China and Japan have reached a principled common understanding on the issue of the East China Sea. This is the result of long-term efforts from both sides and was not attained easily. It should be cherished. I believe both countries should observe the spirit of the principled common understanding on the East China Sea and work to foster favorable conditions for its implementation, so as to turn the East China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.

China-EU relations

I believe that over the years the EU has played an important role on the international stage and that, with the passage of time, its role will become even more important. We value our relations with Europe highly. We attach importance to developing not only our relations with Europe as a whole but also our relations with individual member states.

In recent years the China-EU relationship has moved on the whole in a positive direction. We have enjoyed much success in practical cooperation in various fields. The EU is China's largest trading partner. Last year, two-way trade exceeded $360 billion. We now have nearly 200,000 students studying in European countries.

That said, of course it is impossible to avoid all differences as we develop our relationship. China and the EU have different cultural heritages, historical backgrounds, stages of development and social systems. So it is only natural that we will have divergent views and differences over some issues.

What is important is to handle differences appropriately through consultations on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and highlight commonalities in a wide range of areas. I believe the China-EU relationship will improve day after day, month after month and year after year. This year marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the EU.

The China-EU relationship is a mature relationship. Many European leaders and European citizens will come to the Shanghai World Expo and will be warmly received. We are also considering visits to European countries by major Chinese state leaders this year. The two sides should work together to add to the momentum of improvement and development in China-EU relations since last year.

The two sides should work jointly to enrich the comprehensive strategic partnership further. We should work together to enhance the comprehensive and strategic nature of the relationship and put it on a more solid footing. With concerted efforts, I believe China-EU relations will make big strides forward and enjoy many new growth areas.

China-Africa relations

China-Africa relations have entered a stage of sound development. The Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held in Beijing in 2006. Chinese and African leaders came together to discuss how to push forward cooperation. At the summit, President Hu Jintao announced eight measures to enhance practical cooperation between China and Africa on behalf of the Chinese Government. A large part of these eight measures has now been completed and some are near completion. I believe the summit and the eight measures President Hu announced have raised China-Africa relations to a new and much higher level.

The fourth ministerial conference of FOCAC was held last November in Sharm el-Shaikh. Premier Wen Jiabao attended the opening ceremony of the conference and explained China's proposals on enhancing cooperation with African countries. His statement was warmly received and supported by the various countries attending the conference. Premier Wen announced eight new measures for enhancing China-Africa cooperation.

Currently the various follow-up measures to the ministerial conference are well on track. As far as I am aware, good progress is being made in debt cancellation and tariff exemption. The China-Africa Science and Technology Partnership Program has been officially inaugurated, and the China-Africa Joint Research and Exchange Program will also soon start. I believe the various programs will all be implemented and that China-Africa cooperation will become ever more fruitful.

I have noted that there are some people internationally who are unhappy with the development of China-African relations and who keep making an issue out of China-Africa energy and resource cooperation. In fact, China's oil imports from Africa only account for 13 percent of Africa's total oil exports. The figures for Europe and the United States are each above 30 percent. China accounts for only one sixteenth of the total external investment in Africa's oil sector. We are far behind the United States and European countries.

We support other countries' cooperation with African countries in the energy sector on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. I see no reason for other countries to oppose China carrying out equal and mutually beneficial cooperation with Africa. Moreover, China cooperates with resource-rich and resource-poor African countries. I want to underline that Africa belongs to the African peoples. African people are the masters of the African continent and all other people are only guests. I believe guests should respect the will and freedom of their hosts in choosing their cooperation partners and friends.

I believe that if one wants to be a true friend and cooperation partner of African countries, one should do more concrete and positive things and save the rhetoric. China's cooperation with Africa has helped African countries transform their latent advantage in energy and resources into real advantage in development. We have also helped African countries improve their infrastructure by building railways, roads and bridges. All these have brought real benefits to the African people.

Not long ago President Rupiah Banda of Zambia said, "No one can deny the contribution China's investors have made to Africa: They are the people who truly help us." President Paul Kagame of Rwanda remarked that China's investments and loans have brought in what Africa needs. I believe these are fair statements.

BRIC countries and China-Latin America relations

It is true that the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) all have their own special features. But I'd like to point out that the four countries are at a similar level and stage of economic development, and that their positions on major international issues are close. In the face of increasing global challenges, the BRIC countries have enhanced cooperation among themselves and with other countries in the world in an active, pragmatic, open and transparent manner. I believe this is in the interests of the whole world. We wish the second BRIC summit to be held in Brazil this summer full success.

On the subject of Latin America, I believe Latin America and China are highly complementary in terms of the economy and trade and social development. There are good prospects for cooperation between the two sides.

Korean Peninsula nuclear issue

The six-party talks met with some twists and turns over the last year, but it is gratifying to see that none of the parties involved has given up on the objective of achieving a denuclearized Korean Peninsula, and none has abandoned the six-party talks mechanism, which is an effective multilateral mechanism. And they have all made their contribution to restarting the talks.

We believe that as long as all parties stick to the objective of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, stay in contact, maintain their patience and continue to work together for the common objective, there is much hope for restarting the six-party talks and achieving all the objectives set out in the September 19, 2005 Joint Statement.

G20 summits

The G20 has played an important role in countering the global financial crisis. It was identified as the premier platform for international economic cooperation at the Pittsburgh summit, and this marks important progress in international economic governance reform. We are happy to see that our neighbor, the Republic of Korea, will host a G20 summit around the end of this year. And before that another G20 summit will be held in Canada. We hope that all parties will work together to make the two summits successful.