Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao delivered a speech at the general debate of the 63rd United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, affirming China would advocate peaceful development.

"China will continuously uphold peaceful development, reform and opening-up, as well as the independent foreign policy of peace," said Wen, adding this conformed to the fundamental interest of the people of China and the world as a whole.

This is Wen's first show-up at the UN conference, and an important diplomatic move for China.

He said China was still a developing country, and its modernization had a long way to go. Wen said only through reform and opening-up should China achieve economic development and social progress.

The premier said China would like to develop the friendly relations with other countries based on equality and mutual benefit, and advocated to handle the disputes and the issues left over by history through consultations and dialogues.

"As a permanent member of the UN security council, China will, as always, play a constructive role in resolving international hot issues and regional conflict," he said.

Wen said China's development would pose no threat and harm to anybody, and as a responsible and developing nation, China would work with the international community to improve world harmony and sustainable development.

Wen will deliver another speech at the UN high-level meeting of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on Thursday.

(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2008)