China's development will not only benefit the Chinese people but also bring opportunities to the world and especially to the neighboring countries, a top Chinese legislator said in Moscow Monday.

Speaking at the Forum on Border and Inter-Regional Cooperation between China and Russia, Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Chinese National People's Congress, said that China cannot develop in isolation and that peace and stability in the neighboring countries is essential for its development.

He said China's political and social stability, its quality human resources and its enormous market potential make the country an ideal place for foreign investors, especially those from the neighboring countries.

China will stick to a foreign policy of peace and independence and promote friendly exchanges and cooperation with the rest of world, he said, adding that China supports the establishment of a new fair and reasonable international political and economic order.

Highlighting China's opposition to hegemonism, power politics and terrorism of all forms, he said China will never threaten other countries or exercise hegemonism and expansionism.

Wu is on a seven-day official visit to Russia. He is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has already held talks with leaders of both chambers of the Russian legislature.

Russia is the first leg of Wu's four-nation European tour, which will also take him to Bulgaria, Denmark and Norway.  

(Xinhua News Agency May 26, 2004)