"Despite this devastation, China emerged as among the world's key nations and utilized its political influence and economic power to build friendships with other nations," he added, recalling that China played an important role in supporting liberation movements on the African continent.
The president said China has a historical relationship with Africa, noting that the time has come to give real impetus to the partnership by enhancing industrialization and infrastructure development on the African continent.
Falk Hoehn, president of the University of Applied Sciences Stralsund,Germany, said he was impressed by the message of peace sent by Xi, especially his remarks that "China will never seek hegemony or expansion."
"That is why I think the clear statement made by Xi that China poses no threat is very important," Hoehn said.
Banzragch Munkhtuul, director of the Mongolian newspaper Mongolyn Medee, said the world is still facing many factors that threaten peace and security.
Xi's stress that China will always stick to the path of peaceful development signalled a clear message to the whole world, in the hope of jointly safeguarding the hard-won peace after the war, Munkhtuul said.
Benjamin Robles Montoya, a senator from the left-leaning Democratic Revolution Party of Mexico, said that over the last seven decades, China has shown its commitment to development and global cooperation.
"I salute President Xi's commitment to peace and I condemn past actions that sought to hurt the Chinese people and that must never be allowed to happen again," he said.
Mohamed el Ghali, a professor of politics at Cadi Ayyad University of Morocco, said China consistently advocates peaceful development.
Xi's announcement on the country's decision to cut troops again reminded the whole world that countries should devote more attention to development rather than arms race, he added.
He said China, a victim of Fascist and colonial aggressions, has not only achieved huge development, but also helped developing nations, especially African countries, realize prosperity and progress.
Peter J. Li, a tenured professor at University of Houston, said the announcement on the troops cut was a highlight in the V-Day Parade, which displayed China's defense capability in safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and people's well-being, instead of a threat to peace.
Through this action, Li said, China declared its determination for international peace, cooperation and common development to the whole world.
Pui Jeng Leong, director of the Brunei edition of Malaysia's Chinese-language newspaper United Daily News, said Xi's speech showed a determination for peaceful development and friendly coexistence with other countries by commemorating the war history.
Xi stressed that China has no intention for hegemony and will stick to peaceful development and common prosperity, he recalled, adding that the speech made a strong response to different voices on China's development from the outside world.
