China not seeking expansion – Xi

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday said China won’t pursue an expansionist strategy nor establish a hegemony, at the opening of the national congress of the Communist Party of China.

In a report at the opening of the 19th party congress, continue to uphold its fundamental foreign policy goal friendship and cooperation with other countries.

China will continue to respect the rights of the

people of all countries to choose their own development paths and uphold international fairness and justice, he said.

But it will oppose countries that impose its will on others, as well as the practice of the “strong bullying the weak.”

“China will never pursue development at the expense of others’ interest, but nor will China ever give up its legitimate rights and interests. No one should expect China to swallow anything that undermines its interest,” the Chinese leader said.

“China’s development does not pose a threat to any other country. No matter what the stage of development it reaches. China will never seek hegemony or engage in expansion,” Xi added.

Xi said the China would enhance cooperation with other countries on the basis of five principles: mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, peaceful coexistence.

“The world is undergoing major developments, transformation and adjustment, but peace and development remain the call of our day,” the Chinese president said in a speech that lasted for three and a half hours.

Amid changes in the global governance system and the international order, where countries are becoming increasingly interconnected and interdependent, the world still faces uncertainties and destabilizing factors, he said.

Xi cited sluggish economic growth, the widening gap between the rich and the poor, terrorism, cyber-insecurity and climate change as among the common challenges being face by all nations.