Yunnan Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries

Recently, President Xi Jinping replied to the teachers and students of the Pickleball Culture Exchange Visiting Group from Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, who participated in the initiative to invite 50,000 American teenagers to China for exchange and study in the next five years, congratulating them on the success of their visit to China and urging them to "be the new generation of envoys for friendship between the two countries and make greater contributions to enhancing the friendship between the two peoples". President Xi Jinping's earnest exhortation has become a new佳话 to promote Sino-US people-to-people friendly exchanges.

People-to-people diplomacy is established by the party, developed and strengthened by the party, and closely connected with the cause of the party and the people. Since the new era, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially Xi Jinping’s diplomatic thought, China’s work of foreign affairs has made all-round and historic achievements, and people-to-people diplomacy has also achieved new development. General Secretary Xi Jinping attaches great importance to the work of people-to-people diplomacy and has made a series of important statements. These important statements are not only epistemology and methodology, but also an important part of Xi Jinping’s diplomatic thought, and provide fundamental guidance for the work of people-to-people diplomacy in the new era and new journey. We should fully, systematically, timely, deeply, and in practice, learn and understand the connotation, practical requirements, and implementation measures of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important statements on people-to-people diplomacy, continuously draw ideological power to create a new situation of people-to-people diplomacy in the new era, actively promote the development of the theory and practice of people-to-people diplomacy, and better serve the overall situation of domestic development and the overall situation of diplomacy.

Deeply study and understand the historical logic, theoretical logic and practical logic of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important exposition on people-to-people diplomacy

General Secretary Xi Jinping's important exposition on people-to-people diplomacy, which seizes the essence of the issue from history, theory and practice, refines and sublimates the theory and practice of people-to-people diplomacy, and has profound historical logic, theoretical logic and practical logic. The "three logics" are multi-dimensionally connected and dialectically unified, which is an important reason why this series of important expositions are epochal, guiding and practical.

From the perspective of historical logic, General Secretary Xi Jinping's important exposition on people-to-people diplomacy is the inheritance and development of the diplomatic ideology and historical experience of New China, drawing on the essence of wisdom from the excellent traditional Chinese culture, and runs through the past, the present, and the future. First, it is in line with the diplomatic ideology of New China. Comrade Mao Zedong emphasized: "The Chinese people are willing to establish friendly cooperation with the people of all countries in the world." In the new period of reform and opening up and socialist modernization, Comrade Deng Xiaoping pointed out: "If there is only cooperation between the governments of two countries and no people-to-people exchanges, it is impossible for the relations between the two countries to have a solid foundation." Comrade Jiang Zemin emphasized: "We will continue to carry out extensive people-to-people diplomacy, expand cultural exchanges with foreign countries, enhance friendship among the people, and promote the development of state relations." Comrade Hu Jintao pointed out: "Developing people-to-people diplomacy is conducive to enhancing the friendship among the peoples of various countries, conducive to promoting economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation among various countries, and conducive to laying a broad mass foundation for the development of state relations." Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping has attached great importance to people-to-people friendship and mutual understanding, profoundly summarized and fully utilized the historical experience of our Party since its establishment, and made a series of important expositions from the new reality, such as "the foundation of state-to-state relations lies in the friendship between the peoples of the two countries", "people-to-people diplomacy is the foundational work to enhance people-to-people friendship and promote the development of state relations". These important expositions are both in line with and keep pace with the times the concept of people-to-people diplomacy formed by our Party over a long period. Second, it draws on the essence of wisdom from the excellent traditional Chinese culture. The excellent traditional Chinese culture has a long history, deep roots, and lush leaves. General Secretary Xi Jinping's important exposition on people-to-people diplomacy contains the spiritual symbols of the spirit of the public and the spirit of mutual assistance. "When the great way is practiced, the world is for the public" and "The people are clear and the world is harmonious" depict the beautiful vision of a great society and embody the essence of oriental civilization. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Human beings are a community of shared future where we rise and fall together", reflecting the inherent law that human society is closely related to each other, and guiding people-to-people diplomacy to carry out and practice the common values of all mankind, and to continue to join hands with all countries and peoples who love peace to jointly respond to challenges, achieve common prosperity, and strive to build a strong force to promote the construction of a community of shared future for mankind. This series of important expositions embodies the moral standards of not oppressing the weak when strong and not oppressing the poor when rich. "Love each other and benefit each other", China has always advocated for peaceful coexistence and equal mutual benefit, and opposes bullying the weak by the strong and zero-sum games. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Seeking peace, seeking development, promoting cooperation, and seeking win-win is our common aspiration and responsibility", guiding people-to-people diplomacy to adhere to the principle of mutual respect, actively expand equal, open, and cooperative global partnerships, and continuously consolidate the social and popular foundation for the friendly cooperation of various countries. This series of important expositions adhere to the value pursuit of美人之美, and the beauty of diversity. The spiritual connotation of "one flower does not make spring, and all flowers make a full garden" embodies the broad-mindedness of the excellent traditional Chinese culture of equality, respect, and inclusiveness. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Only when we respect each other, learn from each other, and live in harmony in diversity can the world be colorful and thriving", guiding people-to-people diplomacy to adhere to the concept of mutual respect, equal treatment, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and win-win cooperation, and to share opportunities and challenges with all countries in the world.

