China's High-quality Economic Development: General Thinking and Policy Measures

Wang Jiacheng

Socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era, the Chinese nation has achieved a great leap from standing up, getting rich to becoming strong, and is stepping into the bright prospect of Chinese Dream, which is the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. In the new era, the principal contradiction in Chinese society has been transformed into a contradiction between the people's ever-growing need for a better life and unbalanced and inadequate development. This is a historic change that has a bearing on the overall situation. We must take Xi Jinping thought on Socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era as a guide, uphold development as the first priority, constantly liberate and develop the productive forces, and constantly enhance our economic innovation and competitiveness. We will achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the process of deepening reform and opening up wider to the outside world. 

The 19th CPC National Congress made a precise judgment on China's economic development in the new era and new stage, "China's economy has changed from a stage of high-speed growth to a stage of high-quality development. It is in the critical period of transforming the mode of development, optimizing the economic structure, and transforming the driving force of growth." The shift of the economy to high-quality development is not only a scientific summary of the development process of China's economy in the past period, but also an important task and major plan for China's economic development in the current and future periods from a strategic perspective.

I. The Main Implications of High-quality Economic Development 

1. The main sign of high-quality economic development-the shift of development mode to benefit type to promote the sustainable development of the economy and the society 

2. The core task of high-quality economic development-to improve the total factor productivity and the ability and level of science and technology innovation in an all-round way 

3. The key measures for high-quality economic development-building a modern economic system to support the construction of a great modern socialist country

II. A Sense of Urgency is Needed in Pursuing High-quality Economic Development

1. We must speed up the shift of economic development approaches from an extensive growth mode of high input, high consumption and high emissions, to a quality and efficiency oriented and intensive growth model. 

2. We must continue to optimize the industrial structure, focus on the development of the real economy, pay attention to emerging industries and medium- and high-end products, and consolidate the foundation of a modern economic system. 

3. We must rely on scientific and technological innovation, improve total factor productivity, establish and improve the statistical index system, and speed up the shift of the driving force of economic development to a new innovation-driven model. 

III. General Ideas for High-quality Economic Development

As China's economy turns to high-quality development, in the face of the goal and task of "mode transformation, structural optimization, and dynamic transformation" that must be tackled when we cross the hurdles, we must strengthen our sense of urgency and responsibility, and closely follow the changes in the major social contradictions. Based on the greatest reality of the primary stage of socialism, we must focus on economic construction, constantly liberate and develop the social productive forces, deepen reform and opening up, stimulate market vitality, strengthen the ability to innovate to improve quality and efficiency, and promote sustained and healthy economic and social development. 

According to the overall thinking, the strategic framework for China's high-quality economic development can be defined as follows: with sustainable development as the theme, meeting the people's aspiration for a better life as the goal of struggle, transforming the mode of development and optimizing the structure as the main line, scientific and technological innovation leading all-round innovation as the driving force and building a modern economic system as the goal, we continue to enhance economic innovation and competitiveness, and promote the all-round and coordinated development of the economy, society, natural resources, and the ecological environment. The basic points of the strategy are: economic transformation, structural optimization, all-round innovation, building a system, and sustainable development. 

IV. Key Tasks for High-quality Economic Development 

1. Transforming and upgrading of industrial structure and strengthening the real economy 

2. Building a green development system to promote the construction of a beautiful China 

3. Optimizing the spatial distribution system and coordinating the development of urban and rural areas 

V. Policies and Measures for High-quality Economic Development 

China's high-quality economic development is of great significance. There is a long way to change the mode of economic development, transform and upgrade the industrial structure, shift the driving force of development to innovation, increase total factor productivity, coordinate the development of urban and rural areas, build a modern economic system, build a beautiful China and complete the historic transformation of the quality, efficiency and driving force of economic development. Therefore, corresponding policies and measures must be adopted. 

1. Strengthening leadership, implementing responsibilities, improving laws and regulations, and involving all the people. 

