Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

In recent months, China has taken more initiatives in its diplomacy, such as publicly criticizing the human rights abuses of the US and Canada, urging Japan to cooperate with relevant countries to conduct assessments on Fukushima radioactive wastewater, and supporting Argentina's sovereignty claim on the Malvinas Islands. The list goes on. Do these new moves mirror that China's diplomacy has undergone a fundamental change? 

Some foreign countries and media outlets are taking this opportunity to again hype up the spin that China is engaged in so-called wolf warrior diplomacy. It seems that if China takes a tougher stance, speaks with a stricter tone, and gets more involved in international affairs, it is putting "wolf warrior diplomacy" or "revisionism" into practice. In fact, it only reflects that some countries find it hard to adapt to China's diplomatic adjustments and its stronger, comprehensive diplomatic capability.

China's diplomacy is deeply influenced by Chinese traditional culture, which attaches importance to being reserved and low-profile. Yet it also advocates the pursuit of common good. 

As China continues to develop, it has become more capable and willing to participate in global governance. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China should play its role as a responsible major country and actively promote world peace and development. 

As a developing country, China should also speak out for the rights and interests of other developing countries. China's diplomacy has been more proactive in recent years compared with the relatively low-key style in the past, which actually reflects China's pursuit of a more comprehensive diplomatic capability.

As China moves closer to the center of the world stage, the country's diplomacy has also come to the focus of global attention, and every word and deed may be over interpreted. This puts higher demands on China's diplomatic capabilities. Encountered with a more complex external environment and increasing challenges in diplomatic work, a more comprehensive diplomatic capability is needed to better safeguard China's national interests.

Diplomacy, as an important means to safeguard national interests, has both gentle and harsh approaches. Diplomacy should not be limited to a single way, but should be a combination of various measures. 

To begin with, China should firmly safeguard its own interests while actively supporting the legitimate rights and interests of other countries. Safeguarding national interests is the primary task of any country's diplomacy. To reach the goal, diplomacy has never been a simple thing as social interaction with foreigners. It's a matter of proclaiming a carrot-and-stick approach to tackle diplomatic problems. 

As China's national interests increase, safeguarding those interests requires more abundant diplomatic means. Diplomacy is often the first line of defense, especially for China's broad overseas interests. 

The diplomats therefore need to charge forward. At the same time, as a major and responsible country, China should also actively support and speak out for the legitimate rights and interests of other countries. Only in this way can we build a better international image and promote China's global network of partnerships. 

In addition, we should develop diplomatic capabilities in an all-round way. Our diplomatic means should be diversified. This requires continuous improvement in talents, funds and mechanisms. For outside world's encroachment on China's interests, China needs to respond calmly, but also resolutely. We need to talk cheerfully in social parties, but also need to respond quickly and sharply in diplomatic battles. We must treat our friends with delicate meals, but also need to maintain an iron fist in a velvet glove. After all, diplomacy is an art. 

Moreover, diplomatic behaviors should be calm yet proactive. Diplomacy is never one-way. It is full of all kinds of interactions. This means that we should not only handle problems with calm in a passive position, but also take the initiative when necessary. Facing various complicated international affairs, diplomacy cannot only focus on reacting. It needs to be more forward-looking, strategic, and proactive so that diplomatic capacities can be improved as much as possible.

As China continues to evolve as a global power, it faces more and more complex international affairs. Thus, Chinese diplomacy has to constantly adapt to radically changing social and political environment and enhance its capabilities. Of course, suspicion and stigmatization of China's diplomatic adjustments may occur from time to time. But China's use of various means is legitimate and reasonable, as long as it is in line with international law and the country's national interests. Western countries such as the US are always suspicious of China's development and want to suppress it. They prefer a China that submits to unequal treatments in silence. However, China has the ambition to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. China's national pride has been growing. So the country will not defend its national interests in an overcautious or submissive way. Yet, it will never become arrogant and bossy. China is just exerting its legitimate and reasonable diplomatic means and necessary strategies. Such behavior cannot be labeled as "wolf warrior diplomacy."

The author is secretary-general of the International Security Study Center at China Foreign Affairs University. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn