CHINA COMMITTED TO SAFEGUARDING WORLD PEACE

In his speech, President Hu said China was committed to safeguarding world peace and would work with other countries to enhance global security and stability.

President Hu Jintao shakes hands with Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo (R) before a meet in Abuja, Nigeria, April 26, 2006. [Xinhua]

"To China, its own development is an integral part of the progress of mankind. China will develop itself by maintaining a peaceful international environment, and its own development, in turn, enables China to promote world peace," said Hu.

The Chinese people will hold high the banner of peace, development and cooperation, pursue an independent foreign policy of peace, peaceful development and continue the opening-up strategy for mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, the Chinese president said.

He noted that China was committed to pursuing common development.

"China draws on progress in world economic and scientific development to develop itself. With its own development, it in turn makes due contribution to the world," he said.

President Hu said that China would continue to work for economic globalization to develop in a more balanced way and bring benefit to all.

Hu said China was committed to promoting exchanges among civilizations, adding that "China is firm in upholding the diversity of the world and diversified models of development."

"Countries should respect and learn from each other, and different civilizations should coexist in harmony, benefit from each other through exchanges and competition, and seek common development by expanding common ground and shelving differences," said the president.

History has proved and will continue to prove that China's development is peaceful, open and cooperative in nature, said Hu.

"China's development will not pose a threat to any one. On the contrary, it will bring more development opportunities to the word," he said.

President Hu arrived here on Wednesday for his first state visit to the west African country.

The Chinese president met his Nigerian counterpart Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday, and the two leaders agreed to work on a strategic plan for the future growth of bilateral relations to push forward the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Hu started his current five-nation tour earlier this month. He has visited the United States, Saudi Arabia and Morocco. After Nigeria, he will head for Kenya, the last leg of his tour.