Recently, the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs was held in Beijing, which is a major event in China's diplomacy in the new era. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered an important address during the conference. He presented a systematic review of the historic achievements and valuable experience of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era, gave a profound exposition on the international environment and historical mission of China's external work on the new journey, and made comprehensive plans for China's external work for the present and coming periods.

It was made clear at the conference that since the 18th CPC National Congress, historic achievements have been secured and historic changes have taken place in China's external work on the great journey of advancing the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. A range of valuable experience has been gained in the new era of Chinese diplomacy: It is imperative to uphold principles, shoulder China's responsibility as a major country, apply systems thinking, uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, carry forward our fighting spirit, leverage our institutional strengths.

With the help of these "six imperatives", which are the "secrets of success" of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, in the decade of the new era, China has seen high winds and choppy waters and overcome various difficulties and challenges in China's external work. China has opened up new prospects in major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, and gained much more strategic autonomy and initiative in Chinese diplomacy. China has also become a responsible major country with enhanced international influence, stronger capacity to steer new endeavors, and greater moral appeal.

Great transformation is accelerating across the world. Changes of the world, of our times, and of historical significance are unfolding like never before, and the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation. Yet the overall direction of human development and progress will not change, the overall dynamics of world history moving forward amid twists and turns will not change, and the overall trend toward a shared future for the international community will not change.

Building a community with a shared future for mankind is the core tenet of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. It is how China proposes to solve the questions of what kind of world to build and how to build it based on our deepening understanding of the laws governing the development of human society. It reflects the Chinese Communists' worldview, perception of order, and values, accords with the common aspiration of people in all countries, and points the direction for the progress of world civilizations. It is also the noble goal pursued by China in conducting major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics for the new era. Since the dawn of this new era, building a community with a shared future for mankind has developed from a Chinese initiative to an international consensus, from a promising vision to substantive actions, and from a conceptual proposition to a scientific system. It has served as a glorious banner leading the progress of the times. In summary, in building a community with a shared future for mankind, the goal is to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and shared prosperity, the pathway is promoting global governance that features extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, the guiding principle is to apply the common values of humanity, the basic underpinning lies in building a new type of international relations, the strategic guidance comes from the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and the platform for action is high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. On this basis, we seek to bring countries together to meet challenges and achieve prosperity for all, and usher in a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress for our world.

Given the series of major issues and challenges facing the world today, China calls for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. An equal and orderly multipolar world is one in which all countries, regardless of size, are treated as equals, hegemonism and power politics are rejected, and democracy is truly promoted in international relations. To keep the progress toward greater multipolarity generally stable and constructive, the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter must be observed by all, the universally recognized, basic norms governing international relations must be upheld by all, and true multilateralism must be practiced. A universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization is one that meets the common needs of all countries, especially the developing countries, and properly addresses the development imbalances between and within countries resulting from the global allocation of resources. It is important to resolutely oppose the attempt to roll back globalization and abuse the concept of security, oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, firmly promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, overcome the structural problems hindering the healthy development of the world economy, and make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all.

In the current and upcoming periods, China's external work shall be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy in particular. It should serve the goals and missions of Chinese modernization, and follow the principles of self-confidence and self-reliance, openness and inclusiveness, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation. Focusing on the theme of building a community with a shared future for mankind, we need to strengthen strategic planning in sync with the changing times, deepen and improve our diplomatic layout, follow a problem-oriented approach, and apply a systematic way of thinking. We need to identify the strategic tasks of Chinese diplomacy in a more multi-dimensional and comprehensive manner. We need to act with a stronger sense of historical responsibility and a more vibrant spirit of innovation to make new headway in our major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.

The Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs pointed out the direction for the new journey of China’s foreign work and also provided guidance for China-Afghanistan bilateral relations development in the new era. China and Afghanistan have been close neighbors for thousands of years and have a long history of friendly exchanges. In recent years, China has continued to uphold the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and firmly followed the right path of long-term good-neighborly friendship, common development and prosperity. The people of China and Afghanistan share a common destiny and have achieved continuous development of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of economy, trade, cultural exchanges, education and other fields. Entering a new historical period, China is willing to join hands with Afghanistan to further deepen bilateral relations and practical cooperation, strive to build a community with a shared future for mankind, and make more and greater contributions to the progressive cause of promoting world peace and development.