Future paths

This year also witnessed a surge in unilateralist moves, global trade protectionism and increased attacks aimed at China's growth on the global stage, dampening the prospects for diplomacy worldwide in the next 12 months.

On Dec 18, Wang Yi, the foreign minister, told the Asia Society, a think tank based in the United States, "In retrospect, 2020 might have witnessed the greatest damage to the international order and international relations … we see power politics jeopardizing international stability, as arbitrary interference in others' internal affairs and sanctions have become the biggest destabilizing factor to regional and global security."

Wang said China's diplomacy is aimed at the nation's development, a win-win outcome and equity.

He added that many experts and policy advisers have followed the nation's diplomacy closely and discussed its style and future direction.

Ruan, the CIIS scholar, said the arrival of the pandemic and the changing global situation have acted in tandem to accelerate an evolving international political environment.

"As several crises have multiplied the overall impact, most countries agree that only by staying in the same boat and helping each other can they weather the storm," Ruan said.

Zhang, the CASS scholar, said that in the near term, China's diplomacy should further properly study and tackle the current international situation, make good use of opportunities for peaceful development, and strive to break new ground with major countries.

"The world today still enjoys a high degree of interdependence. Although (economic) globalization has experienced strong impacts, connectivity and communication will continue to serve as the backbone of the global economy, and opening up will remain one of China's fundamental national policies," Zhang said.

Wang Fan, vice-president of China Foreign Affairs University, said the global situation is complicated and appears bleaker than ever. Peaceful development remains at the center of China's diplomacy, and the country is committed to creating and maintaining such an environment.

"But we face more difficulties and challenges, and we can anticipate more to come, especially in terms of security risks," Wang said.

"Therefore, elements of insecurity in the context of peace in general may accompany China's growth for a long time in the future and the country will face fresh tests regarding the issues of security and sustainable development," Wang said.