Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

If every country's diplomacy has its own spirit, Chinese President Xi Jinping's proposal of working together to build a "community of common destiny" is beyond question the spirit of Chinese foreign policy.

Ever since Xi assumed office, the concept of a community of common destiny, which lays out the hopes of Chinese people to build and share a better world together, has been mentioned during his visits in Russia, Africa, Southeast Asia, the 2014 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, as well as his meetings with leaders from Latin American and Caribbean States. It has become a core concept of the country's diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.

The proposal that calls for win-win cooperation and joint development stems from the idea of "community of common interests," and "community of common responsibilities." It portrays a vision where nations are closely linked, and are bound to each other for good or ill.

The conception represents the basic reality and global trend, which is the increasing connectivity throughout the world.

Not only China, but also every country and region on earth are experiencing growing interdependence with each other in almost every way, including but not limited to trade, investment, security and environmental protection. Nobody's development can be detached from a stable, peaceful external environment.

Therefore, the idea embodies Chinese leaders' correct understanding and direction of new features of global politics, which is taking the advantage of the globalization and connectivity, to expand space for mutual collaboration, and to reach the goal of common development.

If the Chinese dream, meaning to build a moderately prosperous society and realize national rejuvenation, is the self-identification for China's own future, then the community of common destiny stands for China's world view and outlook of global development.

A community of common destiny is a very large category. Yet China's efforts could be seen from specific strategies such as the promotion of the "One Belt, One Road" initiative, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the establishment of the new type of major power relationship with the US, and the steady support for the UN's role in global affairs.

It won't be easy to achieve the goal under a background where regional conflicts occur from time to time. Thus, more consensus and communications among countries and regions, especially among major powers are needed to prevent regional clashes from escalating into bitter and wide confrontation.

In rules and systems, more mutual tolerance should be reached to bridge differences and reconcile opponents. Strengthening cooperation over economic, trade and infrastructure construction can lay a solid foundation for other diplomatic aspects.

Meanwhile, the truth can not be ignored that the rise of China plays a vital part in the constantly changing global landscape and has created certain concerns and vigilance in some countries. In this perspective, what China needs for now is better interaction with the world. The process could be long, and even last the entire time in pursuing the "two 100-year goals" of the Chinese dream.

Thus, there is no need for rush. An optimal choice is to maintain China's pace of development while conducting dialogue with the outside world patiently.

The mind-set of geopolitical competition and the Cold War still prevails, which led to a great number of legacies such as the US alliance system in the Asia-Pacific region. They are impossible to be eliminated overnight. So we need to find a way to balance China's security and the clout of these US allies.

Faced with a new concept raised by a major power, every nation should be prudent and cautious. A process for communication and understanding is therefore necessary, during which, creative thinking is important for solving problems.

Fortunately, 2015 will witness China making every effort to push the ground-breaking "One Belt, One Road" initiative, which is able to collaborate with quite a few other projects initiated by China's surrounding nations. Accompanied by continuous dialogue between Beijing and the world, and an early harvest of programs in their initial stages, more countries will put off their doubts, accept and participate in the "community of common destiny."