HONG KONG -- China stressed Sunday that it needs to grow in wisdom rather than using military power in its foreign policy as the country's global prowess escalates.

   In the wake of Beijing's increasing influence, Washington has moved to reassert its presence in the Asia-Pacific arena. Regional tensions have also mounted over China's territorial claims in the South China Sea.

   "Wisdom is more important than the fist," state-level news agency China News Service quoted Le Yucheng, deputy director at the Chinese Ministry, as saying in a forum held in Beijing.

   "We must see China's diplomacy conforming to the trend of desiring peace, seeking development and promoting cooperation."

   Le said diplomacy should take into account immediate and long-term effects on the global political and economic situations, at the same time as considering national interest, image and responsibility.

   China's diplomacy can not be simply defined as "soft" or "hard", he added.

   "The Western world has been criticizing that China's foreign policy is tough, while some domestic critics say that we are too soft in our diplomacy," he said.

   "From different angles, different conclusions can be drawn on China's diplomacy."

   China's growing influence in world economics and politics has led to tensions between the United States and China. The U.S. has often voiced its concern over its rival's under-valued currency, human rights record and military might.  (Yonhap)