China poses no economic, military threat to US: Hu Jintao

WASHINGTON - Chinese President Hu Jintao has assured the United States that his country is Washington’s economic partner, and added that it does not intend to pose a military threat to America or any other country.

“We will remain committed to the path of peaceful development. We do not engage in an arms race, we are not a military threat to any country. China will never seek to dominate or pursue an expansionist policy,” CBS News quoted Hu as telling the U.S.-China Business Council.

“China intended to develop a socialist democracy and build a socialist country under the rule of law,” he added.

Jintao, however, warned the US to stay off issues relating to Tibet and Taiwan to prevent bilateral relations from deteriorating further. Taiwan and Tibet-related issues concern Chinese sovereignty and territorial integrity, and they represent China’s core interests. They touch upon the national sentiments of 1.3 billion Chinese. We hope the U.S. side will honour its commitments and work with us to preserve the hard-won progress of our relations. Otherwise, our relations will suffer constant trouble or even tension,”

Hu said that recovery from the worst economic downturn in generations has been slow and difficult, and he called on the U.S. to work with China to help promote “a full recovery of the world economy.”

Jintao further claimed that both countries might have suffered troubling years in the recent past, but his work with Obama on the global economic crisis, Iran, North Korea and climate change are examples that two countries have more reasons that bind them together rather than dividing them.

Speaking on the Tibet issue, President Barack Obama said China’s human rights record would remain a source of tension between both countries until it improves. (ANI)