China's defense modernization is aimed at safeguarding her peaceful development and the country will never seek hegemony, China's top military officer said Wednesday.

General Guo Boxiong, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission (CMC), made the remarks during a speech delivered at the U.S. National Defense University.

Guo said China's efforts in advancing defense modernization is a natural need for shielding her peaceful development, which cannot be achieved without security safeguards.

He said China's defense modernization not only meets the need to protect her peaceful development and interests, but also helps to maintain peace and stability in her region and the world as a whole.

The general noted that China adopts a defensive defense policy and will never seek hegemony.

Peaceful development is a natural choice for China based on her historical traditions, national realities and the trend of the time, he said.

Following the path of peaceful development is an inevitable requirement for China to realize her modernization goals and it is deeply rooted in her culture and history, in accordance with the trend of the time and the right direction of human society, Guo said.

The armed forces of the United States and China share a common objective of enhancing exchange and cooperation, he said.

The two militaries also share common strategic interests in a wide range of areas including fighting terrorism, preventing proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, protecting ecological environment and cracking down on transnational crimes, said the general.

After the speech, Guo exchanged gifts with Frances C. Wilson, president of the U.S. National Defense University.

Among Guo's gifts for Wilson is a copy of a thank-you letter written by a former U.S. pilot rescued by Chinese civilians and soldiers during World War II.

Guo arrived in Washington Monday night and met separately with U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Tuesday.