China's defence modernization is aimed at safeguarding its peaceful development and the country will never seek hegemony, China's top military officer said on Wednesday.

General Guo Boxiong, vice-chairman of China's Central Military Commission (CMC), made the remarks during a speech delivered at the US National Defence University.

Guo said China's efforts in advancing defence modernization are a necessity, as peaceful development cannot be shielded without security safeguards. He said China's defence modernization not only meets the needs of protecting its peaceful development and interests, but also helps maintain peace and stability in the region and the world as a whole.

Peaceful development is a natural choice for China based on its historical traditions, national realities and the trends of the time, he said.

The armed forces of the United States and China share a common objective of enhancing exchange and co-operation, he said.

The two militaries also share common strategic interests in a wide range of areas including fighting terrorism, preventing proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, protecting ecological environment and cracking down on transnational crimes, said the general.

After the speech, Guo exchanged gifts with Frances C. Wilson, president of the US National Defence University. Among Guo's gifts for Wilson was a copy of a thank-you letter written by a former US pilot rescued by Chinese civilians and soldiers during World War II.

Guo arrived in Washington on Monday night and met separately with US Secretary of Defence Donald H. Rumsfeld and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Tuesday.

Source: China Daily