On Dec. 1, 2010, the First Lanting Forum with the theme "the Situation in the Asia Pacific and China's Policy" was held in the south tower of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There were over 180 participants attending the forum, including Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, over 70 diplomatic envoys from foreign embassies and representatives from international organizations, China-based foreign business leaders, experts, scholars, Chinese and foreign journalists. The forum was hosted by China Institute of International Studies (CIIS) and moderated by President Qu Xing of CIIS.

Foreign Minister Yang delivered a keynote speech titled "Shape the Future of Asia Pacific with Confidence and Cooperation". He reviewed the development path of the Asia Pacific since the 21st century, and the experiences and revelations drawn from this process. He also raised suggestions and propositions on the future cooperation of the Asia Pacific. He said, in the past ten years, the status of the Asia Pacific in the global architecture has continued to rise. Asia's growth momentum has never been stronger. China's relationship with the Asia Pacific has never been closer. Despite the various problems and challenges, peace, stability, cooperation and development represent the shared aspiration of the people and the trend of the times. The Asia Pacific is transforming into a dynamic, vibrant and promising region.

Yang summed up four important revelations drawn from the development of the Asia Pacific. First, cooperation is the basis. A new vision of unity and cooperation for mutual benefit must be fostered. Second, development is the key. Challenges should be addressed through common development. Third, a new security concept is the guarantee. A new security concept featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and coordination must be fostered. Countries in the region should act in a way that contributes to regional stability, mutual trust and unity. Fourth, respect for diversity is the premise. Countries in the region need to adhere to diversified and common development and build the Asia Pacific into a community in which diverse nations and cultures live in peace and friendship.

Yang said China is willing to work together with other Asia Pacific countries to enhance cooperation, meet challenges and promote world peace and development. Countries in the region should continue to work in a spirit of unity to ensure strong, sustainable and balanced growth of the world economy. Countries in the region should enhance multilateral cooperation to address global challenges such as climate change, disaster prevention and relief and combating terrorism. The international community should further deepen the reform of the international system. The voice and representation of developing countries in the system should be increased. Countries in the region should strive to uphold international and regional peace and stability. The international community should work actively and appropriately to ease tensions and resolve these issues. The international community should enhance mutual learning among civilizations and promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges and enhance public support for the growth of all-round cooperation.

Yang concluded, as long as they are resolved to work hand in hand, countries in the Asia Pacific will seize the opportunities, meet the challenges, and open up a new avenue for countries with different cultures and growth models to live in harmony and achieve win-win progress. Together the countries in the Asia Pacific will create an even brighter future.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also answered questions concerning the important significance of the Twelfth Five-Year Plan to the economic and trade cooperation and economic development in the Asia Pacific, China's role in safeguarding peace and stability in the Asia Pacific, the situation on the Korean Peninsula, China-U.S. cooperation in the Asia Pacific and other aspects.

Ambassador Ma Zhengang, Chairman of CSCAP (Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific) China, presided over the subsequent expert workshop. Qin Yaqing, Executive Vice President of China Foreign Affairs University, Yuan Peng, Director of the Institute of American Studies, China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), Liu Guchang, Vice President of China Foundation for International Studies. Liu Jiangyong, Professor at the Institute of International Studies, Tsinghua University, and Yu Shaohua, Researcher at China Institute of International Studies, delivered thematic speeches respectively on the Asia Pacific regional architecture, Sino-U.S. relations, Sino-Russian relations, Sino-Japanese relations and the situation in Northeast Asia. They also interacted with the audience.

Lanting Forum aims at providing a new platform of communication and exchanges for relevant government departments, the international community and social groups to discuss the international situation and China's foreign policy and pool the wisdom of different communities. Lanting Forum will be held regularly at Lanting in the south tower of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It will be hosted by academic and research institutions and relevant provinces.