Centrum Stosunków Międzynarodowych - 31 May 2016: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meeting with Asia News Network

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with senior editors from Asia News Network (ANN) in Beijing, China at the Great Hall of the People on May 31, 2016 within annual editors` meeting, hoping to make Asian voice better heard not only in Asia but globally. Some small Asian countries concerned about rising of Chinese influence in the region, calling China “superpower”. They worry that China may act as a "big brother" to use its political and economic power to advance its own purposes in negotiations.

Li Keqiang (Chinese Premier) was interviewed about several issues including “Chinese superpower role”. Chinese premier commented on this issue, bringing some key points:

• First of all, “China is no "superpower", but a developing country”, which has been developing very fast and its influence in the world has been rising, nevertheless China is not seeking the role of Asia`s “big brother”;
• China still takes 84th (2015) position in rank countries in terms of per capita GDP. We don't have the basis to be a superpower, still, less do we intend to be one;
• China has never posed itself as a “big brother”. The People`s Republic of China believes that all countries regardless big or small are equal. It follows an independent foreign policy of peace, a neighborhood policy featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness;
• Li Keqiang also commented: “We could all be good brothers and good friends when we share such sincere wish. There is no such thing as one being the "big brother”;
• Chinese believe in "not doing to others what one does not like oneself;

China has 20 neighboring countries which are more than any other country in the world. China understands that they are interdependent with their neighbors within a community of shared future. China has to overcome a long way to achieved modernization, that`s why it is necessary to maintain stability and peace in the region to achieve this goal. They do not deny that there are some disagreements with some members exist, but notwithstanding the above common interests overweight all these minor differences. “In addressing differences, China believes that countries should seek peaceful solutions through consultation on the basis of equality and mutual respect.” - Li Keqiang.