The Chinese Foreign Ministry will review China's diplomatic work in 2003 in a yearbook, said sources with the ministry in Beijing Friday.

 

A summary of the yearbook points out that the overall international situation remained stable, but turmoils increased in some areas, and China's diplomatic work centered around safeguarding peace and promoting development in the past year.

 

The summary says China properly dealt with international hot issues and major emergencies and carried out diplomatic work in an all-round way.

 

On the Iraqi issue, in line with the purpose and principles of the United Nations Charter and basic norms governing international relations, China, along with other countries, opposed unilateral actions bypassing the UN Security Council. China actively took part in the post-war reconstruction in Iraq, and played a constructive role in the process of the passing of Resolution 1511 by the Security Council.

 

On the Korean nuclear issue, China persisted in solving the problem through dialogue and promoting Beijing three-party and six-party talks. China played an active role in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the northeastern Asia.

 

On the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic, China took a series of resolute and responsible measures and carried out international cooperation to fight against the disease. At a China-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) leaders special meeting on SARS, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao offered a series of suggestions on enhancing regional cooperation with an attitude of frankness, trust and cooperation.

 

In 2003, China made remarkable achievements in promoting friendly cooperation with neighboring countries and persisted in building a good-neighborly relationship and partnership with them.

 

In the past year, China made efforts to enhance cooperation with other members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and to develop cooperative mechanism with ASEAN and ASEAN plus China, Japan and Korea (10+3). China also continued to develop and deepen relations with India, Pakistan, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea and Mongolia.

 

According to the summary, China's relationships with major large countries were stable and developed in 2003. Sino-US relations, overall, remained stable and recorded important progress, Sino-Russian strategic partnership continued to deepen, and Sino-Japanese relations generally made progress. Leaders of China and the European Union agreed to make concerted efforts to develop a comprehensive strategic partnership.

 

China's diplomatic policy was based on the unity and cooperation with developing countries. Chinese President Hu Jintao attended the informal South-North leaders dialogue meeting and Premier Wen Jiabao attended the conference of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, putting forward China's new ideas on developing mutually beneficial cooperating with developing countries.

 

In 2003, China actively participated in international cooperation in such fields as counter-terrorism, arms control, peace-keeping, development, human rights and environment, and China supported the authority and role of the United Nations.

 

With its diplomatic efforts China safeguarded the Chinese citizens' rights and interests overseas, promoted international economic cooperation and provided service for China's social development.

 

The summary reviews China's efforts for national reunification, upholding national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity and resolutely opposing Taiwan separatists' activities in the past year in line with basic principle of "peaceful reunification and 'one country, two systems'".

 

The yearbook was compiled by the Foreign Ministry Department of Policy Planning with a purpose to make clear the Chinese Government's foreign policy, its views on the international situation, so as to help Chinese and foreign readers understand China's foreign affairs.

 

The Chinese version of the yearbook will be published in mid-March and the English version will be published in early April.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 7, 2004)