FM: Promoting trade tops diplomacy agenda

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-03-11 19:48

BEIJING -- As China's parliament debates over a massive stimulus plan aiming at reviving the economy, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi is in Washington on his first visit to the United States since the US new administration took office.

Yang would discuss with the United States for a meeting between Chinese President Hu Jintao and his US counterpart Barack Obama during the April G20 summit.

As the global financial crisis continues to worsen, the meeting between leaders of two world economic giants touches the nerve of the international community.

Zhou Wenzhong, Chinese ambassador to the United States, said how to jointly cope with financial crisis has become the most pressing task of the China-US relations.

"It is the top priority both to us (China) and the United States," Zhou, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), told Xinhua.

Since China's opening-up and reform 30 years ago, the country, with its growing economy, has emerged from isolation and expanded its profile as an active player in the international arena.

With the financial crisis sweeps the world, China, one of the few countries which managed to keep its economy growing in 2008, seems to bear greater responsibility.

However, as its economy cooled to a seven-year low of 9 percent last year, China itself is struggling to cope with problems of slackening exports, rising unemployment and social uncertainties.

"Under the new situation, how should we make our foreign policy? This is a new task," State Councilor Dai Bingguo, also former vice foreign minister, said during the ongoing annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's legislative body.

COOPERATION & CONFIDENCE

Prior to his US journey, Foreign Minister Yang said the main task of China's diplomacy this year is to promote economic cooperation and trade between China and other countries.

"Economic development is the central task of China right now. The focus of our diplomatic work should be more than creating a favorable international environment for the country's economic growth, but also to directly serve the economy," Yang said at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual session of China's parliament.

He emphasized that cooperation is important in combating financial crisis. "Diplomacy should not be a zero-sum game, but one that strives to create win-win situations," he said.

The "win-win" approach was reflected in Chinese leaders' foreign visits to 15 nations in the beginning of this year, during which China emphasized that all countries were "in the same boat" in reviving global economic downturn.

During his visit to five African and Asian countries from February 10 to 17, Chinese President Hu Jintao called on the international community to help developing countries, especially African countries, overcome difficulties. More than 20 contracts were signed between China and the five countries, covering economy, trade, investment and infrastructure construction.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited Europe from January 27 to February 2. Wen emphasized that cooperation are needed for the world to whether through economic recession. He also witnessed the signing of 38 agreements with an contract value of more than 15 billion yuan ($2.2 billion).

Following Wen's visit, Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming led a buying team to Europe and signed contracts worth $13 billion.

Analysts said China has promised opposition to trade protectionism and its recent moves show that it has earnestly followed its commitments.

"The moves conveyed a clear message to the world, that is cooperation and confidence," Prof. Qin Yaqing, vice president of China's Foreign Affair University, said.

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