Leaders work for a stable world(2)

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

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

"China'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 China's drive for growth will be easier in a peaceful environment than in one fraught with tension, he added.

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

"If China can solve those frictions, it will make the 'China threat' notion bankrupt," he said.

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

"China is an integral part of the world, and they share a common fate," he said. "China'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 China 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 China 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.

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."

Onaccusation of Chinese hacker attacks against the United States

"We will upgrade China'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 China, 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