This demands that developed countries absolutely forget about their self-claimed leadership status in the existing international system, work harder on securing the common, harmonious and sustainable development of the whole humankind, instead of on keeping themselves in the driver's seat as long as possible, adjust their attitude and policies accordingly, and treat the development and rise of developing nations represented by emerging economies rationally.

The author is a researcher and deputy director of the Institute of Strategic Studies of the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations

(China Daily July 16, 2008)