Photo:VCG

Chinese President Xi Jinping successively held a virtual meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and a phone call with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday. China, Russia, and the US are all permanent members of the UN Security Council and major powers with significant global influence. International analysts believe that President Xi's interaction with the heads of state of both Russia and the US on the same day highlights China's determination and action in promoting major-country coordination and maintaining global strategic stability.

The virtual meeting between Xi and Putin continued the tradition of maintaining close communication between the two sides on the eve of the Spring Festival, showcasing the deep personal friendship between the two heads of state.

During the virtual meeting, the two sides reviewed the fruitful results achieved in bilateral relations last year and made strategic plans for further strengthening cooperation this year. Xi pointed out that, as responsible major countries and permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and Russia are duty-bound to pool global efforts to firmly uphold fairness and justice, firmly defend the victorious outcomes of World War II, firmly safeguard the UN-centered international system and the basic norms of international law, and jointly maintain global strategic stability. President Putin said Russia has full confidence in the bilateral relationship and that, facing a complex and fluid international landscape, it stands ready to increase strategic coordination with China and inject positive energy into international affairs. Analysis suggests that against the backdrop of an increasingly turbulent international situation, China and Russia are taking more coordinated and consistent actions on major issues, demonstrating a more proactive and effective major-country responsibility.

In his phone call with President Trump, President Xi stated: "In the new year, I hope to work with you to steer the giant ship of China-US relations steadily forward through winds and storms, and accomplish more big things and good things." He also mentioned that both China and the US have important items on their agendas this year, pointing out that "the two sides should follow the common understandings we have reached, enhance dialogue and communication, manage differences properly, and expand practical cooperation. It is always right to do a good thing, however small, and always wrong to do a bad thing, however small. We should make progress step by step to build mutual trust, find the right way to get along, and make 2026 a year where our two major countries advance toward mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation." President Trump also made positive remarks, stating that "the US would like to work with China and make more progress in bilateral ties," adding that he "understands how China feels about the Taiwan question."

International media widely view the call as showing "signs of stability in China-US relations." The leaders of China and the US charting the course for bilateral relations benefits the peoples of both countries and meets global expectations.

Head-of-state diplomacy plays a decisive role in major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. In the face of a complex and evolving international landscape, President Xi Jinping was personally involved in the planning and execution of major diplomatic actions, driving positive and far-reaching changes in China's relations with the world.

Recently, leaders from a number of countries, including Western nations such as Ireland, Canada, Finland, and the UK, have visited China in quick succession. International media have remarked that China is experiencing a new "diplomatic surge." Interactions among the leaders of China, Russia, and the US have pushed this momentum to new heights, proving China's commitment to promoting coordination and cooperation among major powers, fostering constructive interaction, and building a pattern of major-country relations characterized by peaceful coexistence, overall stability, and balanced development.

At present, the international landscape is undergoing complex and profound changes. Around major questions, such as unilateralism versus multilateralism, peaceful dialogue versus confrontation, and cooperation versus conflict, diverse ideas and forces are colliding and interweaving. Amid changes unseen in a century, countries are deeply reflecting on the future direction of the international order and their own roles within it. The successive visits to China by leaders of many countries, as well as their video meetings or phone calls with China's top leader, reflect a shared desire for greater certainty and stability.

From advancing the all-round development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era to promoting the healthy and stable development of China-US relations; from promoting the positive and forward-looking development of China-EU relations to strengthening solidarity and cooperation among the Global South, China has consistently upheld the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity. It advocates for a multipolar world characterized by equality and order, as well as inclusive economic globalization. China has become a "stabilizing anchor" and a "ballast" amid global turbulence.

As a major country and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has consistently taken safeguarding world peace as its responsibility. It actively promotes the building of a new type of major-country relations and encourages dialogue and negotiations to help de-escalate regional hot spot issues. By upholding a spirit of global solidarity that transcends geopolitical rivalries, the country demonstrates the responsibility and commitment of a major power in maintaining world peace.

This year is the opening year of China's 15th Five-Year Plan period, which marks a critical stage during which foundations will be consolidated and comprehensive efforts fully mobilized. What can be fully anticipated is that a continuously developing China will provide greater certainty to the world and bring new and greater contributions to human development and progress.