In a keynote speech given at the opening ceremony of the 2013 Beijing Arms Control Forum held on August 8 to 9, Li Wuwei, Vice President of Chinese People's Association for Peace and Disarmament (CPAPD) said the "Chinese Dream" embodies the common aspiration of countries and peoples throughout the world, highlighting peace, development and cooperation for mutual benefits.

Li said the Chinese Dream is a culmination of the traditional Chinese philosophy of "dedicating oneself to the well-being of family, country and the world." It is also a new and important concept that China shared globally after the Peaceful Development and Harmonious World theories.

"China is a safeguarding and leading force in pursuing world peace," said Li.

Li noted that as a developing country, a peaceful and stable international environment is in the interests of China's development, which remains the country's top long-term priority. China has been a historic victim of wars and aggression, so the Chinese people cherish peace wholeheartedly.

He said the pursuit of peace has deep roots in Chinese tradition and culture, as the philosophy of "harmony," "peaceful coexistence of all states in the world", and "tuning hostility into friendship" is passed down through many generations.

Li also set a historical example to illustrate China's peace philosophy, noting the seven Chinese expeditionary voyages commanded by explorer Cheng Ho in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) that were missions of peace and friendship, reaching over 30 countries in Asia and Africa.

"China is achieving its revival through peaceful development instead of military expansion and plundering. In short, China values peace now and in the past, and will not seek military expansion even when its power builds up in the future," Li said.

The two-day conference, which is co-sponsored by the Beijing-based China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, China Institute for International Strategic Studies as well as Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organization, will be attended by experts from a number of countries, including China, the United States, Australia, Russia, and officials from the European Union, as well as international organizations and think-tanks.