Comment
Trust in peaceful rise
(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-04-10 07:26
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A major research institute in China has painted a gloomy picture of the situation the country is facing from its surrounding areas: Asia-Pacific countries harbor suspicion against and are worried over China's rising influence.
According to a blue paper released earlier this week by the Institute of Asia Pacific Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, such unfavorable sentiments have not only resulted in over estimation of China's influence in international affairs, but also led to misjudgment of China's non-hegemonic foreign policy. Worse, some countries have suggested that other big powers should check China's influence in the region.
Misunderstanding of China's foreign policy and the resultant miscommunication may have helped these unfavorable sentiments grow.
China has long upheld an independent foreign policy of peace. To build a favorable external environment for its development, China has always been committed to developing good neighborly and friendly relations with countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Recent years have seen it actively participating in regional and world affairs. This is a natural result of the growth of its national strength.
As the world's largest developing country with a dynamic economy, China fully understands the important role it could play in maintaining regional and world peace and stability. Thus it is fully justified in safeguarding its core interests in the international arena. Sometimes, China's stance may differ from those of others. Some in the international arena have, therefore, wrongly accused China as being tough, a charge that Chinese leaders have refuted repeatedly.
China has demonstrated tolerance and magnanimity toward different schools of thoughts that have led to the misjudgment of its rise. It will make even greater diplomatic efforts to build a peripheral environment of long-term peace and stability.
(China Daily 04/10/2010 page5)
