China needs harmonious world: legislator

"My answer is simple: China needs a harmonious world... It means we want to make friends with all countries," Cheng Siwei, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People 's Congress, told a panel of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum.

He said a harmonious world can be achieved if China and other countries try to seek common ground while shelving differences.

Another panelist, a Singaporean academic, said China's international ambition is moderate.

"China, in a very profound way, is a status quo power," said Kishore Mahbubani, dean of Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

"It does not want to shake the world. It wants to work with the world as it is."

He explained that China is cautious in world affairs as its greater role is easily interpreted as a threat by the outside world.

"If China tries to exercise greater leadership in the world order, it will be seen as threatening (others)."

Cheng said the outside world is getting increasingly positive about China's rapid growth.

Five to 10 years ago, some people talked about collapse of China because they didn't believe China could sustain its development; three to five year ago, some people talked about China threat; today people are talking about China's responsibilities.

"This is progress," he said.

But he cautioned that the outside world cannot expect China to take more responsibilities than it can shoulder.

China can take limited responsibilities, he said.