From the perspective of theoretical logic, General Secretary Xi Jinping's important exposition on people-to-people diplomacy has shown distinct Marxist theoretical character and has formed a rigorous theoretical system. First, adhere to dialectical materialism. General Secretary Xi Jinping insists on using dialectical materialist methods to observe things, analyze problems, and solve problems, guiding people-to-people diplomacy to proceed from the objective reality, to understand and grasp the laws and characteristics of development in the opposition and unity of the two sides of the contradiction and in the promotion of practice and cognition. General Secretary Xi Jinping has a clear grasp of the trend of changes in the international situation, and has made an important exposition that "China is at the best period of development since modern times, the world is at a century of unprecedented changes, and the two are interwoven and interact with each other." He pointed out that to do a good job in diplomatic work, we must keep in mind the two major situations at home and abroad. We must bring our thoughts and understandings into line with the major judgments of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, to ensure that people-to-people diplomacy work always moves forward in the right direction pointed out by the Party. We must adhere to and grasp the main contradictions and the main aspects of the contradictions, and actively face and resolve contradictions. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that "the China-US relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world. How the two countries get along determines the future and destiny of mankind." As the largest developing country and the most developed country in the world, the health and stability of China-US relations are of vital importance to the peace and development of the world. People-to-people diplomacy should actively serve the head-of-state diplomacy and cooperate with official diplomacy, to talk about both points and the main points, to focus on strengthening the people-to-people ties between China and the United States, and to help improve and develop China-US relations as one of the important work directions in the current and future period. Second, adhere to the materialist view of history. General Secretary Xi Jinping has a deep understanding of the basic viewpoints of Marxism on the laws of the development of human society and its historical trend, has a clear insight into the big logic, big motivation and big trend behind the development of international relations, and has always grasped the historical initiative for the development of the Party and the country, and has pointed out the direction for people-to-people diplomacy to grasp the laws of history and seize historical opportunities. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that "we should hold up the telescope of historical laws", and stated that "human beings can understand, conform to and utilize the laws of history, but they cannot prevent the laws of history from taking effect", and elaborated the truth that "any difficulties and setbacks can not stop the wheels of history", and required us to maintain strategic determination and strategic confidence. In our work of people-to-people diplomacy, we should have a correct understanding of the laws of historical development, scientifically plan the points of fit, the points of entry, and the points of focus for people-to-people diplomacy work, and mobilize all aspects of subjects and resources to participate in the cause of people-to-people friendship.

