Changing balance of power

Although some people, both at home and abroad, have suggested that China's rise will inevitably bring it into conflict with the United States, China is seeking to build a new type of relationship between an established and an emerging power. Indeed, China's ties with the US have taken big strides forward over the past three decades, although frictions, competition and problems have occurred from time to time.

The concept of a new type of power-to-power relations is the hallmark of a significant change in the pattern of international relations.

All countries should respect each other and conduct consultations on an equal footing in a common endeavor to promote democracy in international relations.

China attaches great importance to developing ties with its neighbors. Although territorial disputes with some of its neighbors have flared up in recent years and there are disagreements on the ownership of maritime rights, Hu emphasized in his report that China will continue to energetically engage in regional cooperation in order to jointly create a peaceful, stable regional environment featuring equality, mutual trust and win-win cooperation.

Despite China's unwavering determination to maintain its sovereignty and territorial integrity, the disputes will not deflect it from seeking to cement mutually beneficial cooperation and good-neighborly and friendly ties with surrounding nations.

The world remains far from tranquil; local conflicts and hotspot issues keep emerging, and traditional and nontraditional security threats are intertwined. But Hu's report shows China will continue to follow its established path of peaceful development.

To promote world peace and common development, all countries should uphold the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, observe international law, and promote democracy, harmony and collaboration.

China cannot develop in isolation from the rest of the world, and whatever changes take place in the international situation, the Chinese people will work tirelessly with other countries to bring about a better future for humanity.

The author is a researcher with the Institute of American Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

(China Daily 11/16/2012 page9)