China´s foreign policy reflects emphasis on economy

Since China's opening-up and reform 30 years ago, the country, with its growing economy, has emerged from isolation and expanded its profile as an active player in the international arena.

With the financial crisis sweeps the world, China, one of the few countries which managed to keep its economy growing in 2008, seems to bear greater responsibility.

However, as its economy cooled to a seven-year low of 9 percent last year, China itself is struggling to cope with problems of slackening exports, rising unemployment and social uncertainties.

"Under the new situation, how should we make our foreign policy? This is a new task," State Councilor Dai Bingguo, also former vice foreign minister, said during the ongoing annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's legislative body.