Spotlight: China's major-country diplomacy in shape for more global benefit

International scholars and experts are expecting greater positive global influence from China, as its major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics is taking shape following Xi Jinping's assumption of the country's top leadership.

"China's role and share of world trade means that China has to take more participation in the global and regional events of the world," said Stephen Perry, chairman of the 48 Group Club, an independent business network committed to promoting relations between Britain and China.

"China has a core belief that spreading prosperity is good for china and its fellow countries," said Perry in a recent interview with Xinhua. Since the 1970s, Perry has made over 200 trips to China and negotiated many joint ventures in China.

The British entrepreneur, who based his observation on decades' of close interaction with the Asian country, said the world has been punctuated by incessant wars between nations over power, resources and markets.

"There is a crying need for a new basis for global sustainable development," he stressed.

"While some countries may base their views on supremacy, China's views are based on sharing," said Perry, who is also Chairman at London Export Corporation Ltd.

"Part of China's new neighborly initiatives does indicate a willingness to shoulder more responsibility," observed Douglas Paal, vice president for studies at the Washington-based think tank Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Paal called on the United States to "welcome and offer to join in these efforts." Paal also appreciated China's efforts in wisely handling relations with Washington to "prevent small disputes from escalating into conflict."

China had become the top trade and investment partner of all the countries of East Asia before Xi came to power, said Jeffrey A Bader, senior fellow at John L. Thomton China Center, the Brookings Institution.

Bader said in a signed report released earlier this month that Xi went further than his predecessors in launching the "modern version of the ancient Silk Road, the so-called One Belt One Road strategy."

He expected the initiative, designed largely to fund projects from China's west through Central Asia to the Middle East and Europe, to have very substantial funding levels.

The Belt and Road Initiative has been an embodiment of the major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, said Dr. Oh Ei Sun, former political advisor to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.

It will promote infrastructure construction in countries along its way and push forward economic development of the whole region.

According to Perry, the initiative is an open one. "It covers, but is not limited to, the area of the ancient Silk Road," he said.

"It is open to all countries, and international and regional organizations, so that the results will benefit wider parts of the globe as well," said Perry.

The Belt and Road Initiative refers to China's initiative on the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. The initiative, unveiled by Xi in 2013, is a development strategy and framework that focuses on inter-connectivity and cooperation among countries primarily in Eurasia. Endi