Original Title: First Observation｜From the Intensive Schedule of Head-of-State Diplomacy, Seeing China’s Confidence, Open-mindedness, and Responsibility

From April 14th to 15th, President Xi Jinping held meetings in Beijing with visiting Crown Prince Khaled of Abu Dhabi, UAE, Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President of Vietnam Sủng Lâm.

From Middle Eastern Gulf nations to European countries, from the largest neighboring country to a socialist friendly neighbor, the intensive visits by political leaders from multiple countries are a vivid reflection of the world’s gaze turning “eastward,” and even more a portrayal of China’s great power demeanor in the new era.

“Looking eastward,” one sees China’s unwavering confidence forged through perseverance.

During the meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez, who was visiting China for the fourth time in four years, President Xi Jinping profoundly revealed the key to China’s leapfrog development: “China unifies long-term strategic goals with phased objectives, demonstrating historical patience by formulating and implementing successive Five-Year Plans, one after another.”

During the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, China’s economy achieved an average annual growth of 5.4%, significantly higher than the global average. The 20 main indicators, 17 major strategic tasks, and 102 major engineering projects set out in the “14th Five-Year Plan” outline were successfully completed. In the first quarter of this year, China’s GDP grew by 5.0% year-on-year.

Visiting the Xiong’an New Area, riding China’s high-speed rail, touring technology enterprises, praising Chinese innovation… In the spring of the inaugural year of the “15th Five-Year Plan,” political leaders from various countries are approaching China and seeking to deepen cooperation. At its core, this reflects a high degree of recognition for China’s development achievements and an acknowledgment of the confidence of a new-era China that stands at the forefront and leads the trend.

“Looking eastward,” one sees China’s broad-mindedness that benefits the world.

“We have the determination to firmly advance Chinese modernization, and also the open-mindedness to share development opportunities with the world through high-level opening up, injecting confidence and momentum into global economic growth with our own development.” President Xi Jinping’s words are full of strength.

This open-mindedness stems from the surging momentum of Chinese modernization, from the prominent advantages of a supersized market, and from the value pursuit of universal harmony and shared prosperity.

Different from the narrow-minded thinking of isolation, exclusion, and zero-sum games, China deeply understands that “a good world makes China better, and a good China makes the world better.” China consistently places its own development within the coordinate system of human development, breaking down barriers with openness and inclusiveness, transcending zero-sum games with mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, and creating opportunities for the world through its own high-quality development.

Khaled expressed willingness to deepen cooperation with China in various fields for the benefit of both peoples; Sánchez praised Chinese enterprises’ investment and cooperation in Spain for strongly promoting Spain’s economic development and hoped to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, new energy, and other fields; Sủng Lâm stated belief that China will smoothly implement the “15th Five-Year Plan” and expressed willingness to enhance cooperation with China in economy, trade, investment, railway and other infrastructure, and tourism…

“Looking eastward,” one sees China’s great power responsibility in promoting harmony among nations.

With turbulent international situations and Middle Eastern affairs affecting the world, President Xi Jinping, during the meeting with Khaled, clearly put forward four propositions on maintaining and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East: adhering to the principle of peaceful coexistence, adhering to the principle of national sovereignty, adhering to the principle of international rule of law, and adhering to the principle of coordinating development and security.

During the meeting with Lavrov, President Xi Jinping emphasized that in the face of profound changes unseen in a century, China and Russia should “demonstrate the responsibility of major countries and permanent members of the UN Security Council” and “promote the international order towards a more just and reasonable direction.”</

Beijing

Beijing is the capital of China and a major historical and cultural center, with a history spanning over 3,000 years. It served as the seat of imperial power during the Ming and Qing dynasties, a legacy visible in landmarks like the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven. Today, it is a vast modern metropolis that blends ancient architecture with contemporary global influence as the nation’s political and cultural heart.

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is the capital and second-most populous city of the United Arab Emirates, located on an island in the Persian Gulf. Historically a small fishing and pearling village, its modern history began in the late 18th century with the settlement of the Bani Yas tribe, and it was transformed into a global metropolis following the discovery of oil in the mid-20th century. Today, it is a major political, economic, and cultural hub, known for landmarks like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Louvre Abu Dhabi.

UAE

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven emirates on the Arabian Peninsula, formed in 1971 following the end of British protection. Historically a region of pearl diving, fishing, and trade, it has transformed rapidly since the discovery of oil in the mid-20th century into a global hub of commerce, tourism, and modern architecture. Its cultural sites, such as the historic Al Fahidi district in Dubai and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, blend deep Arabian heritage with its contemporary, cosmopolitan identity.

Spain

Spain is a southwestern European nation with a rich and layered history shaped by successive civilizations, including the Romans, Visigoths, and Moors, whose nearly 800-year rule left a profound architectural and cultural legacy. The country’s unification under the Catholic Monarchs in the late 15th century launched a global empire, and today Spain is renowned for its diverse regions, vibrant festivals, and influential contributions to art, from Goya and Picasso to its iconic architecture like the Alhambra and Sagrada Família.

Russia

Russia is the world’s largest country by land area, spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Its history is marked by the rise and fall of the Tsarist Empire, the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution that established the Soviet Union, and its re-emergence as the Russian Federation in 1991. The nation is renowned for its vast landscapes, iconic cultural sites like the Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow, and profound contributions to literature, music, and ballet.

Vietnam

Vietnam is a Southeast Asian nation with a rich history shaped by millennia of indigenous cultures, over a thousand years of Chinese influence, French colonial rule, and significant 20th-century conflicts, most notably the Vietnam War. Its cultural identity is reflected in diverse UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the ancient town of Hoi An, the imperial citadel of Hue, and the stunning karst landscapes of Ha Long Bay. Today, it is known for its vibrant cities, lush landscapes, complex cuisine, and rapid economic development.

Xiong’an New Area

Xiong’an New Area is a state-level new area in Hebei Province, China, established in April 2017 as a major national strategy. Its primary purpose is to relieve Beijing of non-capital functions and promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Envisioned as a model city for high-quality development, it is being built from the ground up with a focus on innovation and sustainability.

Middle East

The Middle East is a transcontinental region centered on Western Asia and parts of North Africa, historically known as the “Cradle of Civilization” for the rise of ancient societies like Mesopotamia and Egypt. It is the birthplace of major world religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—and has been a crossroads of trade and empires for millennia, from the Persians and Ottomans to modern nation-states. Today, it remains a region of profound global cultural, economic, and geopolitical significance.