On October 9, Minister Counsellor Xie Yongjun was invited to deliver a guest lecture on "China and China’s Worldview" and interacted with students at Victoria University of Wellington (VUW). The lecture and interaction lasted 90 minutes and was attended by faculty and students, as well as local journalists and diplomatic corps in New Zealand.
Running through the entire lecture are the two large slogans on Tiananmen Rostrum, "Long Live the People's Republic of China" and "Long Live the Great Unity of the People of the World," Minister Counsellor Xie explained that the first slogan reflects China’s domestic aspiration and mission of advancing the building of a modern socialist country in all respects through a Chinese path to modernization and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The second slogan, he noted, reflects China’s commitment to fostering a community with a shared future by advancing the four major global initiatives. Both slogans coexist harmoniously on Tiananmen, a paramount national symbol of China, illustrating the positive interaction between China and the world: a better world is conducive to China, and a better China contributes to a better world.
Beginning by decoding the slogan "Long Live the People’s Republic of China", Minister Counsellor Xie provided a comprehensive overview of the efforts and progress made by the Chinese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of China(CPC). He introduced the five defining features of Chinese modernization, the two-step strategic plan adopted at the 20th National Congress of the CPC, the decision on further comprehensively deepening reforms and advancing Chinese modernization made at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and the upcoming Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, which will study and deliberate on major issues for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development.
He also candidly acknowledged the problems and challenges China faces. He emphasised that the key to China’s success lies in the CPC. Through unrelenting efforts, the Party has found the way of breaking the“Historical Cycle”—self-reform—ensuring that the Party maintains close ties with the people and leads the cause of Chinese modernization and national rejuvenation.
Minister Counsellor Xie then decoded the slogan "Long Live the Great Unity of the People of the World." He stressed that building a community with a shared future is the noble goal pursued by China’s diplomacy, which reflects China’s worldview. This endeavour aims for an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security, and shared prosperity. Its implementation involves promoting global governance through extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, following the common values of humanity, building a new type of international relations, and implementing the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative. High-quality Belt and Road cooperation serves as the practical platform for countries to jointly tackle challenges and achieve shared prosperity.
Regarding the principle of "upholding sovereign equality," Minister Counsellor Xie emphasized that the essence of sovereign equality is that all countries, regardless of size, strength or wealth, shall have their sovereignty and dignity respected, their domestic affairs free from external interference, the right to independently choose their social system and development path, and the right to participate in, make decisions in and benefit from the global governance process as equals. China does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, and other countries should refrain from interfering in China’s internal affairs. Respect for all countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity should mean support for China’s complete reunification, and commitment to one-China should mean opposition to any form of “Taiwan independence.”
Minister Counsellor Xie reviewed New Zealand’s one-China commitment in documents such as the joint communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations and bilateral joint statements.
He emphasised that China regards New Zealand as an important friend and partner, and looks forward to strengthening strategic communication, deepening complementary economic cooperation, expanding people-to-people exchanges, and jointly upholding the multilateral trading system and international fairness and justice with New Zealand.
In answering questions from the students, Minister Counsellor Xie explained the concept and practice of whole-process people’s democracy in China, and engaged in discussions on topics such as the relationship between international law, UN peacekeeping operations, and national sovereignty, as well as the "weaponisation" of economic cooperation and interdependence. Many students expressed their gratitude for the lecture, stating that it provided them with a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of China’s domestic and foreign policy concepts, and they looked forward to further exchanges in the future.