Economy

Wen: China remains a developing nation

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-10-03 17:34

ATHENS - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said here on Oct 3 that China remains a developing nation despite great changes over the past three decades.

"Although China's total GDP and external trade are among the largest in the world, the basic reality about China -- a populous country with a weak economic foundation and uneven development -- has not changed," Wen said in a speech at the Greek parliament.

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China's per-capita GDP is only one eighth of Greece's, the number of poor people in China is more than three times that of Greece's entire population and the vast countryside and interior are still underdeveloped, he said.

China still has a long way to go to completely change its backwardness, he said, adding that China needs a peaceful and stable external environment and closer cooperation with other countries.

China will stay on the path of peaceful development, endeavor to foster a peaceful international environment for its own development and at the same time contribute to world peace through its own development, Wen said, adding that China's increasing prosperity will bring benefits to the whole world.