"Harmonious society" was recently ranked as one of the ten key phrases describing international relations in 2005 by the media in the Republic of Korea.

England's The Economist also said that China has a favourite phrase these days: "harmonious world", in which countries of different outlooks live together in peace.

"Harmony" was seemingly the most popular Chinese word in 2005, suggesting the Chinese government's determination in pursuing development peacefully.

Chinese leaders affirmed harmony over and over again at the summit of the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting, and the G20 meeting.

In the recently issued white paper by the Chinese government, "harmony" was described as the building of a peaceful and prosperous world as the ultimate goal of China's development.

Chinese President Hu Jintao explained the inevitability that China would develop peacefully based on its national conditions, historical and cultural tradition and present world development trends.

In 2005, China's relations with the major powers and its neighboring countries remained stable.

Despite their various differences, China and the United States have experienced an increasing harmonization of views.

Frequent exchanges of visits by Chinese and European leaders, as well as China's purchase of 150 Airbus planes, show that China's relations with Europe remain good.

Developments in Sino-Russian relations were also promising. Their border was completely established; the two countries held a joint military exercise for the first time; and leaders of the two countries pledged to safeguard world peace together.

China has acquired more responsibility in world affairs.

China promised to offer 10 billion U.S. dollars in concessional loans to developing countries in the next three years at the summit of the 60th anniversary of the UN in September. Other commitments to the developing countries included zero-tariff treatment, debt relief, and job training.

Confronting frequent national disasters in 2005, China offered assistance after the tsunami in the Indian Ocean, the earthquake in south Asia, as well as Hurricane Katrina in America.

In regional affairs, the six-party talks, advocated by China, made progress toward a peaceful resolution of the Korean nuclear issue as the first joint statement was made.

China also participated in the first East-Asia Summit, supporting the ASEAN to play a leading role in the summit, as well as the transparency and openness of East Asian cooperation.

China shelved its territorial disputes with Vietnam and the Philippines and agreed to joint exploration of mineral resources.

"These diplomatic moves show the strong aspiration of the Chinese leaders to seek a better international environment for domestic development," said Ruan Zongze, deputy director of the China Institute of International Studies.

Zheng Bijian, chairman of the China Reform Forum and a senior theorist, said China would depend on itself to solve domestic problems, rather than transferring them to other countries.

"Peaceful Chinese development is a Chinese dream based on China's domestic situation and is helping the country solve its own problems," he said.

Source: Xinhua