Editor’s note: In this column we present to you the phrases used every day in the media and by the Chinese government, so providing a succinct overview of China’s political thinking, its policies and ongoing reforms and transitions.  

构建中美新型大国关系

2013年6月，中国国家主席习近平与美国总统奥巴马在安纳伯格庄园会晤，提出共同努力构建中美新型大国关系。关于中美新型大国关系的内涵，习主席在会晤中用三句话作了概括：一是不冲突、不对抗。二是相互尊重。三是合作共赢。不冲突、不对抗是构建中美新型大国关系的必要前提。相互尊重，是构建中美新型大国关系的基本原则。合作共赢，是中美构建新型大国关系的必由之路。

Developing a new model of major-country relations between China and the United States

At his meeting with President Barack Obama of the United States at the Annenberg Retreat in California in June 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed building a new model of major-country relations. This new model, in his words, constitutes three principles: (a) no conflict or confrontation, which is a prerequisite; (b) mutual respect, which provides the basis for healthy major-country relations; and (c) mutually beneficial cooperation, which provides the means to make this vision a reality.

中非全面战略合作伙伴关系

2015年12月5日，中国国家主席习近平在中非合作论坛约翰内斯堡峰会上，全面阐述了中国对非关系政策理念，提出把中非关系由“新型战略伙伴关系”提升为“全面战略合作伙伴关系”。它由五大支柱支撑，即政治上的平等互信，经济上的合作共赢，文明上的交流互鉴，安全上的守望相助，国际事物中的团结协作。中非全面战略合作伙伴关系的确立，彰显了中国将秉持“真实亲诚”的对非政策理念和义利观。

China-Africa comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership

Speaking at a summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), President Xi Jinping of China outlined China’s policy towards Africa and proposed that the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership be upgraded to a comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership. The partnership is underpinned by five major pillars, namely, political equality and mutual trust; mutually beneficial economic cooperation; cultural exchanges; security cooperation and mutual assistance; and solidarity and coordination in international affairs. The vision for an upgraded partnership reflects China’s desire to forge relations with Africa based on sincerity, real results, friendship and good faith, and to serve the greater good.

提升中欧全面战略伙伴关系

中欧是当今世界两大力量、两大市场、两大文明。在世界多极化、经济全球化、文化多样化、国际关系民主化的时代背景下，中欧合作更具全球性、战略性、示范性，对推动国际力量平衡、促进世界和平与发展意义重大。2014年4月，习近平主席在布鲁日欧洲学院发表演讲时提议：要建设和平稳定之桥，把中欧两大力量连接起来。建设增长繁荣之桥，把中欧两大市场连接起来。建设改革进步之桥，把中欧两大改革进程连接起来。建设文明共荣之桥，把中欧两大文明连接起来。

Upgrading the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership

China and the European Union are two influential players on the international stage and two major markets. They moreover represent two major civilizations. Against the backdrop of growing multi-polarity, economic globalization, increasing cultural diversity, and greater democracy in international relations, Sino-EU cooperation assumes greater importance as a strategic model for the rest of the world, shaping the balance of power in international relations, and promoting world peace and development.

In his address to the College of Europe in Bruges in April 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed building a bridge of peace and stability linking the two influential players; a bridge of growth and prosperity linking the two big markets; a bridge of reform and progress linking the reform processes in China and the EU; and a bridge of cultural prosperity linking the two major civilizations.

“亲、诚、惠、容”的周边外交理念

“亲、诚、惠、容”是中国与周边国家发展关系提出的重要理念。周边国家在中国外交总体格局中占据首要位置和极为重要的战略意义。稳定安宁的地区环境，是中国和周边国家的共同期许。无论是从理智上还是从感情上，中国都认为与邻为善、以邻为伴是唯一正确的选择。因此，中国主张亲、诚、惠、容的周边外交理念。

Building relations with neighboring countries based on friendship, good faith, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness

At the top of China’s foreign policy agenda is the need to build relations with neighboring countries based on friendship, good faith, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness. This is an issue of strategic importance. China and its neighbors share the aspiration to foster a stable and peaceful regional environment. Both logic and cultural affinity point to the wisdom of a good-neighbor policy. It is, therefore, China’s wish to build ties with neighboring countries on such a basis.

Selected from Keywords to Understanding China published by China Academy of Translation and China International Publishing Group.