2. Overall planning, policy improvement, long-term mechanism, evaluation and assessment. 

3. Market mechanism, government regulation, international cooperation, and learning from experience

“At 40, we have no doubts”: China Continues to Stride Forward in Opening Up

Jiang Yuechun

After nearly 40 years of reform and opening up, China's economy has made remarkable achievements. Not only has it transformed 1.4 billion Chinese from poor to rich, it has also changed China into the world's second largest economy, the largest industrial nation, the largest trader of goods, and the largest holder of foreign exchange reserves from a negligible global economy. In 2017, China's GDP was 82.7122 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 6.9%. At an average exchange rate of 6.7518:1 in 2017, the GDP was US $12.2501 trillion, making China one of the two countries in the world with a GDP of more than US $10 trillion. So that China has not only fundamentally changed the face of China's long-term poverty and backwardness, but also achieved a great leap from standing up, getting rich to becoming strong. 

I. A Brief Review of China's Integration into the Outside World 

The practice of 40 years’ reform and opening-up has proved that reform and opening-up is the key to determining the fate of contemporary China. Opening to the outside world as a basic national policy has not only changed the lives of the Chinese people, but also benefited the eastern and western worlds. In this process, the biggest change in China was to break through the shackles of the traditional planned economy system, and initially establish a market economy system. 

1. Opening the door of the country and allowing western capital and technology to enter the country. Ending self-isolation is the most direct way to learn from the advanced technology and management experience of the Western countries. It is also effective for China to achieve "curve overtaking" and quickly catch up with and overtake the West in the short term. 

2. Stepping out and taking the initiative to integrate into the outside world. China's accession to the WTO is not only an important milestone for China's integration into the world economy, but also an objective need for China to adapt to economic globalization and further deepen reform and opening up. It has not only become an important turning point for China's reform and opening up, but also made China more closely linked with the world, and accelerated the pace of China's integration into the world. 

3. Expanding the circle of friends and the global distribution of the free trade zone. Since opening up in 1978, the number of China's trade partners has grown from 40 plus to 231 countries and regions, and the trade volume has increased from 35.5 billion yuan to 27.8 trillion yuan, an increase of 782 times. China has become the number one trading partner of more than 120 countries and regions, and the cumulative amount of foreign direct investment in China has exceeded US $2 trillion. China has also signed 17 free trade agreements with 25 countries and regions, with trading partners spreading in Asia, Europe, Oceania, South America and Africa. 

4. Combining internal and external resources for common development. Making full use of both domestic and foreign resources, opening up two international and domestic markets, and closely linking Chinese enterprises with the world's industrial chain is not only conducive to the development of Chinese enterprises in the world, but it has also provided important support for the acceleration of China's entry into the center of the world economic arena. 

II. New Changes in China's Current Internal and External Economic Environment

In the past 40 years of opening up, with the changes in the international situation, great changes have taken place in both the domestic and international environment. It is an inevitable choice for China to further deepen reform and open wider to the outside world. 

1. China's status has risen, but structural adjustment is still on the way. At present, China's economic aggregate has leapt to the second place in the world, but the current Sino-US trade war shows that China is losing the advantage of high-speed economic development. Both the demographic dividend and the export dividend may become the "past tense", and the local debt, overcapacity, and many other problems are rising in domestic economy, which are undeniable facts. In addition, the decline of enterprise efficiency, the loosening of foreign investment, and the aging of the population are appearing. China's economy has come to a crucial crossroad. 

2. Economic globalization is irreversible but unilateralism prevails. Economic globalization and integration is the necessary trend of economic development in the world today. Populism has a certain impact on economic globalization, but the trend of globalization will not be reversed. 

3. The trade between China and the United States has its own particularity, but Trump's pressure is unabated. At present, as the global economy recovers steadily and international trade recovers, protectionist tendencies continue to spread and has become the biggest obstacle to the growth of trade. 

