Main Achievements

The main achievements China has gained during the past 50 years in upholding its foreign policy of independence and peace include:

Firstly, on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence, China has set up and developed friendly cooperative relations with 163 countries, conducted exchanges and cooperation activities with 220 countries and regions in terms of economy, trade, science and technology and culture. China has consolidated and strengthened solidarity and cooperation with developing countries, and set up good-neighborly mutual trust, friendly relations and cooperation with almost all neighboring countries. Relations with developed countries and major powers have also continuously improved.

Secondly, as the largest developing country, China actively takes part in multi-lateral foreign affairs, and plays a unique, constructive role in international affairs. China has always firmly opposed any form of hegemonism and power politics, safeguarded the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, and actively promoted the establishment of a fair and rational international political and economic new order. As an important member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), China has striven to promote the healthy development of regional cooperation. Following the Asian financial crises, the Chinese government adopted a series of internal and external policies and measures to contribute to the steady restoration of the regional, or even the world finance and economic system to stability, establishing itself an image of a big responsible country.

Thirdly, China, one of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, upholds the principle of resolving international disputes through peaceful methods. China took part in, and actively promoted the international disarmament process. China, on its own initiative, launched two large-scale rounds of disarmament in 1985 and 1997, with the size of army cut by 1 million and then by a further 500,000 personnel. The move was highly appraised by the international community.

And finally, China absolutely safeguarded State sovereignty and territorial integrity, with the reunification of the motherland advancing greatly. Through Sino-British and Sino-Portuguese negotiations, China resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong on July 1, 1997, and will resume control of Macao on December 20 this year. China will still hold to the principles of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems" in dealing with the Taiwan issue. China has firmly fought the splitting activities toward "two Chinas", or "one China, one Taiwan". As a result, China has, for six straight years, frustrated Taiwan authorities' attempt to "return to the United Nations", thus, safeguarding the national independence, sovereignty and dignity.