China and Britain have maintained close engagement throughout the year, with bilateral cooperation producing positive outcomes, a Chinese Embassy official in Britain said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a media briefing in London, Bi Haibo, minister counsellor at the Chinese Embassy, discussed China’s foreign policy and a recently published white paper, “More Just and Equitable Global Governance: China’s Principles, Proposals and Actions.”
Bi said China is prepared to continue working with Britain on the basis of mutual respect, equality and shared benefit, while supporting the steady, long-term development of bilateral ties.
The white paper, issued by China’s State Council Information Office on June 17, outlines Beijing’s principles, proposals and actions on global governance. It presents China as an active participant, contributor and builder of the global governance system, while advocating for a more just and equitable international order.
According to Bi, the document provides a comprehensive explanation of China’s foreign policy and its vision for global governance at a time when the international community faces increasing challenges related to peace, development, security and trust.
He said China pursues an independent foreign policy of peace and considers sovereign equality a core principle of international relations, emphasizing that all countries, regardless of their size, strength or wealth, are equal members of the international community.
Responding to a question from Xinhua regarding assertions by some Western scholars and politicians that China’s international cooperation resembles a so-called “21st-century tributary system,” Bi rejected the characterization.
“Such an argument lags behind the times,” Bi said. “It fails to grasp the development of China’s diplomacy, and fails to understand the real spirit of China’s foreign policy.”
He said using concepts from ancient history to interpret China’s modern diplomacy is neither accurate nor appropriate, stressing that China’s foreign policy is founded on sovereign equality, mutual respect, win-win cooperation and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
“China does not seek to impose its model on others, nor does it force or coerce any country to side with China,” Bi said. He added that this approach is fundamentally different from alliance-based strategies pursued by some Western countries, whether in the military, economic or ideological spheres.
Bi also said China considers itself part of the Global South and remains committed to supporting the equal participation of all countries in global governance.
