Foreign Minister
Tang Jiaxuan said the terrorist attacks on September 11 had not
changed the international order, with major contradictions still
unresolved.
"The unreasonable international order has not changed," he told the
.
Reviewing the year's events, Mr. Tang sounded a rather upbeat note,
describing an "overall peaceful" world disturbed only by localized
wars.
He
expressed profound unease about the Middle East and cautious hopes
about a new beginning in Afghanistan.
Mr. Tang also noted China's concern about the world economy, saying
that for the first time since the 1970s all three major economic
blocks were in decline at the same moment.
He
said that China's status had risen in the world and that the
attacks had helped bring the big powers together to coordinate
their actions.
After a rocky start to the year, the United States was now closer
to both Moscow and Beijing, he said.
In
particular, he stressed that it had prompted many leaders,
including President Jiang Zemin, to call each other and to consult
directly with one another.
"The kind of talk among leaders has played an irreplaceable role
for the adjustment and furthering of international relations," Mr.
Tang said.
The interview has been given before the United States' unilateral
decision to withdraw from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile
treaty.
He
also said that non-conventional security issues were now interwoven
with traditional security fears.
Mr. Tang said terrorism was not confined to any one people or
religion and he insisted that China opposed terrorism in any
form.
Looking ahead to the coming year, he said the emphasis would be on
preparing the groundwork for the 16th Party Congress in the
autumn.
(China
Daily December 18, 2001)