Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, addresses the 15th annual meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club in Sochi, Russia on Oct. 18, 2018. (Xinhua/Wu Zhuang)

SOCHI, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- China strives to promote the building of a new type of international relations and a community of shared future for mankind in line with the principles of peace, development and cooperation, a senior Chinese official said here Thursday.

Speaking at the 15th annual meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club in Russia's Black Sea coastal city Sochi, Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that there is a general consensus among countries to pursue the goal of peace and security during an era where multi-polarization and economic globalization continue to develop across the world.

Meanwhile, Yang, also director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, pointed out that a Cold War mentality, zero-sum game, unilateralism and trade protectionism still exist and cannot be ignored. Many countries and regions are still suffering from conflicts and wars.

Yang called on the international community to make joint efforts to reform and improve the global governance system to build a better and more harmonious world.

In his speech, Yang said that China, under the guidance of President Xi Jinping's thought on diplomacy, has been actively pursuing the construction of a new type of international relations and a community of shared future for mankind.

Adhering to the road of peaceful development, opening-up and multilateralism, China will stay committed to promoting a global partnership and jointly building the Belt and Road with the rest of the world, said Yang, adding that China will always serve as an advocate of world peace, a contributor of global prosperity and a defender of the world order.

China proposed the open, inclusive Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, aiming at building infrastructure and trade networks along the ancient Silk Road trade routes in order to seek common development and prosperity.

As for China-Russia relations, Yang applauded the current strong momentum of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between the two countries, saying it sets a good example of all-round cooperation for the international community.

Meanwhile, Yang said that both sides are determined to give full play to their roles as responsible major countries and inject more positive energy into the world.

At the invitation of the Russian side, Yang arrived in Russia to attend the Valdai meeting on Oct. 17.

The Valdai International Discussion Club founded by Russia holds the annual meeting each year, to provide a platform for the exchange of views for politicians and scholars from across the world.