Abstract: The aim of the article is to understand the main peculiarity of the foreign policy of modern China, the diplomatic strategies which have been changed by its leadership depending on the political situation in the country or abroad. The author attempts to combine several aspects characterizing Chinese foreign policy: the brief history of the state identity development – a solely Western discourse which is poorly reflected in Chinese studies but important for understanding of China itself and its foreign policy; and the change of diplomatic strategies - a foreign policy practice connected with Chinese logic and philosophy. The author adduces the characteristics of each period of Chinese foreign policy typical for the Chinese authors. The article contains a thorough analysis of Chinese resources; it is characterized by a careful bibliographic analysis, attention to the history of the Chinese political thought, the comparative approach to the understanding of interrelations between China and the rest of the world. The novelty of the research lies in the fact that the author attempts to conceptualize Chinese foreign policy (1949 – 2015) from the perspectives which haven’t yet been studied thoroughly enough: strategies, identity, globality. Without paying attention to these components it is hard to understand the logic of Chinese foreign policy and actions on the international scene. The analysis of genesis of identity, strategies and position of China in relation to the international system (inclusiveness/exclusiveness) will help to understand the current and, probably, the future foreign policy of China.