China needs peace to continue its economic development, Premier Wen Jiabao said in comments published Tuesday as he maintained his nation's rise was of no threat to the rest of the world.

China needs peace to continue its economic development, Premier Wen Jiabao, pictured (L) at the ASEAN summit in January, said in comments published Tuesday as he maintained his nation's rise was of no threat to the rest of the world. [AFP]

In a wide ranging speech published in the official People's Daily, Wen reiterated that China would never engage in a military arms race, seek to dominate global politics or impose its will on other nations.

"In foreign policy we will uphold the standard of peace, development and cooperation," Wen said.

"Although our national strength is increasing and our global status is higher and the international community is expecting more and more from us ... there is no reason to change our guiding principles."

Wen described the present global climate as generally peaceful, a key factor in allowing China to pursue its economic transformation.

"We must grasp the current beneficial international conditions to develop ourselves quickly," Wen said, adding that China did not want to pose a military or economic threat to the rest of the world.

"We need to establish principles on seeking win-win cooperation in international trade and cultural exchanges," he said.

"And we will maintain a defensive (military) policy and will not engage in a military arms race or an expansion of the military.

"We will not form an alliance with any other nation ... we will oppose hegemonism and power politics and we will never become a hegemon."

Wen also sought to placate concerns over China's increasing appetite for energy and natural resources.

"In the course of development, China will have bottlenecks in resources, energy and environment, but after many years of efforts we have already found a completely balanced and sustainable road of development," he said.

The publication of Wen's comments came after US Vice President Dick Cheney reiterated concerns in Washington over China's military rise.