From the perspective of practical logic, the important exposition of General Secretary Xi Jinping on people-to-people diplomacy always insists on problem-oriented, goal-oriented, and result-oriented, originating from practice and guiding practice. First, it is rooted in the practice of people-to-people foreign exchanges under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. General Secretary Xi Jinping attaches great importance to the work of people-to-people diplomacy, takes the lead and sets an example, leads people-to-people diplomacy with the diplomacy of heads of state, and orients the people-to-people diplomacy in the new era. As early as 1985, when Comrade Xi Jinping was the county secretary of Zhengding, Hebei Province, he established a deep friendship with the people of Iowa State, USA. When he was the secretary of Fuzhou City, he personally excavated and continuously cared about the "Guliling Stories", and encouraged the people of China and the United States to pass on and carry forward the Guliling stories and Guliling friendship. After the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping paid a special visit to the survivors of the former governor of Fujian Province, Bacon, when he visited Australia in 2014; during his visit to Laos in 2017, he specially took time to meet with Lao students from the Bayi School, etc., to have extensive contact and communication with people from all walks of life and ordinary people, and to continuously enrich and develop the important exposition on people-to-people diplomacy in practice. Second, it is rooted in the realistic needs of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. General Secretary Xi Jinping closely combines the new era conditions and practical requirements, and puts forward a series of new concepts, new propositions, and new initiatives, such as building a community with a shared future for mankind, the common values of all mankind, the "Belt and Road" initiative, and the "three global initiatives", which have distinct epochal characteristics, fresh ideological content, and profound practical value. The important exposition of General Secretary Xi Jinping on people-to-people diplomacy is the result of continuous exploration and innovation in the process of adhering to and developing the practice of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, a powerful ideological weapon tested by practice and rich in practical power, which opens up a new realm for the theory and practice of people-to-people diplomacy, and is an important guide for us to plan and promote people-to-people diplomacy in the new era.

Grasp the rich connotation of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important exposition on people-to-people diplomacy.

General Secretary Xi Jinping's important exposition on people-to-people diplomacy is rich in content and profound in its scope, focusing on the long-term development of state-to-state relations and the deep cultivation of people-to-people friendship, leading people-to-people diplomacy in the new era to achieve historic achievements and undergo historic changes.

A consistent people-oriented philosophy. The people-oriented philosophy is a core concept in Marxist philosophy, emphasizing that the people are the creators and drivers of history, the creators of social material and spiritual wealth, and the decisive force of social change. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, has adhered to the supremacy of the people and inherited and developed the profound people-oriented sentiment of the Communist Party of China. President Xi Jinping has pointed out: "The deep friendship of the people is the source of power for the development of state relations" and "people-to-people friendship is the basic force for promoting world peace and development and the basic premise for achieving win-win cooperation." In 2023, President Xi Jinping attended a welcome banquet jointly held by American friendly groups in San Francisco, the United States, and delivered a speech, mentioning the word "people" more than 60 times and emphasizing: "The future of Sino-US relations is created by the people. The more difficult the time, the more we need to tighten the bond of the people and enhance the communication of hearts and minds, and the more we need more people to come forward and advocate for Sino-US relations." These important statements condense the theoretical basis and practical starting point of adhering to the people-centered approach, deeply summarize the basic role and important contributions of people-to-people diplomacy in promoting the healthy development of state relations, and show the theoretical characteristics of our Party's adherence to the Marxist people-oriented philosophy and fully demonstrate the people-oriented nature of Marxism.

A systematic perspective that coordinates all aspects. The concept of the system is an important category of Marxist epistemology and methodology, and it is a fundamental ideological and working method. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized: "Foreign work is a systematic project, and the parties, governments, people's congresses, political consultative conferences, the military, local governments, and civil society should strengthen overall planning and coordination, each with its own focus, coordinating with each other, to form a grand coordination situation in which the Party Central Committee takes overall charge and coordinates all parties, ensuring that the Party Central Committee's foreign policies and strategic plans are implemented on the ground." Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, has coordinated domestic and international situations, adhered to the concept of systematic thinking and strategic thinking, and promoted the formation of a foreign work system that is clear in levels, prominent in focus, and orderly in operation. It has continuously promoted the integration of people's diplomacy, city diplomacy, and public diplomacy, and formed a new situation in which the diplomacy of the head of state leads, high-level visits drive, high-level mechanisms demonstrate, bilateral and multilateral combinations are combined, and official and civilian efforts are combined. This has further enriched and developed the scientific methodology of Marxism, which requires that the work of people's diplomacy should not only be systematically planned but also focus on the "key", continuously enhance the overall and collaborative nature, and achieve overall consideration, comprehensive balance, and focus on key points, fully interpreting the practical character of Marxism.The view of righteousness and profit.

