Confidence can help diplomacy

Greater awareness of other countries' non-hostile intentions in forming partnerships can foster an amicable neighborhood

President Xi Jinping underlined the importance of China's neighborhood diplomacy at the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs held in Beijing on Friday and Saturday. He stressed that "we should promote neighborhood diplomacy, turn China's neighborhood areas into a community of shared destiny, continue to follow the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in conducting neighborhood diplomacy, promote friendship and partnership with our neighbors, foster an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood environment, and boost win-win cooperation and connectivity with our neighbors."

But to do a good job in neighborhood diplomacy, we also need to build up our confidence.