression by the US and its attempts to isolate China internationally, President Xi Jinping extended a hand of friendship by traveling to San Francisco in November to attend the “Xi-Biden meeting” and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. He expressed the hope that China and the US would become partners in actively promoting cooperation and positive interactions in international multilateral forums. Earlier this year, during his visit to Europe, Foreign Minister Wang Yi addressed concerns about China’s alliance with Russia, emphasizing that the China-Russia relationship is based on nonalignment, nonconfrontation, and nontargeting of third parties. During his meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Wang reiterated China’s commitment to play a constructive role in achieving an early cessation of hostilities and rebuilding peace.
China’s friendly gestures have successfully improved its relationship with the European Union. The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles stated his opposition to decoupling from China. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, during his meeting with Wang, also expressed opposition to protectionism and decoupling, and expressed his support for China’s development and revitalization. These outcomes are evident.
China’s “building partnerships without forming alliances” diplomatic strategy aligns with the teachings of Confucius: “A leader is proud without being contentious, and sociable without taking sides.” In the Israel-Hamas conflict, the US has faced criticism due to its unreserved support for Israel. In contrast, China has no alliance or hostile relations with countries in the region, allowing it to effectively play the role of a peace mediator and prevent the escalation of the conflict into a larger regional confrontation. In an effort to promote a political solution to the Ukraine crisis, China’s government dispatched a special envoy for Eurasian affairs, who recently conducted a second round of shuttle diplomacy in Europe, visiting multiple countries including Russia, Belgium, Poland and Ukraine, and holding meetings with officials from each country.
As Foreign Minister Wang stated, orderly multipolarity requires all parties to abide by the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and uphold internationally recognized norms of international relations. Only by adhering to the diplomatic principles of Confucianism and forsaking self-centered unilateralism and protectionism can we create a peaceful, constructive, and win-win international order and norms. This approach is essential for addressing common challenges faced by humanity, such as climate change and biodiversity loss, and advancing sustainable development, ensuring that countries, social strata, and ethnic groups can all enjoy the benefits and prosperity brought about by globalization in terms of economic and social development.
Edward Wong is a researcher of Hong Kong Sustainable Development Research Institute.
Ivan Chu is a member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
