China will never take the beaten path of seeking hegemony as its strength expands, nor does it accept the notion that major powers can dominate global governance, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday.

Wang made the remarks in response to a question about China-U.S. relations at a press conference on the sidelines of the fourth session of the National People's Congress in Beijing.

He reiterated that China is committed to peaceful development, stressing that no matter how the international situation changes or how much China grows, it will never pursue hegemony or expansion.

Regarding the evolution of the international order, Wang said, China's proposal is to build an equal and orderly multipolar world, emphasizing that this is a shared responsibility of all nations.

He noted that countries with greater resources and capabilities should shoulder greater responsibilities and set an example by respecting international rules, honoring commitments and upholding international law.

Wang also addressed economic globalization and free trade, arguing that a nation's greatness lies in serving the greater good. China will continue to defend a fair and open global economic and trade order and contribute to strong and sustainable world economic growth. "China will not only act as the world's factory but also the world's market," he said.

He criticized tariff barriers and efforts toward economic and technological decoupling, saying such measures are akin to "using kindling to put out a fire" and ultimately cause harm.

Wang emphasized that globalization should be more inclusive and beneficial, expanding the economic pie while distributing it more fairly. The principle, he said, is to ensure no country is left behind and to narrow the widening wealth gap.