Xi's diplomacy in 2025: Shedding light on a world at crossroads

BEIJING — As 2025 draws to a close, a review of Chinese President Xi Jinping's diplomatic engagements throughout the year reflects China's firm and steady strides on the global stage.

This year has been one of turbulence and transformation, marked by rising conflicts and escalating frictions.

At a time when humanity once again stands at a crossroads, China's diplomacy under Xi's leadership offers a clear answer to the choices between unity and division, dialogue and confrontation, win-win cooperation and zero-sum rivalry.

FORGING GLOBAL GOVERNANCE SYNERGY

2025 has emerged as a pivotal year for global governance, with Xi proposing the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin — the largest gathering in the 24-year history of the organization, which brought together leaders from more than 20 countries and heads of 10 international organizations.

Xi highlighted five principles of the GGI: adhering to sovereign equality, abiding by international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, advocating the people-centered approach, and focusing on taking real actions.

The GGI, the fourth landmark global initiative raised by Xi after the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, is considered another important public good that China contributes to the world.