The Chinese people have made a firm and unchangeable choice to stick to the route of peaceful development, senior Chinese leader Jia Qinglin said in Jakarta Sunday evening.

"The development of China will not be in the way of any others, or a threat to any others," Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said while addressing a dinner party in honor of him held by personages from all sections of the Indonesian society.

"China's development will only be conducive to peace, stability and common development of the world," said Jia, who is currently on an Indonesian visit.

In the speech titled "Strengthening exchanges and cooperation, creating a beautiful future together," Jia said the Chinese people deeply understand that development will be sustainable and reliable only if it is gained through peaceful means, and that development gained through peaceful means will be conducive to the development of both the Chinese people and the people of other countries in the world.

He said China will always uphold the flag of peace, development and cooperation, constantly pursue the independent foreign policy of peace and firmly stick to the route of peaceful development.

"The development of China is inseparable from Asia, while the prosperity of Asia is inseparable from China," he said.

Noting that China pursues a foreign policy of treating neighbors as friends and partners, Jia said China actively seeks win-win with its neighboring countries.

According to Jia, China has already become the biggest export market in Asia, with exports from other Asian countries and regions to China reaching 440 billion U.S. dollars in 2005. Exports from other Asian countries made up 67 percent of China's total import in 2005.

In the next five years, other Asian countries and regions are expected to export more than 2,000 billion U.S. dollars worth of goods and service to China, he said.

In addition, overseas investment by Chinese companies is growing at an average rate of more than 20 percent every year. Asian countries account for 80 percent of the Chinese companies' overseas investment, he said.

"Facts prove that the peaceful development of China has brought about real and tangible benefits to other Asian countries and provided opportunities for the development of Asia," the official said.

Source: Xinhua