Good relations with the European Union and other countries will help lay a solid foundation for China to advance the two strategic initiatives. And the fact that the EU is China's largest trading partner and the birthplace of many international mechanisms is an important reason for Beijing to smooth ties with the bloc.

Moreover, China should approach the Ukraine crisis with the utmost caution, without taking sides and thus creating roadblocks for its development. In all this, it should not forget to accord importance to its ties with Australia and Africa, two big sources of its raw material imports. Beijing is also required to play a bigger role in African countries' infrastructure construction and personnel training to help boost their economic development and improve their governance capabilities.

The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative may encounter many challenges. Therefore, China should first push for cooperation with friendly countries and then gradually improve relations with other countries to form broad maritime strategic partnerships. It should also create favorable conditions for joint construction of ports and other facilities to better cope with emergencies at sea.

To make the initiatives a success - through establishing closer political, economic and cultural bonds and helping create win-win results - China should not shy away from using special funds such as those earmarked for maritime cooperation. State departments and provincial governments too a have a role to play; they have to use their advantages to jointly advance the national strategy.

The author is a researcher with the Institute of Law, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences.

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