Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda is to start his first
official visit to China on Thursday afternoon as guest of Premier
Wen Jiabao, concluding a fruitful year for
China's diplomatic endeavors.
Summarizing the characteristics and achievements of China's
diplomacy, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said the country had made new
progress in cementing ties with major powers, consolidated
cooperation with neighboring countries and regional blocs and
expanded coordination with vast developing countries, including
India and South Africa.
China and the United States conducted two rounds of strategic
economic dialogue this year in Washington and Beijing,
respectively, conferring on important international and regional
issues.
The dialogue had helped to settle disputes and friction in
Sino-US trade ties and facilitated substantial cooperation, Yang
said.
In addition, with the "Year of China in Russia" drawing to a
close, he added the reciprocal national theme year activities in
both countries have scored remarkable achievements that further
consolidated the social basis of Sino-Russia relations.
Premier Wen visited Japan in April and new Japanese Prime
Minister Yasuo Fukuda's will start to visit China. These signs
showed the warming ties between China and Japan and bilateral
cooperation in energy, environmental protection, personnel
exchanges were revitalized, Yang said.
In late November, the 10th China-EU Leaders' Meeting was held in
Beijing. Leaders from both China and the European Union (EU)
outlined their future strategic partnership while discussing
pragmatic issues.
Yang said the two sides friendly and pragmatic cooperation of
mutual benefit had been expanded and deepened.
While stepping up state-to-state relations, China played a very
positive role on multilateral stages.
As climate change was at the top agenda of the international
community's common concern, China actively joined international
efforts to fight against climate change, participated in
international negotiations and formulated regulations. It also
appointed a special envoy to deal with specific matters.
During a outreach session of the G-8 Summit in Germany in June,
Chinese President Hu Jintao enunciated the country's view and
suggestions on climate change.
"We spare no efforts in pushing forward the settlement of hot
issues that shows China's image as a responsible country," Yang
said.
On the Iran nuclear issue, China stuck to a political solution
and actively conducted diplomatic mediation.
On Darfur, China named a special representative for the issue
and provided humanitarian aid and peacekeepers that won acclaim
from the international community.
On the Middle East, China attended the US-led Middle East peace
conference and played a positive part in advancing the peace
process of the region.
We have properly handled the issue of product quality and food
safety," Foreign Minister Yang said.
"China uttered its own voice in disputed international issues
and put forth constructive and detailed suggestions. The
independence is a shining point in China's diplomacy in 2007," said
Yan Xuetong, a Tsinghua University professor on world issues.
To safeguard national sovereignty, security and interests in
development was a solemn duty of China's diplomatic work, Yang
said.
"We have gained international support in opposing Taiwan's
referendum on UN membership, and defeated Taiwan's attempt to join
the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations (UN) for the
eleventh and fifteenth times respectively.
China made effective measures to safeguard the legitimate rights
of overseas Chinese citizens and companies. The Chinese Foreign
Ministry established a consular protection center to better protect
the interests of its people living and traveling abroad.
"China is showing a more pragmatic and active stance on the
world stage, and expanded its influence on the settlement of major
international issues," said Shi Yinhong, a professor at Beijing's
Remin University.
Looking ahead to 2008, Yang said, with the deepening of
relationship between China and outside world, the country's
development would be closely bound with world development.
He said 2008 was an important year for China diplomacy as the
country would host the Olympics, as well as a series of
international conferences, such as the Asia-Europe Meeting
(ASEM).
"In the face of unprecedented opportunities and challenges, we
will do well in various work so as to make a new contribution to
world peace and development."
(Xinhua News Agency December 27, 2007)
