The Libyan situation has captured the attention of all countries, and the nation has become a diplomatic arena for major powers. A country's strategy in Libya can fully reveal its diplomatic concepts, interest orientation and behavioral styles.

The Chinese government focused on the Libyan people's fundamental interest and the regional peace and stability in the wake of Libya's political unrest. It made contact with both the Qaddafi regime and rebels to alleviate war conflicts and kept communication and coordination with the international community to promote peace talks.

China's reaction is really worth noting. Recently, the Libyan situation has experienced a significant turn as the National Transition Council took control over most of the nation. China therefore has adjusted its policy to Libya in a timely fashion. On Sept. 12, the Chinese government announced that it officially recognized the National Transition Council as Libya's government and the sole representative of the Libyan people. The policy adjustment conforms to China's diplomatic principles and is based on the judgment of Libya's political changes. It also gives consideration to the interests and wishes of the Libyan people and demonstrates China's mature and robust diplomacy.

China's recognition of the NTC reflects the country's diplomatic objective of promoting regional and world peace and harmony. China respects the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries, adheres to the principle of non-interference in others' internal affairs, advocates peaceful means rather than wars for resolving conflict and disputes and opposes the bullying of major powers. This is why China took a cautious attitude toward the two U.N. Security Council resolutions related to Libya as well as toward recognition of the Libyan rebels.

Muammar Qaddafi has lost support both at home and abroad, while the NTC is increasingly gaining the support of the Libyan people and the international community and has become the de facto ruling body of the country. "Government agencies should serve the people, who are the foundation of a nation," an ancient Chinese philosopher said. The friendly, cooperative relations between China and Libya are based on the friendship between the people of the two countries and serve the interests of both sides. Despite the regime change, the two countries should continue to carry out friendly cooperation and conduct multi-level exchanges so as to maintain their positive relations.

China adjusted its Libya policy due to growing international calls for reconstructing the war-torn country. Over the past few months, the Libyan opposition has worked together with certain Western forces to topple the Qaddafi regime, but keeping ruling authority is even harder than winning it.

The NTC is facing various difficulties in reconstructing the nation and has to bear multiple arduous tasks of seeking political reconciliation, restoring the people's livelihood and recovering the country's economy. As many countries have expressed willingness to participate in the reconstruction of Libya and introduced related reconstruction plans, it has become an international consensus that the United Nations should play a leading role in resolving the Libya problems and promoting the post-war reconstruction of the country. The United Nations is set to host a high-level meeting on Libya on Sept. 20. As one of the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, China's timely recognition of the NTC will not only help Libya gain true peace and stability as soon as possible but will also enhance the leading role of the United Nations in reconstructing the country.

The adjustment of China's policies towards Libya reflects that China supports the stable development of Libya. The NTC and the people of Libya attach importance to China's status and function as a big country and adopted effective measures to guarantee the security of Chinese enterprises' projects in Libya during the civil war. Leaders of the NTC have appreciated China on many public occasions for its just standpoint and said that they respect the contracts signed before by China and Libya and welcome Chinese enterprises to participate in the post-war reconstruction of Libya.

Meanwhile, members of the NTC and many Libyan civilians have also told media that Qaddafi was overambitious and unrealistic, hankered for power, did many unpractical things and disregarded the development of Libya and Libyan people's livelihood and has completely lost the right to rule. Instead, they have insisted that the NTC conforms to the will of Libyan people, is supported by the people and therefore ought to be admitted by the Chinese friends.

Hearing the voices of the Libyan people, China has chosen to admit the NTC at the right moment. It fully reflects China's respect to the Libyan people's choice and the active attitude and cooperative policies of the Chinese government regarding the development of its relations with Libya.

After a bloody conflict and war, Libya will be on a journey of transition and reconstruction. We hope that China can actively participate in the political and economic reconstruction of Libya and wish the China-Libya relations can continue along a friendly, cooperative road.