China's development in the new century will be more heavily influenced by the outside world and, to a large extent, will depend on its ability to deal with complicated international situations.

Therefore, China needs to readjust its strategy to help create a more favourable international environment which is vital for China's modernization.

With the rapid development of science and technology, great improvements in communications, and economic globalization, the world is becoming increasingly interdependent. The national interests of China are more and more reflected by its competition and co-operation with other countries far beyond its traditional border.

In the new world situation, China's diplomatic role is not just to react to international affairs, but to play an active role on the world stage.

Domestic and foreign affairs are becoming increasingly interactive. The development, security and even survival of a nation is now closely related to the international environment.

Strategic planning holds a key position within a complete international game plan. Reflecting its most important national interests in the 21st century, China's international strategy focuses on a favourable environment for modernization, safeguarding security and national interests and promoting world peace, development and progress.

While implementing the international strategy, China should remain independent and flexible to better adjust to new situations and so better defend its national interests and maintain its sovereignty and security.

The basic propositions of China's new-century international strategy are to maintain world peace, promote joint development and promote new world paradigms in economics, politics and civilization.

China must actively develop friendly relations with various countries of the world, and with major powers, to foster a balanced and stable international strategic structure, which is the basic motive of its new-century international strategy.

China should open more to the outside world, and actively participate in the process of economic, scientific and technological globalization.

A successful international strategy can be realized through proper forms of diplomatic practice.

Therefore, China should participate more in the activities of international organizations, for example, by attending their meetings, participating in the setting of international rules and helping to resolve international issues as well as hot-spot issues. This has in fact become a key part and practice of China's new-century international strategy.

In addition, China should work hard on summit diplomacy, conference diplomacy, courtesy diplomacy, phone-call diplomacy, party diplomacy, unofficial diplomacy, and NGO (non-governmental organization) diplomacy to make more friends and to extend China's international influence.

China should also work out necessary strategic and tactical principles while creating and implementing our international strategy.

We adhere to the principle of being peaceful and friendly and never seek hegemony. China needs a long-term peaceful environment for its development.

We should adhere to the principle of competition and of gaining advantages as well as showing restraint. Competition is an effective impetus for world progress and development.

(China Daily August 28, 2002)