New vista opened up for China's diplomacy

BEIJING, March 5 -- The flurry of foreign trips embarked on by top Chinese leaders shortly after the Lunar New Year not only received extensive media coverage as the world battles the deepening financial crisis, but signaled China's first diplomatic forays in 2009. With the elevation of its international profile, China is correspondingly moving into a new diplomatic phase.

Currently, the world is undergoing the most profound changes since the end of the Cold War. And the world order is shifting from the unipolarity predominated by major powers to multipolarity with more engagement of rising powers. In this backdrop, China is getting closer than ever to the international community. Likewise, the world has ever higher expectations for China. The diplomatic activities of senior Chinese leaders were not only aimed to increase China's visibility in the world affairs and state China's responsible and constructive stance in coping with the ongoing global economic slump, but conducted in accordance with China's global strategic blueprint in the new century.

These high-level visits covered both developed countries in Europe and developing countries in Africa and Latin America. Additionally, facing the global financial crisis, China chooses to challenge it rather cowering, This reflects China's unabated confidence in reviving its economy, and also encourages other countries, especially developing countries, in their efforts combating the economic recession. Meanwhile, China vows to assume its due responsibility to help the world economy resume stable growth. While touring Europe, Premier Wen Jiabao stressed confidence, cooperation and responsibility repeatedly at important international events.

China steps into limelight, playing an indispensable role on today's world stage, which is decided by time and situation. This is a new chance bestowed upon China by history, and in response, China will draw on the favorable conditions to create more channels for its diplomatic initiatives. But considering international community is complicated, with conflicts and confrontation still persisting, China will also have to realize that how to play its role and adjust it according to changing domestic and international situations could remain a tough test.

While some Western countries, pressured by their own economic woes and power shrink, have softened their criticism to China, the undercurrents of hostility is still there insidiously flowing, if not gushing at the moment. For instance, the current Sino-U.S. relations are expected to warm up, but the relationship between Russia and the U.S. has already plunged into the abyss as a result of the color revolution and military besieging initiated by the U.S. in the past two years. Russia's gift to celebrate the Obama's new administration was none other than the declaration of strategic missiles defense system to be deployed off the Baltic. And the Georgia War further poisoned the already brittle relations between the two powers.

China will be inevitably caught in between them. Trapped in such a volatile triangle, China will have to take account of both sides, reaching out to enhance the Sino-U.S. relations while actively promoting the dialogue mechanism with Russia in a bid to free it from doubts.

More over, in order to survive and seek a long-term and stable development, China will have to conduct an all-round economic and security diplomacy, for example, to enlarge its foreign investments. In the latest sign of its increasing economic stake in Latin America, China invested $350 million in the Inter-American Development Bank that finances development projects throughout the region. Chinese naval fleet was dispatched out in the waters of the Gulf of Aden to carry out the first escort mission off Somalia. And a China-Australia mining deal was just concluded this week, as China intended to buy in yet another Australian mining corporate.

The year 2009 marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of People's Republic of China, and the 30th anniversary of the normalization of Sino-U.S. relations. And it is thereby regarded as a pivotal year for China's diplomacy to make an important breakthrough. To open up a new vista at a stable and steady pace and go more global, China is still facing new challenges. Nevertheless, 'no discord, no concord,' the world's general tendency is going to peace and harmony. It is hoped that out of blows, friendship grows.

(Source: People's Daily)