The outcomes of the successful 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China have prompted some international observers to suggest China will become expansionist and may seek to lead the world. But they should rest assured that China's diplomacy will never become radical or adventurous. Instead, it will continue upholding the values of peace, cooperation, fairness and justice, and the Chinese leadership will continue to serve the people and pursue development while maintaining national stability.

A country's diplomacy is the extension of its domestic politics. And China is keenly aware of the importance of its economic development as, in his report to the 19th Party Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping said China will not become a strong socialist country before 2050. Until then, China will continue to address the contradiction between people's desire to lead a better life and inadequate, unbalanced economic development.

Despite being the world's second-largest economy, China considers itself a developing country, and hence its diplomacy will be sober-minded and pragmatic. China still has a long way to go to become a developed country, and its diplomacy will remain that of a developing country. However, that will not prevent China from playing an active role in promoting globalization and economic development, or fighting climate change and other threats to humanity.