Colleagues,

The world has continued to change in profound ways. As COVID-19 rages on, the health of people around the world is under grave threat, economic globalization faces unprecedented headwinds, and the world economy is plunged into deep recession. Unilateralism, protectionism and bullyism are resurging. Deficits in governance, trust, peace and development are widening further.

To navigate this highly uncertain world, we must take fundamental guidance from Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy for all our work, stay focused amid the turbulence and seize opportunities from the changes in order to usher in a new stage of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. To this end, we must undertake the following.

We need to step up research and gain a deep and solid understanding of the tenets and essence of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy is a well-conceived system of profound theories. It requires time and effort to understand it fully and apply it effectively. In conducting China's diplomacy, all of us must study Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, which is an important political task requiring sustained and unrelenting effort. The establishment of the Studies Centre provides an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the core tenets, essence, rich substance and implementation requirements of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and fully appreciate its great relevance, and theoretical, practical and international significance. Efforts to gain a deeper understanding must be combined with studying Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; with studying Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents and the Scientific Outlook on Development; and with studying the history of the Party, of New China, of China's reform and opening-up and of socialism.

We need to conduct active international exchanges to better inform other countries and peoples of the world of the scientific and advanced nature of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy is of international significance. It is particularly relevant for addressing the global challenges facing our world. It is gaining growing attention and influence worldwide. We need to reach out to foreign governments, political parties, think tanks and media, and organize more international dialogue and exchanges both in China and abroad to help other countries gain a full, accurate and in-depth understanding of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. Such dialogue and exchanges create opportunities to communicate China's important visions and ideas such as building a community with a shared future for mankind and building a new type of international relations, so that greater international consensus can be forged. We must also learn to apply Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy to our efforts in presenting China's stories, visions and proposals internationally to enhance such efforts and increase China's influence and ability to inspire.

We need to fully apply and follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy in conducting major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. Actions and practice must be guided by ideas and theories. We need to combine study, reflection and application, and align our knowledge, conviction and action with Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, which comes from practice and in turn guides our diplomatic practice. We need to keep strictly in line with the CPC Central Committee in terms of our thinking, political orientation and action, and firmly implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's diplomatic decisions and guidelines. We must equip ourselves with the latest theories of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy to enhance the development of theories and institutions, and the building of capacities and law-based governance for supporting major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. We must work hard to further modernize the system of governance and capacity for the conduct of Chinese foreign policy, offer intellectual support for addressing key diplomatic issues and challenges, and provide inexhaustible strength to break new ground in China's major-country diplomacy.