China yesterday tried to allay fears it was a threat to its neighbours or the US by repeating in a State Council white paper it would remain peaceful.
The paper was released by the State Council Information Office against a backdrop of mounting pressure from the US and Japan over the mainland's enormous economy and rising military power, and two days after the mainland revised last year's GDP figures upwards by 16.8 per cent.
The document, 'White Paper of China's Peaceful Development Road', did not mention military development but went to lengths to argue that China's rapid economic rise benefited the world, especially its neighbours.
Beijing started a propaganda campaign for its 'peaceful emergence' in late 2003, but changed the phrase to 'peaceful development' after criticism the slogan could be seen as provocative.
'China's development will never pose a threat to anyone,' the white paper said. 'Instead, it can bring more development opportunities and bigger markets for the rest of the world.
'Facts prove that China's economic development is becoming an important impetus for economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region and even the world as a whole. It has become China's national determination to safeguard world peace and promote common development.'
In terms of trade, the paper said China's huge imports had created about 10 million jobs for its trading partners, and forecast imports would reach US$1 trillion by 2010. The paper did not mention the rising tensions caused by its enormous trade surplus, which China estimates will reach US$100 billion this year.
