Journalist

: Malaysia and China have had some frictions over some islands and reefs of the Nansha Islands, such as the Swallow Reef. However, the relationship between Malaysia and China has moved forward steadily. I would like to ask whether China will hold talks with Malaysia and other countries who have sovereignty disputes with China in the South China Sea on the joint development in the South China Sea?

Wen Jiabao: China remains committed to the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. Territorial disputes and disputes over maritime rights and interests should be resolved between the countries concerned through peaceful consultations. We disapprove of referring bilateral disputes to multilateral forums because that will only make these issues bigger and more complicated. As you rightly pointed out, although China and Malaysia have some territorial disputes over some islands and reefs in the South China Sea, this has not prevented us from peaceful coexistence.

Second, I fully believe that in spite of their territorial disputes and disputes over maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, the countries concerned should and can carry out joint development in the South China Sea. This is in the interest of peace and stability in the South China Sea. It also serves the interests of the countries concerned and all relevant parties.

Let me address a subject that I deem very important, that is China's development and where China is heading. I know some ASEAN countries have shown a keen interest in this topic. I would like to say that China remains a developing country. With over 30 years of reform and opening-up, we have achieved much progress in our economic and social development. However, China remains a big country with a large population and a weak economic foundation. That means we still have to work long and hard if we are to build a moderately prosperous society in all respects and achieve our goal of modernization. China adheres to an independent foreign policy of peace, and the policy of building good-neighborly relationships and partnerships with neighboring countries. This is our policy when China is not a developed country. It will remain to be our policy even when China becomes a developed country in the future. China will never seek hegemony.

China's development in itself is a major contribution to human progress and prosperity. China's development also represents an opportunity for its neighboring countries, especially ASEAN countries. China is a big country that does not shirk its responsibilities. We have played our part in upholding world peace, security and stability. We are of the view that only by maintaining a peaceful external environment and a stable domestic environment can China and ASEAN countries enjoy continuous development and progress. I believe that on this subject we will have the long-term understanding and cooperation of ASEAN countries.