China's diplomacy is at a new historical starting point, said Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi here on Saturday, adding that the country will firmly pursue an independent foreign policy of peace, and strive for new progress in win-win cooperation with other countries.

"We will integrate our interests with those of other countries, and forge a more closely connected community of shared interests," Yang told the 21st Century Council conference in Beijing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and other state leaders have made a good start on the diplomatic front through a range of initiatives over the past year, sending a very clear message to the world that China is committed to fulfilling its responsibilities and exploring new prospects in its diplomatic work, Yang said.

China will actively expand converging interests with others, respect all countries' independent choices of social system and development path, take a more active opening-up strategy in economic cooperation and promote the building of regional and global security cooperation architecture featuring equality, transparency, openness and inclusiveness, he said.

On China's relations with other major countries, Yang said the nation hopes to work together with the United States to enrich the content of a new model of the major-country relationship which stresses non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation.

Meanwhile, the country will upgrade its all-round strategic partnership of coordination with Russia, further tap cooperation potential with the European Union, and enhance friendly cooperation with other emerging economies and regional powers, he said.

In his key-note speech at the conference, in front of more than 40 political figures, scholars and business leaders from home and aboard, Yang said China's neighboring countries have always been a priority on its diplomatic agenda.

"Developing countries are the foundation of the conduct of our diplomacy," he said, adding China would place justice above everything else in its cooperation with other developing countries, and give assistance to them to help achieve faster development.

China will make more contributions to world peace and development, he said, vowing to promote democracy in international relations and contribute more to the reform and improvement of the global governance regime.

"We will pursue our own goal as part of the common pursuit of people around the world for a brighter future for mankind," he said.

The state councilor also explained new features and trends of the global situation. He said science and technology revolution had brought new opportunities for growth and development. Countries have been more interdependent than ever before with the development of economic globalization.

The two-day conference, focusing on the subject of "understanding China", will address topics such as China's politics, economy, diplomacy and defense.

Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, former Spanish Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez, Former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo, Zheng Bijian, chairman of the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy and Chinese Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng are among the participants at the conference.

The 21st Century Council is a non-governmental forum composed of former heads of state, leading global intellectuals and entrepreneurs. Founded in 2011, it is a platform for dialogue and action that is dedicated to addressing key challenges of global governance.