WHILE poems previously cited by Premier Wen Jiabao conveyed graveness, those he quoted at the press conference Friday reflect optimism on China's development and unification.

"A thousand sails pass by the wrecked ship, and 10,000 saplings shoot up beyond the withered tree. (沉舟侧畔千帆过，病树前头万木春)"

Wen quoted the determined politician-cum-poet Liu Yuxi in the Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618-907) to describe the future of cross-Straits relationship.

"To develop peaceful relations and facilitate growth on both sides of the Straits is a historical trend and no one can block it," Wen said.

On issues of corruption, the premier illustrated the relationship between the common people and officials by quoting an ancient idiom.

"While water can carry a boat, it can also overturn it, (水能载舟，亦能覆舟)" