Editor＇s Note：

We are glad to announce that as from 2009, China International Studies is published bi-monthly so as to keep up with the fast-changing international situation. We shall continue to present to our readers insightful views and in-depth analysis on topics and issues that are of interest to our readers.     

Editor＇s Note

We are glad to announce that as from 2009, China International Studies is published bi-monthly so as to keep up with the fast-changing international situation. We shall continue to present to our readers insightful views and in-depth analysis on topics and issues that are of interest to our readers.     

Editor＇s Note

We are glad to announce that as from 2009, China International Studies is published bi-monthly so as to keep up with the fast-changing international situation. We shall continue to present to our readers insightful views and in-depth analysis on topics and issues that are of interest to our readers.     

Editor＇s Note

We are glad to announce that as from 2009,China International Studies is published bi-monthly so as to keep up with the fast-changing international situation.We shall continue to present to our readers insightful views and in-depth analysis on topics and issues that are of interest to our readers.     

To Our Readers

Contemporary International Relations, the English journal published by China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, is now 15 years old. Since its conception as the first Chinese journal in English covering the field of international relations, it has presented to our readers numerous articles written by the research fellows of our institutes on the subjects of international affairs, international relations, and international relations theories. We have received numerous letters of encouragement and positive comments. We have also gotten letters in which our readers have given their opinions on what they would like to see in this journal. Some readers pointed out to us the mistakes in the translation. Other readers noted the occasional delay in delivery or even missing issues. We are grateful to those who have always supported us. We also feel the need to improve for those who have not been totally satisfied with our journal.     

To our Readers

Contemporary International Relations, the English journal published by China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, is now 15 years old. Since its conception as the first Chinese journal in English covering the field of international relations, it has presented to our readers numerous articles written by the research fellows of our institutes on the subjects of international affairs, international relations, and international relations theories. We have received numerous letters of encouragement and positive comments. We have also gotten letters in which our readers have given their opinions on what they would like to see in this journal. Some readers pointed out to us the mistakes in the translation. Other readers noted the occasional delay in delivery or even missing issues. We are grateful to those who have always supported us. We also feel the need to improve for those who have not been totally satisfied with our journal.     

Happy New Year to Our Readers and Greetings to China International Studies

Editors' Note: The New Year approaches as we greet the first anniversary of China International Studies. Availing ourselves of this opportunity, we sincerely wish our readers a happy and prosperous New Year! China International Studies began its publication last December. Since its inception, various think-tanks and institutions of higher learning both at home and abroad as well as Chinese embassies in foreign countries and foreign embassies in Beijing have offered it great support. Many readers wrote to us giving their encouragement on this new-born publication. We are carrying some of the messages in this issue to express our deep appreciation. Articles in this issue are mainly on the Middle East situation, the Iran nuclear issue, China-EU relations, China-India relations and China's peaceful diplomacy. We are also publishing a paper by a foreign scholar for the first time.     

To Our Readers

In order to provide our readers with a better service and after making a poll to some of our readers, we decide to make some changes on this journal, which many of our readers have been familiar with for years and have given their supports to in various ways.     

Changes in the Features of Major Contradictions

Immediately after humanity entered the new century,the worldseems somewhat a bit turbulent because of the following events.First are the September 11 events,which were followed by U.S.militaryattacks against Afghanistan.Last year witnessed the continuity of Arab-Israel conflicts in the Middle East,and at the very beginning of the newyear,the United States dispatched warships to the Persian Gulf for a“war to topple the Saddam regime”.The Democratic People's Republicof Korea(DPRK)suddenly declared that it has decided to withdraw fromthe Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty just after Iraq stated that it wasdetermined to resist the United States.Whither the world in the new year?This is a question that all of the academic circles on international relationsare trying to answer.To this end,on January 9,2002,we speciallyinvited Lu Zhongwei,Research Professor and President of China Instituteof Contemporary International Relations and some other experts oninternational relations from the institute to hold a symposium with the theme“Prospect on World Trend 2003.”Now we present their discussions as anew-year gift to our readers who are always in support of our journal.Wehope this would do a bit for their mastery of international situation.     