4. In the West, there are different voices on the United States, but the trend of clinging to the United States has been manifested. In spite of Mr Trump's "single-handedness" of the tariff stick against traditional allies in Europe and Japan, he warned that "protection money" was inevitable. 

5. The WTO multilateral trading system remains at risk of being "elevated". With the deepening development of economic globalization in today's world, international trade has developed smoothly and healthily under the multilateral trading system, and countries in the world have formed an interdependent relationship of "you have me, I have you". 

III. How to Further Open to the Outside World 

First, we need to adhere to the principle of mutual benefit and win-win results and build an open economy. Opening to the outside world and deepening cooperation are the inevitable logic of scientific and technological progress and the development of productive forces. 

Second, we meed to strictly abide by our international commitments to uphold the free trade system. As a responsible large country, China is not only a promoter of economic globalization, but also a firm defender of the existing international order. 

Third, we meed to establish a global vision to achieve common development. In recent years, China's important "prescription" in responding to the international financial crisis is "extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits". We hope that all countries will achieve common prosperity and development through mutual cooperation. 

Fourth, we need to align with international rules and safeguard the free trade system. The basic principles of the multilateral trading system are to maintain fairness, freedom and non-discrimination in international trade. 

Fifth, we need to accelerate the construction of free trade zones and build a global distribution. In the context of economic globalization, trade liberalization is also an inevitable choice for countries to increase interaction.

A Brief Introduction to the Important Thoughts of Chinese Political Party Diplomacy in the Past 40 Years of Reform and Opening Up

Yu Sui

In the past 40 years since China's reform and opening up, great progress has been made in party diplomacy. Party diplomacy is not only a product of the reform and opening-up policy, but also a special area to promote the policy, and has become an important symbol of the surge of China's international influence. 

Starting from the third Plenary session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), China's party diplomacy has roughly gone through four stages. 

The 1980s was the pioneering period. During this period, the party emphatically summed up historical experiences and lessons, looked at future development, and creatively put forward the four principles of inter-party relations-independence, complete equality, mutual respect, and non-interference in each other's internal affairs. 

The 1990s was the period of strain. During this period, the party was committed to breaking away from the external trouble brought about by the collapse of Soviet Union and the Soviet Communist Party, an to reviewing the situation, being calm and enterprising. 

The first 10 years of the new century was an active period. During this period, keeping pace with the times and expanding its advantages, party diplomacy has formed an all-round, wide-ranging, multi-angle and deep-seated gratifying situation. 

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), it has been a period of great prosperity. In the meantime, under the guidance of Xi Jinping thought on Socialism with Chinese characteristics, with the goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and with Belt and Road Initiative that follows the principle of "extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits" as a link, we have devised strategies that are forward-looking. It has pushed the multilateral diplomacy of political parties to the global scale and formed a new situation of all-round expansion of the diplomacy of political parties. 

The achievements of party diplomacy in the past four decades are mainly reflected in four aspects: 

First, the theory has been enriched. 

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), based on the proposition to promote the building of a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity, we further advocate the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. In keeping with this, the principles of equality, mutual trust, inclusiveness and mutual learning, and win-win cooperation have been put forward. Tolerance and mutual learning not only mean seeking common ground while reserving differences, but also go a step further than seeking common ground while reserving differences. Its essence is not only "difference", but also can be used for reference from "difference". This theory not only enriches the connotation of the four principles of inter-party relations, but also removes some obstacles of parallel contact with the ruling party and the opposition party. This is another major innovation in the theory of inter-party relations, bringing about the organic combination of party diplomacy and government diplomacy. 

Second, the approaches are varied. 

Over the past 40 years, the platforms for party-to-party exchanges have become increasingly diversified. Delegations of foreign political parties have come to visit China, and delegations of the Communist Party of China are invited to visit foreign countries. The Communist Party of China has also actively participated in multilateral activities such as party congresses and party newspaper festivals of foreign political parties, and has taken the initiative to host international conferences of political parties. 

