Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai recently said that despite misjudgment from some in the United States, China would remain confident in its path of development and those hoping otherwise should face reality.

"Recently, there have occurred some developments in China-US relations that are a matter of concern, which reflects deficiency of someone in the United States in their understanding of China, and also their misjudgment of strategies adopted by China. For example, someone feels depressed because of China's adherence to its own path of development," Cui told a gathering at the Chinese embassy in Washington to mark the Lunar Chinese New Year's Day, which falls on February 16.

The path of development China has chosen is based on the national realities of the country, guided by its own theories, guaranteed by its own system and established on its own culture, Cui said, "Therefore, our path of development could not and should not change."

"China's choice of the path of development is not going to change because of other people's thinking. I hope those feeling depressed would face the reality and drop their illusions," Cui said.

Cui noted that as China remains confident, it will also remain open to new ideas and is willing to learn from other cultures.

"The number of Chinese students here [in the US] far surpasses that of US students in China, which shows that China is more open and more eager to learn," Cui said.

Using Chinese food to illustrate his point, Cui encouraged those who have learned how to use chopsticks to eat Chinese food to explore in depth the Chinese culture.

Cui made the remarks in the wake of the recent release of a series of policy papers by the United States which highlight China's alleged increasing threat to the US.

China has denied that it seeks to undermine the security of the United States and has reiterated that maintaining healthy and stable bilateral ties is a correct choice in the interest of the two peoples and the international community.