China's Hu pledges peace at Jakarta summit

JAKARTA Friday (AFP) - Chinese President Hu Jintao pledged his country's commitment to peace in a speech to Asian and African leaders in Jakarta, but gave no mention of Japan as anger between Tokyo and Beijing continued to boil.

Hu, speaking to an audience that included Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, instead sought to reassure his country's poorer neighbours that despite China's economic success it would not leave them behind.

"We solemnly reaffirm that China will follow steadfastly its chosen path of peaceful development. The purpose of Chinese foreign policy is to maintain world peace and common development," he said.

Hu said that despite China rapidly expanding economy, it remained a member of the developing world and was committed to aiding lesser fortunate countries.

"Strengthening solidarity and cooperation with other developing countries is a cornerstone of China's diplomacy," he said. "In pursuit of world peace and common development, China will always stand by, and work through thick and thin, with developing countries."