Third, rich experience has been gained. 

The content of party-to-party exchanges has continued to deepen, not only through visits, theoretical discussions, political dialogues, and discussions on economic, scientific, and cultural cooperation, but also on the management of state affairs, the strategy of rejuvenating the state and the establishment of a country, and the solutions to hot and difficult issues at the international and regional levels. Parties also discussed new ways to promote the development of state-to-state relations and explored new ways to strengthen party building in their respective countries. 

Fourth, the impact has expanded. 

Today, the scale of party diplomacy has expanded from bilateral, multilateral and regional to global. The high-level dialogue among the world's political parties has been institutionalized. In particular, I would like to highlight the High-level Dialogue between the Communist Party of China and political parties around the world, which was held in Beijing from November 30 to December 3, 2017, and attended by nearly 300 leaders of political parties and organizations from more than 120 countries, including some 600 Chinese and foreign delegates. 

The inter-party communication is in a brand-new international background. The 19th CPC National Congress stressed that the CPC is a party that strives for the well-being of the Chinese people and for the cause of human progress. The CPC has always taken it as its mission to make new and greater contributions to mankind. Building a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind with the help of the Belt and Road Initiative has become the overall goal of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era. Party diplomacy revolves around this center. We follow the path of peaceful development of socialism with Chinese characteristics and pursue the self-confidence in our development path, theory, system, and culture. We can achieve good results through wide dissemination of political party diplomacy and non-governmental diplomacy. The impact of China's reform and opening up on the world over the past 40 years has been reflected in its impact on the world pattern, the international order, and the pattern of social development. The international implications of China's development path, or China's development model, are of particular concern, and this is precisely one of the most taboo aspects of the US administration, especially since Mr Trump took office. It is inevitable that there will be resistance to the development of party diplomacy. Externally, the West, especially the United States, intervened in hegemonism; from the point of view of some countries themselves, populism is at work. We know that very well.

An Analysis of Current Economic Situation and Policy Adjustment

Cao Dongpo, Dong Yuping

GDP growth remained stable at 6.7% in the first three quarters of 2018, but slowed to 6.5% in the third quarter, the lowest since the global financial crisis, indicating increasing downward pressure on the economy. On October 31, the political bureau of the CPC Central Committee held a meeting to analyze and study the current economic situation and economic work. 

First, the essence of the Politburo meetings in the three quarters of this year has been maintained and deepened in due course. 

(I) We are clearer about the current downward pressure on the economy. 

(II) The requirements of "stability in six aspects" requirements were reconfirmed.

(III) Slight adjustments in fiscal and monetary policies are evident. 

(IV) We will carry out the basic strategy of reform and opening up to the outside world in a consistent manner. 

Second, taking an objective look at the marginal adjustment of current policies. 

(I) New policy measures proposed by the Conference: such issues need to be addressed expeditiously. 

1. Focusing on solving the financing problems faced by private enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises. 

2. Actively promoting the healthy development of the capital market. 

(II) Policy measures that have not been referred to again: such approaches should not be considered as policy shifts. 

1. It is not appropriate to think that the regulation and control policy of the real estate market will be relaxed. 

2. The policy thinking of expanding domestic demand will not change.

3. The policy requirements to guard against financial risks have not been compromised. 

4. Failure to mention "deleveraging" again does not mean that the problem has been resolved. 

Third, the impact of changes in the current situation and policy adjustment on the business development of financial asset management companies. 

(I) Returning to the main business and actively exploring new business opportunities. 

(II) Further optimization of business models. 

(III) Strengthening operational risk prevention.

A Review of the World Situation in 2018: a Year of Chaos

Ding Yuanhong

In 2018, international relations were complicated and the world was in turmoil. First, Trump's "New deal" increases the uncertainty of US domestic and foreign policies, affecting the whole world; second, the Western-led world order is difficult to sustain, and a new order has not yet been formed, and the world has entered a "disorder" state; third, US hegemonism is rampant. The issue of war and peace has once again become the focus of the world's attention; fourth, the world economy is facing downward pressure and the risk of a new financial crisis is increasingly emerging; fifth, social contradictions are becoming more acute and have a growing impact on the evolution of the world situation. 

