China to stick to peaceful development

By ( Xinhua )

Updated: 2013-09-28

China to stick to peaceful development

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivers a speech at the general debate of the 68th UN General Assembly, Sept 27, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua] 

UNITED NATIONS - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday reaffirmed China's commitment to pursuing peaceful development, dispersing concerns that a stronger and more prosperous China might seek hegemony.

"As China has enjoyed fast development over the years, some people are concerned that China may repeat the beaten track that a country will inevitably become arrogant and seek hegemony when it grows in strength and becomes powerful; and various versions of China threat have surfaced," Wang said in his speech at the general debate of the 68th UN General Assembly, which entered its fourth day here Friday.

Highlights of FM's speech at UN:

China to stick to peaceful development China to firmly fulfill due int'l responsibilities, obligations

China to stick to peaceful development China to advance reform, opening up, sustainable development

China to stick to peaceful development China to stick to peaceful development

China to stick to peaceful development China calls for greater voice of developing countries in global governance system

China to stick to peaceful developmentChina urges early adoption of UN resolution on Syria's chemical weapons

"However, what happened in the past cannot be applied indiscriminately to today's China," he noted. "China will stay firmly on the path of peaceful development."

Wang recalled that nearly 40 years ago, it was on this podium that Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping solemnly declared on behalf of the Chinese government that China would never seek hegemony in the world.

"Today, his statement remains our unchanging commitment and conviction. China has and will continue to honor its promise and be a staunch force for upholding world peace," he said, calling on all other countries to embark on the same path.

Since the beginning of the reform and opening up in late 1970s, China has become increasingly interdependent with the global economy and integrated into the international system.

"We are committed to working with others to establish a new type of international relations based on win-win cooperation and seek peaceful resolution of international and regional disputes," Wang said.

On China's disputes with some countries over territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, the foreign minister said Beijing sincerely hopes to resolve them properly through negotiation and consultations with countries directly involved.

And those disputes that cannot be resolved now should be shelved for future solution, he added.

"This is our consistent position and practice," the minister stressed. "On the other hand, we will, under whatever circumstances, firmly safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and resolutely uphold China's legitimate and lawful rights and interests."

Schedule

President Xi to visit Indonesia, Malaysia, attend APEC summit

Oct 2 to 3: Pay State Visit to Indonesia

Oct 4 to 5: Pay State Visit to Malaysia

Oct 6 to 8: Attend the 21st economic leaders' meeting of APEC forum and meet with global leaders in Bali, Indonesia