OPINION> FROM THE CHINESE PRESS
China must stick to open foreign policy
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-10-30 08:08

Recent years have seen increasing formation of regional blocs, with the United States being the main force behind them. But China should join an international group only after judging the pros and cons minutely, and always stick to the spirit of openness, says an article in the Oriental Morning Post. Excerpts:

The US has been strengthening itself by expanding the blocs it leads and/or edging out non-conformist member states from them. Since both actions have the potential to hurt China, it should learn from other countries' experience that a wrong alliance is the beginning of the eclipse of a great power.

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Nevertheless, a country has to join, if not lead, international groups in these times of globalization and "regionalization".

China doesn't have a long history of alignments, so it should always stick to its principle of achieving sustainable development.

Since an open system suits China the most, we have to avoid confining our actions to a single group. Hence, it should conduct its foreign policies in line with the "open-door doctrine".

In the long run, China will play a greater role on the global stage, for which it should prepare by forming a "Group of 2 (G2)". The formation of a G2, however, doesn't mean the rise of new hegemonies.

That's why China should make all efforts to maintain openness in the global negotiations because only an open spirit can make an emerging country breathe new life into the crisis-ridden international community.

(China Daily 10/30/2009 page9)