Comparison of Foreign Policy Approaches of the 4th and 5th Generation Leadership of the People’s Republic of China

Based on the reports of the 17th–20th National Congresses of the CPC and foreign policy speeches by leaders of the fourth and fifth generations, this article systematically compares the foreign policy approaches of the two generations through comparative, discursive, and quantitative word-frequency analysis. The study reveals a systemic paradigm shift: from the strategy of tao guang yang hui (keeping a low profile) to fen fa you wei (striving for achievement); from self-identification as a “major developing country” to a “responsible great power”; and from the role of an “integrator” into the international system to that of its “builder.” The article clarifies the West’s misinterpretation of the “fighting spirit” (douzheng jingshen) in Chinese diplomacy, confirms its defensive nature, and reaffirms China’s unwavering commitment to the path of peaceful development. The historical logic and real causes of this intergenerational transformation are revealed. The study fills a gap in quantitative comparisons by constructing an “ideology – practice – causes” framework for understanding the theoretical and practical innovations of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.