China will never seek hegemony, says Foreign Minister

BEIJING - China will never seek hegemony, expansion or sphere of influence, or engage in a war race, but will remain a defender of world peace, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said on Tuesday.

Qin gave a keynote speech at the Lanting Forum on the Global Security Initiative: China's Proposal for Solving Security Challenges, during which China released The Global Security Initiative Concept Paper. The GSI has been warmly received by the international community upon its introduction, because it embodies the core tenets in the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind. Over 80 countries and regional organizations have expressed their appreciation and support, said Qin.

The Global Security Initiative Concept Paper details the core ideas and principles of the GSI, identifies the priorities, platforms and mechanisms of cooperation and shows China's sense of responsibility for safeguarding world peace and firm resolve to defend global security, Qin said.

He said that the 20 priorities of cooperation set out in the concept paper could be summarized as upholding the UN's central role in security governance, promoting coordination and sound interactions among major countries, tackling traditional and non-traditional security challenges and strengthening the system and capacity for global security governance.

He added that the GSI is rooted in the fine traditional Chinese culture that values peace above everything else, and is inspired by China's independent foreign policy of peace and its practices.

China has never started a war or conflict, or taken a single inch of foreign land. China remains the only country with the commitment to peaceful development in its Constitution, and that it will never seek hegemony, expansion or influence, or engage in arms race, but it will be a defender of world peace, he said.

Qin said that security is a right for all countries. It is not a prerogative of some, nor should it be decided by any individual country. The GSI wants to protect the interests of all and to serve the interests of all. The international community needs to work together to achieve its goals. READ MORE: China will never seek hegemony, engage in expansionism''

On the full escalation of the Ukraine crisis, Qin said China will continue to promote peace talks, contribute its ideas for a political settlement of the crisis, and join the international community to promote dialogue and consultation, address the concerns of all parties and seek common security.

We urge certain countries to stop shifting blame to China, stop saying 'Ukraine today, Taiwan tomorrow, and stop touting ''Ukraine today, tomorrow, he said.