What China really means when it says it’s being ‘strategic’

Rather than geopolitical manoeuvring or calculation, this diplomatic label aims to convey seriousness, patience and a willingness to work for mutual long-term benefit

He called for an objective and rational “strategic” perception. That means the two sides should treat each other as partners rather than rivals, and as opportunities rather than threats.

In Chinese official and diplomatic language, the term “strategic” is routinely used to denote matters of high importance, long-term significance and central weight in the nation’s interests and development. When China defines a bilateral relationship as “strategic”, it signals that the relationship is viewed from a high level, beyond immediate disputes or short-term calculations. It implies a willingness to invest sustained political attention and effort, and a belief that the engagement can generate mutual benefits and positive externalities for the wider region or the world.