China poses 'no military threat' to any country: White Paper

It also hoped to become a growth engine for global development through its imports which are expected to reach USD 8 trillion in the next five years.

China will assume more international responsibility as its comprehensive strength increases, but at the same time will promote regional cooperation and good-neighbourly relations, a white paper titled "China's Peaceful Development", issued by the country's Cabinet, said.

China actively enhances friendly cooperation with its neighbours and works with them to promote a harmonious Asia, it said.

Apparently referring to its border issues with India and maritime differences with a host of ASEAN nations and Japan, it called on countries in the region to respect each other, increase mutual trust and seek common ground while putting aside differences.

Disputes, including those over territorial claims and maritime rights and interests, should be settled through dialogue and friendly talks, it said.

"China does not seek regional hegemony or sphere of influence, nor does it want to exclude any country from participating in regional cooperation. China's prosperity, development and long-term stability represent an opportunity rather than a threat to its neighbours," it said.

According to the paper, China plans to import goods worth an estimated USD eight trillion in next five years, which it says could create lot of business opportunities to the countries around the world, making it a growth engine for global development.

The size of China's domestic  market will be one of the biggest in the world, and the accumulated import volume is expected to reach USD eight trillion dollars.

"All this will create more business opportunities to other countries," the paper said.
China's imports were expected to rise more in the next five years as it planned to transform its export-oriented economy to that of the one based on more domestic consumption.

China is committed to pursuing a military policy which is defensive in nature, said the document, which according to analysts, was issued by Beijing to allay fears of rapid modernisation of its army, navy and air force creating an air of suspicion over its objectives.

"China faces multiple traditional and non-traditional security challenges and the threat of separatists and terrorism," which justifies its modernisation of defence capabilities in order to uphold its security and protect its peaceful development, it said.

The country has a vast land territory and sea area, with a borderline of over 22,000 km and a coastline of over 18,000 km.

Justifying its USD 91 billion defence budget, the paper said China's defence expenditures were appropriate and moderate, and were in keeping with the need to safeguard its security.

"China will not engage in arms race with any other country, and it does not pose a military threat to any other country," it said.

Defending China's one-party system, the paper said China does not form alliance with any other country or group of countries, nor does it use social system or ideology as a yardstick to determine what kind of relations it should have with other countries.

"China respects the right of the people of other countries to independently choose their own social system and path of development, and does not interfere in other countries' internal affairs," it said.

China calls for settling disputes and conflicts through talks and consultation and by seeking common ground while putting aside differences, it said.

The paper also advocated a new thinking on security featuring mutual trust and mutual benefit for common security.

"The international community should appreciate the need of ensuring comprehensive security and adopt comprehensive measures to address security threats and their root causes" in countries around world, it said.

Countries should safeguard their own security while respecting others' security concerns. They should abandon the Cold War mentality and confrontation between different alliances and uphold common security through multilateral cooperation, it said.