Q:“外交部發言人辦公室”消息,在12月29日外交部例行記者會上,總臺央廣記者提問:2023年,習近平主席出訪足跡遍及亞洲、非洲、歐洲、美洲,在國內接待了許多國家領導人來訪,主持了第三屆“一帶一路”國際合作高峰論壇等一系列重大主場外交活動。請問元首外交為中國特色大國外交發揮了怎樣的引領作用?
A:毛寧:今年,在元首外交的戰略引領下,中國特色大國外交踏上新征程,譜寫了精彩紛呈的新篇章。
一是促進了大國關系發展。習近平主席訪問俄羅斯拉開今年元首出訪外交帷幕,中俄元首進行長時間真摯友好、富有成果的會談交流,擘畫中俄關系發展藍圖。習近平主席應邀赴美舉行中美元首舊金山會晤,就事關中美關系的戰略性、全局性、方向性問題以及事關世界和平與發展的重大問題交換意見,推動中美關系穩下來、好起來。習近平主席先后同法國總統和歐盟領導人舉行會晤,就中法、中歐關系以及共同關心的國際地區問題深入交換意見,達成重要共識。
二是深化了同周邊和發展中國家的團結合作。在西安,習近平主席主持中國—中亞峰會,各方宣布構建更加緊密的中國—中亞命運共同體。在約翰內斯堡,習近平主席出席金磚國家領導人第十五次會晤,推動金磚擴員邁出歷史性步伐,并同南非總統共同主持中非領導人對話會,以實際行動體現中國永遠同非洲國家站在一起。在北京,習近平主席在第三屆“一帶一路”國際合作高峰論壇上宣布中國支持高質量共建“一帶一路”八項行動,助力發展中國家加快邁向現代化。在河內,習近平總書記、國家主席同越南領導人就攜手構建具有戰略意義的中越命運共同體達成重要共識,又一次生動詮釋了親誠惠容周邊外交理念。
三是為解決熱點問題貢獻了中國智慧。根據習近平主席同沙特、伊朗兩國領導人達成的共識,在中方支持和推動下,沙伊雙方達成具有歷史意義的復交協議。為推動政治解決烏克蘭危機,習近平主席同有關各方領導人保持溝通,勸和促談。本輪巴以沖突爆發以來,習近平主席多次闡明中國原則立場,并出席金磚國家領導人特別視頻峰會,呼吁立即?;鹬箲?,推動巴勒斯坦問題在“兩國方案”基礎上早日得到全面、公正、持久解決。
四是夯實了友好合作的民意基礎。習近平主席親自講述中國故事,廣交天下朋友。今年以來,習近平主席會見了基辛格、比爾·蓋茨等多位美國朋友,在舊金山同多年來結識的美國各界友好人士親切交流,并面向美國人民發表歷史性的舊金山演講。習近平主席還多次同各國友好人士通信,用一封封書信連接起真摯情誼,展現了平易近人、重情尚義的領袖風范,贏得了全世界的尊重與友誼。
習近平主席曾說,“走四方固然辛苦,但收獲是‘朋友圈’越來越大”。2023年中國元首外交亮點紛呈,讓我們期待明年的華彩篇章。
Q:CNR: This year, President Xi Jinping visited Asia, Africa, Europe and America, received leaders from many countries in China, and chaired the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and other major home-ground diplomatic events. How does China's head-of-state diplomacy guide its major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics?
A:Mao Ning: Under the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics embarked on a new journey and has written a splendid new chapter in 2023.
First, China has advanced major-country relations. This year's head-of-state overseas visits kicked off with President Xi Jinping's visit to Russia. The Chinese and Russian presidents had long, sincere, friendly, and fruitful talks and exchanges, and drew up a blueprint for the growth of China-Russia relations. President Xi was invited to hold the China-US summit meeting in San Francisco. The two sides had an exchange of views on strategic and overarching issues critical to the direction of China-US relations and on major issues affecting world peace and development to stabilize and improve the bilateral relations. President Xi had meetings with French president and EU leaders. They exchanged views and reached important common understandings on China-France relations, China-EU relations, and regional and international issues of mutual concern.
Second, China has enhanced solidarity and cooperation with neighbors and developing countries. In Xi'an, President Xi chaired the China-Central Asia Summit, where all parties jointly announced that they will build a closer China-Central Asia Community with a shared future. In Johannesburg, President Xi attended the 15th BRICS Summit, where BRICS expansion made a historic step forward. He co-chaired with South African President the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue, which demonstrated through concrete action that China and African countries will forever stand shoulder to shoulder. In Beijing, President Xi announced eight major steps China will take to support the joint pursuit of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation at the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation to help developing countries speed up the process of modernization. In Hanoi, General Secretary and President Xi reached important common understandings with Vietnamese leaders to build a China-Viet Nam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. It is another vivid illustration of the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in neighborhood diplomacy.
Third, China contributed its wisdom to the settlement of hotspot issues. Based on the common understanding reached by President Xi and Saudi and Iranian leaders and with China's support and facilitation, Saudi Arabia and Iran reached a historic agreement to resume diplomatic ties.? To facilitate the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, President Xi maintained communication with leaders from relevant parties to promote peace talks. Since the outbreak of the latest Palestinian-Israeli conflict, President Xi has outlined China's principled position on multiple occasions. At the Extraordinary Joint Meeting of BRICS Leaders, he called for an immediate ceasefire and efforts for an early solution to the question of Palestine that is comprehensive, just, sustainable and based on the two-state solution.
Fourth, China has consolidated public foundation for friendly cooperation. President Xi Jinping personally reached out to the world to tell China's stories and make friends across the globe. Earlier this year, President Xi met with Henry Kissinger, Bill Gates and several other US friends, had cordial conversations with old friends from various sectors of the US in San Francisco, and delivered a historic speech to the American public while he was there. He also exchanged correspondence with friends from various countries. The letters conveyed messages of goodwill. It showed the character of a statesman who has a common touch and values the bond with the people. This has won respect and friendship from the world.
President Xi Jinping once noted, "It's hard work to travel all over the world, but we've made more and more friends because of it. This is our reward." As we conclude 2023 with numerous highlights in head-of-state diplomacy, let us look forward to next year.
Mao Ning:As we conclude 2023 with numerous highlights in head-of-state diplomacy