China's rise is peaceful, Xi Jinping tells foreign experts
The nation's progress 'is absolutely not a challenge or threat to other countries', vice-president tells foreign delegation
The new Communist Party general secretary, Xi Jinping, assured foreign experts in Beijing yesterday that China was not seeking hegemony and would continue to open up to the world.
Xi made the remarks during a meeting with 20 experts from 16 countries at the Great Hall of the People, his first meeting with foreign visitors since his appointment.
"China is following a path of peaceful development," Xi told the experts, who are all working in China.
He added that the country's progress was not detrimental to other countries. China's development "is absolutely not a challenge or threat to other countries. China will not seek hegemony or expansionism," Xi said.
The remarks come amid rising tensions between China and its neighbours over territorial disputes in the East China and South China seas, and increasing rivalry with the United States in the Asia-Pacific region.
Xi attributed China's "tremendous" success to opening up to the world, a policy initiated by the late paramount leader Deng Xiaoping more than three decades ago.
He reassured his audience that it would remain China's policy.