1st LD-Writethru: Time for "China threat theory" laid to rest: FM

BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- It is time the "China threat theory" was laid to rest, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Thursday.

Those who do not have bias or practice double standards will see China's development as an opportunity instead of a threat, Wang told a press conference on the sidelines of the national legislature's annual session.

For decades, the West has made all kinds of assessment and predictions about China. To some Westerners, China is either collapsing or threatening, according to Wang.

"As China grows, the 'China collapse theory' has collapsed and become an international laughing stock. Meanwhile, the 'China threat theory' with its various sensational versions is losing market," he said.

Citing facts in the past years, Wang said for years China has been the leading contributor to global economic growth at more than 30 percent. "China's contribution is bigger than that of the United States, Japan and euro zone combined."

China accounts for more than 70 percent of poverty reduction worldwide, a miracle in human history.

"As the largest contributor of peace-keeping personnel among the permanent members of the UN Security Council and the second largest contributor to the UN peace-keeping budget, China is bearing a weighty responsibility for maintaining world peace," he continued.

In the past five years, with its Belt and Road Initiative and other major proposals, China has come to the fore in championing global governance, free trade and an open global economy, Wang said. Enditem