The Chinese public had a rare opportunity this afternoon to discuss China's foreign policy with Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing. Thanks to the spread of the Internet, netizens throughout the world had the opportunity to take part in a 2-hour real-time Q&A with the Minister.

It was Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing's first Internet discussion with the public since he took office early this year. Though he was confronted with some tough questioning, the Minister seemed to feel at ease.

The issues ranged from Iraq, Taiwan, the DPRK nuclear issue, and China's relations with the US, Japan, Russia, and Europe.

On China's general foreign policy, the Minister said it is tailored to China's development needs.

The Minister said, "What our country and our people need is very simple. To develop, we need a peaceful environment and more friends. This is also in the interest of people around the world."

Some Chinese netizens were critical, saying China is not aggressive enough in the world arena. The Minister explained that China's foreign policy stems from the country's own interests, and it's appropriate for its current situation.

"Keeping a low profile is closely connected with the international environment and China's status in the world. China is developing very fast. But in terms of its per capital GDP, it's a less-developed country. So we cannot lead the world, neither are we qualified to be a world leader." Li said.

On Sino-US relations, the Minister said Premier Wen Jiabao's recent trip to the United States has helped clear away many misunderstandings between the two countries. But he reaffirmed that the One China Policy and the 3 Joint Communiques serve as the political basis for the stable development of bilateral relations. And he hoped the United States would play a positive role in China's process of reunification.

"Solving the Taiwan issue mainly depends on us, ourselves. However, the current cross-straits relations are strongly connected to US policy. It was the US who supported the Kuomintang in China's Civil War. And in the 50s, it stationed troops in Taiwan. Now it still sells high-quality weapons to Taiwan. We hope the United States will abide by the Three Joint Communiques and contribute more to the unification of China," Li added.

As to the reconstruction of Iraq, the Foreign Minister said China has the chance to be involved in the program. He noted that China has promised to provide aid to the Iraqi people out of humanitarian concern, and China's legal interests in Iraq should be respected.

(CCTV December 25, 2003)