"China's growth spreads inland"

China's economic development is the hot issue of world concerns. Here is the front cover photo published in British "Economist" magazine in late November. The words "China's growth spreads inland" carried on the photo is the theme of a related article.

Ma Zhengang (director of the Institute of China International Studies): In today's world, when they handle foreign relations and international issues, almost all countries have to seriously consider the factor of China no matter from what angle, out of what motive and in what attitude. In fact, from the very day of the founding of New China in 1949, the "China factor" had begun to exert its influence on the international pattern and often occupied a prominent position.

An in-depth analysis shows that in the past, the weight of the "China factor" was manifested mainly in the following three aspects: First, in the face of the vast territory and huge population of China, no country would completely ignore this large country with a population accounting for one-fifth of the world's total; second, the influence of China's good traditional relations with other developing nations; third, the geo-political role brought into play by China's geographical position. But the current "China factor" is set off by its overall national strength. The growth of China's economic strength has given play to its influence in various aspects including politics and security. "China factor", which encompasses the aspects of economic strength, political influence, foreign policies and stands, development model, civilized tradition and the qualities of nationals, has generated diversified influence on the world. This influence is objective, independent of man's subjective will. This influence is global, enduring and natural.

Along with the growth of China's influence, various countries around the world have paid more attention to China and correspondingly placed greater value of expectations on China, calling on China to exert a still greater role in international affairs. Meanwhile, various kinds of concepts and considerations of enlisting each other's support in safeguarding their own interests have also come into being as the times require. Currently, China places more emphasis on the establishment of mechanisms for cooperation and dialog together with various parties, such as the "Forum on China-African Cooperation" and the "China-Arab Cooperation Forum". This kind of mechanisms, a useful method aimed at strengthening South-South cooperation, embodies developing nations' spirit of equality and mutually beneficial cooperation. At the same time, China persists in pursuing an independent foreign policy and develops relations with the European Union (EU) and other international and regional organizations, all these are aimed to promote global peace, development and cooperation and not out of the purpose of engaging in confrontation and seeking hegemony. The "China factor" has received universal attention from the international community and has exerted a growing positive role in world affairs. This is an excellent thing for the world and for China itself. But we must keep a sober mind and realistically estimate our own strength.

Zhou Gang (former Chinese ambassador to India): China's rapid economic development has exerted positive influence on regional and world economy. China's international status has kept rising and it presents itself as a peace-loving and responsible country on the international stage, this has become an indisputable fact. China's peaceful development is irreversible and it is only natural that the Chinese are happy about and proud of this.

But it must be noticed soberly that China's economic aggregate is not big enough, which accounts for only 4 percent of the world's GDP (gross domestic product), China's role and influence in international and regional affairs are still limited, China's economic development is still faced with many difficulties and challenges, and China's modernization drive is a process that requires the persistent efforts of several generations and even a dozen or so generations. These require us to keep a sober head, have a clear estimation of ourselves and guard against arrogance and rashness; we should neither brag and boast, nor should we become dizzy with other's flattery, therefore, we should not overestimate the influence of "China factor". China has long been persisting in the strategic guideline of "hiding one's capacities and hiding one's time and having something accomplished". We should realistically treat those developing countries that have high expectations of China; and we should have a clear idea about and maintain vigilance against those countries which cherish evil intentions and attempt to bring down China through tricky flattery, and which create the "China threat theory" in a disguised form.

Chen Feng (president of the International Relations Institute of the PLA): Objectively evaluate the influence of "China factor" is the requirement of reality. China is now experiencing rapid development, but it is also faced with some problems, including its dependence on import and export trade, on overseas markets and on a stable surrounding environment, national unification also has great influence on China's development. All these require that we correctly treat the "China factor", and cannot overestimate ourselves.

Gong Li (deputy director of the Strategy Research Institute of the Central Party School): Although China is currently in the process of rapid development, viewed from China's basic national conditions and the actual relative strength of developed Western countries, the "strong West and weak East" situation remains. So, we should have lofty aspirations, be good at knowing our weaknesses and immerse ourselves in hard work.

Be good at knowing our weaknesses does not mean attempting at and accomplishing nothing, but rather it means having something to do and something not to do. On questions that directly affect China's state sovereignty, security and vital interests, China cannot keep silent and fail to exercise its influence. For example, solving the Taiwan issue and thereby realizing reunification of the motherland is our firm and unshakable goal, we should have the greatest sincerity and do our best for peaceful reunification, but we'll never promise to renounce the use of force. Take another example, on the question regarding the East China Sea and the South China Sea, our country will continue to adhere to the principle of "laying aside disputes and engaging in common development", properly handle territorial waters disputes, safeguard and improve China's relations with ASEAN countries. To achieve these goals, the key lies in skillfully grasping the situation and making use of opportunities, striving for a peaceful international environment to develop China itself and defend world peace with our own development.

The above article is carried on page 7 of People's Daily on December 3, and translated by People's Daily Online