BERLIN, March 28 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Friday that his country will firmly stick to the path of peaceful development and pursue an independent foreign policy of peace.

Addressing an audience at the invitation of the Korber Foundation, Xi said China has pledged to adhere to the path of peaceful development for a long time and the Chinese people are confident to realize their goals through peaceful development.

The Chinese president arrived here on Friday morning, kicking off his visit to Germany, the third leg of his ongoing European tour after the Netherlands and France.

China is a country that loves peace, and its pursuit of peace and harmony is "in the blood of the Chinese people," Xi said, adding that his country chooses such a development path due to its peace-loving tradition.

Speaking of the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation, he said China needs both internal stability and a peaceful international environment to realize that goal.

"Only by following the path of peaceful development and safeguarding world peace with all other countries, can China realize its own goal and make more contributions to the world," he noted.

Reiterating that peace, development and win-win cooperation remain the trend of the world, Xi said the path of peaceful development is the only right choice.

On China's independent foreign policy of peace, Xi said his country opposes hegemonism and power politics, and never interferes in other countries' domestic affairs, nor seeks hegemony or expansionism.

He also noted that China will staunchly safeguard its own sovereignty, security and development interests, and will never tolerate any move that aims to harm those interests.

"The path of peaceful development will benefit both China and the world at large," he said. "We can not find any reason that we don't stick to the way that has been proven right."

China is willing to conduct dialogue and communication with the world with an open and inclusive attitude, and hear the voice from the outside in a modest manner, Xi said.

He also expects the world to see China in a more objective, historic and multidimensional perspective so as to really understand his country.

China will neither seek development at the cost of other countries' interests, nor pursue success by harming its neighbors, Xi noted, saying that Beijing will share its wisdom and experience in peaceful development with the outside world.

Chinese and Germans are two great peoples with profound friendship, and both have made significant contributions to the advancement of human civilization, Xi said.

Xi attributed the sound China-Germany cooperation to the mutual understanding and sincerity between the two countries, as the two sides, with long-term efforts, have recognized that countries with different histories, cultures, national conditions and social systems should hear each other's views and think with each other's angle.

Noting that this year marks the 100th anniversary of World War I and the 75th anniversary of World War II, Xi sincerely hoped that other countries could also take the path of peaceful development and make joint efforts to build a harmonious world featuring lasting peace and common prosperity.

In response to a question on China's reform, Xi stressed that reform in China should always proceed without an end.

Currently, China's reform has entered the deep water zone, and thus we should dare to "crack hard nuts," he said.

On China's defense budget, Xi said the budget was made based on China's legitimate demands for the defense construction of such a big country, stressing that China will never seek hegemony but must have enough self-defense forces.

On China's foreign policy with its neighbors, Xi said building good relations with neighboring countries is the only right choice, adding that China has an sound overall relationship with such countries at present.

He also called on neighboring countries to manage differences and solve disputes through negotiations and dialogues.

On China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Xi said his country will never stir up any trouble, but will resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights.