Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao says his country will never be a threat to other countries or attempt to dominate them.
Mr. Wen made the comment today (Wednesday) at a meeting of an Asia trade group (the Asian Cooperation Dialogue) in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. He said "China will never seek hegemony" -- adding that it is completely wrong for other countries to worry that a stronger and more developed China will pose a threat to others.
The Chinese prime minister, who arrived in Islamabad Tuesday at the start of a tour of South Asia, is to meet with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.
Earlier, China and Pakistan signed more than 20 trade and economic agreements, a friendship treaty and a pact to fight terrorism.
Mr. Wen is heading a delegation of about 70 Chinese business leaders and officials. He is scheduled to travel to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India later this week.