I

Trump, a Washington outsider, was elected president of the United States, a product of deep divisions in American society. His so-called "America first" and New deal to "make America great" have sharply increased the uncertainty of US domestic and foreign policies. It has not bridged but intensified the division of US society. This is manifested prominently in the sharp opposition and polarization of the two major political parties, Democratic Party and republican Party, leading to extremes on the left and right. The two sides fought fiercely over the mid-term elections in November, attacking each other, resorting to all sorts of despicable tactics and even referring to foreign countries, mainly Russia and China, to highlight the corruption of the US "democratic system". As in previous elections, the most important concern of the people is the people's livelihood and the economy, and in this respect both parties are only doing some superficial grandstanding, turning a blind eye to social inequality, the fundamental problem affecting social and economic development, let alone possessing the power to solve it. 

II

The "liberal world order", led by the West and based on the so-called "universal values" of "freedom, democracy, and human rights", was established in violation of the spirit of the Charter of the United Nations by a handful of developed Western powers with their dominant comprehensive national strength led by the United States after World War II in order to govern world affairs. It was not acceptable to non-western countries from the beginning. As the rise of a number of emerging economies, such as China and India, has led to a change in the balance of power between developed and developing countries, the legitimacy of the "Western liberal world order" has been increasingly questioned and opposed by the third world countries. 

III

American hegemonism has always been the biggest threat to world peace. With the overall power of the United States greatly weakened by past presidents, Trump has been unable to maintain his country's dominance in the world since he took office. In this situation, the hegemonism of the United States shows greater madness and risk-taking. 

IV

The world economic situation in 2018 was greatly different from that in 2017 because the United States provoked a trade war, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates continuously, and the rising exchange rate of the US dollar prompted a large number of US dollars to return to the United States from developing countries. It shows that in addition to the United States, other developed economies as well as emerging economies gradually slowed down the pace of economic development. Argentina, Turkey, Indonesia and other countries also experienced a sharp devaluation of the currency financial crisis. It has a lot to do with the Trump administration's self-serving financial policies. 

V

The problem of social contradictions is becoming more and more prominent in the world. It focuses on the intensification of ethnic (racial) disputes, rampant violence, and severe poverty. In the past year, as the Trump administration has pursued a policy of extreme national self-interest, known as "America first", these three problems have not been eased, rather, they show a tendency to intensify. 

The increasingly serious social contradictions, in addition to political, economic and military factors, are playing an increasingly important role in the current world situation and the evolution of international relations.

The Collapse of the American Stock Market Myth Could Lead to a Bigger Financial Crisis

Xiao Lian

On Nov. 13, the U.S. stock market closed sharply lower, with the S&P down 1.97% at 2726.22. The Dow Jones industrial average ended down 2.32% at 25387.18. The Nasdaq composite index fell 2.78% to 7200.87. Apple closed down 5.04%, wiping 340 billion yuan off its market value overnight, leading tech stocks to tumble. Amazon fell 4.41%, Netflix dropped 3.10%, Google parent Alphabet fell 2.57% and Facebook fell 2.35%. Nvidia closed down 7.84%, Qualcomm dropped 3.93% and Intel fell 3.03%. In addition, financial stocks also fell sharply, Goldman Sachs closed down 7.46%, the worst performance since November 2011. As U.S. oil continued to fall, energy stocks also fell collectively. The Nikkei average fell 2.06%, hitting a new low in nearly two weeks, dragged down by U.S. stocks. 

The media called the fall "Black Monday". Technically speaking, this is far from the 1987 "Black Monday" in the stock market. Here are the reasons why the U. S. stock market fell sharply this time: 

First, the U. S. stock market bubble is huge. 

