China 'committed to peace'

Premier Li says neighbors must optimize common interests, manage differences

China does not intend to assume a role as "big brother", but instead seeks to build a community of a shared future with all its neighbors, Premier Li Keqiang said in Beijing on May 31.

"There are no grounds for China to become a superpower, and neither does China have the intention to be one," Li said.

"China has a long way to go to realize modernization. It needs a stable regional and peaceful international environment, and China is committed to safeguarding that environment."

The premier made the remarks in answering a question from Suthichai Yoon, chief adviser of Thailand's Nation Multimedia Group, during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People with a delegation from 21 Asian media outlets. The media representatives gathered in Beijing for the two-day annual board meeting of the Asia News Network.

The ANN, founded in 1999, is one of the world's biggest media alliances. It comprises leading, mostly English-language news groups with a combined readership of at least 14 million.

Zhu Ling, publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily, is the acting chairman of ANN for 2015-16. The annual meeting coincided with China Daily's 35th anniversary, which fell on June 1.

Li said even if China can realize modernization in the coming decades, Beijing will not seek hegemony, nor will it bully any country, however small that nation is in terms of population or landmass.

Just as a person may accidentally bite his lip, it is only natural that neighbors will have differences, the premier emphasized, but the key is to address such disparities in a calm, diplomatic way.

"I firmly believe that our era is one that needs peace and cooperation," he said. "The common interests among China and its neighbors are way greater than disparities, and we can always optimize the common interests and better manage our differences."

Endy M. Bayuni, editor-in-chief of the Jakarta Post, says he was impressed that Li answered all of the questions, which Bayuni described as serious and tough ones. "I'm glad he responded to our concerns about where the country is going, as many are worried about the potential of China misusing its growing power."

In answering a question from Phonekeo Volakhoun, editor-in-chief of Laos' Vientiane Times, about the outlook for relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Li said China has consistently supported the integration process of ASEAN and the building of the ASEAN community.

The premier said he will attend a summit in Laos in September to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the China-ASEAN dialogue.

"We're committed to pursuing the policy of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in developing relations with neighbors," he said. "We would like to expand political trust with ASEAN members and other Asian countries ... and make concerted efforts to build a close community of a shared future in Asia."

(China Daily European Weekly 06/03/2016 page2)