Beijing, Sep 22 (IANS): China views good-neighbourly friendship as a priority of its foreign policy and wants peaceful co-existence, cooperation and development with neighbouring countries, Vice President Li Yuanchao said Saturday.

Li made the remarks at a forum to mark International Day of Peace in Kunming, capital city of China's Yunnan province. The day, which falls Sep 21, is established by the UN General Assembly as an annual day of non-violence and cease-fire, Xinhua reported.

The forum, launched by the Chinese People's Association for Peace and Disarmament, UN System in China and the Yunnan provincial government, was attended by officials and experts from South Asian countries and UN staff.

Facing important opportunities for development, China and South Asia should make joint efforts to safeguard peace, adhere to independence and self-empowerment, oppose external interference and the big and strong bullying the small and weak, Li said.

Calling for dialogue and consultation to peacefully solve disputes rather than resorting to force, Li said both sides should expand mutually beneficial cooperation and accelerate connectivity to forge a tightly integrated community of interests.

War and conflict are the biggest obstacles to the development of South Asia and lasting peace is the common aspiration of its people, Li said. "China is willing to work with our neighbours, including South Asian countries, to achieve lasting peace in the region."