Feedback Opinions and Suggestions from Readers at Home and Abroad

To build a bridge between editors and readers and improve the editorial equality of International Understanding, Asking for Opinions and Suggestions was issued by our editorial office last December; we have received active responce from our readers at home and abroad. Many officials from foreign embassies in Beijing have offered high appreciation, they hold that International Understanding is a window open to mutual understanding between China and the rest of the World. An Australian reade…     

Nuclear Proliferation in the Post-Cold War Era

Nuclear weapons look set to stay with us, fulfilling as they do a different role from that of conventional weapons, in terms of their deadly potential for massive destruction. Indeed, nuclear weapons served as a stabilizing force during the hostile Cold War period. Sine the end of the Cold War, our world has undergone huge changes. Relative peace continues to be maintained on the basis of the logic of a ＂balance of terror＂, but the nuclear cloud hanging over human beings has never quite left us. Both the U.S. and Russia retain large nuclear arsenals, and a significant number of state and non-state actors on the stage of world politics continue to show interest in this lethal weapon. So-called ＂nuclear crises＂ flare up and test the wodd＇s nerves every now and again, and with some major nuclear powers continuing to make adjustments to their nuclear policies, the world nuclear proliferation position appears to be undergoing significant and profound change and transformation. In this article the author intends to help readers to become acquainted with the nuclear status quo as well as the characteristics of post-Cold War nuclear proliferation. The author also aims to help readers to understand the causes of the post-Cold War nuclear proliferation.     

Keep to the Original Aspiration to Achieve Greater Success: New Year Message for 2017

<正>Spring is a time of renewal and growth.In the springtime of 2017,I would like to extend,on behalf of the Chinese Association for International Understanding(CAFIU),our New Year message to Chinese and overseas readers,as well as people from all walks of life who have been supportive to the work and development of CAFIU.     

The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and the Development of Democracy in Africa

The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung （FES） started to work in over 20 countries in Africa since their independence. To promote democracy has always been the focus of our work in Africa. We believe that democracy is the important and necessary precondition for the sustainable development of mankind. And we are fully aware that there is still no blue print for democracy in Africa.     

New Security Situation after “9·11” Incident──Views of a Chinese Scholar

4 months have passed since the September 11 incident. If our world really intends to reflect upon the incident, then what should come into our minds? In my opinion, there are five points to consider:Firstly, should the international pattern be one that is dominated by one country, or should we admit and take an active attitude to push forward the process of multi-polarization? The ending of the Cold War serves as a rare opportunity to get rid of the situation of hegemony confrontation and the…     

Prospect on the World Trend 2005 （II）

Since the“Forecasting the World Scene in2003”and“Forecasting the World Scene in2004”were published inthe last two years,we have received surprisingly heartyrepercussions from our readers.Though diversified,mostresponses are affirmative,appreciative and inspiring.They havestrengthened our confidence and brought us pressure too.Indeed,it is by no means easy to abstract the trends of the ever-changingworld,no wonder scholars of international studies frequently sighwith bewilderment in seein…     

To Our Readers

Contemporary International Relations, the English journal published by China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, is now 15 years old. Since its conception as the first Chinese journal in English covering the field of international relations, it has presented to our readers numerous articles written by the research fellows of our institutes on the subjects of international affairs, international relations, and international relations theories.     

WORLD POLITICS

At the beginning of the year, the editorial staff of this journalinvited some of the senior research professors of China Institute of Con-temporary International Relations to a pen-discussion to express theirviews on the world's political, economic and security prospects in 1997.We hope their analyses would be of some interests to our readers. As al-ways, the views they expressed here do not necessarily represent the viewsof China Institute of Contemporary International Relations.     

To Our Readers

Contemporary International Relations, the English journal published by China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, is now 15 years old. Since its conception as the first Chinese journal in English covering the field of international relations, it has presented to our readers numerous articles written by the research fellows of our institutes on the subjects of international affairs, international relations, and international relations theories.     

Prospect on the World Trend 2005 （I）

s ince the " Forecasting the World Scene in 2003 " and "Forecasting the World Scene in 2004" were published in the last two years, we have received surprisingly hearty repercussions from our readers. Though diversified, most responses are affirmative, appreciative and inspiring. They have strengthened our confidence and brought us pressure too. Indeed, it is by no means easy to abstract the trends of the ever-changing world, no wonder scholars of international studies frequently sigh with be…     

CPC Statements and Decisions on National Security

Since 1982, the Communist Party of China （CPC） Central Committee has gradually deepened and extended its understanding of national security issues, and expanded this from the more traditional fields into a range of non-traditional fields as well. This can be seen in important documents such as the reports of the 14th ,15th, 16th and 17th National Congress of the CPC and the Decisions of the 4th and 6th Plenary Sessions of the 16th CPC Central Committee and the 3rd Plenary Session of the 17th CPC Central Committee. The CPC Central Committee has also decided that ＂with the understanding that the causes of traditional and non-traditional security threats are interrelated, we will strive to improve awareness of and strategies for national security, ＇accelerating＇ and ＇enhancing＇ the creation of a scientific, coordinated and efficient mechanisms for safeguarding national security. We will also strive to incorporate the influential Decisions on national security into our specific areas of work, including ＇the Party＇s governance capacity＇, ＇building a harmonious society＇ and ＇rural reform and development＇ and so on.＂