Editorial: Bright prospects for economic diplomacy with developing countries

Chinese President Hu Jintao, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, delivers an important speech at the 10th conference of Chinese diplomatic envoys stationed abroad in Beijing.The conference was held from Aug. 25 to 29, 2004.

The National Conference on Economic Diplomatic Work with Developing Countries held by the State Council is the first one in the history of New China. This important meeting, held after China's entry into the new stage of the new century, is of great and far-reaching significance for comprehensively implementing the scientific development concept under the new situation, strengthening coordination between economy and diplomacy, doing a better job in working with other developing nations and promoting the common development of China and numerous other developing countries.

Developing countries are a not-to-be-neglected force on the world's political and economic stage. Strengthening unity and cooperation with other developing nations is the standpoint of China's independent foreign policy of peace, economic diplomacy with developing nations has always been an important component of China's overall diplomacy. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council have always paid high attention to relations and economic and trade cooperation with other developing countries, since the founding of New China in 1949, China has, through the unremitting efforts of several generations, achieved world-noticing results in its economic diplomatic work with developing countries, which has helped promote these countries' economic and social development, enhanced trust and friendship between us and these nations and created a favorable peripheral and international environment.

In recent years, along with the augmentation of China's economic strength, the expansion of political influence and the rise in the level of opening to the outside world, China's economic ties and interaction with the external world have become notably stronger and its relations with other developing countries have also entered a new stage. At present, world multi-polarization is zigzagging ahead, economic globalization is speeding forward, international political and economic patterns are undergoing profound changes and stress on economic diplomacy has become the common choice of various countries. In the process of change, the developing countries' overall strength has been enhanced, their international influence is kept growing, and they cherish a strong desire for the establishment of a new international political and economic order. Developing countries have huge populations, enormous development potential, strong mutual complementariness with China's economy and an urgent demand for developing economic and trade cooperation with China. As a large developing country, China has no conflict of fundamental interests with other developing countries, there are extensive mutual needs and broad opportunities for cooperation between them, so whether in international affairs or in multilateral systems, we should continue to stand together with developing countries, strengthen economic and trade cooperation, safeguard common interests and seek common development.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao meets participants attending the national conference on economic relations with developing nations held during August 31-September 1 in Beijing.

The first 20 years of this century is an important period of strategic opportunity for China. Safeguarding world peace and promoting common development are among our three historical tasks (another one is the cause of reunification). China's development is development under the condition of openness, development under interaction with the external world, and development guided by a scientific development concept. It is highly necessary and very promising to strengthen economic diplomatic work with developing countries and deepen economic and trading cooperation with them. We should fully understand the importance of strengthening this field of work, firmly grasp and make good use of this period of strategic opportunity, adopt effective measures to quicken implementation of the "go global" strategy, intensify the integration, interaction and mutual promotion of politics and economy, conscientiously raise foreign economic and trade level, make comprehensive use of various supportive means and various methods for international economic cooperation, and actively push forward the economic diplomatic work with developing countries.

Peace and development remain the themes of today's world. In doing a better job of economic diplomatic work with developing countries, we must take Deng Xiaoping Theory and the "three represents" important thought as the guide, comprehensively establish and implement the scientific development concept, make overall planning for domestic development and opening to the outside world. On the basis of persisting in "showing respect for each other, treating each other as equals, promoting economy through politics, integrating politics with economy, advocating reciprocity and mutual benefit, seeking common development, adopting diverse forms and emphasizing practical results", we should explore new avenues, new methods and new ways for economic and trade cooperation with developing countries, and strive to create a new phase in economic diplomatic work with developing nations, so as to make positive contributions to realization of the magnificent goal of building an affluent society in an all-round manner, to accomplishing the great cause of the reunification of the motherland, safeguarding world peace and promoting common development!

This editorial, published on page 2 of People's Daily September 3, 2004, is translated by People's Daily Online.