CHINA STAYS COMMITTED TO PEACEFUL DEVELOPMENT

Along with its development, China will "continue to take it as its own duty to promote the common progress and prosperity of mankind," Wen said.

"The world of the 21st century is far from being tranquil, but gone are the days when problems were ultimately settled by war. Peace and development remain the defining features of our time," said the Chinese premier.

China will stay firmly committed to peaceful development, whose essence is "to foster a peaceful international environment for our development and at the same time contribute to world peace through our development," he added.

"China's development will not harm anyone or pose a threat to anyone," Wen said, stressing that Beijing will never follow the footsteps of powers which sought hegemony once they grew strong.

Meanwhile, Beijing firmly upholds its national core interests, and "when it comes to sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity, China will not yield or compromise," he said.

The Chinese government will continue to steadfastly support the leading role of the United Nations in international affairs, and to intensify cooperation with fellow developing countries and support their bid for a greater say on the world stage, Wen added.

"China's development is an opportunity to the world. And the world stands to gain from a China that is better off. History will continue to prove this... Let us join hands to work for a world of enduring peace and prosperity," he said.

Wen arrived in New York on Tuesday evening. During his tight-scheduled three-day stay, he also attended a high-level meeting on the Millennium Development Goals, a UN Security Council meeting and a high-level discussion panel on HIV/AIDS.

On the sidelines of these conferences, Wen held separate meetings with U.S. President Barack Obama, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and some other foreign leaders.