China stepping out on world stage

By Cheng Guangjin (China Daily) Updated: 2012-12-31 03:45

More Chinese hold key positions in international organizations, which help broaden developing economies' influence on the world stage.

In May, Wu Hongbo, former Chinese ambassador to Germany, was appointed undersecretary-general for economics and social affairs in the UN, replacing Sha Zukang, another Chinese official. Sha had held the position since February 2007.

China's Vice-Minister of Finance Zhu Guangyao addresses the media during a news conference in Los Cabos, Mexico, on the sidelines of G20 summit. China off ered $43 billion to the IMF's crisisfi ghting reserves, joining other major emerging economies in pledging new funds to support the global fi nancial system. [Photo/Agencies]

China is committed to supporting multilateral organizations in playing an active role in international affairs, President Hu Jintao said in a report to the 18th Party Congress in November.

"We will actively participate in multilateral affairs, support the United Nations, G20, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS and other multilateral organizations in playing an active role in international affairs, and work to make the international order and system more just and equitable," Hu said.

As one of the founding members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, China hosted the 12th SCO Summit in Beijing in June, and pledged a $10 billion loan to SCO member countries, personnel training and scholarships.

In 2014, China will host the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' meeting for the second time, after its 2001 Shanghai summit, which is expected to further promote economic develop in the region and the world.

China has also become a popular destination for international conferences.

China is still in the earliest stages of participating in global governance, and its capacity for global governance is to be improved, said Wu Zhicheng, president of Zhou Enlai School of Government of Nankai University in Tianjin.

To better take up the responsibility in global governance, China should provide more universally beneficial products in such fields as security, finance, public health, global ecological system, and experience in the governance of regional affairs, Wu said.

"This will not only help China build up an image as a responsible, major power, but also satisfy its own needs to be integrated into the current international system and play a constructive role," said Wu.

Since the 1980s, China has joined a number of international organizations, changing its isolation before adopting the policy of reform and opening-up.

Compared with developed countries, China needs to further improve its capabilities in multilateral diplomacy, as it's still a new-comer in international organizations, said Li Dongyan, researcher at the Institute of World Economics and Politics of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.