China does not seek hegemony now, nor will it seek hegemony even after it became powerful in the future, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at a press conference in Beijing Sunday.

China has a history of 5,000 years with both glorious achievements and humiliating sufferings, and the rise of China has been the dream of generations of Chinese, Wen said.

China will take full advantage of the good opportunity of world peace to develop itself and at the same time safeguard world peace with its development.

The premier said China's rise will be based on its own strength and self reliance, as well as the vast domestic market, abundant human resources and abundant natural resources.

Noting China's rise could not be achieved without the rest of the world, Wen said the country must always maintain its open policy and always develop economic and trade exchanges with all friendly countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefits.

China's rise, which would require a lot time and probably efforts of several generations, will not stand in the way of any other country, nor pose threat to any other country, nor at the cost of any other country, Wen said.

"China does not seek hegemony now, nor will it seek hegemony even after it became powerful," Wen said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 14, 2004)