Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi described China's foreign policy and external relations at a press conference on March 9 during the First Session of the 12th National People's Congress, the nation's annual parliamentary session. Edited highlights follow:

International efforts

As the world becomes multi-polar, and economic globalization and scientific and technological advancement gather momentum, countries' interests have become linked, making nations more interdependent. We all live in a global village. As we travel along, we must sit together as passengers in the same boat rather than trying to crowd each other out.

Compared with that of last century, we believe that the international multilateral system in the 21st century should become more representative, more just and more result-oriented. China has participated in and contributed to the building of the international system, and we will be more actively involved in international affairs.

China supports multilateral meetings to be held this year, including the Group of 20 (G20) Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, and the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Bali, Indonesia.

We hope the G20 and its summit will focus on growth and employment, continue to push forward reforms in the international financial system, improve multilateral trading regimes and address development issues on a priority basis.

The developing world

The strategic partnership between China and Africa has developed quickly over the years, and the two sides are now actively implementing the follow-up actions to the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

China and Africa will particularly focus on promoting cooperation in such fields as investment, finance, assistance, African integration, cultural exchanges and peace and security in Africa.

We hope that all parties can view China-Africa cooperation in an objective manner, and respect our African friends' choices in terms of their cooperative partners. Many other countries are advancing their cooperation with Africa, and China welcomes such cooperation.

China is devoted to the establishment and development of comprehensive and cooperative partnerships with Latin American and Caribbean countries. It is willing to develop cooperation of all kinds with regional blocs like the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, and to promote the establishment of a forum on China-Latin America cooperation.

Disputes with Japan

A long-term, sound and stable China-Japan relationship serves the fundamental interests of both nations. We are willing to promote strategic and mutually beneficial China-Japan ties on the basis of the four political documents signed by both countries.

We have urged Japan to make concrete efforts to improve its relations with China and play a positive and responsible role to maintain peace, stability and development in the region.

Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands have been part of China's inherent territory since ancient times. The root cause of the Diaoyu Island issue lies in Japan's illegal seizure and occupation of China's territory. The current situation has been single-handedly caused by the Japanese side. The actions of Japan have violated China's territorial sovereignty, posed a challenge to the outcome of World War II and the postwar international order, greatly damaged China-Japan relations and undermined stability in the region.

The firm measures taken by the Chinese side have shown the will and resolve of the Chinese Government and the Chinese people to defend our territorial sovereignty. The Japanese side needs to face reality, take real steps to correct its mistakes and work with China to properly handle and resolve the relevant issues through dialogue and consultations to prevent the situation from further escalating or even getting out of control.

Japan should correctly recognize and reflect on its history and take that as an important foundation for China-Japan relations. The war of aggression waged by Japanese militarists brought untold suffering to the people of China and other victimized Asian countries. Only by respecting history and showing remorse for that episode of history can Japan develop good relations with its Asian neighbors. CA