Beijing: China has said greater international co-operation is needed to combat "all forms of terrorism" and reassured neighbouring countries that Beijing will never seek "hegemony" and "expansion".

"We stand for fighting against terrorism of all forms," Chinese President Jiang Zemin, who is also the general secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) said while emphasising that the scourge of terrorism is more acutely being felt now.

"It is imperative to strengthen international co-operation in this regard, address both the symptoms and root causes of terrorism, prevent and combat terrorist activities and work to eliminate terrorism at root," he said in a key note address at the 16th national congress of the CPC which opened in Beijing at the great hall of the people.

Dwelling at length on China's foreign policy, Jiang said, "We oppose all forms of hegemonism and power politics."

"We will continue to cement our friendly ties with our neighbours and persist in building a good-neighbourly relationship and partnership with them. We will step up regional co-operation and bring our exchanges and co-operation with our surrounding countries to a new height," Jiang said in an attempt to allay fears of the so-called "China threat".

Addressing 2,116 deputies attending the weeklong Congress, which meets once in five years to choose the new Chinese leadership, Jiang said China would continue to pursue the independent foreign policy of peace, safeguard world peace and promote common development.

"The purpose of China's foreign policy is to maintain world peace and promote common development," Jiang said in his 68-page work report to the Congress.

While pointing out that the international situation was undergoing changes and China faced serious challenges to its sovereignty, the Chinese President said Beijing would strive to establish a fair and rational new international political order.

Jiang, who is expected to retire as general secretary at the current session and pave the way for the election of a new and younger generation of Chinese leaders led by Vice President Hu Jintao, predicted that a new world war is "unlikely in the foreseeable future".

At the same time, he cautioned that hegemonism and power politics, the two phrases which China uses to criticise unilateral policies pursued by the US, have new manifestations.

He also called for maintaining the diversity of the world and favoured promoting Democracy in international relations and diversifying development models.

"The affairs of each country should be left to the people of that country to decide. World affairs should be determined by all countries concerned through consultations on the basis of equality," he said in a veiled criticism of Washington's attempts to impose its views and concept of Human Rights on China.

Jiang concluded by evaluating that though the prospects for world peace and development was tortuous it was bright.

"The road is tortuous, but the future is bright. The forces for peace, justice and progress are invincible after all," he added.

PTI