China will always stand for peace, development and cooperation no matter how the international situation may evolve, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Wednesday.

China will always "pursue an independent foreign policy of peace and stick to its diplomatic vision of upholding world peace and promoting common development," Yang said during a speech at the Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations, where he was awarded an honorary doctorate.

Yang noted that the world is undergoing major changes and adjustments, with the ever widening globalization bringing both rare opportunities and extensive challenges to the international community.

"We all live in a 'global village' and are like passengers in the same boat. Our only choice is to confront challenges together and pursue mutual benefits and win-win progress," he said.

The minister reiterated that China's development is peaceful in nature and will not harm or threaten anyone.

"China does not seek hegemony now, nor will it do so in the future," he said.

Yang said China will continue to advance regional and global development through its own growth and will work to broaden converging interests with other countries.

"China will never seek to advance its interests at the expense of others," the foreign minister said.

Yang reiterated that China is committed to "developing friendly relations and cooperation with all countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence."

According to the minister, enduring peace and common prosperity are the defining features of a harmonious world that China is committed to building.

To develop such a harmonious world, "all countries should uphold the purposes and principles of the charter of the United Nations, abide by international law and universally recognized norms, and embrace a spirit of democracy, harmony, collaboration and win-win progress in international relations," he said.

Yang added that China has been actively involved in international efforts to address global issues, such as the financial crisis, climate change, food cooperation, energy security, public health problems, and arms control.

China has also worked vigorously for the proper settlement of international hot-spot problems, including the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, the Iranian nuclear question, the Darfur situation and the peace process in the Middle East, he said.

Yang arrived in Geneva on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, Yang addressed the U.N.-sponsored Conference on Disarmament. Based in Geneva, the 65-nation Conference on Disarmament is the world's single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum. China joined the forum in 1980.

(Xinhua News Agency August 13, 2009)