CHINA WILL NEVER SEEK HEGEMONY, SAYS PREMIER WEN

BEIJING, April 26 (Bernama) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao stressed that
China would never seek hegemony in future when it becomes a developed country.

He said China adhered to the independent foreign policy of peace, and to the
policy of building good relationship and partnership with neighbouring
countries.

"This is our policies when we are not a developed country yet, and even when
China becomes a developed country one day. China will never seek hegemony,"
said Wen in an hour-long interview with five Malaysian and Indonesian media.

Prior to his official visit to Malaysia and Indonesia, Wen gave a special
interview to Bernama and The Star and three Indonesian media at
Ziguangge�CZhongnanhai where the Chinese leaders meet with foreign guests.

Wen said China was a responsible country and would not pose a threat to any
country; in contrast, China contributed to the world and neighbouring countries.

"China's development itself is a major contribution to human progress and
the prosperity of the world. China's development also represents opportunities
its neighbours, including Asean countries.

"China is a big country that continues to play its role in promoting world
peace, security and stability."

However, Wen said China still had a long way to achieve its development
goals.

"As a developing country, and with over 30 years of reform and opening up,
we have achieved much progress in our economic and social development.

"However, China is a big country with a large population and a weak economic
foundation. That means we still have to work long and hard if we are to build a
moderately prosperous society in all aspects and achieve the goal of
modernisation."


Wen believed that China would enhance long-term cooperation with Asean as
long as it ensured the stability of the external and domestic environment.

"We are of the view that for such a large developing country like China, it
must have a peaceful external environment and stable domestic environment so
that it will be able to sustain the momentum of development and progress."

Wen also pledged China would assume its responsibility as a big country for
regional security and stability, especially in anti-terrorism and maritime
security.

He said China would enhance cooperation with other countries to protect the
maritime security in the South China Sea and Straits of Malacca.