Kathmandu— Chinese President Xi Jinping is increasingly utilizing personal connections and long-standing friendships to shape China's foreign policy, emphasizing that people-to-people ties serve as the foundation for stable international relations and world peace. By reconnecting with former acquaintances from the United States, Australia, and Laos, Xi has integrated a personal dimension into Chinese diplomacy, framing these individual bonds as essential prerequisites for win-win cooperation and the development of a shared future for humanity.

Reconnecting With Old Friends

A central element of this diplomatic approach involves revisiting historical connections, such as Xi's relationship with the Dvorchak family in Iowa. During a 1985 visit to the United States as an official of Zhengding County, Xi stayed with Thomas and Eleanor Dvorchak in Muscatine, a memory he noted remains fresh decades later.

Xi reunited with the Dvorchaks' son, Gary, during the 2023 APEC leaders' meeting in San Francisco. Gary observed that the reunion was marked by genuine happiness, noting, "There was genuine happiness, so you could see the smile on his face. He was really enjoying it."

Honoring Diplomatic Legacies

The President has also used personal visits to honor deceased political allies, such as the late Tasmanian Premier Jim Bacon. In 2014, Xi traveled to Australia to visit Bacon's widow, Honey, fulfilling a long-standing commitment to the former leader.

Xi and Bacon first met in 1999 when Bacon visited Fujian Province. While Bacon once described Xi as "extraordinary in demeanor" and "kind and easy-going," the two maintained a bond through cultural exchanges, including the gifting of music tapes. Xi expressed emotion while viewing old photographs of the two leaders, stating, "I also keep these photos."

Strengthening Regional Ties

In Southeast Asia, these personal ties manifest through large-scale infrastructure projects like the China-Laos Railway. The railway, a flagship of the Belt and Road Initiative, aims to transform Laos from a landlocked nation into a land-linked hub.

Xi's connection to the region is deepened by his personal history with the Pholsena family of Laos. He has maintained ties with Sommad Pholsena, a former minister and schoolmate, through multiple visits to the country. Sommad remarked that the railway has effectively bridged the distance between Kunming and Vientiane, adding, "President Xi is a true friend who values friendship."

Xi maintains that sincerity in engagement is the key to enduring friendship and the advancement of global peace.

(With inputs from Xinhua)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.