Peace and development remain the principal themes in today's world, and the overall international security environment remains stable. But, uncertainties and destabilizing factors are on the increase, and new challenges and threats are continuously emerging. World peace and security face more opportunities than challenges. 21. {{U}}The world is at a critical stage, moving toward multi-polarity. Progress is expected in addressing the serious imbalances in the international strategic alignment. The major international forces compete with and hold each other in check. But, they also maintain coordination and practical cooperation in their mutual relationships, and draw on each other's strengths.{{/U}} Some major developing countries and regional groupings have grown in power, and the developing world as a whole is becoming stronger. 22. {{U}}Economic globalization accelerates and science and technology make rapid progress; there are profound changes in the international division of labor, global and regional economic cooperation is being vigorously promoted, leading to increasing interdependence among countries. More dialogues are being conducted on traditional security issues, and cooperation in non-traditional security fields is developing in depth.{{/U}} To address development and security issues through coordination, cooperation and multilateral mechanism is the preferred approach of the international community. The United Nations' status and role in world affairs are being upheld and strengthened. World wars or all-out confrontation between major countries are avoidable for the foreseeable future.
The international community is increasingly facing comprehensive, diverse and complex security threats. The world is not yet peaceful. 23. {{U}}Political, economic and security problems and geographical, ethnic and religious contradictions are interconnected and complex. Hegemonies and power politics remain key factors undermining international security. Non- traditional security threats present greater danger, and local turmoil caused by war is on and off, and some hotspots cannot be removed in a short time.{{/U}} The impact of economic globalization is spreading into the political, security and social fields. Global economic development is uneven, and the gap between the North and the South is widening. 24. {{U}}Security issues related to energy, resources, finance, information and international shipping routes are mounting. International terrorist forces remain active, shocking terrorist acts keep occurring. Natural disasters, serious communicable diseases, environmental degradation, international crime and other transnational problems are becoming more damaging in nature.{{/U}}