BEUING. Dec 31: China, one of the world's oldest civilisations, is returning to the world stage in a giant man's pace after having experienced the ups and downs of the 20th century and will draw more attention with greater progress in a new century beginning tomorrow, reports Xinhua.

China was once a powerful country tn the orient. Before the Rome Empire crumbled and the western civilisation entered a long night of darkness, the Chinese civilisation was al Its height.

Westerners of the Medieval era were deeply impressed with Marco Polo's description of China being a great and proud nation where science was then highly developed, people led a prosperous life, knowledge was respected and management of state was orderly, which eventually prompted Vasco Da Gama (1469-1524). a Portuguese navigator, lo set sail for the country'.

However, the outcome xvas an unexpected catastrophe: the collision of civilisations ushered bruise-covered China In the 20th century.

Late Chinese historian Hu Sheng noted. 'The 20111 century Is a century when China suffered the most in Its history and is also a period of time when Chinese people began to make attempts In order to save China and prevent Chinese nation from extinction."

Hu also pointed out that It Is also a century China is full of hope.

A major turn for the better In China’s drive to rejuvenate the Chinese nation occurred in the 20th century. Marxism replaced Confucianism lo become

the most powerful ideological force in China, and its application lo China's actual situation helped the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1. 1949.

In the past 50 years, the Chinese nation, with a civilisation of 5,000 years, has once again risen in the world while the nation has achieved fantastic historical progress marked by sufficient grain supply to the nation, satellites orbiting In space, and Hong Kong and Macao's return to motherland.

The passing 20th century is an era featuring drastic accumulation of riches of mankind. China has drawn Ihe attention of economists around the world with its fast economic progress. In the past 50 years. China's average annual economic growth speed is two times and a half of that of the world's average.

In 2000, China is expected to stand In the seventh place In I he world in terms of gross economic volume and placed second In terms of foreign exchange reserves. Most of the Chinese people lead a better-offllfe and the 100-year dream of realising modernisation will soon become a reality.

China had been the world’s No 1 strong economic nation for 14 centuries and continued lo lead the world with its riches until Ihc first half of 19th century. It is said that China s return into die world stage is an Inevitable fact and China's takeoff In the new century will be even more splendid and fascinating.

The 20lh century Isa lime featuring globalisation tendency. China has changed from a complacent,

conservative and Isolated state Into an open one. Following its foreseeable accession into the World Trade Organisation, the leading position of China, with a population of 1.3 billion, in the world s economic setup will eventually be established.

Having fostered economic and trade relations with 227 countries and regions in the world. China is placed second In the world for six running years in terms of the Inflow of foreign direct Investment (FDI). and more than 200 out of the world's top 500 transnational corporations have settled down In China.

In opinion of Chinese economist Hu Angang. China has succeeded in a major cross-Century choice.

The 20th century Is an era of great changes for mankind, but the earth-shaking changes tn China are the most impressive. China has made unique contributions to socialist movement. Under the banner of socialism. China, the world’s third largest country In terms of territory, has nol only won Independence. but also successfully solved the problem of providing one fifth of the world's total population with enough to eat and wear. It has become stronger and stronger.

Foreign media comment that China's road serves world as a model. What happened In China this century are surely lo affect the pattern or world in the new millennium.

In the 20lh century, the mankind for the first lime mastered Ihe technologies to destroy Itself, and created (he form of world wars to push civilisation to the edge of extinction. China has on one hand

become one of the countries that suffered the most misery and mosl sacrifices, and on the other hand become one of Ure countries that have been fighting for Its independence and sovereignty and making benefits for mankind.

In the latter half of the 20th century, tire increasingly strong New China has upheld Justice in the world affairs, advocated peace and development in the multi-polar world, and has therefore been considered by foreign media as the factor of stability" and to "have changed the balance of force".

JI Xianlin, a Chinese scholar of culture, said: "At this moment, a great number of bewildered people once again turn their eyes lo the orient in a bld to find a way out In the old traditions featuring a harmony of ihe mankind and the nature, and human bel ngs' care for cu 11 u re."

China, which has been making efforts to put a brake on population growth, has taken sustainable development as a slate policy, and treated perfection of the spiritual world as the highest pursuit, xvlll draw more attention In the globe in Ihe new century.

The new century xvlll start a new page for the mankind. Some people predict that II will be an even complicated and confusing era. while others say It will lx-a time full of glory.

Many people expec t that rising of China will once again bring the world with encouraging tidings. Chinese sociologist Fei Xlaotong said "Maybe a home for rc-arrangemenl of Ihe future of the mankind will be found In Ulis fertile land that has nurtured the ancient Chinese civilisation."