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China's development won't affect others

By Zhang Jiawei (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-03-14 12:38

China insists on peaceful development, and its development won't affect other countries, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said today at a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing after the conclusion of the national legislature's annual session.

China has been developing rapidly in recent years, but because of the unbalanced development between urban and rural areas and a large population with poor developing conditions, China is still at the primary stage of development, Wen said.

"China didn't seek hegemony when it was not developed, and when China is developed, we will still not seek hegemony," Wen said.

"China is willing to take responsibilities and to take part in international cooperation in solving global economic and political issues," Wen said. "China requires no conditions in assisting other undeveloped countries," he added.

The fast development of Shanghai and Beijing doesn't necessarily mean the whole country is developing at the same pace. It is still hard for China to reach the comfortable level of living, and it will take 100 years or more for the country to actually achieve modernization, Wen said.

"I have gone to a village in Luanping county three times to hear their opinions. What I saw is that the living standard of people in the area has improved in recent years, but the gap between it and Beijing is still big," Wen said.

"On the issues concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, we were firm even when the country was very poor," Wen said.