BEIJING — Xi Jinping said on Wednesday that China will never seek hegemony or engage in expansion "no matter what stage of development it reaches."

China will never pursue development at the expense of others' interests and China's development does not pose a threat to any other country, he said.

Xi made the remarks at the opening of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

He said China pursues a defensive national defense policy and remains firm in pursuing an independent foreign policy of peace. But China will never give up its legitimate rights and interests.

"No one should expect China to swallow anything that undermines its interests," he said.

Xi said China has actively developed global partnerships and expanded the convergence of interests with other countries.

"We endeavor to uphold international fairness and justice, and oppose acts that impose one's will on others or interfere in the internal affairs of others as well as the practice of the strong bullying the weak," he said.