The present Chinese constitution’s “pacifism” principle: an ideological resource for Chinese diplomacy
The Russian-Ukrainian war has a significant influence on global order and the game pattern of big powers. Should China’s diplomacy remain patient and wait for developments, or should it be more proactive in mediating?
The present Chinese Constitution is a wealth of ideas for peaceful diplomacy. The current Chinese constitution states in its preamble that China “adheres to the path of peaceful development” and “takes efforts to safeguard global peace.”
The preceding statement is a summation of China’s 40-year experience with reform and opening up. Following the road of peaceful development and safeguarding international peace is in the best interests of the Chinese people and China’s national interests.
In the Chinese public opinion area, there is no shortage of clear thinking and arguments on the Russia-Ukraine war, which is entirely understandable. However, in order to understand and address this geopolitical dilemma, we must go beyond transient events or short-term objectives and make decisions based on China’s basic interests.
The present Chinese Constitution’s declarations on peace and development, as well as the declaration on a community with a shared future for humanity, have supplied powerful intellectual resources and judgment for China’s diplomatic conduct.
In China’s diplomatic practice, we should have a thorough knowledge of the spirit of the Constitution and utilize it as the foundation for dealing with important issues in bilateral and multilateral diplomatic relations, as well as in world politics.
Chinese diplomacy should not be ashamed to advocate the pacifist ideas inherent in the Chinese constitution, which China should share with the rest of the world. Efforts should be made in diplomatic practice to build a global consensus and gradually explore the construction of a global political framework capable of peacefully resolving the current geopolitical disaster.
M. Raihan Ronodipuro was awarded the Chinese MOFCOM Scholarship and earned a Master of Law in International Relations from the School of International and Public Affairs at Jilin University in China. He serves as an Associate Researcher in the Department of Politics and Security at the Center for Indonesia-China Studies (CICS). Raihan is currently working as a special aide to the Gerindra Party faction at the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI), assigned to committee 1 (defense, foreign, and Information Affairs).