China's decisions to expand opening-up are independent choices based on its objective needs of reform and development, said Lu Kang, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday.

China pledged to deepen reform and opening-up during the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) held in Beijing on April 25-27. Speculations associate the move with the ongoing China-U.S. trade talks, claiming the further opening-up was requested by the U.S. side.

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Lu refuted this and reiterated that China has always stayed committed to reform and opening-up based on its original aspirations and chosen path, claiming that expanding reform and opening-up advances high-quality economic development, fulfills people's aspirations for a better life and is conducive to world peace, stability and development.

According to Lu, China already declared similar moves at the annual Boao Forum for Asia as well as at the China International Import Expo held in Shanghai last year. He further mentioned China's reform and opening-up decision made 40 years ago, stressing the great revolution was made based on the country context and the aspiration of keeping our destiny in our own hands.

Lu vowed that China will always continue its reform and opening-up at its own pace. Meanwhile, since the Belt and Road has opened up new space for cooperation, China will continue to promote Belt and Road cooperation with other countries based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit.