(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-12-29 19:44

BEIJING -- A Chinese expert in international security reiterated opposition to "Taiwan independence" on Saturday.

"We will continue to try our best with the utmost sincerity to realize peaceful reunification, but we will by no means tolerate 'Taiwan independence' or allow anyone to separate Taiwan from China in any name or in any form," said Xiong Guangkai, chairman of the China Institute for International Strategic Studies (CIISS), at the institute's annual conference.

Despite security threats emerging around the world, China in the main had enjoyed positive development of its international policies, Xiong said in reviewing the international situation in 2007.

Xiong said that in the past year, China further adjusted its relationship with the United States, Russia, Japan and the European Union. Meanwhile, China had improved ties with its neighbors and strengthened relations with developing countries.

In the international arena, China built its image as a responsible country. Xiong said China had taken part in 18 peace-keeping missions of the United Nations by the end of November. China had dispatched 9,040 military personnel to take part in UN peace-keeping missions and was the country that sent the most peace-keepers among the five permanent members of the Security Council, Xiong said.

More than 150 retired  generals, diplomats and experts attended the CIISS annual conference.