Chinese president: China to continue along path of peaceful development

TOKYO, May 8 (Xinhua) -- China will continue to progress along the path of peaceful development, which is a strategic choice made by the Chinese government and people, visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao said here Thursday.

China firmly adheres to its independent foreign policy of peace and the mutually beneficial strategy of opening-up, and devotes itself to promoting democratization in international relations and pushing forward economic globalization toward the goal of balanced, universal benefit and all-win results, Hu said in his speech at Waseda University.

China is also committed to boosting exchange between different civilizations, carefully nurturing the Earth, which is our indispensable homeland, joining hands with all other countries to share development opportunities and embrace risks as well as challenges, and promoting the creation of a harmonious world with everlasting peace and common prosperity, the Chinese president said.

China abides by its defensive national defense policies, and will not join any arms race or become a military threat to any other country, said Hu, asserting that: "China will never seek hegemony or territorial expansion."

The traditionally friendly ties between China and Japan were seriously damaged by Japan's imperialistic invasion of China, which lasted from the 1930s to 1940s, Hu said.

President Hu arrived here Tuesday for a five-day visit to Japan, the first by a Chinese head of state in a decade.

TOKYO, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao said here Wednesday that prospects lie ahead for China and Japan to resolve the issue of joint exploration of oil and natural gas resources in the East China Sea.

Hu made the remarks during a joint press briefing with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda following their official talks around noon. Full story

TOKYO, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao Wednesday met here separately with leaders and representatives of Japan's major political parties.

During the talks, President Hu said that China and Japan, as close neighbors and major powers in Asia and in the world at large, share vast common interests in international affairs and shoulder common responsibility in promoting regional and world peace and development. Full story

TOKYO, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda held talks here Wednesday to seek for new prospects for the two countries' strategic and mutually beneficial relations.

Hu is on a five-day state visit to Japan, the first to the country by China's head of state in a decade. Full story

TOKYO, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda agreed Wednesday to establish a mechanism for a regular exchange of visits between leaders of the two countries in an effort to enhance bilateral ties.