Peking University. Beijing. May 24, 2009: On May 19, 2010, former State Councilor and Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan arrived at Peking University to congratulate the department of Political Science (the precursor of School of International Studies, Peking University) on their 50th anniversary, where he met and had a discussion with teachers and students from School of International Studies. He also delivered an excellent speech on current international situations to teachers and students of Peking University.

Tang first arrived at the International Studies Building A at 9 a.m. and congratulated the Department of Politics as one of Peking University alumni. A cordial discussion was then held with leaders, faculties and alumni of School of International Studies. Wu Zhipan, standing vice president of School of International Studies, and other former school leaders were present.

At 9:30, Tang Jiaxuan headed for the Office Building to give a lecture reporting on international situations. The lecture was aimed at three major aspects, namely the analysis of current international situations, China’s international position and its diplomatic principles, and current diplomatic work.

Tang Jiaxuan pointed out the world is stepping into a whole new stage of massive revolutions, thanks to the large-scaled and highly intense global financial crisis that dated back to 2008. Despite the signs of recovering, which have been seen in major economic entities, the uncertainty remains for the subsidence of crisis so that the basis for the economy to turn better is fairly weak. The financial crisis has brought about major revolutions in the way the economy develops, growth of new industries, intensified strategic planning in each country as well as its adjustment of the economic structures. At the same time, the reform of international financial system has also been pushed forward, with the enhanced voice of developing countries in G20 and Word Bank being an important step toward more just and efficient global economy management mechanism.

He also maintained that the way to cope with relations with Western powers has become a super important issue with the beginning of China’s higher growth rate compared to that of developed countries. For the time being, the situation of “one super strong country with many solid ones; the West stronger than the East and the North stronger than the South” will remain for quite a period of time and relations between powers will turn more complicated. Though Asia is rising up in position globally, the fundamental state hasn’t changed in this area. We are still facing greater opportunities than challenges.

Judging from the current international situation, Tang Jiaxuan held that China should long hold the policy of “keeping a low profile, and actively doing something” to avoid being blinded by feelings of “getting pompous before becoming wealthy” so that we won’t get ourselves into troubles of important international affairs. When it came to relations with major powers, he analyzed the principles and approaches of coping with Sino-U.S., Sino-Japanese and Sino-Russian diplomatic issues respectively.

A Q&A session followed the lecture, which covered hot issues such as President Obama visiting China and the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.