A veteran theorist of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said Thursday that the Chinese Dream is not about recovering the country's influence in ancient times, but seeking the nation's right to live and develop.

Li Junru, former vice president of the CPC Central Committee's Party School, made the comments at the sixth Beijing Forum on Human Rights, saying that it is a misunderstanding to worry about China's expansion when the country is seeking rejuvenation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said last year that the Chinese Dream is to achieve the great rejuvenation of the nation.

"When we talk about the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, some people ask me which period in history China wants to return to. The Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) after Genghis Khan's expansion, or the heyday of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) before the 1840 Opium War?" Li said.

"It is a pure misunderstanding if it is not asked in a malicious way," Li said.

Li said the goal is to build a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way by 2020, and achieve modernization by 2050. In short, the great rejuvenation is to achieve modernization.

"We put forward the concept of rejuvenation based on our historical experience that lagging behind leaves one vulnerable to attacks," Li said.

China will not expand its territory or territorial waters as a way to rejuvenate. It has reiterated many times that it will seek a peaceful path as it rises, Li said.

Due to long-term backwardness in social and economic development, China has realized that with the right to live and develop, the country can rid itself of poverty.

Therefore, China views the right to live and develop as principle human rights, Li said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 12, 2013)