China's newly-appointed Foreign Minister Wang Yi has demonstrated that he possesses the blend of tact and toughness necessary to tackle the sensitive regional and global diplomatic issues facing China.

Beijing-born Wang Yi was studying in Beijing International Studies University 30-some years ago. Today, as Chinese foreign minister, he finds himself representing China's image on the international stage.

Since taking up his post on March 16, 2013, Wang has been extremely busy in dealing with various foreign affairs. He visited Russia, Tanzania, South Africa and Congo together with President Xi; then met with top officials and ambassadors of the ASEAN countries; had a teleconference with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; and had talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry as well as Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid.

It is clear that this newly-appointed Chinese foreign minister has shown both the Chinese and global audience his active attitude towards external affairs. His voice has accurately expressed China's stance on key issues.

Firm stance on the Diaoyu Islands issue

Wang served as Chinese ambassador to Japan from 2004 to 2007, and therefore was considered a Japan expert among Chinese diplomats. Japanese people from all walks of life expected that China-Japan relations could be recovered after Wang rose to the post of Chinese foreign minister.

Nonetheless, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has caused much controversy in regards to the Diaoyu Islands issue. He publicly stated on April 17, that the Diaoyu Islands belonged to Japan and the Japanese Coast Guard would be allowed to carry out all-day patrols. Recently, Abe again held a speech, in which he said sending officials to the Diaoyu Islands or building ports on the Diaoyu Islands were two actions he frequently considered. China-Japan relations have now reached an impasse.

The two countries have had serious disagreements on the issue of the Diaoyu Islands for quite some time now. On March 6 during this year's National People's Congress, Wang, then director of the Taiwan Affairs Office, said, "The Diaoyu Islands are part of China's territory and we should be firm in safeguarding the sovereignty over the Islands… otherwise we will be unworthy heirs to our ancestors and will disappoint our offspring."

Visiting the ASEAN countries

From May 1-5, Wang paid an official visit to four ASEAN countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei. Wang described his visit as a tour of communication and cooperation, pointing out that it had sent out the signal that China, with its new leadership, attaches great importance to its relations with neighboring countries and puts ASEAN in a prioritized position in its relations with the surrounding neighbors. The most important outcome of his visit was that China and the four countries Wang visited defined the direction and roadmap for mutually beneficial future cooperation.

When attending a press conference held in Indonesia, Wang was asked about China's stance on the issue of the South China Sea. He stressed that China has the determination and ability to turn the South China Sea, together with the ASEAN, into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation. "At the same time, we should remain vigilant against potential disturbances from some countries for their own interests," he added. Wang's firm declaration was immediately published by many foreign media. Analysts said that this was actually a criticism directed towards a few isolated countries.

Considering the livelihood of overseas Chinese

To be a competent minister, Wang has the overall layout and plan for matters of China's foreign affairs, and also eyes the individual. He went on an inspection tour of the Department of Consular Affairs, responsible for managing China's consular relations with foreign countries, issuing passports, managing immigration affairs and protecting overseas Chinese.

On his tour, Wang shared his decades of working experience in foreign affairs with the staff. "Consular affairs are the overseas ‘livelihood projects' of both the Foreign Ministry and the Chinese government and are of the same importance as the domestic ‘livelihood projects,' he told them, "In fact, a diplomat is the people's servant, not an official."

With China's improving global status and influence, Wang is expected to deal with a lot more complicated matters of foreign affairs in the near future. Over the past three months, his work performance -- sincere and active, tough and amiable -- has revealed his insight and determination by exploring China's diplomatic situation.

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