By unswervingly following the path of peaceful development, China will not engage in arms race and never seek hegemony, a top Party leader said on Monday.

Addressing the ongoing all-important 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Hu Jintao, General Secretary of CPC Central Committee, pledges that China will follow "a national defense policy that is defensive in nature, and it does not engage in arms race or pose a military threat to any other country."

"China opposes all forms of hegemonism and power politics and will never seek hegemony or engage in expansion," Hu said.

Stressing that peaceful development is a strategic choice for the Chinese government and people, Hu, 64, reiterated that China works for peaceful settlement of international disputes and hotspot issues, promotes international and regional security cooperation, and oppose terrorism in any form.

Hu also said that China will unswervingly follow a win-win strategy of opening up and will accommodate the legitimate concerns of other countries, especially other developing countries.

"We will increase market access in accordance with internationally recognized economic and trade rules, and protect the rights and interests of our partners in accordance with law," Hu said.

Specifically, Hu said that China support efforts to improve international trade and financial systems, advance the liberalization and facilitation of trade and financial systems, advance the liberation and facilitations of trade and investment, and properly resolve economic and trade frictions through consultation and collaboration.

Hu added that China support international efforts to help developing countries enhance their capacity for independent development and improve the lives of their people, so as to narrow the North-South gap.

"China will never seek benefits for itself at the expense of other countries or shift its troubles onto others," Hu said.

According to the work report delivered by Hu, China has accelerated the revolution in military affairs with Chinese characteristics.

The armed forces were reduced by 200,000 troops during the past five years, and efforts were intensified in all respects to make the armed forces more revolutionary, modernized and standardized.