READY TO SHARE: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao delivers a keynote speech at the UN High-level Event on the Millennium Development Goals in New York on September 25

For the first time since he took office five years ago, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao addressed the United Nations in New York on September 24. His remarks were timely and to the point.

"China will continue to unswervingly follow the road of peaceful development, pursue reform and opening up and implement an independent foreign policy of peace," he said at the general debate of the 63rd UN General Assembly.

Wen's visit to UN headquarters came at a critical moment. China has just successfully hosted the Olympics and Paralympics, leaving the outside world amazed at its growing national power and curious about the future course it will take. Also, the international community is beset with a host of highly charged regional conflicts and global issues. Increasing imbalance in the global economy, financial turmoil and energy and food problems pose serious challenges to world peace and development. The heads of state and government from nearly 140 countries present at this year's UN General Assembly are expected to come up with a collective solution, and China's views are vital to the discussion.

Solemn commitments

"Premier Wen's participation in UN discussions shows that China attaches great importance to the world body's agenda," said Chen Xulong, an expert on UN affairs at the China Institute of International Studies. After Chinese President Hu Jintao put forward the notion of building a "harmonious world" at the UN in 2005, Premier Wen highlighted China's outlook on development, which Chen believes has major implications for the healthy development of the world economy.

Wen's remarks to the General Assembly answered the outside world's queries about China's future course and the role it will play on the international stage, Chen said. China will not flaunt its power; instead, it will continue to cooperate with other countries to play a role in proportion with its status as a developing country, he said. Wen showed the world that the Chinese leadership remains calm and sober despite the international frenzy over China's rise, he added.

"The path of peaceful development, reform and opening up, and an independent foreign policy of peace are not only a summary of China's successful strategies but also solemn commitments by the Chinese Government to the international community," Chen said.

China is ready to develop friendly relations with other countries on the basis of "equality and mutual benefit" instead of "ideology or political system," Wen told world leaders at the UN General Assembly. "China's development is peaceful in nature and will neither hurt nor threaten anyone," he said. "China does not seek hegemony, nor will it in the future."