East China Sea

Wen said he hoped to make the East China Sea "a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation".

The East China Sea issue is of key concern to both countries, and to resolve it, China has in principle proposed that the disputes be shelved and a joint exploration undertaken.

"I hope the two sides can actively pursue consultation on this issue and seek solutions acceptable to both sides," he said.

China and Japan held their seventh round of talks on the East China Sea in Tokyo late last month. "These discussions are positive and we are glad that they are taking place," Wen said.

Military exchanges

On the military front, Wen said China is ready to increase exchanges and boost defense dialogue with Japan.

Developing military exchanges and having a defense dialogue will help increase understanding, avoid confrontation and safeguard peace and development of the region and the world.

"China's development will not have a negative impact nor pose a threat to any country," Wen said. "Even if China were highly developed, it would never become hegemonistic."

The country's defense expenditure, Wen said, is modest. It is much less than that of many developed and developing countries.

"The key point is that China's limited military power is used to safeguard its security and unity.

"Our adherence to peaceful development and a national defense policy based on self-defense is absolutely sincere, and beyond doubt," the premier said.

Six-Party Talks

On the Six-Party Talks to resolve the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Wen pledged that China will continue trying to take the process forward.

"The issue concerns the security and stability of the whole of Northeast Asia," he said, and China's position in resolving the nuclear issue is "consistent" and "clear".

The country insists on a peaceful approach, negotiation, dialogue and the promotion of consensus to settle the issue.

"China has always taken an active approach toward the six-nation talks and will continue to do so in the future," Wen said.

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