China has endured oppression across its history. The Opium Wars, Japanese aggression and colonization all serve as evidence of the adversity China has faced. Chinese citizens displayed tremendous resilience through these hardships and united against them by working hard and trusting their own capabilities. Those citizens were also blessed with exceptional and judicious leaders capable of uniting and encouraging the entire population to struggle and succeed. Among them were Mao Zedong, who liberated and united the country politically, Deng Xiaoping, better known as the architect of profound reforms that enabled the country to become the second-largest economy of the world, and finally President Xi Jinping. Xi is leading China on the march toward the Chinese Dream -- an end to the worst kinds of poverty, and the rejuvenation of a nation that has already made astonishing progress in creating prosperity.

Recently, Xi delivered a powerful keynote speech at the country's top legislative session, the 13th National People’s Congress in Beijing. He asserted not 1 inch of Chinese territory can be separated from China itself and the country is willing to contribute to the peace and development of humanity. Furthermore, the fate of the Chinese population is connected with the fate of other nations. The country refuses to develop itself at the expense of others and poses no threat.

In response to critics who claim China will repeat the British world colonization strategy, this keynote speech can be referred to as reassurance of the opposite. Xi’s remarks are undoubtedly built upon historical facts. China has strived to establish friendly and peaceful relations with all nations, and during certain times when it was asked to intervene, the country still pressed for peaceful resolution among the concerned populations.

China’s struggle to popularize peace is not restricted to its own borders, but extended to the entire world. This stance can be witnessed on multiple global issues such as the Israel-Palestine conflict and the Syrian Civil War, as China has remained consistent in offering peaceful resolutions. The country recently facilitated a symposium between Israel and Palestine in Beijing, articulating a positive message to the world and providing evidence of China’s intentions toward peaceful relations with other nations. The country is additionally mediating to resolve the Syrian crisis. China is also helping to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan.

The Belt and Road Initiative is a major proposal by Xi, and itself a message of peace, stability and prosperity for the concerned countries, as well as the world. It also aims to improve global relationships and economic governance while connecting 66 countries around the world. The initiative is evidence of China’s positive foreign policy vision. The country refuses to excel while its fellow nations struggle to achieve a steady state of growth.

The rise of China as an economic and global power gives us hope for world peace. Humanity has suffered a lot over the last seven decades. The Cold War era and the war on terror were dangerous enough. But the time has come for the world to embrace peace, stability, harmony and prosperity. And if China strives for these goals, then the world’s nations should follow its lead, since these should be the motives of all nations.

Over the last five years, President Xi has proved his capabilities and has gained the confidence of Chinese citizens as well as many world leaders. His contributions to progress in China and the whole world are most certainly being acknowledged. We hope all nations questioning China’s initiatives understand its intentions for world peace and contribute accordingly. We expect China to maintain consistency and lead the world into a brighter future.

The author is a sinologist for the Chinese Studies Center at the National University of Sciences and Technology in Islamabad, Pakistan, and a non-resident fellow of CCG.