China eyes bigger global role with Chinese solutions(2)

The minister also noted that Beijing and Washington, as they exert "pioneering efforts" to build a new model of major-country relations, will encounter obstacles along the path, calling for more trust between them.

With Russia under Western sanctions over the Ukraine crisis, Wang said that China's relations with Russia will not be affected by "international vicissitudes" and are not aimed at any third party.

The two countries, with a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, will prioritize cooperation in areas including railways, finance and oil and gas.

Meanwhile, Wang said China will cooperate more with Africa on industrialization, sanitation and security and peace. It will also liaise with India to facilitate settlement of the boundary issue.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of China's victory in the Chinese people's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. Uncertainties overshadow ties between China and Japan, with territorial and historical disputes being far from resolved.

Wang, a former Chinese envoy to Japan, asked Japanese politicians to use their sense of conscience in judging history 70 years after Japan lost the war.

China is planning commemorative events, including a military parade, to mark the 70th anniversary and will invite foreign leaders to China for the commemorations.

China welcomes the participation of "anyone who is sincere about coming," Wang said.

"By staging those commemorations, China will expand its convergence with other peace-loving countries and peoples," said Prof. Gong Fangbin at the National Defense University of the People's Liberation Army.

MEDICINE, SOLUTIONS

With its growing presence worldwide and increasingly interwoven interests in some regions, China has been seeking to address global hotspot issues by "putting forward Chinese solutions."

"The most striking feature of China's diplomacy last year was its activeness," said Zhang Yunling, an international studies specialist who is also a member of the National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. "It matches China's role as a major player in the world."

Over the past year, China, which has been following the principle of non interference with internal affairs of other countries, mediated on a host of regional issues, including in Afghanistan, Iran and South Sudan.

"When approaching a hotspot issue, we first need to take the pulse, adopt an objective and impartial attitude, and understand where the issue has come from and establish conceptions based on facts," said Minister Wang, taking a metaphor from traditional Chinese medicine.

He pledged to follow a multi-pronged approach that seeks a political settlement addressing the concerns of all involved, rather than resorting to the use of force or sanctions.

The minister also urged stability in the conflict-hit northern Myanmar and called for calmness and restraint as the situation on the Korean Peninsula entered another delicate period.

Wang said that China would properly handle regional conflicts and advocate dialogue between cultures, religions and ethnic groups to counter terrorism, which was called by him as a "common scourge to mankind."

The minister defended China's construction on South China Sea islands and reefs, saying the move is lawful and justified.