The number of countries Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing visited last year speaks volumes about China's active diplomacy.

Li said at a press conference in Beijing yesterday that he accompanied President Hu Jintao on his four state visits and Premier Wen Jiabao on three tours. All together he visited 50 countries last year.

The active diplomacy was part of building a harmonious world where peace, stability and prosperity are enjoyed by all.

President Hu unveiled China's idea of building a harmonious world at the United Nations Summit in 2005.

Chinese leaders' frequent overseas travel is part of the country's approach to implementing a harmonious world.

The country upholds multilateralism, mutually beneficial cooperation and the spirit of inclusiveness.

China has joined with the rest of the world to handle regional and global issues by upholding multilateralism.

Also, China has suggested that the international community work for mutually beneficial cooperation to achieve common prosperity.

China has been encouraging the efforts to peacefully settle international disputes through consultations and negotiations.

Under China's mediation, the Six-Party Talks have been moving forward to maintain a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

To build a harmonious world, countries around the globe should follow the spirit of inclusiveness. Diversity of civilizations is a basic feature of humanity and an important driving force behind human progress.

China's diplomacy has been heading toward maturity, rationality and flexibility.

While diplomacy along its borders was a major concern last year, China kept close contact with more distant countries including the African nations.

Under the principle of putting aside disputes, China has not only maintained cooperative relations with its neighbors but also advanced step-by-step solutions to boundary issues.

The largest developing country in the world, China has assumed more responsibilities in international affairs. Dispatching 5,915 military personnel to join 16 UN peace-keeping missions, China is the largest contributor of peace keepers among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

China has been working to build a cooperative environment based on equality and mutual benefit by developing win-win cooperation with the rest of the world.

This is the policy that will continue to be the keystone of China's foreign relations.

(China Daily 03/07/2007 page9)