China's Multilateral Diplomacy In The Early Years Of The P.R.C

In the early years of the founding of P.R.C, under the international environment of the Cold War, China's multilateral diplomacy was very active and allowed her to play a new, important role on the international stage. The period from 1954 to 1956 is considered as one of the most successful stages. Guided by the principles of"Seeking Common Ground while Shelving Difference"and the"Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence", China transcended ideology and played a constructive role as a practical mediator. Asian, African and Latin countries formed the basic supporting force behind China. China's leaders also played an important role. Through the 1954 Geneva Conference and the 1955 Bandung Conference, the status of new China was promoted, America's blockade was broken, new diplomatic situations for China were built and America's hegemony was effectively contained. These two practices also laid the foundation for China's reentry into the United Nations. This paper attempts to make comprehensive historical analysis of new China's multilateral diplomacy during her early years.The lessons learned during those early years can guide China's multilateral diplomacy today. The principles of"Seeking Common Ground while Shelving Difference"and the"Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence"prove to still be important foundations upon which China builds her foreign policies today. At the same time, as China rises to become a big power, she should play a constructive and responsible role in world affairs.