Faced with unprecedented global changes, the ever-shifting dynamics of the China-U.S. relationship have captured global attention. Notably, through the establishment of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, the U.S. Congress has amplified its already unfriendly stance toward China. In this context, China, as a responsible major player on the global stage, must maintain a poised and composed demeanor.

This poised composure originates from China's confidence in its path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In navigating the complexities of the U.S. Congress China-related acts, China should uphold this "four-sphere confidence" to remain steadfast amid external changes. Amid difficulties, complexities or uncertainties, China must respond with equanimity, promoting cooperation and positive interaction among major countries. This strategy aims to establish peaceful coexistence, stability and balanced development in major-country relations, contributing significantly to global peace and development.

Confidence in China's path

The remarkable prospects of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation are fundamentally based in the fact that we have pioneered a path of national rejuvenation that is suited to China's history, culture and national conditions — the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Faced with challenges posed by the U.S. Congress China-related acts, sustaining confidence in this path and grounding the nation's development in its strengths is essential. China’s path of socialism with Chinese characteristics was developed through integrating its profound civilization of more than 5,000 years with the basic tenets of Marxism. Chinese culture advocates harmony, which encapsulates a worldview of unity between humanity and nature, an international perspective promoting harmony among nations, a societal lens that celebrates diversity, and a moral framework of kindness and benevolence. For millennia, peace, harmony and unity have been guiding ideals for the Chinese people. China has never pursued oppression or subjugation of other nations; these acts proposed by the U.S. Congress go against both the current global sentiment and the collective will. As a responsible major nation, China neither seeks confrontation nor harbors fear. Upholding cooperation over conflict, openness over isolation and mutual benefit over zero-sum games, China strides confidently along the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In the new era, China extends a hand of cooperation to the world, striving to create a better future for all humanity.

Confidence in China's theoretical foundations

Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology upon which our Party and our country are founded and thrive. Our experience has taught us that, at the fundamental level, we owe the success of our Party and socialism with Chinese characteristics to the fact that Marxism works, particularly when it is adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of our times. The sound theoretical guidance of Marxism is the source from which our Party draws its firm belief and conviction and which enables our Party to seize the historical initiative. This unshakable theoretical confidence is the cornerstone for effectively addressing the challenges posed by the U.S. Congress China-related acts. Amid these unfavorable circumstances, we must maintain a high level of theoretical awareness and confidence. We should improve our ability to adopt a strategic perspective, navigating the intricate relationships between overarching situations and specific details, primary and secondary factors, present situations and future possibilities, goals and methods, desires and paths. We should apply a historical, dialectical and systematic approach to thinking, keeping abreast of the history, present and future of the U.S. Congress China-related acts, and observe, analyze and respond to them from an objective, developmental, comprehensive and systematic perspective. We should get better at thinking creatively, thinking in terms of the rule of law and considering worst-case scenarios, continuously proposing new concepts, approaches and methods to deal with these acts.

Confidence in China's system

As the Chinese saying goes, "The key to governing a country and managing its people well lies in establishing a proper system." The system of socialism with Chinese characteristics serves as the fundamental reason behind our ability to achieve the miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability within such a short period. Upholding unswerving confidence in this system is key when confronting the complexities presented by the U.S. Congress China-related acts. The effectiveness of a system is measured by its ability to address major risks and challenges. The international landscape is rapidly changing, marked by deficits in peace, development, security and governance. Led by the United States, some Western countries are encircling China's development internationally, erecting trade and technology barriers, and using unilateral sanctions to hinder our progress. In this complex international context, where the U.S. Congress China-related acts introduce an element of unpredictability, we must maintain strong confidence in our system. Leveraging its advantages, we should focus on effective self-management and elevate our national strength. We must adhere to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the basic norms governing international relations based on purposes of the U.N. Charter in pursuing friendship and cooperation with other countries. We should respect the development paths and social systems independently chosen by all the world's peoples. By deepening and expanding global partnerships based on equality, openness, and cooperation, we can maintain stability while adapting to changes, and consolidate progress while maintaining stability. We should consistently translate our institutional advantages into effective governance. We will continue to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics. Enhancing our system through comprehensive structures and effective operations, we will better handle U.S. Congress China-related acts. By utilizing our institutional strengths to confront challenges, we will turn adversity into opportunity and stride forward.

Confidence in China's culture

Cultural self-confidence is a more fundamental, profound and enduring force. Dealing calmly with the U.S. Congress China-related acts requires not only substantial material strength but also significant cultural resilience. Particularly in the current complex global context, characterized by escalating risks and challenges and mounting uncertainties, emphasizing cultural self-confidence is especially crucial for effectively addressing the U.S. Congress China-related acts. Peace is one of the defining characteristics of Chinese civilization. China has always worked to safeguard world peace, contribute to global development and preserve international order. We reject all forms of a "new Cold War" and the "clash of civilizations" theory. We oppose all forms of hegemony and power politics, unilateralism, protectionism and bullying behaviors. We hold dear humanity's shared values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom, stand for harmonious coexistence and mutual learning between different countries, nations and cultures, and work together to eliminate cultural barriers in real life. Through exchanges of culture, we should transcend cultural divisions, promote cultural understanding beyond conflicts, and prioritize cultural coexistence over cultural superiority. In this way, we can confidently showcase China's uniqueness, style and charm, consistently enhance the nation's cultural soft power, increase the influence of Chinese culture, and portray a responsible image of a major nation.

Wang Weiguo is deputy dean of the School of Marxism at the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and deputy director of the Beijing Research Center for Humanities and Social Sciences. 

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. 

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