Second, trade friction. 

Third, the United States has adopted tight monetary policy, which is the short-term cause of the stock market decline. 

Why U.S. Stocks Continue to Reach New Highs in Recent Years 

"Congratulations on the longest bull market in history", Trump tweeted after the stock market closed on Aug. 22. On that day, the S&P had its longest bull market ever-3453 days, surpassing the 1990-2000 bull run fuelled by the first tech boom. 

Why the U. S. Stock Market Continues to Climb to New Highs

Domestically, Trump introduced tax cuts after he took office. Corporate taxes have been reduced, profits have risen, and some companies have used their profits to expand their investments, pushing the stock market higher. 

Externally, the tightening of monetary policy in the United States has led to a shortage of global capital liquidity. As the dollar strengthened, stocks rose, attracting profit-seeking capital from around the world. There was a reverse flow of global capital. During the 2008 financial crisis in the United States, capital flew from the United States to emerging market countries, and now it is flowing from emerging market countries to the United States. Capital flight from emerging markets has increased 5.6-fold in less than a year. 

In terms of the debt situation of the United States, its stock market and the United States economy are built on the sand. If the debt goes wrong, the US economic growth and stock market myths will collapse. 

What will happen if the US bubble bursts? America is fine now and has forgotten about the scar. Why did the financial crisis break out in 2008? Because of financial liberalisation and leverage. Obama's policy was to deleverage, and now Trump promotes leverage, which could lead to a resurgence of the 2008 financial crisis. As for when this will happen, it's hard to say now. If this bubble bursts, it will break the balance among the current global capital, interest rates and exchange rates, causing unprecedented economic and financial crisis in the world, which will be significantly larger than the global financial crisis in 2008.

Religion and Diplomacy in the Perspective of the Reform of International Relations Theory

Liu Zhongmin

The international system is essentially a secularized international structure. Under Westphalia system, the establishment of secular state has a profound European background. Secularization, as the basic core of nation-state, aims to avoid the disaster of "religious war". The foundation of the modern state "is based on the widely accepted myth that Europe must be saved by the state from the 'religious wars' of the 16th and 17th centuries". Thus, the secular nature of the international system determines the subordination and marginalization of religion in the diplomacy of most States. Since modern times, in the historical process of the formation and spread of the nation-state, the principle of separation of religion and state has become the choice of most countries, but the influence of religion has not been completely eliminated, and has acted on diplomacy in different ways. Religion plays a unique role in diplomacy, whether in the western countries where the religion and the state are separated, or in some developing countries where the religion and the state are unified. Since the middle and late 20th century, with the revival of global religion, the influence of religion on diplomacy has been on the rise. Therefore, on the basis of analyzing the phenomenon of "banishment" to "return" in the study of religion in international relations, this paper comments on the achievements in the study of religion and diplomatic relations at home and abroad and analyzes the impact of religion on diplomacy from three perspectives, namely the diplomatic concept, diplomatic decision-making, and diplomatic mechanism. 

From "Banishment" to "Return": Religion in International Relations and Diplomatic Studies 

The rejection of religion seems to be inscribed in the genetic code of the discipline of international relations. There are three main reasons: 

First, rationalism repels religion. 

Second, the secularization nature of the international system has kept religion out of the study of international relations for a long time. 

Third, scientism and behaviorism prevail, further deepening the exclusion of religion in the study of international relations. 

With the revival of religion all over the world, the study of religion and diplomatic relations has naturally become an important research field of international relations. In fact, the relationship between religion and diplomacy has been concerned by scholars for a long time, but it is still lack of theorization and systematization. However, there is no denying that in the theory of international relations and diplomacy, the more in-depth theoretical research is mainly carried out in recent years, and its research orientation is mainly reflected in two aspects: 

First, religion as a factor that influences diplomacy. 

Secondly, religious diplomacy as a specific form of diplomacy. 

Three Perspectives of Religion Influences on Diplomacy. 

