BEIJING, March 5 -- China pledged to hold high the banner of peace but also vowed to resolutely safeguard its sovereignty and the postwar international order, according to a government work report to be delivered by Premier Li Keqiang at the parliament's annual session Wednesday.

"We will safeguard the victory of World War II and the postwar international order, and will not allow anyone to reverse the course of history," said the report to be delivered at the opening of the second session of the 12th National People's Congress, the country's top legislature.

The country will resolutely safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests, and fully protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens and business overseas, according to the report.

China, which needs a long-term stable international environment for its modernization, will unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development and implement a win-win strategy of opening up, it said.

"We will strengthen friendship and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with our neighbors," said the report.

China will play a constructive role in resolving global and hotspot issues and work to make the international order more just and equitable, it said.