China is committed to path of peaceful development

Fifth, China's declaration of peaceful development is not mere lip service or empty talk. It is a choice supported by firm political policies and strategies. China means what it says. It is there for the world to see that peaceful development has been translated into a strong commitment of the Party, the country and the entire Chinese people. It is manifest in China's domestic and foreign policies as well as strategies for national development. It is also reflected in the progress made in China's development and external relations. The White Paper is not a product of impulsive decision. Rather, it is based on the 12th Five-Year Plan for China's Economic and Social Development and other important documents released by the CPC and the state. It elaborates on China's strategic intentions for future development and ways to achieve the goal. It explains the guiding principles for China in handling international affairs and international relations and China's perspective on the world, on world order, on cooperation and on responsibility in an age of globalization. It also pictures China's hope for the future of the world. The decision to take the path of peaceful development has been made by combining China's domestic and foreign strategies. Domestically, China strives for harmony, development and the realization of initial prosperity that benefits the entire Chinese people. Externally, China pursues peace and cooperation and endeavors to build a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity. China's domestic and foreign strategies are interconnected and reinforce each other.

Sixth, China's exploration and practice of following the path of peaceful development has not come to an end. Rather, it will be a never-ending process of constant exploration and improvement. The world is undergoing unprecedented changes and is developing by leaps and bounds. Whatever ideology, system, model or path must be tested by the times and keep abreast of the times. Countries around the world have all felt the need to once again come to know the times we live in, and to ponder on and make adjustment to their respective paths and models of development. National realities and development stages of different countries vary greatly, and there is no universally applicable path or model that can stay unchanged. China's development path is based on its own national conditions. It is the result of long-term and gradual exploration and practice and of learning from others' experience and lessons. It is not to be copied or exported to other countries. China knows how hard it is to realize reform and development in a populous country with complex national conditions. To follow the path of peaceful development is a long-term, arduous and complex task for China. We must increase understanding of new situations, solve new problems, sum up new experience and try our best to improve our path of peaceful development. And we must pay special attention to learning from and absorbing various advanced concepts and experience of development. We Chinese are not gods. We cannot possibly render all things perfect as we move along the path of peaceful development. We therefore welcome all friendly suggestions, useful exchanges and well-intentioned criticism.