中国提倡的伙伴关系，具有几个与以往传统国际关系理论不同的鲜明特征：

Different from conventional theories of international relations, the partnership China advocates has the following distinctive features.

一是寻求和平合作。在全球化时代，任何一个国家的力量都是有限的，各国只有携手合作，才能有效应对日益增多的区域性风险和全球性挑战。中国倡导的伙伴关系不设假想敌，不针对第三方，致力于以共赢而非零和的理念处理国与国的交往，注重寻求各国共同利益的汇合点，为国际社会加强对话合作、避免冲突对抗提供了正能量。

First, pursue peace and cooperation. In the age of globalization, the strength of any individual country is limited. Only through cooperation can countries effectively handle the ever-increasing regional dangers and global challenges. The type of partnership which China proposes does not target an imagined enemy or any third party. It advocates a win-win approach instead of a zero-sum game approach to state-to-state relations, and stresses the importance of seeking common interests. This is a positive proposal that will encourage dialogue and cooperation in international community and prevent confrontation and conflict.

二是坚持平等相待。世界各国有大有小、有强有弱、有贫有富，但都是国际社会的平等一员。中国倡导的伙伴关系以各国平等为原则，尊重各国主权、独立和领土完整，尊重彼此的核心利益和重大关切，尊重各国人民自主选择社会制度和发展道路，从根本上摒弃国际关系中以大欺小、以强凌弱、以富压贫的强权行径，为各国平等参与国际事务、推动国际关系民主化、法治化注入了新的动力。

Second, treat each other as equals. Countries may differ in size, strength and wealth, but all are equal members of the international community. China advocates a partnership which follows the principle of equality of nations, respects all countries' sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and respects each other's core interests and major concerns. Such a partnership values people's independent choice of social systems and development path of their countries and rejects power politics whereby the big, strong and rich bully the small, weak and poor. This will inject a new driving force for more democracy in international relations and rule of law.

三是倡导开放包容。海纳百川，有容乃大。中国倡导的伙伴关系顺应相互依存的世界大势，契合各国友好相处的普遍愿望，致力于在交流互鉴中取长补短，在求同存异中共同前进，避免了小集团政治带来的各种封闭与排斥。不同社会制度、不同意识形态的国家，也完全可以建立基于相同利益和追求的伙伴关系，构建起共同而非排他的"朋友圈"。

Third, advocate openness and inclusiveness. The ocean is vast, as it admits all rivers. The partnership that China proposes conforms to the global trend of interdependence and the shared aspiration of all countries for friendly relations with others. It aims to draw on each other's strengths through exchanges and mutual learning, seeks common progress despite differences and prevents isolation and exclusion created by small group politics. Countries with different social systems and ideologies can as well form partnerships based on shared interests and goals and create common instead of exclusive circles of friends.