Because diplomacy mainly includes three important links: diplomatic idea, diplomatic decision-making and diplomatic operation mechanism, we should pay more attention to study the influence of religion on diplomacy from these three aspects. 

(I) Religion and diplomatic ideas. 

(II) Religion and foreign policy-making. 

(III) Religion and the operational mechanism of diplomacy. 

In short, as the core of cultural values, religious values have a profound impact on the value basis and value judgment of foreign policy. At the level of diplomatic decision-making, the role of religion varies greatly due to the different diplomatic decision-making mechanisms of various countries. In a country where religion and politics are unified, religion has a dominant and direct influence on the mechanism of diplomatic decision-making, and in countries where the state is separated from religion, especially in countries where modern democracy is practised, The influence of religion on diplomatic decision-making has the characteristics of indirectness and potentiality. The influence of religion on the operation mechanism of diplomacy is more complicated. The function of religion is mainly reflected in its unique role in the three dynamic links of the determination of diplomatic topics and objectives, social mobilization and organization and implementation.

China's Participation in UN Peacekeeping Operations in the Middle East Since the Reform and Opening Up

Sun Degang, Zhang Shuai

United Nations peacekeeping operations refer to the concepts, mechanisms and policies under the framework of the United Nations, with the consent of the target State, that the parties concerned promote the demotion of conflict, crisis management and the restoration of peace by deploying military, police and civilian personnel in a neutral and non-mandatory manner. United Nations peacekeeping operations adhere to the "three principles of peacekeeping", namely neutrality, the consent of the target State and the non-use of force in non-self-defence. 

The Middle East has been the focus of United Nations peacekeeping operations for 70 years. The United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), formed after the first Arab-Israeli conflict in May 1948, was the first United Nations peacekeeping organization in the world. Since the United Nations launched its first peacekeeping operation in the Middle East in 1948, the international community has carried out peacekeeping missions in 71 hot spots in the world. After the Suez Canal crisis broke out in 1956, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution announcing the formation of a transnational special troops, which became an important practice of United Nations peacekeeping. 

Since the reform and opening up, China's peacekeeping operations in the Middle East have experienced a process of change from perceptual to rational, from one-sided to comprehensive, and from negative to positive. It can be divided into four periods: cautious engagement, initial participation, mechanism innovation and proactive shaping. 

I. Cautious Engagement Phase (1979-1987) 

Since 1979, with the outbreak of the Islamic Revolution in Iran and the Iran-Iraq War, followed by the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union and the invasion of Lebanon by Israel, the conflict in the Middle East has been escalating and has become an important task facing the United Nations peacekeeping. At the same time, with the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States in 1979, China gradually implemented its policy of internal reform and opening up to the outside world, and changed its 30-year policy of exclusion and confrontation on the issue of United Nations peacekeeping to adopt a cautious contact strategy. In particular, the "three noes" policy of "no participation in Security Council peacekeeping voting", "no payment of peacekeeping assessments" and "no peacekeeping presence" has been gradually changed. 

II. Initial Participation Phase (1988-2001) 

The period from 1988 to 2001 was the stage of China's initial participation in UN peacekeeping operations in the Middle East. During this period, the traditional hot issues in the Middle East, such as the Palestine-Israel issue, the Western Sahara issue, the ethnic conflict, and so on, still existed. At the same time, the influence of the Iraq-Iraq war continued, and Iraq's invasion of Kuwait further aggravated the contradictions in this region. 

III. Mechanism Innovation Phase (2002-2011)

Since the beginning of the 21st century, China has continued to expand the scope of UN peacekeeping operations, and the innovation of the peacekeeping mechanism has become a new bright spot. Internally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security have set up specialized agencies to train and dispatch personnel for UN peacekeeping operations. Externally, China participates in the standby arrangements mechanism for peacekeeping at the level of the United Nations. 

