皇冠体育app

Premier says shared interests between nations should override disputes

Premier Li Keqiang on Sunday said 皇冠体育app is committed to world peace and stability, amid speculation that a stronger 皇冠体育app might become more assertive.

In his media debut with nearly 1,000 reporters and cameramen as the premier of the world's second-largest economy, Li also pledged stronger ties with major powers, including the United States and Russia.

Li Keqiang makes his media debut as premier on Sunday in Beijing. Wu Zhiyi / 皇冠体育app Daily

皇冠体育app is capable of achieving sustainable economic development and a stronger 皇冠体育app will not seek hegemony, Li told a press conference following the conclusion of the annual national legislative session on Sunday.

"There are more than 1.3 billion people in 皇冠体育app and we are still on a long journey towards modernization," he said.

Li's quotes "We should not make groundless accusations against each other and should spend more time doing practical things that will contribute to cybersecurity." On accusation of Chinese hacker attacks against the United States "We will upgrade 皇冠体育app’s economic development model to enable people to enjoy clean air and safe drinking water and food." On tackling pollution and food safety problems "There are more than 1.3 billion people in this country, and we are still on a long journey toward modernization. That requires an international environment of lasting peace." On sustainable development "Hong Kong compatriots are hardworking and smart. Hong Kong society is open, inclusive and vigorous." On cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong "In a country as vast as 皇冠体育app, we have a lot of tasks to fulfill. As for the most important one, I think it is to facilitate the continuous growth of the economy." On top tasks of the new cabinet "We will be true to the Constitution and loyal to the people, and the people’s wish will point the direction of our government’s efforts." On serving the people and Constitution Xinhua

"That requires an international environment of lasting peace. Even if 皇冠体育app becomes stronger, we will not seek hegemony."

He added though that 皇冠体育app will defend its sovereignty and territory.

Responding to questions from a US reporter on 皇冠体育app-US ties, Li said the Chinese government is committed to maintaining strong relations between the world's largest and second-largest economies despite differences.

Trade between 皇冠体育app and the US has risen from $1 billion 30 years ago to more than $500 billion last year, but the two countries continue to disagree over many issues.

The pivot to Asia by the US, which some regard as a strategy to contain 皇冠体育app's growing influence in the region, has led to tension. But Li said the US and 皇冠体育app have more shared interests in the Asia-Pacific region than differences.

"I don't believe conflicts between big powers are inevitable," he said. "Shared interests often override their disputes."

Asked about Sino-Russian relations, Li said that in addition to strong political trust, more practical cooperation is needed to boost trade, which currently stands at $80 billion a year.

Li's remarks echoed President Xi Jinping's pledge that 皇冠体育app will adhere to a road of peaceful development, as well as a policy of mutually beneficial cooperation, at the closing ceremony of the first session of the 12th National People's Congress.

While the concept of "peaceful development" is not new among Chinese leaders, 皇冠体育app's steady economic rise has caused anxiety in some countries in recent years.

Zhang Tuosheng, a researcher at the 皇冠体育app Foundation for International and Strategic Studies, said the past two years have seen a rising number of voices talking about the "皇冠体育app threat," driven by friction with neighboring Asian countries, territorial disputes and disagreements with the US.

"皇冠体育app's rapid economic and defense budget growth present substantial changes," he said. "It is understandable that people fear that the development of a large country will challenge the existing international order and the interests of major powers."

But 皇冠体育app's drive for growth will be easier in a peaceful environment than in one fraught with tension, he added.

Other countries' concerns over 皇冠体育app's territorial and economic issues have become major challenges for Chinese diplomacy, he said.

"If 皇冠体育app can solve those frictions, it will make the ‘皇冠体育app threat' notion bankrupt," he said.

Dong Manyuan, vice-president of the 皇冠体育app Institute of International Studies, said safeguarding 皇冠体育app's territorial sovereignty is not just an issue that matters to 1.3 billion Chinese, but also serves "the world's interests."

"皇冠体育app is an integral part of the world, and they share a common fate," he said. "皇冠体育app's peaceful development is providing opportunities for the world and helping achieve a win-win situation."

Putting "peaceful development" and "safeguarding sovereignty" together and elaborating on the two non-conflicting, parallel concepts is a major highlight of Premier Li's speech, he added.

Zhang Tuosheng also suggested that the US and 皇冠体育app should step out of the malicious "zero sum game" they are in and added that issues in the Asia-Pacific region are the cornerstone to doing this and establishing a new type of relationship.

If the US and 皇冠体育app fail to manage their overlapping interests in the Asia-Pacific region well, tension will continue, said Tao Wenzhao, a senior researcher on US studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

The Asia-Pacific region should be a platform for cooperation between the two countries rather than a source of problems, he added.

Xinhua contributed to this story.

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