The year 2009 was eventful and turbulent for the world at large. In the wake of the global financial crisis that nearly wrecked the world in 2008, developed and developing economies alike either became stagnant or found themselves trapped deep in the mire of recession, with no sign of any upbeat opportunity for recovery so far. Meanwhile, other acute issues, such as global warming, environmental pollution, nuclear non-proliferation, terrorist activities, the spread of the A/H1N1 epidemic, and energy and food security, also loomed large during the year, necessitating the entire world to bring to bear coping mechanisms in a more earnest and concerted manner than ever before.
Trying its best, China has been playing a more active and responsible role on the world stage during the year. China's top leaders participated in virtually all important international conferences aimed at addressing grave concerns, including the London G-20 Financial Summit, the UN Security Council Nuclear Non-proliferation and Nuclear Disarmament Summit and, most recently, the Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change. At these meetings, China invariably expressed a clear stance on, or firm commitments to, tightening world economic and financial surveillance, abiding by the principles of nuclear non-proliferation and peaceful use of nuclear power, and making substantial cuts on waste dumping and emissions in a bid to save the Earth from escalating greenhouse effects.
Through 2009, China has engaged actively in furthering bilateral and multilateral ties with a host of countries around the world. It has, for instance, initiated a good start to relations with the new administrations in the United States and Japan; deepened dialogue and cooperation mechanisms with the European Union; worked out a collaborative partnership with the emerging economies of Brazil, India and Russia; and forged closer bonds in East Asia, with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and traditionally friendly developing nations in Africa.
Not surprisingly, 2009 is viewed by many as a big year for Chinese diplomacy, as it has shown how China has handled global concerns in a responsible way and how it has actively sought closer cooperative ties with other countries. With the world further developing toward multi-polarity, as it is now, it is widely thought that China will become more involved and engaged in world affairs in the future. In the meantime, China will remain committed to peace, development and cooperation, the three key words forming the cornerstone of its diplomacy. This means the country will always pursue peace and economic and social development while seeking closer cooperation with all other countries, in order to help build a mutually beneficial and harmonious world. |