He said that China stands for establishing a new international political and economic order that is fair and rational, maintaining the diversity of the world and are in favor of promoting democracy in international relations and diversifying development models, and fighting against terrorism of all forms.

Jiang outlined China's key foreign policies Friday when delivering his report to the on-going 16th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party.

He said that to preserve peace and promote development bears on the well-being of all nations and represents a common aspiration of all peoples. The growing trends toward world multipolarization and economic globalization have brought with them opportunities and favorable conditions for world peace and development.

However, Jiang pointed out that the old international political and economic order, which is unfair and irrational, has yet to be changed fundamentally. Uncertainties affecting peace and development are on the rise. The scourge of terrorism is more acutely felt. Hegemonism and power politics have new manifestations. Local conflicts triggered by ethnic or religious contradictions and border or territorial disputes have cropped up from time to time. The North-South gap is widening. The world is far from being tranquil and mankind is faced with many grave challenges.

"No matter how the international situation changes, we will, as always, pursue the independent foreign policy of peace," Jiang stressed, adding that the purpose of China's foreign policy is to maintain world peace and promote common development. We are ready to work with all nations to advance the lofty cause of world peace and development.

"We stand for establishing a new international political and economic order that is fair and rational," Jiang said, noting that politically all countries should respect and consult one another and should not seek to impose their will on others; economically they should complement one another and pursue common development and should not create a polarization of wealth; culturally they should learn from one another and work for common prosperity and should not exclude cultures of other nations; and in the area of security, countries should trust one another and work together to maintain security, and settle their disputes through dialogue and cooperation and should not resort to the use or threat of force.

The Party opposes all forms of hegemonism and power politics and China will never seek hegemony and never go in for expansion, Jiang said.

"We stand for maintaining the diversity of the world and are in favor of promoting democracy in international relations and diversifying development models," he said, noting that countries having different civilizations and social systems and taking different roads to development should respect one another and draw upon one another's strong points through competition and comparison and should develop side by side by seeking common ground while shelving differences.

"The affairs of each country should be left to the people of that country to decide, while the world affairs should be determined by all countries concerned through consultations on the basis of equality," Jiang said.

"We stand for fighting against terrorism of all forms," Jiang said, stressing that it is imperative to strengthen international cooperation in this regard, address both the symptoms and root causes of terrorism, prevent and combat terrorist activities and work hard to eliminate terrorism at root.

On China's bilateral relations and ties with international communities, Jiang said:

-- China will continue to improve and develop relations with the developed countries. Proceeding from the fundamental interests of the people of all countries concerned, we will broaden the converging points of common interests and properly settle differences on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

-- China will continue to cement its friendly ties with the neighbors and step up regional cooperation.

-- China will continue to enhance solidarity and cooperation with other third world countries, increase mutual understanding and trust and strengthen mutual help and support.

-- China will continue to take an active part in multilateral diplomatic activities and play our role in the United Nations and other international or regional organizations. China will support other developing countries in their efforts to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests.

-- The CPC will continue to develop exchanges and cooperation with political parties and organizations of all countries and regions on the principles of independence, complete equality, mutual respect and noninterference in each other's internal affairs.

-- China will continue to carry out extensive people-to-people diplomacy, expand cultural exchanges with the outside world, enhance the friendship between peoples and propel the development of state-to-state relations.

(Xinhua News Agency November 8, 2002)