China’s president says he wants the country to expand its circle of friends by revamping its image.
Xi Jinping told senior Communist Party officials it was important to present an image of a credible, loveable and respectable China.
It marks a possible shift in China’s diplomatic approach, which analysts say has become increasingly antagonistic.
The comments came amid deteriorating relations with key global powers.
China has faced criticism over human rights abuses against the Uyghur Muslim minority group and the crackdown on Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigners, among other issues.
It recently denounced US efforts to further investigate whether Covid-19 came from a Chinese lab, accusing the Americans of political manipulation and blame shifting.