In today's world, various dangers and crises, such as global warming, epidemic, poverty, terrorism, control over new science and technology, and fragile financial system, constitute the common challenges that all countries must face.

Boosting international exchanges, globalization has, at the same time, created more opportunities while present many integral weak points. To the above problems, no country can find solutions independently. The only way out is to seek new partnership and work out common strategies, to set up regional cooperation organizations and to make mutual concessions��

Meanwhile, the ethnic diversity of the world enables us to possess varied cultural resources. Only such a cultural diversity can help us create an equal and harmonious model of sustainable development. Different intellectual traditions of the mankind enlightened our cultures, philosophies, arts and religions, constituting the treasure house of our daily experience. It can also make our economic life more ethical: distributing wealth in an equitable way, showing generosity and creativeness, letting those victims who suffered from unbalanced economic growth have the right to speak. This requires us to share each other's cultural resources and learn from each other so as to integrate different intellectual traditions of the mankind organically.

Therefore, in order to create a common future, the world needs China because, on the one hand, China boasts hugely colorful cultural resources, and on the other hand, today's China is full of vigor, showing creative spirit.

Of course, China also needs the world, which makes China's culture more diversified.

No country in the world can solve the challenges facing the mankind independently. Against these common challenges, isn't now a good opportunity for China to participate more firmly in tackling them? Can't China find a more encouraging plan for this? In other words, China's goal at present should be the establishment of a universal pattern of development.

The Chinese people that I have got tough with often give me an impression that they are worried about that there are not many true friends for China. Indeed, the world often shows selfishness and suspicion. However, we should make correct responses and at the same time, show more confidence and openness. If other countries in the world see China take the lead in practicing some measures to, for example, reduce atmosphere pollution, fight epidemic, encourage the development of the poorest countries and investment in new energy resources, then, they will understand how indispensable a partner China is for the international society.

To solve its own problems, China should play an active role in regulating the world. Engaging itself in international affairs, presenting through active actions its responsible attitude towards world solidarity and sustainable development -- this agrees with the interests of both China and the world and is also the due responsibility of a contemporary power.

To tell the truth, in the past, the Western countries did not shoulder such responsibilities, at all! But, others' errors should not be taken as the excuse for our selfishness today. The establishment of a trustworthy and relaxed partnership will teach us how to better develop the frail world of our existence.

The article by Benoit Vermander, a French scholar and Sinologist, is published on the front page of People's Daily Overseas Edition, October 21, and is translated by People's Daily Online