Neighboring countries have never been so concerned about the development of China as they are today, and this has provided a rare opportunity for China to promote friendly relations with them. 

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 favorable 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 neighbors 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 neighbors. The new diplomatic style has already elevated mutual trust between China and her neighbors to a new high.

For instance, President Hu Jintao's visit to Russia last May greatly deepened the strategic and cooperative partnership between the two neighbors. The Shanghai Cooperation 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 Cooperation 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 cooperative model is now coming into being, initiated by China. Spurred by the spirit of the APEC, China and neighboring countries are developing mutual cooperation toward economic integration.

China's cooperative relations with its Northeast Asian neighbors achieved major breakthroughs in 2003.

In October, China, Japan and ROK issued a joint declaration to advance trilateral cooperation.

China's adoption of a strategy to rejuvenate its northeastern territory has also provided a new opportunity for cooperation between the region's countries.

The hand-joining of China, Japan and the ROK indicates the process of East Asian cooperation will be initiated in the near future. It’s 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 neighborly relations and seeking common prosperity with her neighbors can China possibly bring its ambitious plan to fruition.

Regarding Sino-US relations, China consistently adheres to seeking cooperation 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 cooperation has been strengthened.

The general Sino-Japan relationship has been advanced, pushed by the excellent economic cooperation 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 cooperation 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 January 5, 2004)