Fu Ying, spokeswoman for the second session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) , speaks at a press conference in Beijing March 4, 2014. [Photo by Kuang Linhua/China Daily]

A spokesperson for China's top legislature on Tuesday defended the country's national defense policies, saying the road to peaceful development will not change for China.

Fu Ying, spokesperson for the second session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC), said China's defense policies are aimed at protection of the country, so the nature of its defense forces is defensive.

She made the remarks at a press conference in response to a question concerning China's growing military power.

Fu said China has never treated any country as an enemy or a threat, adding that peace can only be preserved with strength.

As a major global power, China is also responsible for regional peace and security, Fu said.

Cooperation is the major theme of ties between China and its neighbors, she noted.

Speaking of the US Asian strategy, she pointed out that China and the US are cooperative in Asia.

The second session of the 12th National People's Congress will convene on Wednesday.