Two sessions to affirm nation's vision for peaceful coexistence, cooperation

With China's two sessions opening this week, this year's government work report is expected to highlight the country's commitment to diplomatic values and principles, such as mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, which will help build a new type of major-country relationship.

As the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period begins, this diplomatic emphasis may aim to provide a steady anchor in an increasingly turbulent international environment, said Jack Midgley, principal consultant at Midgley & Company, and adjunct associate professor in the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University in Washington DC.

"China's approach of moving toward peaceful coexistence and cooperation is a sound approach," he said to China Daily.

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"At the same time, the United States policy is still centered on military confrontation and win-lose competition with China. The two sides are not using the same language to describe their relationship, and China's size and sophistication make the American approach of confrontation obsolete," Midgley said.

Midgley stressed that China's role remains essential. "It's essential for China to take the lead and show this kind of leadership in the world," he said. "But the two sides are required for a dance, and now only one side is dancing."

High-quality Belt and Road Initiative cooperation, which could also be mentioned by the draft report, continues to offer reliable development support to partner countries, according to Midgley. "If African countries or South Asian countries want a dependable, solid partner for the long run, where do they go? They go to China ... China's continued work on BRI is a signal of stability and confidence," he said.

On global governance reform, Midgley highlighted Beijing's unique role. "China is the only power that has framed an agenda for the world in terms of governance reform," he said. "Here again, it's a signal of stability, gradual change and a partnership-based approach."

Regarding China-Europe relations, Midgley said that China-Europe ties face headwinds but retain significant economic weight. "What China is saying is we recognize all of these challenges, and we want to manage them in a gradual way and keep the temperature low."

He also mentioned that China's engagement in Africa and the Middle East has yielded tangible gains. "I see the relationship with the Middle East and Africa as a major win for Chinese policy," Midgley said. "The Chinese are simple friends. They don't interfere where they shouldn't interfere. They help."

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Looking at the broader picture, Midgley expressed strong confidence in the direction set by the two sessions.

"I think the approach is essential in the world today. The Chinese approach is essential, and I think it's likely to be effective," he said. "You have to give a lot of the credit for the effectiveness of Chinese policy to the US government, which has created instability and chaos all over the world.

"So, I feel very positive about what's happening now," he said.

Contact the writers at yifanxu@chinadailyusa.com