China's Diplomacy in 2001 "Fruitful": FM Spokeswoman

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, December 25, 2001

China's Diplomacy in 2001 "Fruitful": FM Spokeswoman

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said Tuesday that China's diplomacy in the year 2001 has been "fruitful."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said Tuesday that China's diplomacy in the year 2001 has been "fruitful."

Zhang said at a routine press conference that China has played a constructive role in the international counter-terrorism struggle, firmly opposed terrorism of any form, took an active part in international anti-terrorism cooperation, and won numerous compliments from the international community.

China has successfully hosted the ninth Economic Leaders' Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and entered the World Trade Organization, while its capital city Beijing has won the bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games. All this has had a profound and far-reaching impact, Zhang added.

China has made substantial progress in furthering relations with most developing countries as they have maintained high-level exchanges of visits, strengthened political consultations and expanded economic and trade cooperation.

Zhang said the friendship and cooperation between China and its neighbors have entered a new period of overall development. She singled out in particular the Shanghai Cooperation Organization jointly set up by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, and the China-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) free trade zone which is to be established in the next 10 years.

These are of great significance for safeguarding regional peace, stability and prosperity, Zhang pointed out.

There have emerged new development trends for relations between China and the United States, Russia, the European Union (EU) and Japan, noted Zhang.

She said that Sino-U.S. relations have improved gradually, Sino- Russian strategic cooperative partnership has been strengthened, Sino-EU relations keep a momentum of overall development, and Sino- Japanese relations have returned to the normal track after efforts from both sides.

The spokeswoman said there are some challenges but mostly opportunities for China's diplomatic work next year.

The Chinese government will continue to follow an independent foreign policy of peace, and resolutely safeguard China's sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national dignity, she stressed.

On the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, China will actively promote friendship and cooperation with all countries in the world, and make positive contributions to world peace and common development, she said.

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