China will continue to hold high the banner of peace, development and cooperation, unswervingly pursue an independent foreign policy of peace, adhere to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, increase friendly exchanges and cooperation with other countries, and strive to further improve international and neighboring environments this year, Premier Wen Jiabao says on Friday morning.

The tendency toward unilateralism is reemerging, local conflicts continue, international terrorist activity is rampant, the North-South gap is widening, and traditional and non-traditional security issues are intertwined, according to the government work report made available to press prior to Wen's address to the national legislature's annual session.

"All these problems pose serious challenges to the people of all nations."

"During the past year we followed an independent foreign policy of peace. We seized opportunities, responded to challenges, took the initiative, and made noticeable achievements in foreign affairs," the report says.

This year, China will continue to work for a new international political and economic order that is fair and equitable, the report notes, adding that the country will deepen its friendly cooperation with developing countries, explore new avenues and forms of cooperation, and support the efforts of developing countries to become stronger through unity.

"We will continue our policy of friendship and partnership with our neighboring countries, deepen good-neighborly and friendly cooperation with all our neighbors and safeguard regional peace and stability."

China will constantly strengthen its relations with developed countries, strive to seek out and expand areas of common interest, gradually settle existing differences through dialogue and consultation on an equal footing, and facilitate the steady development of its relations with developed countries, according to the report.

China will actively engage in multilateral diplomacy and play a constructive role in the United Nations and other international and regional organizations, it says.

The Chinese government and people will, as always, support the cause of justice for the whole human race and work tirelessly with the people of all other nations to safeguard world peace and promote common development, the report says.

(China Daily March 5, 2004)