Combining righteousness and benefit, giving priority to righteousness and then to benefit, is a distinct value norm and spiritual symbol of the Chinese excellent traditional culture, and also a distinct feature of China's new diplomacy. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Righteousness reflects our concept, the concept of Communists and socialist countries. It is not a good phenomenon that some people in the world live very well while others live very badly. True happiness and happiness are everyone's happiness and happiness. We hope that the world will develop together, especially we hope that the vast number of developing countries will accelerate their development. Benefit is to abide by the principle of mutual benefit and win-win, not to engage in zero-sum game, but to achieve a win-win situation. We have the obligation to help poor countries as much as possible, and sometimes even to value righteousness over benefit, to give up benefit for righteousness, and never to pursue profit at the expense of others, or to haggle over every detail." General Secretary Xi Jinping's important exposition on adhering to the correct concept of righteousness and benefit is in line with the inherent requirements of socialism with Chinese characteristics, in line with the trend of the times of peace, development, cooperation, and win-win, and in line with the general trend of the development of the relationship between China and the world. It is not only of great guiding significance for us to further do a good job in the work of people's diplomacy in the new era, but also further enriches the common values of all mankind.

A development concept that keeps pace with the times. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "We should focus on important nodes in the work of the Party and the state, and promote the continuous creation of a new situation in foreign work." Faced with the great changes that have not occurred in a century in the world, General Secretary Xi Jinping has a deep understanding of the new changes in the development of China and the world, a comprehensive understanding of the new connotation of the relationship between China and the world, and an accurate grasp of the new rules of interaction between China and the world. He has deepened his understanding of the rules of the development of people's diplomacy with a new perspective, and he requires us to grasp the rules on the basis of the rules, to be innovative and to be innovative. For example, in recent years, President Xi Jinping has met with people from all walks of life in the United States, sent letters to activities of Sino-US people's friendship, replied to friendly people such as the "US-China Youth and Student Exchange Association" in Washington State, the United States, the descendants of General Stilwell, and the old soldiers of the "Flying Tigers", focusing on promoting the development of people's friendship between the two peoples of China and the United States, and adding warmth to Sino-US relations. In 2023, when President Xi Jinping attended the welcome banquet jointly held by the American friendly groups in San Francisco, USA and delivered a speech, he pointed out: "The hope of Sino-US relations lies in the people, the foundation lies in the people, the future lies in the youth, and the vitality lies in the local level." These important statements are a rich and developed development of the connotation and extension of people's diplomacy under the guidance of state-to-state diplomacy, a profound insight into the essence and rules of Sino-US relations, a profound wisdom for the healthy, stable and sustainable development of Sino-US relations, in line with the fundamental wish of the people of the two countries to communicate and exchange, and in line with the general expectation of the people of the world for the stable development of Sino-US relations.

A world view of a community with a shared future for all mankind. The Communist Party of China is not only a party that seeks happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, but also a party that seeks progress for humanity and a better world. Since the new era, General Secretary Xi Jinping has put forward the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, which is not only a continuation and development of Marx's "real community", but also a adherence to and innovation of the excellent traditional Chinese culture of "harmony among all nations" and "the world in peace". It is a concrete manifestation of the "world view" in the new era. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized in his important speech at the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China: "The Communist Party of China concerns the future of mankind and joins hands with all progressive forces in the world". General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly stressed that "the world is one family", that we share weal and woe, and that we advocate for all countries to work together to build a bright future, aiming to pass on the torch of peace from generation to generation, to have a continuous source of development power, and to have a shining torch of civilization. These important statements contain a rich and systematic "world view", which not only cares about the present, but also looks forward to the future, reflecting General Secretary Xi Jinping's profound historical vision and broad world sentiment, and contributing Chinese wisdom to firmly maintaining world peace and promoting common development of all countries.

An open and inclusive concept of civilization. History has fully proved that to resolve the prominent contradictions and problems facing mankind, it is not only necessary to rely on material means to overcome difficulties, but also necessary to rely on spiritual strength to sincerely cultivate the mind. Since the new era, General Secretary Xi Jinping has made a series of important statements around the concept of civilization, pointed out that "to maintain world peace and promote the common development of various countries, we must strengthen the exchange and mutual learning of civilizations. Civilian diplomacy is the deepest force to promote the exchange and mutual learning of civilizations", expressed that "China is willing to work with the international community to adhere to and promote the concept of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness of civilizations", put forward the Global Civilization Initiative, and sincerely called on the world to enhance the exchange and dialogue of civilizations, and promote the progress of human civilization in the inclusiveness and mutual learning. This not only correctly understands the law of the development of human civilization, but also abandons and transcends the theory of civilizational superiority and the theory of civilizational conflict, and is in line with the common wish of different civilizations to learn from each other and promote each other.

