China marked the 60th anniversary of Japan's World War Two defeat on Saturday with a reassurance that it was committed to peace, but warned self-ruled Taiwan - which Beijing claims as its own - against declaring statehood.
The warning came two days before President Hu Jintao leaves for a three-day visit to the United States, during which he is expected to seek to play down perceived economic and military threats posed by an emerging China.
"By solemnly commemorating that victory, we will keep history in mind, never forget the past, cherish peace and create a better future," Hu told an audience of 6,000 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
"China did not seek hegemony in the past and it will never seek hegemony in the future," Hu, who doubles as Communist Party chief, said, reading from a prepared text.
Nevertheless, Hu said China would continue to modernise its military to avert foreign bullying. He tipped his hat to Kuomintang, or Nationalist, generals for fighting the invading Japanese - a departure from the practice of claiming the Communists were solely responsible for victory.
The Nationalists lost the ensuing civil war in 1949 and fled to Taiwan, where they ruled for five decades until they lost the 2000 presidential elections.
Hu warned Taiwan's incumbent leaders against formally declaring the island independent, but stopped short of repeating a longstanding invasion threat.
Live television broadcast showed Hu's predecessor, Jiang Zemin, sitting next to Hu in a sign of the latter's residual influence.
Delegates observed a moment on silence to honour the war dead. Earlier on Saturday, Hu decorated a group of war veterans.
Commemorations marking the 60th anniversary of Japan's surrender began with a 60-gun salute on Tiananmen Square after which about 6,000 doves were freed.