Liu, who is also one of China's Foreign Ministry spokesmen, said this in this article written after attending the New Year reception hosted by Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing for some 400 foreign diplomats and Chinese officials on Dec. 30.

Liu said that he told correspondents at a press conference at the end of last year that the main feature of China's diplomacy in2005 was"harmony" when asked to make a comment on China's diplomatic work for the year.

Quoting Chinese President Hu Jintao's famous remarks during his several foreign tours last year that China's development is characterized by peace, openness and cooperation, Liu said that China would stick to its own path by seeking harmonious development at home and promoting peace and cooperation abroad.

Peaceful development, mutual benefit, equality and respect, openness and magnanimousness have become the keywords of China's diplomacy, he said.

He added that the international situation continues to ease off, but uncertainties still exist.

Relations among major powers keep improving with the world moving towards multi-polarization, the economy towards globalization and the regions towards integration, he added.

China's relations with major powers including the United States, Russia and the European Union have been growing steadily, Liu said, adding that China's relations with its neighbors have witnessed"unprecedented progress" and the friendship and cooperation with other developing countries have been deepening steadily as well. Enditem