China praises a year of living diplomatically

Beijing, Dec 31: China gave itself a pat on the back today forits work in 2006 trying to resolve the Iranian and North Korean nuclearcrises and said it was a good friend to the world.

Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said China's path of harmonious development was to develop China through safeguarding world peace.

''In the past year, China has played a constructive role in manymajor international and regional issues, such as the Korean peninsularnuclear issue and the Iranian nuclear issue,'' Li said in an interviewwith Xinhua news agency.

''China has proved through action that she is a good friend andpartner of the world people.'' China has hosted several rounds ofsix-party talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear ambitions. Thelatest talks ended in stalemate this month.

China has also consistently urged a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear standoff with the West.

''More and more countries have recognised that China's developmentis peaceful, open, cooperative and harmonious development, and China isa staunch force in safeguarding world peace and promoting commonprosperity,'' Li was quoted as saying.

Reuters