In contemporary International Relations theory, diplomacy is not emphasized. There are two reasons for this phenomenon. First, the value of traditional theoretical studies of diplomacy has diminished. Second, government-led diplomacy is declining. Institutionalism can contribute to agenda setting and research methods in the study of diplomacy. Research on specific topics, strategies to achieve mutual benefit and win-win situations, the impact of the diplomatic system on China's diplomacy, the relationship between China's great power prestige and its diplomatic measures, and the interaction between institutionalism and China’s diplomatic decisions can all contribute to the development of theories for diplomacy.