International relations witnessed radical change and
readjustment in 2003. The new Chinese leadership, demonstrating coolness and
creativity, took a series of major diplomatic actions to gain breakthroughs in
cementing relations with a wide range of foreign countries.
The broader, more flexible and more pragmatic diplomatic
approach the Chinese leadership has demonstrated is now forging a favourable
international platform for the peaceful rise of the world's most populous
nation.
The new leadership has further confirmed the important
status of China's neighbours while maintaining a strategy of developing smooth
relations with all members of the global community.
Frequent visits to surrounding states by China's new
leadership shortly after it came to power fully demonstrated it attaches great
importance to developing relations with neighbours. The new diplomatic style has
already elevated mutual trust between China and her neighbours to a new
high.
For instance, President Hu Jintao's visit to Russia last
May greatly deepened the strategic and co-operative partnership between the two
neighbours. The Shanghai Co-operation Organization (SCO) also offered a forum
for China to strengthen mutual trust with Russia and other Central Asian
countries.
The new diplomatic style has also succeeded in pushing
China to establish a strategic partnership with the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN). During summit meetings between ASEAN and China, Japan and
the Republic of Korea (ROK) last October in Indonesia, China formally joined the
Treaty of Amity and Co-operation in Southeast Asia (TAC) as the first
non-Southeast Asian major power.
China's accession in the treaty underlined the country's
important move to enhance political mutual trust within the regional
organization.
China has also made breakthroughs in developing relations
with India. Indian Premier Vajepayi's visit to China last June brought
Sino-Indian relations to a new stage. In his meetings with China's new
leadership, the Indian premier said his country has no reason for discord with
China and the two nations pose no threat to each other.
The improvement of Sino-Indian relations will also play a
positive role in advancing the development and rise of the whole of
Asia.
A new East Asian co-operative model is now coming into
being, initiated by China. Spurred by the spirit of the APEC, China and
neighbouring countries are developing mutual co-operation toward economic
integration.
China's co-operative relations with its Northeast Asian
neighbours achieved major breakthroughs in 2003.
In October, China, Japan and ROK issued a joint
declaration to advance trilateral co-operation.
China's adoption of a strategy to rejuvenate its
northeastern territory has also provided a new opportunity for co-operation
between the region's countries.
The hand-joining of China, Japan and the ROK indicates
the process of East Asian co-operation will be initiated in the near future ?a
process which will inevitably produce far-flung influences on regional joint
development and prosperity.
But it remains a pressing task for China, which is now
actively engaged in the process of creating a well-off society, to make the
outside world embrace it as a rapidly rising power.
Only by adopting the strategy of establishing good
neighbourly relations and seeking common prosperity with her neighbours can
China possibly bring its ambitious plan to fruition.
Regarding Sino-US relations, China consistently adheres
to seeking co-operation on the issues of common concern while maintaining
differing views from the world's sole superpower in some areas of dispute.
Through active involvement in the international society
and flexible diplomatic tactics, Sino-US relations have maintained positive
momentum.
Sino-European full partnership is likewise being
continuously strengthened. The common points between the two sides are on the
rise and mutual beneficial co-operation has been strengthened.
The general Sino-Japan relationship has been advanced,
pushed by the excellent economic co-operation between the two
countries.
China is also actively exploring new methods to push
forward its relations with developing countries.
However, unpredictable incidents produced by the changing
international situation have brought about severe challenges to China, from the
Iraq War, the re-emergence of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, the
sudden occurrence of SARS and mounting pressure from the West for revaluation of
the renminbi currency.
But China's responsible attitude and flexible diplomatic
tactics, from its successful effort to push for the holding of the six-party
talks on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, its active co-operation with
other countries and the WHO to counter SARS epidemic, and its active and candid
communication with other countries on its currency policy, have won the country
increasing good opinions and appreciation from the world.
All these effective diplomatic efforts have begun to
bring home to the global community that the rise of China will benefit the
world.
(China Daily)