China sticks to peaceful development under 'new normal'

China's ongoing two annual political sessions have once again hit major headlines, as the world is anticipating the country's new measures to cope with its growth slowdown to a state of "new normal."

This year's sessions of lawmakers with the National People's Congress (NPC) and political advisors with the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) are expected to unveil a grand reform agenda for the final year of China's twelfth five-year plan. [Special coverage]

No matter what specific steps to embrace, one thing is for sure: China will unswervingly and forever stick to the path of peaceful development.

After many vicissitudes in modern history, China, with a civilization of over 5,000 years and a population of over 1.3 billion, has finally brought itself back to the center of the international arena, experiencing a vigorous two-digit growth in the past decades.

However, it is still in the primary stage of socialism and will remain so for a long time, as its per capita GDP is still around the world's 100th, although its economy as a whole ranks the world's second.

Development remains the key issue for China, the largest developing country in the world, and can not be achieved without a favorable external environment.

To ensure such an environment, China has been actively participating in international and multilateral affairs, playing a constructive role in resolving global and hotspot issues, earnestly safeguarding international fairness and justice, and working hard to help achieve a more just and equitable world order.

Last year, President Xi Jinping and other national leaders accomplished much through such major multilateral events as the G20 Leaders Summit, the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit, the BRICS Leaders Meeting, and the East Asian leaders meetings.

China always values its relations with neighboring countries and the rest of the world, and has kept close exchanges with them.

Since they took office in March 2013, the new Chinese leaders have visited over 50 countries and organizations around the world. The president himself has paid state visits to 31 countries.

By actively creating and at the same time enjoying a sound and peaceful international environment, China, along with the rest of the world, is able to dedicate their efforts to economic development and social improvement.

In the past year, China undertook many endeavors to boost regional connectivity and cooperation at home and abroad, among which the initiatives to build a Silk Road economic belt and a 21st century maritime Silk Road are most striking.

The "Belt and Road" initiatives, with a vision to boost transport infrastructure, investment and trade, financial cooperation and cultural exchanges, will create a community of common destiny with the collective efforts of countries along the routes.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. China will zealously join hands with other countries to safeguard the hard-won peace and seek common development and prosperity.