DIPLOMATIC DISCUSSION: Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi is interviewed at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on December 13, 2010. He discussed China's diplomatic achievements over the past five years and the future of China's international relations (XINHUA)

"The five years during which China implemented its 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-10) were a crucial five years in the country's peaceful development process as well as five years when Chinese diplomacy forged ahead innovatively and productively despite difficulties."

"The international situation will hopefully remain peaceful and stable in general during the 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-15). China's largely favorable external environment will not change. It will continue to find itself in a period full of strategic opportunities during which it can make a big difference."

In a recent interview at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi elaborated China's diplomatic achievements over the past five years. While analyzing the international situation China is facing and will face in the next five years, he presented his views on a series of issues such as Sino-U.S. relations, China's relations with neighboring countries and public diplomacy.

China had notable diplomatic achievements during the 11th Five-Year Plan. Could you share with us the main features and highlights of Chinese diplomacy during that period as well as the valuable experience that has been gained?

The five years during which China implemented its 11th Five-Year Plan were a crucial five years in the country's peaceful development process as well as five years when Chinese diplomacy forged ahead innovatively and productively despite difficulties. Under the leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council, the diplomatic sector did a good job in handling affairs of great significance--happy occasions and difficult situations alike-- leading to fresh progress in China's all-round diplomacy.

Five of these matters have far-reaching implications: successfully hosting the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation; the Beijing Olympics; the Shanghai World Expo; making an effective response to the global financial crisis; and constructively participating in global efforts to address climate change. These five major activities have demonstrated what China has, what it offers and what it seeks. China has a good foundation for economic and social development. It also has the advantage of being able to concentrate its strength to accomplish important tasks. It also has a willingness to undertake more international obligations to the best of its ability. China injected confidence and hope into the global economic recovery, while supplying an increasing amount of public goods to the world. What China seeks is equal status for developing countries in international affairs and a more just and equitable international order. These five major activities have hastened China's ascent to prominence on the world stage. They have also shown that China is an important force for safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.