Diplomacy with neighbors

A sense of community among nations could ease intensity of disputes and pave way for common development

At a conference last week, President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech on China's diplomacy with neighboring countries in which he put forward a number of new ideas of far-reaching significance.

China has witnessed dazzling development, but it also faces an obviously complicated and volatile surrounding environment. Some of the changes in relations between China and its neighbors have been favorable. Its economic and trade links with neighboring countries have seen remarkable progress, political and security ties with many neighbors have been strengthened, its relations with ASEAN countries are being consolidated, especially relations with Cambodia, Laos and Thailand. And after officially ending all outstanding territorial disputes, strategic mutual trust with Russia has been upgraded significantly, leading to more stable bilateral relations, as well as providing more leeway for China in its diplomacy with Central Asian countries. The greater mutual trust that has been established has ensured greater stability in China's relations with Russia and Central Asian countries.