Xiong: In 2006, in general, global security was stable. Peace and development remained the two themes of the times, but regional turmoil and tensions escalated. Hot topics emerged one after another.

First, unconventional security threats kept increasing. International terrorist activities rose prodigiously. By the end of November 2006, there had been 593 terrorist attacks around the world, 65 percent higher than that of the same period of the previous year. They had killed 4,500 people and left more than 9,700 injured, up 55 percent and 35 percent, respectively. The international oil prices fluctuated dangerously with strategic competition for major oil-producing areas and energy routes very tense. Public health security was a focus of attention, and we should keep alert to the return of bird flu.

Second, conventional security threats remained a prominent problem. Regional wars and armed conflicts totaled 44 worldwide in 2006 with five new eruptions, the highest since the end of the Cold War. The international nuclear non-proliferation efforts achieved little progress. In October 2006, North Korea conducted a nuclear test, making its nuclear issue more complicated. Although the fifth round of the multilateral talks on the Korean nuclear issue was held in Beijing on December 18-22, thanks to efforts of all relevant parties, how the question will develop is still uncertain. Meanwhile, the Iranian nuclear issue was still in a deadlock. These situations were heavy blows to the international nuclear nonproliferation regime.

As far as China is concerned, at present and for the foreseeable future, the most serious and realistic threat to the country is from "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces. In 2006, cross-Taiwan Strait relations made new progress. But regardless of strong opposition in and outside the island, Taiwan authorities' leader Chen Shui-bian announced in February that the "National Unification Council" would cease to function and the Guidelines for National Unification would cease to apply, taking another false step toward the "de jure independence" of Taiwan. Later, Chen said on many occasions that he was to push for independence through "constitutional reforms," which fully reflects his stubborn secessionist stance. The mainland is trying to safeguard and promote the peaceful and stable development of cross-strait relations with the greatest sincerity, in the hope of achieving peaceful reunification of the motherland. At the same time, we are firmly opposed to "Taiwan independence" and will never allow "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces to make Taiwan secede from China under any name or by any means.

You have said that 2006 saw prominent adjustments in international relationships, as dramatic changes occurred in global conditions. Why do you think so?

Currently, a new round of adjustments of multilateral and bilateral relationships is taking place both regionally and globally, while a multi-polarization tendency continues to develop.

The year 2006 saw major adjustments in multilateral relationships. With the United Nations as the central stage, global multilateral relationships maintained the momentum of profound changes. At the same time, the authority of the United Nations was obviously strengthened. By December 15, 2006, the UN Security Council had passed 78 resolutions, making it the most fruitful year in terms of resolution approvals. UN reforms also saw some achievements. Debates over the increase of permanent seats on the Security Council went into depth. Based on regional cooperation platforms, multilateral relationships among their members also experienced profound adjustments. In 2006, while the European Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the African Union made new efforts to promote their internal integration, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, APEC and the Asia-Europe Meeting made great progress in their internal cooperation. In 2006, various regional organizations throughout the world convened over 40 summits, something rarely seen in recent years.

Last year also witnessed outstanding adjustments in bilateral relationships, particularly between big powers. As far as China is concerned, 2006 was a year of not only success in multilateral diplomacy, but also important breakthroughs in bilateral relationships with big powers.

First, the constructive relationship of cooperation between China and the United States took another step forward. Since former Chinese President Jiang Zemin and his U.S. counterpart George W. Bush made an agreement in October 2001 to develop a constructive relationship of cooperation between the two countries, in general, the China-U.S. relationship has remained stable. In 2006, the relationship between the two countries reached new heights. Apart from his successful visit to the United States in April, President Hu Jintao had three meetings and five telephone conversations with President Bush, with important consensus being reached. That is, the two countries are not only stakeholders to each other but also constructive partners.

Second, the strategic partnership between China and Russia was deepened. Since the two countries decided to set up a "21st-century-oriented strategic partnership based on equality and mutual trust" in April 1996, the China-Russia relationship has developed smoothly. In March 2006, President Vladimir Putin participated in the opening ceremony for the "Year of Russia" in China and in June, he attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Shanghai. In July, President Hu attended the G8 Outreach Session in Russia. Within the same year, the two presidents had five meetings. China successfully held the "Year of Russia," including eight state-level programs, together with 207 other events, which has greatly deepened the China-Russia relationship.

Third, China-Japan relationship was revived. Due to efforts of leaders of old generations, 1972 witnessed the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, followed by the China-Japan Peace and Friendship Treaty that was signed in1978. During President Jiang's visit to Japan in 1998, the two countries issued the China-Japan Joint Declaration, which helped push forward the bilateral friendly relationship of cooperation. However, in the past five years, former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's six visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, where 14 Class-A war criminals in World War II are worshipped, severely strained the bilateral relationship. After Shinzo Abe took power as Japanese prime minister, he paid a visit to China on October 8, 2006 at the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao and had talks with top Chinese leaders including President Hu. On November 18, President Hu held a second talk with Abe in Hanoi on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, where the Chinese head of state put forward "Five Proposals" to promote the China-Japan relationship. From his part, Abe also expressed its willingness to build up a mutually beneficial relationship with China.

