China firmly pursues an independent foreign policy of peace, the fundamental goal of which is to safeguard its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, create a favorable international environment for implementing its reform and opening to the outside world and modernization drive, safeguard world peace and promote common development. The major contents of China's foreign policy are as follows:

1. Chinaconsistently adheres to the principle of independence. In handling international affairs, it determines its own position and policies and judges each case on its own merits by proceeding from the fundamental interests of the people of Chinaand other countries. It will not yield to any outside pressure or enter into alliance with any big power or group of countries, nor will it establish any military bloc, join in the arms race or seek military expansion.

2. Chinaopposes hegemonism and safeguard world peace. In China's view, all countries are equal members of the international community, regardless of whether they are big or small, strong or weak and rich or poor. Nations should settle their disputes and conflicts through peaceful consultations instead of resorting to force or the threat of force. No country should interfere in the internal affairs of another country under any pretext. Chinanever imposes its social system and ideology upon others nor will it allow other countries to force their social systems or ideology upon it.

3. Chinaactively works to bring about a new international politicaland economic order which is just and rational. In China's view, this new order should give expression to the needs of historical development and the progress of the times and should reflect the universal aspiration and common interests of peoples of all countries in the world. The Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence and other universally acknowledged norms governing international relations should constitute the basis for the establishment of a new international political and economic order.

4. Chinastands ready to establish end develop relations of friendship and cooperation with all countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence, namely, mutual respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in each others internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit and peaceful co-existence.

Chinaattaches importance to improving and developing its relations with the developed countries, advocates that states should respect each other, seek common ground while shelving differences and expand mutual cooperation regardless of differences in their social systems and ideologies. As to their differences, it should be settled properly on the basis of equality and mutual respect by persisting in dialogues and not confrontation.

We actively develop friendly ties with our neighbors, building good-neighborly relationships and partnerships with them. Chinahas settled issues left over from history with overwhelming majority of its neighboring states and its mutual cooperation with the surrounding countries are developing vigorously.

The basic stand of China's foreign policy is to enhance solidarity and cooperation with the other third world countries. Chinaand other developing countries share common historical experiences and are faced with the common goal of safeguarding national independence and bringing about economic progress. The foundation of their cooperation is solid and the prospect is vast.

5. Chinapursues an all-dimentional policy of opening to the outside world and stands ready to conduct extensive trade, economic and technical cooperation and scientific and cultural exchanges with all countries and regions so as to promote common prosperity on the basis of the principle of equality and mutual benefit. Up to the end of 2002, Chinaapproved a total of 420 thousand foreign funded enterprises with the contracted foreign capital amounting to US$828.1 billion and the actual use of foreign capital was US$448 billion. In 2002, China's foreign trade volume was US$620 billion, ranking fifth in the world.

More than a year since its accession to the World Trade Organization, China's efforts in observing WTO's rules and regulations and in carrying out its commitments have won positive appraisals of the international community and it has played an active role in enhancing prosperity and progress of the world.

The world economy is an integrated whole which is inter-related and interdependent. Economic globalization has delivered opportunities for economic development of various countries while bringing with it immense risks as well. Maintaining financial stability, preventing financial crisis and ensuring economic security are common challenges facing the governments of all countries.

6. Chinatakes an active part in multilateral diplomacy and is a staunch force for safeguarding world peace and regional stability.

Chinais a Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council and actively participates in the political solution of regional hot spot issues. Chinadispatched peace-keeping personnel to take part in UN peace-keeping operations. Chinastands for reform of the UN and supports UN multilateral agencies in continuing to play its important role in international affairs. Chinaresolutely opposes terrorism in all forms and has made important contributions in international collaboration on combating terrorism.

Chinaactively works for the cause of promoting international arms control, disarmament and preventing proliferation. Up to the present, Chinahas already acceeded to all treaties on international arms control and prevention of proliferation. With regard to the latter, Chinahas all along strictly carried out its international committment, actively work for the building of a Chinese legal system and has set up a rather complete export control mechanism.

The Chinese government consistently attaches importance to human rights and has made unremitting efforts towards this end. Chinahas acceeded to l8 human rights conventions, including the "International Covenant on Economic, Social and Civil Rights" and has signed the "International Convention on Civil and Political Rights".

Chinastands ready to enhance cooperation with the international community and jointly deal with global issues confronting human progress such as degradation of the environment, depletion of natural resources, poverty and unemployment, population expansion, epidemic diseases, drug abuse and rampage of international crimes.