Now, it is official! China is ready to play a more dominant role in global geopolitical issues.
In his New Year message to the world, Chinese President Xi Jinping recently mentioned that his country would have a “say” on all major international issues. He hinted that the Asian giant would address all the important global issues in 2018.
Addressing the Chinese people on January 1, President Xi said: “As a responsible major country, China has something to say.” He made clear that the global community would have to consider Beijing’s view on any important international issue and no decision could be reached by ignoring China. Xi also said that China would actively push its ‘One Belt One Road Initiative’ (OBOR).

Xi Jinping

At the same time, the president promised that China – as a builder of world peace, contributor of global development and keeper of international order – would firmly defend the authority and dignity of the UN. According to Xi, his country will try hard to fulfil its ‘international duty and responsibility’.
Although the president was addressing the nation, his target audience was the global community. That’s why he described China as a ‘responsible major country’. Interestingly, he sent the message after establishing his ‘absolute authority’ in domestic politics. During the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on October 18-24, 2017, President Xi distributed the top positions in the party among his followers in order to cement his authority. Even China included President Xi’s name and political ideology in the CPC constitution, elevating his stature somewhere near the level of Mao Zedong. So, to oppose Xi in China means betraying the nation.

According to sources close to the CPC, President Xi – who stamped his authority in domestic politics – plans to become the ‘most important person’ in the international arena. It is hence, he mentioned that China would have a “say” on all major global issues.
However, the president also touched the issues pertaining to internal governance, in his address. Xi surprised many by acknowledging that his government was yet to resolve various issues. He further admitted that there were areas where the government’s work fell short of expectations. “That is why we should strengthen our sense of responsibility and do a good job of ensuring the people’s well-being,” stressed President Xi.

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Published by Koushik Das

Koushik Das (born on May 16, 1976 in Kolkata) is a career journalist. Based in the Indian capital of New Delhi, Koushik writes mainly about foreign policies and current geopolitical issues, and rarely about other topics. His own political ideas are highly influenced by Antonio Gramsci, Louis Althusser, Michel Foucault, Michael Oakeshott and others. English philosopher and political theorist Oakeshott (Dec 11, 1901-Dec 19, 1990) says that “in political activity, men sail a boundless and bottomless sea. There is neither harbour for shelter nor floor for anchorage, neither starting-place, nor appointed destination. But we have to keep afloat”. (Rationalism in Politics, 1962) As a student of Political Science, Koushik loves to share his views on issues, which have great impacts on his thought process (and also on India, South Asia and of course on the global community), with his readers through his website – Boundless Ocean of Politics. By doing so, he tries to keep himself afloat. You will find some of his articles in https://inserbia.info/today/ (https://inserbia.info/today/author/kou_das13_i/), as he has been trying to assess the global geopolitics since 2003. You can also mail him at kousdas@gmail.com View all posts by Koushik Das