On Sep. 15, 2011, the Symposium on "China's Peaceful Development" was held at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, Beijing. State Councilor Dai Bingguo attended the meeting and delivered a speech. There were about 200 participants including the representatives from related departments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, research institutions on international issues and people from different walks of life.

Dai said in his speech that peaceful development is a strategic choice made by China to realize modernization, make itself strong and prosperous, and it is an inevitable path taken by China to make greater contributions to the lasting peace and common prosperity of the world. Peaceful development is deeply rooted in China's historical and cultural traditions and is based on China's basic national conditions. The concept of peaceful development is formed in the successful practice of reform and opening up. Peaceful development also conforms to the trend of today's world. China also learns the lessons of history from the rise and fall of great powers. Sticking to the road of peaceful development has been uplifted as China's national will. It has been transformed into China's national development plans, policies and guidelines and has been implemented in the development process of China. It is a new and great exploration and practice in the history of human development for a country with a population more than one billion to take the path of peaceful development. China's peaceful development is an opportunity rather than a challenge for the world. China needs the understanding and support of the international community.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said in his speech that adhering to peaceful development has been deeply integrated into all aspects of China's diplomacy. No matter how the international situation changes, China will always hold high the banner of peace, development and cooperation and adhere to the foreign policies of safeguarding world peace and promoting common development. China will always pursue an independent foreign policy of peace, firmly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and insist on developing friendly cooperation with all countries on the basis of peaceful coexistence.

Scholars attending the symposium believed that China taking the road of peaceful development is not only consistent with the fundamental interests of the Chinese people, but also in line with the common interests of the people around the world. It will benefit not only the Chinese people but also the people around the world. China should unswervingly move along the road of peaceful development and work together with the international community to promote the building of a harmonious world with lasting peace and common prosperity.