Head-of-state diplomacy plays decisive role in China's foreign relations: official

Head-of-state diplomacy is the highest form of China's diplomacy and has played a decisive role in major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said in Beijing on Friday.

Addressing a press conference on China's V-Day commemorations, Ma illustrated how the head-of-state diplomacy contributes to building a community with a shared future for humanity.

"Head-of-state diplomacy is the highest form of China's diplomacy. It plays a decisive role in major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, President Xi Jinping has personally planned and executed head-of-state diplomacy with many remarkable achievements and highlights. He has made 55 international visits, covering 72 countries spanning across five continents. He has received more than 230 visits from foreign heads of state paying state visits to China," said Ma.

The vice foreign minister said President Xi has maintained strategic communication with leaders from around the world, outlining in detail his views on how to achieve peaceful development and win-win cooperation and promote global solidarity, and providing a strong force for peace, stability and progress in a changing and turbulent world.

"President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin took the high-speed train and watched ice hockey game together. He wished Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev a happy birthday. He signed the book, 'Xi Jinping: The Governance of China,' carried by Chilean President Gabriel Boric. All of these are wonderful tales in China's diplomacy. From state visits to home-ground diplomacy, from international multilateral summits to important meetings in China, President Xi has expounded on the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity on all these occasions, further enriching this important concept and pulling international consensus," said Ma.

Head-of-state diplomacy plays decisive role in China's foreign relations: official

Head-of-state diplomacy plays decisive role in China's foreign relations: official

Head-of-state diplomacy plays decisive role in China's foreign relations: official

Head-of-state diplomacy plays decisive role in China's foreign relations: official

CEO of Mastercard Michael Miebach, who was part of the U.S. business delegation that accompanied President Donald Trump during his just-concluded state visit to China, has hailed China's commitment to advancing global connectivity and delivering win-win results.

Trump on Friday wrapped up his three-day visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking the first visit by a U.S. president to China in almost nine years since President Xi hosted Trump in the Chinese capital in November 2017.

In an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Miebach shared his views on how China’s continual push for global connectivity resonates positively with people in the United States and beyond.

Mastercard's Chinese joint venture announced the official commencement of its bank card clearing operations in May 2024, issuing Mastercard-branded cards with its member institutions for domestic and international use.

Over the past two years, Miebach said, the company has rolled out more than 200 products and programs tailored to the Chinese market, greatly enhancing convenience for users.

"Before our license was bifurcated, largely, that you either have a card that does something over here and have a local solution. So now you have ultimate choice, ultimate convenience and safety, security, predictable experience everywhere you go. If you're a person that travels a lot or a businessperson, for example, then some business trips really matter. So, it's a pretty unique proposition," the CEO said.

He also recognized China's unfaltering commitment to cooperation and willingness to work with others, saying that these principles make true mutual benefit possible.

"The priority of the Chinese government is strengthening the service sector. It is driving consumption. It is international connectivity. So that point, I just illustrated, it's very firmly on the last one. So, I think we're very well aligned with this joint venture coming together between our Chinese partners, ourselves, and our customers here to really drive what the government is trying to do. It makes a lot of sense for us. It's a true win-win," he said.

China's push for global connectivity delivers true win-win results: Mastercard CEO