Chinese President Hu Jintao said Monday that following the path of peaceful development is a solemn commitment of the Chinese government and people to the international community.

"It is a policy that we will always adhere to," Hu said in a written interview with reporters from both Wall Street Journal and Washington Post prior to his state visit to the United States.

"Specifically, it means that we will achieve national development by our hard and creative work, by reforming and improving our institutions, and by maintaining friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries," he said.

According to Hu, China has been committed to the independent foreign policy of peace and has developed friendship and cooperation with all countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

"We stand for equality and mutual respect between countries. Like other countries in the world, China must uphold its own sovereignty, territorial integrity and development interests," he said.

"At the same time, we are willing to properly handle differences and disagreements in state-to-state relations in accordance with the basic norms governing international relations and the principle of mutual understanding, mutual accommodation, dialogue and consultation," he said.

"Over the years, relations between China and other Asia-Pacific countries, including the United States and our Asian neighbors, have grown steadily, and together we have contributed to development in the Asia-Pacific region," he said.

He pointed out that mutual trust between China and other countries in this region has deepened in the common response to tough challenges, and the cooperation has continuously expanded in the pursuit of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

"At present, relations between China and other Asia-Pacific countries face unprecedented opportunities. China is ready to work with other countries to seize opportunities, meet challenges and promote peace and development in the region and beyond," he said.