Question: As China enjoys sustained and rapid growth and gains in national strength, China's neighbors have naturally shown doubts and concerns about whether China will seek hegemony once it gets strong. What is the foreign policy of the new Chinese government towards China's neighbors? And what is your view on deepening East Asia cooperation?

Answer: It is understandable that such questions are raised. In the history of international relations, there are quite a few stories of big powers vying for hegemony. We therefore understand the concerns of our neighbors, for, after all, China is, in all measures, a major country in Asia.

However, time has changed. In the 21st century, the trend toward peace and development has gained momentum. China has developed in such a peaceful environment and is heading toward national renewal in a peaceful way. We have no reason to change our path of peaceful development. China's cultural values uphold the principle of "not doing to others what you don't want others to do to you". Like many other Asian countries, China suffered deeply from the colonial rule and invasion of Western powers. Since the founding of New China, China has firmly adhered to the policy of opposing hegemonism and power politics. The Chinese nation has no such tradition as seeking hegemony or expansion. And in the past several thousand years, the Chinese nation has developed such philosophy as treating your neighbors amicably, valuing peace above anything else and cherishing harmony in diversity. They constitute the historical foundation for China's policy of building friendship and partnership with its neighbors. China will in no way follow the old pattern of "seeking hegemony after becoming strong".

As a member of the big Asian family, China's destiny is closely linked with those of other Asian countries. China needs a peaceful and stable neighboring environment for development. We will always work for good neighborly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation with our neighbors, and will properly manage differences and disagreements with them. ASEAN is a priority on China's diplomatic agenda regarding the neighborhood. We will firmly support ASEAN in growing stronger and playing a leading role in East Asia cooperation. East Asia cooperation has brought tangible benefits to the region. No matter how the situation may change, a peaceful and stable environment in East Asia must be maintained and our efforts will focus on development and on improving people's lives. At present, we need to concentrate on tackling the underlying impact of the global financial crisis and maintain the momentum of sustained development. As for the direction of East Asia cooperation, China calls for adhering to the "East Asia cooperation spirit", upholding the principles of ASEAN centrality, consensus building and accommodating the comfort level of all parties, which have proved to be effective, and promoting a regional cooperation model with East Asian features. There are multiple regional cooperation frameworks and mechanisms in East Asia. This meets the reality of diversity in the region. China actively supports and participates in cooperation under these mechanisms, and is committed to building a mutually complementary, open and inclusive cooperation environment.

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