Chinese leaders' keenness to participate in global governance lies in their desire to promote closer ties between China and the rest of the world. After becoming a member of the World Trade Organization at the beginning of this century, China has gradually become an emerging regional power.

Therefore, in a diplomatic sense, Beijing's top priority is handling challenges brought about by its changing role in the global community. That being said, it needs to contribute its wisdom and public goods to global governance, and be more confident in discussing international affairs.

"Lady diplomacy" this year also added charm to Chinese top leaders' foreign visits. Xi's wife Peng Liyuan, along with Cheng Hong, Li's spouse, have been much lauded in overseas media coverage of their visits, as they have conducted amicable interactions with local citizens and NGOs. This has been conducive to boosting China's national image and soft power.

Presiding at the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs in Beijing on Nov 29, Xi under-lined the importance of China's neighborhood diplomacy as well as multilateral diplomacy, and the higher profile the country has adopted in 2014 will continue to be the case in 2015.

The author is vice-director of the Center for US-China Relations, Tsinghua University.