Jiang Zemin said in his report to the on-going 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), "No matter how the international situation changes, we will, as always, pursue the independent foreign policy of peace. The purpose of China's foreign policy is to maintain world peace and promote common development."

Jiang said, "Peace and development remain the themes of our era. The growing trends toward world multi-polarization and economic globalization have brought with them opportunities and favorable conditions for world peace and development.

"However, the old international political and economic order, which is unfair and irrational, has yet to be changed fundamentally. The world is far from being tranquil, and mankind is faced with many grave challenges."

Said Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, "The great changes are offering China great opportunities but also posing serious challenges at the same time."

In response to dizzying international changes and displaying great courage and skills, the third-generation leadership of the CPC, with Jiang Zemin at the core, has scored one victory after another in the diplomatic arena.

A retrospect of China's diplomacy in the period following the Fourth Plenary Session of the 13th CPC Central Committee in 1989 gives ample proof of the diplomatic skills of the CPC third-generation leadership.

In November 1993, the first official meeting between Jiang and former US President Bill Clinton took place in Seattle of the United States. The meeting restored thorny Sino-US relations after 1989 and opened a channel for ensuing high-level Sino-US meetings. China withstood the impact of the collapse of the Soviet Union and drastic changes in eastern Europe and eventually saw the removal of sanctions imposed on it by Western countries, gaining a firm foothold on the international stage.

On July 1, 1997, the Chinese government resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, and on Dec. 20, 1999, Macao also returned to the embrace of the motherland, signaling that the "once country, two systems" concept had become a reality and that a giant step had been taken toward China's reunification.

In September 2000, at China's request, the heads of state of all five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council held a summit, the first ever in the UN's 55-year history.

In October 2001, in Shanghai, Jiang, together with leaders from other members of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, posed for photos in elegant traditional Chinese clothes in a demonstration of strong solidarity in the aftermath of the Sept.11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

In October 2002, Jiang and US President George W. Bush had their third meeting within a year at Bush's Texas ranch to continue the important top-level strategic dialogue and contacts between the world's largest developing nation and the world's largest developed nation. Following an in-depth exchange of views, Jiang and Bush reached consensus on a series of major issues.

Over the past 13 years, China has responded well to international crises and built up its image as a responsible country in the world. Through the promotion of dialogue and cooperation, China has created a more favorable international environment for its development in the new century and has also ushered its diplomatic work into a new era.

China attaches great importance to strengthening relations with its neighbors.

The relationship between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has evolved in a positive manner. China and ASEAN have agreed to establish a free-trade zone in 2010. This represents a new breakthrough in China's development of relations with its neighbors.

In addition, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan established the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in 2001. The SCO, initiated by China, is the first international organization to be founded in China and named after a Chinese city.

China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea have agreed to elevate their traditional friendly relationship to a higher level.

China and the Republic of Korea have established a framework for enhancing their cooperative partnership in the 21st century.

China and India have agreed to build a future-oriented constructive and cooperative partnership.

China and Pakistan have established a comprehensive cooperative partnership.

China's efforts to find a political solution to the Afghan issue and provide assistance to war-torn Afghanistan for post-war construction won acclaim around the world.

China has erected a stable framework for its relations with developed countries in the world.

From a strategic, long-term perspective, China has furthered Sino-US relations in spite of obstacles. The two countries have confirmed their mutual important responsibilities to safeguard world peace and promote common development and have agreed to advance Sino-US constructive and cooperative relations. China has stressed that the United States should observe the principles contained in the three Sino-US Joint Communiques and honor its commitments on the Taiwan issue. The United States is committed toadhering to the principles contained in the three communiques, the one-China policy and opposition to "Taiwan independence."

China and Russia continue to develop their strategic partnership of cooperation. The two countries have held 17 summits of heads of state and seven regular prime ministers' meetings. With the signing of the Sino-Russian Good-Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in 2001, Jiang and President Vladimir Putin officially committed their governments to "maintaining friendship for generations to come and never becoming enemies." The two countries have supported each other in safeguarding sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and have carried out fruitful cooperation in international strategic coordination.

Relations between China and the European Union have evolved positively. The EU has issued four documents outlining its foreign policy with regard to China and committing itself to expanding cooperation with China.

Sino-Japanese ties have also witnessed new progress. In his address to 13,000 people attending a celebration commemorating the30th anniversary of the normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations, Jiang Zemin stressed the importance of adhering to the guiding principle of "taking history as a mirror and looking forward to the future."

China has consolidated relations and developed solidarity and cooperation with developing countries. China has conducted frequent high-level exchanges with developing countries around the world and engaged in important cooperative activities, including the China-Africa Cooperation Forum held in Beijing in October 2000. 　　

China has actively participated in multilateral activities with the United Nations as the core, stressing the important role of the United Nations and its Security Council in safeguarding international peace and security.

China has also furthered international cooperation with regard to the economy, the environment, development and other social issues, and has promoted and implemented a new security concept.

All of these achievements have been made possible by China's strategic evaluation of the international situation.

"Peace and development remain the themes of our era," Jiang said. "The world needs peace, the people need cooperation, countries need development and societies need progress. Together, these make up the mainstream of our era."

In the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, Jiang pointed out that, while wars, tension and unrest continue to plague certain parts and regions of the world, the world in general remains peaceful, stable and calm.

This provides a theoretical guidance for China's diplomacy in the new century.

Diplomacy influences the rise or fall of a nation. It is a main battlefield for safeguarding state sovereignty.

During the past 13 years, in the struggle to throw off sanctions imposed on China by Western countries, in the struggle against pro-"Taiwan independence" and separatist forces, and in dealing with the "embassy bombing" and "military jet collision" incidents, China has demonstrated its strong principles while at the same time showing flexibility in seeking solutions.

China's determination to preserve its state sovereignty and national dignity, along with the wisdom it has shown in dealing with crises, has earned it acclaim and support from the international community.

China's diplomacy has also contributed to the promotion of communication and exchanges between nations and civilizations. On many important bilateral and multilateral occasions, China's voice has been heard.

The first two decades of the 21st century are a period of important strategic opportunities, which China must seize and which offer bright prospects. A new world war is unlikely in the foreseeable future. It is realistic to bring about a fairly long period of peace in the world and a favorable climate in areas around China.

Jiang Zemin said China stands for going along with the historical tide and safeguarding the common interests of mankind; for establishing a new international political and economic order that is fair and rational; for maintaining the diversity of the world and in favor of promoting democracy in international relations and diversifying development models; and for fighting against terrorism of all forms.

"We are ready to work with all nations to advance the lofty cause of world peace and development," Jiang said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 14, 2002)