Strengthen the new timeOn behalf of the peopleInterdisciplinary Research and Practical Exploration

Standing at a new historical starting point, we need to thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Central Foreign Affairs Work Conference, conscientiously study and implement the important exposition of General Secretary Xi Jinping on people-to-people diplomacy, deeply understand the rich connotation contained therein, and focus on creating a new situation of people-to-people diplomacy in the new era.

Adhere to the "roots" and "soul", improve the political position, and grasp the political direction firmly. Persist in the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, always maintain the political nature of people's diplomacy, always focus on the central work of the Party and the state, always enhance the determination and grasp the initiative in the complex and changing international situation, and resolutely implement the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core on foreign work. Deepen ideological understanding, deeply understand the decisive significance of the "two establishments", resolutely achieve the "two safeguards", deeply understand the Party Central Committee's major judgments on the general trend of world development and the historical mission of diplomacy, strengthen strategic confidence, enhance the political responsibility of striving for progress, and forge a political character that dares to struggle and is good at struggling. Strengthen theoretical learning, fully, systematically, completely and accurately learn and understand Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, integrate and apply Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and deeply understand its essence and core principles.

Good at "looking" and "planning", enhance the sense of the overall situation, and strengthen strategic planning. Actively serve the diplomacy of the head of state, focus on the important diplomatic activities of General Secretary Xi Jinping, create a warm and friendly atmosphere for the diplomacy of the head of state with flexible and rich forms of folk diplomacy that are close to the ground and warm the hearts, expand the influence and effectiveness, narrow the distance between the people of China and foreign countries, and enhance the friendship between the people of China and foreign countries. Actively serve the top-level design of China's diplomatic strategy on the new journey, advocate different civilizations to cross differences, practice the common values of all mankind, promote high-quality construction of the "Belt and Road", help the "three global initiatives" to be implemented and solid, and lay a solid popular foundation for the construction of a new type of international relations. Actively serve the bilateral and multilateral diplomatic activities, follow the international situation and the needs of national development, combine important time nodes and major diplomatic events between China and foreign countries, strengthen dialogue and communication with various countries, and maintain friendly exchanges with all walks of life. Carry on the friendship between China and foreign countries.

Make good use of "strategies" and "tactics", create a rich channel, and expand the scope of work. Do a good job in the work of international friendly cities, conscientiously implement the important instructions and requirements of General Secretary Xi Jinping on the work of international friendly cities, and continue to play the role of a window, a carrier for international exchanges and cooperation, and a means to serve the overall diplomacy of the country. Expand the network of friendly organizations and carefully sort out its basic disk, and promote the in-depth grassroots and mass-level of people-to-people friendship. Relying on cultural exchanges, we will extract and showcase the essence of Chinese excellent traditional culture that has contemporary value and world significance. Strengthen public diplomacy, strengthen the ability of internationalization, regionalization, and audience segmentation, deeply interpret the important concepts such as building a community with a shared future for mankind, and actively publicize the historic achievements in China's economic and social development and the important characteristics and world significance of Chinese-style modernization. Attaching importance to the youth group, we will continue to expand the global partnership network, build an international consensus for peaceful development, and create an international environment conducive to peaceful development.

Grasp the "legacy" and "change", adhere to the principle of upholding the original aspiration and innovation, and bravely undertake the mission of the times. Carefully consider the environmental conditions, methods and means to promote the development of work in the new historical period, handle the dialectical unity of change and no change, inheritance and development, principle and creativity, and promote the transformation of innovative achievements into work practice. On the basis of carrying out regular, systematic and theoretical analysis of the experience and methods contained in the practice of people-to-people diplomacy, focus on the new situation, new tasks and new challenges of people-to-people diplomacy, promote key points, break through difficulties and create highlights, and strive to build a broad consensus and gather synergy for the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and other major initiatives. Embracing the digital age actively, combine big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and other new technologies with traditional foreign communication methods, publicize contemporary China from multiple perspectives, strengthen the positive guidance of international public opinion, shape the correct understanding of China in the international community, and create a friendly international atmosphere for China.

In this turbulent time, facing a world full of changes and turmoil, we must adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially Xi Jinping's diplomatic thought, and more closely unite around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. We must continuously enhance the scientificity, predictability, initiative, and creativity of people-to-people diplomacy, create a new situation in people-to-people diplomacy, and make greater contributions to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and to promoting world peace and development!(Published in People's Daily on July 10, 2025, page 09)