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'We are focusing on domestic development ... we need a peaceful and safe environment'

Tibet

Premier Wen Jiabao warded off mounting accusations of China's growing assertiveness yesterday, saying that its priority was domestic development and international stability.

Wen said at his yearly post-National People's Congress press conference that China had neither the intention nor capability to seek regional or global hegemony. 'China didn't seek hegemony when it was still poor; it will not do so when it's richer; it will never seek hegemony,' he said.

Officials have repeatedly stressed that the emerging power, which will soon replace Japan as the world's second-largest economy, is just seeking a peaceful rise on the global stage and would not interfere with other countries' affairs, toeing the line of a 'lay-low' philosophy spelt out by late leader Deng Xiaoping .

But as China becomes economically stronger, concerns have been raised over its growing assertive approach on issues such as climate change, currency and trade frictions, and human rights.

When a reporter asked how China would play a bigger role in world affairs, Wen admitted the nation was under fire for supposedly being arrogant and assertive. 'Your question is rather mild,' Wen said. 'In fact, there have been talks about 'China's arrogance', 'China's assertiveness' and 'China's triumphalism'.

Beijing bore the brunt of criticism for the failure of December's Copenhagen summit on climate change as many Western powers accused China of refusing to compromise on thorny issues such as carbon caps. Washington and European countries have also intensified criticism over Beijing's refusal to revalue its currency, saying the yuan is being kept artificially low to boost exports.

Despite international criticism, China sent at least three prominent dissidents to jail last year.

Wen said China was willing to work with the international community on a 'just and fair political and economic new order. We are focusing on domestic development. We need favourable external conditions and a peaceful and safe environment'.

But when it came to sovereignty and territorial integrity, which China considers its 'core interests', Wen said China would stick to its principles. 'Even when we were poor, we were iron-willed about not compromising [on these issues],' he said.

Tibet and Taiwan have been sources of tension between Beijing and other countries. The long-standing issues recently affected ties with the United States, prompting Washington to send two high-level officials to Beijing on a fence-mending trip.

China has repeatedly said that Washington's recent arms sales to Taiwan and US President Barack Obama meeting the Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader, have seriously undermined relations.

Wen characterised the two incidents as violations of Beijing's sovereignty.

'We hope the US can squarely face the issues and get back to the foundation laid out by the three Sino-US communiqu?s in order to resume and improve bilateral ties.'

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