What is diplomacy

Author: Huang Jinqi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: This book is a collection of essays, without chapters or sections, yet it is a self-contained, China-oriented monograph on diplomacy. Its fundamental arguments must possess the necessary long-term stability and timeliness within the broader context and framework of the world and the era. The nature of diplomacy is defined as "the exercise of sovereignty by independent states through official actions," the purpose of diplomacy is "to safeguard national interests and implement its foreign policy," the methods of diplomacy are "peaceful means, primarily negotiation and various forms of dialogue, including participation in international organizations and conferences," and the actors of diplomacy are "official representatives of states, including diplomats and institutions, as well as leaders of states engaging in direct participation in multiple ways." It also points out that "diplomacy is the science, art, and technique of peacefully managing state relations." When discussing the characteristics of diplomacy, it further states that "sovereign states are the subjects of diplomacy" and that "only states that enjoy sovereignty have the right to diplomacy, and the right to diplomacy is an attribute of sovereignty."