Dominik Mierzejewski
Moreover, according to “China’s Voice”, the signed document between China and Laos presents bilateral relations as based on political consolidation that serves to bring the community of common destiny onto the world stage. What is even more important is that both sides ensure their military commitment. Using an old phrase from Mencius shouwang xiangzhu (守望相助), interpreted as “to join the forces to defend against the external enemy” or “to keep watch and defend one another”, the Chinese side signals its intentions towards strengthening military ties with Laos. This understanding is presented in the light of shaping the defensive security line for the community of common destiny. Examining the above mentioned quotation further, it is worth highlighting that this passage came from the conversation between duke Bi Zhan and Mencius. They were debating the way to establish a benevolent government. As advocated by Mencius, the first step towards a benevolent government must be to lay down boundaries. The boundaries should be defined correctly, and the superior person (ruler) needs to know their place. Finally, the system of mutual aid would be accomplished and “all friendly offices to one another in their going out and coming in, aid one another in keeping watch and ward, and sustain one another in sickness” (cited after J. Legge, Chinese Text Project). This understanding, quoting Mencius, reflects China’s intention to build an idealistic, moral, pacifistic international system.
To sum up, it is worth mentioning that, with the narrative of a community of common destiny, China is looking for its place in international society. This process is moving mainly through China’s relations with the Developing World and primarily with countries that have one party systems, such as Laos. Party to party relations, as interpreted by “China’s Voice”, are perceived as more effective in building China’s BRI project. Those relations secure common interests e.g. security for the political system. Party to party relations offer the easiest route for exerting the principle of “seeking common ground, putting difference aside”, mutual learning and respect that Chinese diplomacy has repeated since the beginning of the People’s Republic of China. In other words, the relations with the Developing World might fulfil China’s promise of building the community of common destiny and keep China’s reputation (face) secure. This assumption, as stated in “China’s Voice”, might provide the basis for building a further international, multilevel and complex movement.
