China's foreign minister Li Zhaoxing answered questions from China's netizens yesterday in an online forum via the Foreign Ministry's website. The unprecented and open dialogue fielded questions such as "Are there any shortcomings in China's current diplomacy?" and "Will China participate in the reconstruction of Iraq?"
The 105-minute-long online dialogue was arranged at the request of the public, ministry sources said.
Xinhua News Agency quotes Professor Shi Yinhong of the School of International Relations of Beijing's People's University: "The public will have a more significant influence on China's diplomacy as they are motivated by this fast-changing world."