Peacekeeping diplomacy with Chinese characteristics is a cross-sectoral "grand diplomacy". In June 2007, China convened, for the first time, an inter-ministerial internal seminar on participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations, attended by senior representatives of the People's Liberation Army, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Public Security, aiming at strengthening institutional innovation and coordination among ministries and departments in the selection, training, organization and regular rotation of United Nations operations with the unified deployment of the Central Committee of the Party and the State Council and with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the coordinating body. Following the establishment of the first Chinese peacekeeping Police training Center in Langfang, Hebei Province in August 2000, the Chinese peacekeeping Force Training Center was established in Huairou, Beijing in November 2009. Thus, three major peacekeeping training bases and international exchange center were formed in Nanjing (PLA Institute of International Relations), Langfang and Huairou respectively. Participation in UN peacekeeping operations has become an important means for China to portray itself as a "responsible country". 

IV. Proactive Shaping Phase (Since 2012)

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2012, China has strengthened its voice in UN peacekeeping operations by offering more funding and personnel, and has become more aware of the initiative to shape the agenda. At the international level, China has actively explored the concept of global governance, the security of peacekeeping locations and the international image of China through peacekeeping operations.

Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges Between China and ASEAN: Achievements and Challenges

Lu Jianren, Cai Qi

2018 marks the 15th anniversary of China-ASEAN strategic partnership. Since the establishment of dialogue between China and ASEAN in 1991, the two sides have developed into good neighbors, good friends and strategic partners. In 2017, ASEAN celebrated its 50th birthday. In 2018, China celebrated the 40th anniversary of its reform and opening-up. At present, the relations between the two sides are stepping into a new period of development, and the people-to-people exchange is an important basis for promoting the development of China-ASEAN relations. On the basis of sorting out the achievements of cultural exchanges between China and ASEAN, this paper analyzes the problems and challenges faced by both sides, and puts forward some corresponding countermeasures and suggestions. 

I. Results of People-to-people exchanges between China and ASEAN 

"The relationship between countries lies in people-to-people friendships." The most lasting factor in inter-state relations lies in people-to-people ties, and in the close exchanges and close friendship between the people. 

(1) Mechanism building 

(II) Cultural cooperation

(III) Educational cooperation 

(IV) Tourism cooperation 

(V) Sports cooperation 

(VI) Scientific and technological cooperation 

II. Problems and Challenges in People-to-people exchanges between China and ASEAN 

Although great achievements have been made in the cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and ASEAN countries, there are still some problems and new challenges to the cooperation between the two sides. 

(I) The cooperation level and impact need to be improved 

(II) Non-governmental participation needs to be strengthened 

(III) The hierarchical structure of educational cooperation needs to be optimized 

(IV) The breadth and depth of people-to-people exchanges need to be expanded 

(V) People's mutual understanding needs to be deepened 

(VI) The ability of telling a good China story needs to be improved 

III. Several Suggestions on Strengthening people-to-people exchanges and Cooperation between China and ASEAN 

(I) Optimizing mechanisms and expanding people-to-people exchanges 

(II) exploring cultural commonalities and pursuing mutual tolerance and trust 

(III) Joint investment of resources for the sustainable development of people-to-people exchanges 

(IV) Innovating ways and enriching the contents of people-to-people exchanges 

(V) Strengthening non-governmental diplomacy 

(VI) Standardizing the order of tourism to ensure the safety of tourists 

(VII) Simplifying visa procedures 

III. Conclusion

With a total population of more than 2 billion, China and ASEAN have a huge space for people-to-people exchanges. At present, the number of mutual visits between the two sides has become increasingly frequent, rising from 3.87 million in 2003 to more than 50 million in 2018, and will surely reach a new high in the future. Promoting people-to-people exchanges between China and ASEAN countries is a never-ending task. With the development of people-to-people exchanges, the people of China and ASEAN countries will understand each other more and more deeply, and the friendship between them will become more and more profound. This will undoubtedly promote the development of China-ASEAN relations and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region.