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Foreign policy issues addressed

By Qin Jize (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-03-07 06:59

Wu Jianmin, president of the China Foreign Affairs University:

Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing covered an extensive range of issues at his press conference, illustrating China's all-round headway in developing relations with world powers, neighboring countries, developing nations and in its multilateral diplomacy in the past year.

Foreign reporters have shown great concern about China's position on international hotspots like Pyongyang and Teheran's nuclear issues, and this enthusiasm reflects China's growing influence in the global arena.

Another thing that impressed me very much is that most of the foreign journalists raised questions in Chinese, which was quite a rare during my term as the Foreign Ministry spokesman from 1991 to 1994.

We can see that foreign news agencies have sent reporters who are capable of speaking fluent Chinese to cover the country, which makes us feel the effect Chinese culture has on the world.

Zhang Jianyu, program manager, Environmental Defense China Program:

Strictly speaking, environmental issues are not the business of Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, who is in charge of foreign policy and foreign affairs.

However, the questions raised at his press conference demonstrated that environmental issues like climate change have found their way deep into the hearts of the people of the world and re becoming a political issue.

We can see from Li's skilful responses that the relevant facts and figures have lingered in his mind, and that he pays attention to environmental issues when setting China's foreign policy.

It is worthwhile to note that China's attitude towards climate change a global challenge will have an effect in the world.

And Li's answer once again showed China's commitment to join hands with other countries to address environmental issues.

Liu Jian, senior researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences:

Being a scholar covering Asia-Pacific studies, I am quite interested in Sino-Indian relations, which were a key topic at Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing's press conference.

The Indian side will surely take note of Li's remarks, in which he set forth basic principles for dealing the Sino-Indian ties. The whole world is closely watching the development of relations between the two sides.

The biggest sticking point between the two sides is the border dispute, and I believe, as Li noted in his answer, the issue will be solved through earnest, careful and patient negotiations.

Wang Yusheng, a researcher at the Chinese International Studies and Academic Exchange Fund:

The foreign minister attached great importance to harmony, indicating the importance of mutual understanding between China and other countries in the world.

Li's answers showed that China will not pose a threat to other countries despite its rising.

And Li Zhaoxing showed off his charm as a poet when he quoted the poets of Tang Dynasty.

(China Daily 03/07/2007 page5)