On the morning of September 19, 2009, at the invitation of China National Association for International Studies (CNAIS), Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi attended and addressed the opening ceremony of the Symposium on 60 Years' Development of New China's Diplomatic Theories.

Minister Yang pointed out that over the past six decades, diplomacy of the New China has withstood the serious test of the vicissitudes in the international arena and scored world-acclaimed achievements. The international position of China has undergone earth-shaking changes, with the friendly and cooperative relations with countries all over the world growing comprehensively. The number of countries with which China has established diplomatic ties has risen to 171 while in the early years after the birth of the New China the number was only 18. To date, China has acceded to over 130 inter-governmental international organizations and concluded more than 300 international treaties. Active efforts have been made to promote diplomacy in the fields of economy, security, culture, etc., and considerable productive work has been done to serve the national economic and social development, thus making due contributions to safeguarding national unity, security and social stability, and laying a solid foundation for developing relations with other countries through cementing the good will between peoples. Intensified efforts have been made to push forward innovations in diplomatic philosophies, gradually bringing about a system of socialist diplomatic theories with Chinese characteristics and providing a strong spiritual guarantee for the diplomatic practices of the New China.

Minister Yang stressed that the diplomacy of the New China is featured by diplomacy for the people. The principle of serving the fundamental interests of the people has always been followed. In turn, strong support has been offered by the people. Achievements made in the diplomatic field are an outcome of the strong leadership by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council and a result of the assistance rendered by friendly international personages.

Minister Yang further noted that Deng Xiaoping Theory and the Important Thoughts of Three Represents should remain the guiding principles, in-depth studies of the guidelines set by the 11th Diplomatic Envoy Conference should be conducted to put them into practice, and intensified efforts should be made to implement the Scientific Outlook on Development. Holding high the banners of peace, development and cooperation, we should follow the independent foreign policy of peace, better safeguard our national sovereignty, security and development interests, create a better international environment and more favorable external conditions, and strive to make China more influential politically and more competitive economically with more affinity and moral charisma.