To enhance the understanding of Chinese and overseas readers on China＇s diplomacy, China＇s Foreign Affairs(MFA), written by various departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and edited by the Department of Policy Planning of MFA, is published annually by the World Affairs Press both at home and abroad. China＇s Foreign Affairs aims at accurately and comprehensively presenting China＇s foreign policies and its latest perspectives on the evolving international situation, and giving a systematic and full elaboration on China＇s external relations in the past year. The 2004 edition of China＇s Foreign Affairs focuses mainly on the country＇s diplomatic activities in 2003, with a number of chapters or sections providing brief background information on some historical events. For the first time, a full English version is published to cater to the needs of readers both at home and abroad. This edition of China＇s Foreign Affairs has seven chapters. Chapters 1 and 2 outline the prevailing international situation as China sees it and provide a summary of China＇s diplomatic work in 2003. Chapter 3 is devoted to China＇s relations with countries having diplomatic ties with China in 2003. The countries are listed in alphabetic order. Chapter 4 deals with China＇s interactions with international and regional organizations and its positions and views on relevant issues in 2003. Chapter 5 briefs readers on China＇s diplomatic work in the area of international treaties and laws in 2003. Chapter 6 is about China＇s diplomatic work in the area of the press and information in 2003. Chapter 7 handles China＇s diplomatic work in consular affairs in 2003. Attached in the book are the chronicle of China＇s major diplomatic activities in 2003 and important diplomatic literature. The appendixes of the English edition are attached near the end, which include the Ministry＇s organizational structure, the name-list of the Ministry＇s leadership in 2003, the table showing countries with diplomatic ties with China, dates of establishing diplomatic ties and names of Chinese ambassadors in 2003, the table showing China＇s permanent missions to the UN and Chinese permanent representatives in 2003, the table about the mutual establishment of consular agencies in China and foreign countries, the table showing visa-free agreements signed by China and foreign countries, the table of consular treaties (agreements) signed by China and foreign countries, the table of international conventions on which China adopted actions in 2003, the table showing trade volumes between China and countries with diplomatic ties with China, and the table about foreign students that China received in 2003 from countries having diplomatic ties with China.
