Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf left China on Monday after a
successful state visit, concluding a successful year for China's
diplomatic endeavors.
In
the first year of the new century, the international situation was
in a dramatic state of flux. The September 11 terrorist attacks in
the United States not only shocked the world, but seriously
affected the international political, economic and security
situations.
The world economy is now in the fourth recession after World War
II, and clashes frequently occur as a result of national and
religious issues.
Against this global background, China has maintained its composure
as it observes and copes with challenges, and makes full use of
opportunities.
"China's diplomacy has entered a new stage, and its observations
reflect an image of a peaceful, just and responsible country.
China's international status has been promoted remarkably," Chinese
Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said.
No
doubt, the success of the ninth Economic Leaders' Meeting of the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
is the most important achievement of China's diplomatic activities
for the year.
Although the September 11 terrorist attacks led to cancellation of
various international meetings, leaders from 20 APEC members came
to Shanghai, China's largest economic hub, to promote
multilateralism through group consensus.
After the tragedy on September 11, China issued an immediate
reaction condemning any form of terrorist activities. During the
war in Afghanistan, Chinese President Jiang Zemin had frequent
phone conversations with leaders of many countries in which China's
proposals for resolving the Afghanistan issue were raised.
In
2001, Chinese President Jiang Zemin and US President George W. Bush
had their first summit meeting, and agreed to develop a
constructive partnership between the two countries.
In
July 2001, China and Russia signed a treaty on good-neighborly
relations and friendship, laying a foundation for the development
of bilateral ties in the 21st century.
The fourth China-Europe summit meeting this year was fruitful,
marking the smooth development of the China-Europe partnership. The
friendly cooperation between China and its neighbors has been
promoted to a new level, evidenced by the improvement of the
China-Japan ties.
China actively pushes forward global multipolarization. June 2001
witnessed the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO), which includes China, Russia, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
The SCO advocated mutual trust, disarmament and cooperative
security, fostering the "Shanghai Spirit" of mutual benefit,
equality, consultation, respect of various civilizations and common
development.
China promotes regional cooperation in the process of economic
globalization. China supported the launching of a new round of
multilateral trade negotiations, even before its accession to the
World Trade Organization.
China and ASEAN
(Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries will build their
free trade area within 10 years, announced Chinese Premier Zhu
Rongji.
The shocking September 11 terrorist attacks did not fundamentally
change the trend of the current international situation, which was
still themed on peace and development. Both multipolarization and
economic globalization are inevitable, and bring opportunities as
well as challenges to China's future diplomacy.
(Xinhua News
Agency December 25, 2001)