Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said in his statement to the UN General Assembly in October that 243 incidents of illicit trafficking and other unauthorized activities involving nuclear and radioactive material were reported to the agency in the year to June 30. Al Qaeda is extending its reach to Africa and the Middle East, said Michael Hayden, Director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.

Uncertainties have increased in the Middle East with the leadership change in Israel's ruling Kadima party and escalating internal conflicts among Palestinians. The military conflict between Russia and Georgia made South Ossetia and Abkhazia new international hotspots.

China faces challenges as its international standing rises

China has maintained stable economic development despite the financial crisis. Its GDP growth is projected to reach 9.9 percent this year. On the diplomatic front, state leaders' foreign visits helped improve China's relations with other countries. China has become an essential factor to world peace.

At the same time, it also faces unprecedented challenges:

China suffered major losses in the financial crisis, especially as the U.S. dollar depreciated. The Chinese currency has appreciated 17 percent against the dollar, which is bound to have a significant impact on China's financial market.

Various international forces have intensified their efforts to plot against China. The United States aspires to establish an Asian NATO with Japan, Australia, South Korea and India to hedge against China. Europe often criticizes China on issues such as human rights, trade and climate change. "Tibetan independence" forces staged riots in Tibet and disrupted the Olympic torch relay in Europe and the United States, while East Turkestan separatists were responsible for a number of bombings in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

China's surrounding environment is volatile as many countries in the region, such as Nepal, Myanmar and Thailand, are mired in political instability.

China is also under pressure from Western countries to shoulder greater responsibility for global problems such as climate change, the spread of infectious diseases, terrorism, drug trafficking and cross-border crime.

The author is a council member of the chinese People's Institue of Foreign Affairs