LONDON, June 18 -- Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said here Wednesday that China, with a population of 1.3 billion, will foster the largest inclusive development in human history by achieving modernization step by step.

Li made the remarks when addressing a gathering co-hosted by Chatham House and the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), two prestigious British think tanks.

He pledged that China will promote urbanization, integration of urban and rural areas and regional harmonious development.

China will boost sustainable economic development by following a new path of industrialization, pursuing low-carbon and green growth, achieving endogenous growth through innovation and upgrading the economy by improving its quality and efficiency, he said at the event which took place at Mansion House in the City of London.

China will also push for reforms to give the market a decisive role in resource allocation and give better play to the role of the government, so as to tap private investment potential and stimulate the initiative and creativity of the market as well as the people, he said.

China will advance a new round of opening-up to create a better environment for domestic and foreign investment, better integrate itself with the rest of the world and make important contributions to the inclusive development of the world as a whole.

As for China's foreign policy, the premier said the Chinese people love peace and China will firmly pursue a path of peaceful development, upholding an open strategy of mutual benefit and win-win results as well as a policy of "building friendship and partnership with neighboring countries."

China is ready to join efforts with other countries to create an international environment of lasting peace, he said. However, China will adopt forceful measures against any provocation or move that harms peace, to safeguard world peace and stability, he said.

Noting that developing and developed countries are the "double engines" of world economic development, Li said fostering the inclusive development of mutual benefit and win-win results between them is the common task and responsibility of all countries in reconstructing the global economic order after the financial crisis.

He urged all countries to pursue reforms and innovation, strengthen the coordination of macro policies, remove the barrier of protectionism, promote the establishment of a market order of fair competition, constantly expand mutual interests and share the fruitful results of globalization.

In conclusion, Li called on China and Britain, East and West, developing and developed countries to seize all opportunities to enhance strategic cooperation, advance common growth, share experience in innovation and work together to create a fine world of inclusive development.

Michael Bear, former lord mayor of London, and John Chipman, director-general of IISS, in their addresses referred to Britain as China's reliable partner as well as a long-term and stable investment destination.

The development of Britain-China relations benefits not only the two sides but also the world as a whole, they said.

They added that British think tanks pay high attention to China's reform and development, appreciate the country's efforts in safeguarding world peace and promoting common development, and expect China to play a bigger role in world affairs.

Li's visit to Britain has achieved fruitful results and will greatly boost the development of Britain-China relations, they said.

The Chinese premier is in London on an official visit to Britain. His ongoing two-nation Europe tour will also take him to Greece.