Li made the remark during a meeting with a delegation from the Japan-Asia Exchange Association led by Hiroshi Araki, chairman of the Association. The delegation is visiting China at the invitation of the State Power Company of China.

China is a peace-loving country which is concentrating its efforts on economic construction, Li said. China's development will not only benefit the Chinese people but will also be an important contribution to the whole of humanity, he said.

"China's development will pose no threat to any country in the world," he said. "On the contrary, China's development will bring more opportunities of cooperation between foreign countries and China."

Li said he appreciates the Japan-Asia Exchange Association's efforts in promoting friendship between Japan and China over the years.

Despite twists and turns, Sino-Japanese relations, on the whole, have kept developing, Li said.

He said the sound and steady development of China-Japan friendly relations need the continued efforts of people of all circles in Japan.

Recalling Li's visit to Japan last April, Araki said Li's visit to the Tokyo Electric Power Co., of which Araki is chairman, was a great encouragement to Japanese entrepreneurs.

Araki said the Japan-Asia Exchange Association will actively work to promote the development of Japan-China relations.

China's rapid development has opened up broad prospects for economic cooperation between the two countries, Araki said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2002)