Font size: 
Wen made the comments at a news conference Thursday in Beijing, marking the end of the 11-day session of the National People's Congress, the country's legislature.
The premier was asked about China's anti-satellite test in January, the first in 20 years since those conducted by the United States and the former Soviet Union. A reporter wondered if there was any contradiction between China beefing up its military strength while at the same time preaching its peaceful rise and development.
"China does not target any country, threaten any country, and has not breached any international treaties" by conducting the anti-satellite test, Wen said.
He reiterated the country's position advocating the peaceful use of outer space and its opposition to an arms race, taking the opportunity to "make a solemn statement" that "China's utilization of outer space remains unchanged."
The premier also called on "all countries concerned to sign an international convention on the peaceful utilization of outer space at an early date."
Wen noted that, since the start of the legislative session, China had been asked many times if the lack of transparency in its military budget and anti-satellite test were in contradiction to its policy of peaceful development, and whether the country posed a threat to the rest of the world.
In response to these questions, Wen pointed out China's large size --9.6 million square kilometers (3.7 million square miles) -- and the length of its borders -- 22,000 kilometers (13,670 miles) of land borders and 18,000 kilometers (11,185 miles) of maritime boundaries -- plus its population of 1.3 billion people.
Wen said whether measured in aggregate or relative terms, China's armed forces and military expenditures were "at a very low level compared with other countries." He noted "not only are developed countries at higher levels, but even some developing countries are on a much higher level than China."
The premier's second point concerned history, and lessons China has not forgotten.
"After the Opium War in 1840, China was subjected to the aggression and oppression of imperialist powers. We, the Chinese nation, know full well the tremendous sufferings from being enslaved by foreign aggression," Wen said.
"That's why we are most sincere in our commitment to peaceful development," he added. Wen repeated that his country's defense policy was "defensive in nature."
The Chinese premier concluded his remarks by stating: "The limited armed forces that China has are completely serving the purpose of safeguarding the country's security, independence, and sovereignty. On this matter we are completely transparent."
