CRI听力:Chinese FM Elaborates on China's Foreign Policy

Reporter: Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China's diplomacy of 2013 has been innovative and fruitful.

He cites the multiple visits to 22 countries by China's top leadership and the signing of some 800 cooperation agreements between China and various countries.

He says China has defended its territorial sovereignty and maritime interests, advanced the relations with major countries and played a constructive role in political settlement of major regional issues in Syria and Iran.

Wang Yi adds the country also, for the first time, sent full units of its security forces to the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali and a naval vessel on the operational condition to escort shipments of Syrian chemical weapons.

This year, Wang Yi pledges to enable more of China's neighboring countries and people to benefit from the reform and opening-up of the world's second-largest economy.

"We'll strengthen friendly relations with all countries in the world, especially our neighbors. And we will create a more enabling external environment for domestic reform and development. We'll vigorously pursue economic diplomacy, deepen win-win cooperation with other countries, and create a more favorable condition for the transformation and upgrading of Chinese economy."

At the same time, however, Wang Yi says China is determined to defend "every inch" of its territory.

"On the two issues of principle, history and territory, there is no room for compromise. If some people in Japan insist on overturning the verdict on its past aggression, I believe the international community and all peace-loving people in the world will never tolerate that."

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States.

Wang Yi says the two countries should learn from the lessons of history, and build a new type of relationship between major countries emphasizing mutual respect, dialogue and communications.

"And the heart of the new model of major country relationship is no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation. This is the common direction the two sides have set. It is a positive strategic outlook the two countries show to the world and a solemn commitment that we've made to the international community."

On the current Ukrainian situation, Wang Yi says China is calling for calmness and restraint in the Ukraine crisis to prevent tensions from further escalating.

The foreign minister also took time to express China's concern over the fate of a Beijing-bound Malaysian passenger plane that has lost contact with air traffic control, and hoped everyone on the plane is safe.

For CRI, I'm Li Jing.