(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-12-27 16:40

BEIJING -- Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda is to start his first official visit to China on Thursday afternoon as guest of Premier Wen Jiabao, concluding a fruitful year for China's diplomatic endeavors.

Summarizing the characteristics and achievements of China's diplomacy, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said the country had made new progress in cementing ties with major powers, consolidated cooperation with neighboring countries and regional blocs and expanded coordination with vast developing countries, including India and South Africa.

China and the United States conducted two rounds of strategic economic dialogue this year in Washington and Beijing, respectively, conferring on important international and regional issues.

The dialogue had helped to settle disputes and friction in Sino-US trade ties and facilitated substantial cooperation, Yang said.

In addition, with the "Year of China in Russia" drawing to a close, he added the reciprocal national theme year activities in both countries have scored remarkable achievements that further consolidated the social basis of Sino-Russia relations.

Premier Wen visited Japan in April and new Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's will start to visit China. These signs showed the warming ties between China and Japan and  bilateral cooperation in energy, environmental protection, personnel exchanges were revitalized, Yang said.

In late November, the 10th China-EU Leaders' Meeting was held in Beijing. Leaders from both China and the European Union (EU) outlined their future strategic partnership while discussing pragmatic issues.

Yang said the two sides friendly and pragmatic cooperation of mutual benefit had been expanded and deepened.

While stepping up state-to-state relations, China played a very positive role on multilateral stages.

As climate change was at the top agenda of the international community's common concern, China actively joined international efforts to fight against climate change, participated in international negotiations and formulated regulations. It also appointed a special envoy to deal with specific matters.

During a outreach session of the G-8 Summit in Germany in June, Chinese President Hu Jintao enunciated the country's view and suggestions on climate change.

"We spare no efforts in pushing forward the settlement of hot issues that shows China's image as a responsible country," Yang said.

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