Once China's ideas on the concept of a harmonious society and a harmonious world are better understood, fewer people will believe in the view of "China Threat", Wu Jianmin, President of the China Foreign Affairs Institute said here Sunday.

Wu made his remark on the first class in a series of lectures titled "International Knowledge and China's Diplomacy". He said the idea of a harmonious world was raised by China after deep consideration and deliberations. It combines the interests of the people in China and in the world.

He noted that for historic and practical reasons some foreigners are biased toward China and continue to believe in the 'China Threat'. However, the world today has changed from the time of war and revolution to the era of peace and development. "China needs to explain its peaceful development to the outside world and prove it with action, thereby shrinking the market of China Threat," He said.

Wu also said the Olympic Games to be held in Beijing in 2008 and the International Exposition in Shanghai in 2010 will give China an excellent opportunity. Hosting them successfully will be China's contribution to building a harmonious world.

This series of lectures, cosponsored by China National Association for International Studies (CNAIS) and the Archive of Ancient Books of the China National Library, provide a forum for interaction between experts and the public. The aim of the lectures is to help people better understand the international situation and China's diplomacy. At the same time, it will help the CNAIS to understand the needs of the public to facilitate their consultant work.