Every visit to China, whatever the frequency, never fails to cause surprise as a historic phenomenon reflecting the new world situation. We continue referring to China as an emerging country, together with the other BRICs, well aware that the expression does not convey the reality in which we live.

China’s rise is bound to be peaceful. Economic globalization has made possible China’s peaceful rise. And the peaceful rise of China in turn has offered and will continue to offer the world opportunities and market for mutual benefit and win-win progress.