A Strategic Vision for President Xi’s Approach to Strengthening Neighborhood Relations

Dr. Hassan Al-Dajah

In a world increasingly intertwined and intertwined between security and development, China emerges as a great power, confidently advancing toward building a balanced international relations system based on dialogue, openness, and shared development. In this context, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s remarks at the Central Conference on Work with Neighboring Countries – held in Beijing on April 8-9, 2025 – affirm a comprehensive strategic vision that reflects a deep awareness of the shifts in the regional and international landscape.
In his speech, President Xi expressed his leadership and forward-looking vision, reflecting his deep awareness of China’s profound role and historical responsibility toward its geographical environment. He emphasized that building a community of shared future with neighboring countries is not a tactical choice, but rather an enduring strategic direction stemming from a deep-rooted understanding of Asian values and China’s position as a center of stability and growth in the region.
This call is not merely a diplomatic slogan; it carries at its core the meanings of true partnership, mutual trust, and sustainable development—approaches that are gaining increasing importance in light of the tensions witnessed in many regions of the world.
Neighborhood diplomacy is a gateway to achieving collective security. What distinguishes these Chinese approaches is that they reaffirm the concept of “neighborhood diplomacy” as a tool for achieving collective security. Instead of adopting policies of exclusion or building narrow alliances, Beijing is pursuing a policy of openness based on dialogue and integration. The conference clearly indicated that China’s relations with neighboring countries are now at their best level since the modern era, reflecting the success of this approach, which relies on expanding areas of cooperation and reducing hotspots of tension.
The linking of the concepts of development and security in President Xi’s speech also indicates the Chinese leadership’s awareness of an undeniable truth: there is no security without development, and no development without stability. Therefore, enhancing integration in industrial and supply chains, promoting cooperation in law enforcement, and expanding interconnection networks all represent realistic tools for protecting regional security on the one hand and promoting economic growth on the other. The Belt and Road is a platform for cooperation, not hegemony.
In light of the conference’s affirmation of China’s commitment to using the Belt and Road Initiative as a primary platform for high-quality cooperation, it is clear that Beijing seeks to establish a new model of international relations based on mutual benefit, not control or subordination.
This approach breaks the prevailing stereotype of major powers, as China demonstrates that it does not seek to impose its model on others but rather calls for diverse development paths and supports neighboring countries in choosing what suits their national characteristics.
It is worth noting here that President Xi emphasized the importance of managing differences appropriately, a message that reflects rare political flexibility in a world that tends toward escalation rather than understanding. Building strategic trust cannot be achieved without mutual respect and the ability to contain differences through dialogue, not dictation.
Inclusiveness of work and integration of institutions. It is noteworthy that the meeting witnessed the participation of members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China and the Vice President, indicating the comprehensiveness of the vision and the depth of institutional coordination between party and state bodies in implementing regional policies. This integrated governance provides significant impetus to work related to neighboring countries, giving it operational dimensions that transcend theoretical or protocolary frameworks.
Towards a stable and prosperous regional environment in a world rife with crises and conflicts, China’s initiative to build a community of shared future with neighboring countries represents a sophisticated model of good neighborliness based on universal human values such as peace, openness, and tolerance.
Beijing’s determination to work for a secure, stable, and prosperous regional environment not only serves its national interests but also enhances global stability at a time when geopolitical transformations require cross-border cooperation.
President Xi Jinping’s speech at this conference embodied the pinnacle of political and diplomatic maturity, presenting a balanced and advanced vision for relations with neighboring countries based on respect for sovereignty, prioritizing development, building trust, and achieving integration. This approach represents a beacon of hope in a turbulent world and demonstrates that China not only seeks to rise as an economic power but also seeks to lead a new path in international relations that is more just, balanced, and humane.
Hence, the vision presented by Xi represents a source of inspiration for developing countries and a strategic opportunity for neighboring countries to strengthen their partnerships with Beijing within a framework based on equality and partnership, not dependency or conflict.