What are the reasons behind China's "all-round diplomacy" push and what achievements were made in this regard during 2006?

Current dramatic changes in the international arena and in international relationships have presented China with valuable opportunities to achieve a favorable external environment, while also posing new challenges. Therefore, we must set up and strengthen the concept of "all-round diplomacy" and try every effort to "build a peaceful and stable international environment, a good-neighborly surrounding environment, a cooperative environment based on equality and mutual benefit, a security environment featuring mutual trust and cooperation, and an environment of objective and friendly international public opinion through both official and other diplomatic channels." China's diplomatic push in 2006 contributed to outstanding achievements in building the "five favorable environments."

First, China pursues the road of peaceful development and seeks a stable and peaceful international environment. As the largest developing country, China tries to achieve its own development by safeguarding world peace and promoting world peace through its own development. China is active to fulfill its obligations as one of the permanent members of the UN Security Council. While energetically pushing forward UN reforms, it pays much attention to legitimate rights of the vast majority of developing countries. At the same time, China actively participates in diplomatic mediation concerning hot topics. Of special note, it plays an important role in promoting the passing of a number of resolutions by the UN Security Council, such as that on the Korean nuclear issue adopted in October 2006. China is also an active participant in UN peacekeeping missions. By the end of November 2006, China had dispatched 5,915 military personnel to take part in 16 UN peacekeeping missions, which makes it the largest contributor of peacekeepers among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. China has always tried to offer international assistance within its power. By September 2006, China had provided 49 least developed countries with 1,701 material or financial assistance packages and relieved 36 least developed countries from 172 debts.

Second, China tries to build up a good-neighborly surrounding environment by sticking to dialogues and cooperation. While adhering to the policy of "building friendship and partnership with neighboring countries," China continues to strengthen bilateral and regional cooperation. China-ASEAN relations are now at an all time high. In October 2006, China successfully held a summit to mark the 15th anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN dialogue relations and great achievements have been made in deepening the peace and prosperity-oriented strategic partnership with ASEAN nations. The relationship between China and Central Asian countries is being continuously deepened. In June 2006, China successfully hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Shanghai, which further promoted its friendly relationship of cooperation with Central Asian countries. China's relationship with South Asian countries is developing in an all-round way. President Hu's visits to India and Pakistan in late November 2006 proved very successful.

Third, China aims at a cooperative environment based on equality and mutual benefit by pursuing the policy of carrying out win-win cooperation with the rest of the world. The year 2006 witnessed unprecedented growth in foreign trade. The trade volume between China and the European Union, the United States and Japan maintained the momentum of relatively fast growth. By the end of November, China's foreign trade volume had almost amounted to $1.6 trillion, an increase of 24.3 percent year on year. In dealing with trade disputes, China follows the policy of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation and adheres to WTO rules and relevant international practices, trying to correctly resolve relevant problems with other countries.

Fourth, China tries to build a security environment featuring mutual trust and cooperation for common security. China pursues a new security concept concentrating on mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation, with a view to promoting mutual trust through dialogues, dissolving conflicts through consultation and achieving stability through cooperation. In terms of international nuclear non-proliferation, China is playing an important role in solving the Korean and Iranian nuclear issues in a responsible manner. Notably, it has made great contributions toward restarting the multilateral talks on Korean nuclear issue and safeguarding the international non-proliferation regime. When it comes to the international antiterror cooperation, in March 2006, China participated in the joint antiterror military exercises under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. In August, September and December of the same year, China respectively joined in antiterror drills with Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Pakistan. In terms of energy security cooperation, the Chinese Government has proposed the new energy security concept of "mutually beneficial cooperation, diversified forms of development and common energy security through coordination," to promote dialogue and cooperation on this issue. In terms of public health security cooperation, the Chinese Government fully supports Margaret Chan's bid for the directorship of the World Health Organization and energetically pushes forward the development of the world's health care undertakings.

Fifth, China always tries to enhance trust and reduce misgivings for the building of an environment of objective and friendly international public opinion. The Chinese Government attaches great importance to news release services and tries to raise the country's international image through a variety of channels by means of broadcast, television and Internet. Great efforts have been made to promote China's cultural exchanges with the rest of the world. By the end of 2006, China had already established 123 Confucius Institutes in 49 countries and regions. CCTV4, CCTV9 as well as CCTV's Spanish and French Channel already have 65 million overseas subscribers. At the same time, positive reports on China by foreign media have seen a big increase.