The 2013 conference of the annual Boao Forum for Asia has attracted wide attention for the keynote speech made by Chinese President Xi Jinping. This is Xi's first appearance at a multinational diplomatic platform in China since he assumed his post and visited Russia and Africa. At the forum, Xi reiterated China's commitment to pursuing peace and development and carrying out equal and mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries.

Efforts are currently being made toward the recovery of the global economy, with countries more closely connected and interdependent. However, the world is not peaceful. Some regional contradictions and conflicts are threatening peace, without which there will be no development.

History has taught us many lessons. The injury inflicted by World War II has not yet been healed and the wars and upheavals in China since 1840 have caused deep pain. In order to avoid history repeating itself, the Chinese Government and people are actively striving for a peaceful international environment for its own development. Facing provocation, China will never give up its pursuit of peace, national sovereignty, safety and territorial integrity.

Xi pointed out in his speech that the global village should be turned into a big stage for common development, rather than a venue where gladiator states are allowed to throw a region or the world into chaos for selfish gains.

In accordance with this year's conference theme of Asia Seeking Development for All: Restructuring, Responsibility and Cooperation, the region and the world should closely cooperate and seek common development under a peaceful mandate.

At present, unemployment rates remain high in some major economies while the European debt crisis continues. Emerging economies face excessive capital mobility and deteriorating trade balance situations, with some still suffering high inflation rates. Under such conditions, the fast changing world economy needs peace, cooperation and common development more than ever.