China will place more emphasis on the "multilateral arena" in practicing its diplomatic policies after the 17th Party congress, according to a senior expert at the nation's diplomatic think-tank.

"Multilateral occasions have become increasingly important in dealing with international affairs and formulating international rules, so China will give more importance to its multilateral diplomacy," Qin Yaqing, vice-president of the China Foreign Affairs University, was quoted by China News Service as saying.

Qin is also a delegate to the 17th CPC congress.

In his report to the congress last Monday, Party General Secretary Hu Jintao said China would unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development.

"We will continue to take an active part in multilateral affairs, assume our due international obligations, play a constructive role and work to make the international order fairer and more equitable," Hu said.

China has successfully used multilateral avenues to serve its diplomacy since the 16th CPC congress five years ago.

Last month, Hu discussed hot button international issues, such as climate change, regional economic integration and the acceleration of Doha round trade negotiations, with other leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Sydney.

In August, China attended the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where the six SCO leaders signed a treaty on long-term good neighborly and friendly cooperation, laying a legal foundation for the long-lasting peace and common development for the region.

"China is concerned more about global problems when having exchanges with other countries, instead of being confined to bilateral issues or those of its neighboring region," said Zhang Baijia, vice-director of the Party History Research Center of the CPC Central Committee.

While tackling challenges both at home and abroad, China has also fulfilled its responsibilities as a major international player.

On regional conflicts such as the nuclear issues of the Korean Peninsula, Iran and Darfur, China actively exerted its influence and promoted resolution of the issues via diplomatic channels.

Experts said the leadership of the 16th CPC Central Committee had been working to promote the important strategic perspective of "building a harmonious world" in formulating and practicing China's diplomatic policies.

At a time of constant international conflict, unbalanced global development and the existence of power politics, the idea of building a harmonious world reflects aspirations of most countries and conforms to the trend of international politics, said Ruan Zongze, a researcher at the China Institute of International Studies.

(China Daily October 22, 2007)