China open to the world – PM

China’s Premier Wen Jiabao yesterday vowed before the United Nations that his country would not threaten another nation but would not yield in disputes over its national interests.

With China’s rising military might worrying many nations, Mr Wen said: “China values friendship and also sticks to its principles.

“It firmly upholds its national core interests. When it comes to sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity, China will not yield or compromise.”

But Mr Wen insisted that China would not seek hostilities.

“The world of the 21st century is far from tranquil, but gone are the days when problems were ultimately settled by war,” he said in a speech to the UN General Assembly which he said aimed to explain “the real China.”

“China will stay firmly committed to peaceful development,” he said.

“China’s development will not harm anyone nor pose a threat to anyone. There were powers who sought hegemony once they grew strong. China will never follow in their footsteps.”

Mr Wen made no mention of tensions in Asia, including a dispute between China and Japan over the detention of a Chinese trawler skipper near East China Sea islands claimed by both nations.

He said China was proud of its massive economic boom of the past three decades but added that more had to be accomplished and that “China will be even more open to the world” in the years to come.

Earlier, US President Barack Obama told the Chinese Premier that Beijing must do more to solve rising tensions over the value of China’s yuan currency, a senior US official said.