China has gone through a series of challenges and made major achievements in the diplomatic field last year, said Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said on the afternoon of March 10.

At a press conference sponsored by the 3rd Session of the 9th National People's Congress (NPC), saying that China has full confidence in bringing about a new situation in diplomacy in 2000,

China has waged a forceful struggle against the acts of the NATO that infringed upon its sovereignty, thoroughly exposed the fallacy of the "two-state theory" fabricated by Lee Teng-hui, and firmly adhered to the "one China" principle by defeating the pro-independence and separatist activities in Taiwan, he said.

Noting that the friendly cooperation with other countries in the world has enjoyed further development over the past year, Tang said: "At the same time, China has also enjoyed a relatively-stable surrounding situation," and a series of major events occurred over the past year. Facing these events, China has adhered to principles and upheld justice, which has won wide acclaims from the international community."

Meanwhile, he outlined China's diplomatic work in the year 2000 in five major aspects, which are as follows:

First, China will work hard to safeguard world peace and oppose hegemonism, and resolutely defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Second, it will further increase its mutual-trust and good-neighborly relations with its neighboring countries.

Third, China will continue to enhance unity and cooperation with other developing countries across the world and,

Fourth, it will uphold and maintain framework relations with major world powers.

Fifth, the people of China will continue to work together with the people of other countries to safeguard the objectives and principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter and other generally-recognized norms and principles governing international relations.

About 500 Chinese and foreign reporters attended the press conference in the Great Hall of the People, which was televised live by the Central People's Radio Station, China Central Television and China Radio International.