BEIJING, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese diplomacy in 2009 reached a peak at the end of the year with a series of Chinese leaders' visits.
Among them were President Hu Jintao's working visits to Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, Premier Wen Jiabao's attendance at the UN Copenhagen climate change conference, and Vice President Xi Jinping's four-nation official visits in Asia.
From Dec. 12-14, Hu held talks with presidents of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan and met with Uzbekistan's president. He put forward important proposals on pushing forward the Sino-Kazakh strategic partnership, enhancing Sino-Turkmen pragmatic cooperation, and deepening the Sino-Uzbek bilateral pragmatic cooperation. Hu's proposals, which were warmly received by his counterparts, highlighted China's good-neighborly and friendly foreign policies.
Hu's visits not only effectively pulled China closer to the three Central Asian countries, but also promoted their pursuit for common development.
The Reuters agency commented: "Hu's visit acted as a rare unifying force for Central Asian leaders who ... rarely assemble to discuss regional cooperation."
The AFP said Hu's attendance with his three counterparts at the launching ceremony of a pipeline demonstrated the unity among heads of states in the region, and illustrated "China's growing regional clout."
On dealing with global issues on the multilateral stage, China had been playing significant and constructive roles this year, with the latest effort coming at the recently concluded Copenhagen climate change conference.
During the arduous marathon climate talks, which finally produced the positive Copenhagen Accord, China adhered to its principles while showing flexibility, and pushed for fruitful results with maximum sincerity.
"Premier Wen Jiabao was ultimately crucial to salvaging something from the wreckage of the summit," Reuters said in an analysis.
On Dec. 14-22, Chinese Vice President Xi visited Japan, South Korea, Myanmar and Cambodia, where he met leaders, politicians, and representatives from economic and cultural fields. He stressed unity, cooperation and amicable ties between neighbors, and called for common efforts for the harmony and development of Asia.
The three Chinese leaders' major diplomatic activities at the end of 2009 had rich content and substantial results, left a good impression on people of the destination countries and the world as well, and demonstrated once again China's image as a responsible major state and friendly neighbor.
This round of diplomatic activities echoed that at the beginning of this Chinese lunar year, when consecutive visits by the president, the premier and the vice president opened the curtain on Chinese diplomacy for the year.
With a rising global status and increasing participation in international affairs, China has been producing continuous diplomatic highlights. It is going forward with more confidence and proficiency, and is playing an "indispensable major role" on the world stage.
Chinese president's Central Asia tour boosts friendship, cooperation: FM
ASHGABAT, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to Central Asia has been fruitful, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Monday.
Hu has reached broad consensus with leaders of Central Asian countries on strengthening political mutual trust, deepening practical cooperation, and promoting communication and coordination in multilateral organizations, Yang told reporters. Full story
Chinese premier's attendance at Copenhagen summit sends hope, confidence to world
BEIJING, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao brought hope and confidence to the world in its fight against climate change by attending the summit of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Saturday.
Yang, who had accompanied Wen during his visit on Thursday and Friday, said climate change profoundly affected mankind's existence and development, imposed a critical challenge to the world, and should be tackled by all countries jointly. Full story
Xi's Asian tour enhances good-neighborliness, mutual trust: vice FM
BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping's visits to Japan, South Korea, Myanmar and Cambodia consolidated friendly relations, enhanced mutual trust and promoted practical cooperation with the countries, the vice foreign minister said Tuesday.
Xi was the first Chinese state leader to visit Japan since the new Japanese government led by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama took office in September, said Wu Dawei. Full story
Special report: President Hu visits Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan
Special report: Premier Wen Attends Copenhagen Climate Summit
