GROWTH ENGINE: The Shekou Industrial Zone, established in 1979 in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, is China's first export-oriented manufacturing base (LU HANXIN)

The Chinese Government published a white paper on the country's development on September 6, stressing that peaceful development is the best means through which China can realize its ambitions for modernization and prosperity.

The white paper, titled China's Peaceful Development, was released by the State Council Information Office.

Zhou Wenzhong, China's former ambassador to the United States, said that the white paper has come amid significant changes in the international situation. "It requires China to reflect upon and develop the model of peaceful development, expand on its implications, and demonstrate its sincerity to the world," he said.

"The white paper also clarifies the doubts of those who question China's strategic intentions," Zhou said.

Wang Yizhou, Vice Dean of the School of International Studies of Peking University, said the white paper also aims to unify thoughts at home as "some domestic voices argue China should be more aggressive on the international stage."

"It tells the public that China should remain modest and prudent in its diplomacy," he said.

A unique path

Stressing that China will unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development, the white paper says this is "a path of scientific, independent, open, peaceful, cooperative and common development."

Meng Xiangqing, Deputy Director of the Institute for Strategic Studies at the National Defense University, said that since the publication of the last white paper on China's roadmap for peaceful development in 2005, China has made great strides.

According to the white paper, the material basis for China's modernization drive has become more solid. The country's total economic output reached $5.88 trillion in 2010, accounting for 9.3 percent of the world's total GDP. China's per-capita income has now reached 46.8 percent of the world average, up from 24.9 percent in 2005.

China now plays an active part in economic globalization and regional economic cooperation and has made a vital contribution to the stability of the world's economy.