The year 2006 saw major adjustments in multilateral relationships. With the United Nations as the central stage, global multilateral relationships maintained the momentum of profound changes. At the same time, the authority of the United Nations was obviously strengthened. By December 15, 2006, the UN Security Council passed 78 resolutions, making it the most fruitful year in terms of resolution approvals. UN reforms also saw some achievements. Debates over the increase of permanent seats on the Security Council went into depth. Based on regional cooperation platforms, multilateral relationships among their members also experienced profound adjustments. In 2006, while the European Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the African Union made new efforts to promote their internal integration, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, APEC and Asia-Europe Meeting respectively made great progress in their internal cooperation. In 2006, various regional organizations throughout the world convened over 40 summits, something rarely seen in recent years.

Last year also witnessed outstanding adjustments in bilateral relationships, particularly between big powers. As far as China is concerned, 2006 was a year of not only success in multilateral diplomacy, but also important breakthroughs in bilateral relationships with big powers.

First, the constructive relationship of cooperation between China and the United States took another step forward. Since former Chinese President Jiang Zemin and his U.S. counterpart George W. Bush made an agreement in October 2001 to develop a constructive relationship of cooperation between the two countries, in general, China-U.S. relationship has remained stable. In 2006, the relationship between the two countries reached new heights. Apart from his successful visit to the United States in April, President Hu Jintao had three meetings and five telephone conversations with President Bush, with important consensus being reached, that is, the two countries are not only stakeholders to each other but also constructive partners.

Second, the strategic partnership between China and Russia was deepened. Since the two countries decided to set up a "21st-century-oriented strategic partnership based on equality and mutual trust" in April 1996, China-Russia relationship has developed smoothly. In March 2006, President Vladimir Putin participated in the opening ceremony for the "Year of Russia" in China and in June, he attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Shanghai. In July, President Hu attended the G8 Outreach Session in Russia. Within the same year, the two presidents had five meetings. China successfully held the "Year of Russia," including eight state-level programs, together with 207 other events, which has greatly deepened the China-Russia relationship.

Third, China-Japan relationship was revived. Due to efforts of leaders of old generations, 1972 witnessed the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, followed by the China-Japan Peace and Friendship Treaty that was signed in1978. During President Jiang's visit to Japan in 1998, the two countries issued the China-Japan Joint Declaration, which helped push forward the bilateral friendly relationship of cooperation. However, in the past five years, former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's six visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, where 14 Class-A war criminals in World War II are worshipped, severely strained the bilateral relationship. After Shinzo Abe took power as Japanese prime minister, he paid a visit to China on October 8, 2006 at the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao and had talks with top Chinese leaders including President Hu. On November 18, President Hu held a second talk with Abe in Hanoi on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, where the Chinese head of state put forward "Five Proposals" to promote China-Japan relationship. From his part, Abe also expressed its willingness to build up a mutually beneficial relationship with China.

What are the reasons behind China's "all-round diplomacy" push and what achievements were made in this regard during 2006?

Current dramatic changes in the international arena and in international relationships have presented China with valuable opportunities to achieve a favorable external environment, while also posing new challenges. Therefore, we must set up and strengthen the concept of "all-round diplomacy" and try every effort to "build a peaceful and stable international environment, a good-neighborly surrounding environment, a cooperative environment based on equality and mutual benefit, a security environment featuring mutual trust and cooperation, and an environment of objective and friendly international public opinion through both official and other diplomatic channels." China's diplomatic push in 2006 contributed to outstanding achievements in building the "five favorable environments."