In a year that began with an upheaval in the Middle East and North Africa and is about to end with a runaway debt crisis that has swept Europe and dragged down the world economy, China has continued to serve as a stabilizer for world peace and stability.

Upholding its five guiding principles of peaceful coexistence, China has urged reconciliation and promoted negotiations in conflict areas from Sudan to the Middle East, provided timely aid to drought-hit Africa and other disaster regions, and served as an engine for world economic recovery.

David Shambaugh, professor of China Policy Program with the George Washington University, said China's diplomacy in 2011 "has made tangible improvements."

Unprecedented "leader diplomacy"

Generally speaking, dialogues between countries' leaders play an efficient role in expounding their foreign policies, relieving tensions and most expectedly, achieving consensus. Meanwhile, a leader's charisma can do a lot to help improve bilateral relations.

In this eventful year, Chinese leaders made frequent overseas tours and attended various international gatherings such as the G20 summit in Cannes, APEC summit in Honolulu and East Asia summit in Bali to exchange views with their counterparts on bilateral and multilateral affairs, which greatly enhanced China's overall relations with the world.

At the beginning of the year, President Hu Jintao paid a crucial visit to the United States, launching the country's cooperative and responsible diplomacy in the year.

During Hu's visit, deemed a "notable success" by Shambough, the world's largest developing country and the biggest developed one agreed to establish a cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit, setting the tone for China-U.S. ties.

In 2011, China's top three leaders -- Hu, top legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao, all visited Russia, China's most important neighbor. Both sides decided to lift bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership based on equality, mutual trust, mutual support, common prosperity and lasting friendship.

As for China-EU ties, both sides have carried out tangible and practical cooperation throughout the year and maintained steady development in bilateral trade.

Despite the impact of the global economic crisis, China has expanded cooperation with its neighbors during the outgoing year and is becoming the largest export market for an increasing number of countries, and has become the largest trading partner of most countries in the region.

Thanks to the visits by Chinese leaders, China has deepened its mutual political trust, promoted cooperation and exchanges, and furthered trade ties with African, Latin American and other Asian countries. It also hosted a summit meeting of BRICS countries and enhanced the bloc's cooperation and coordination.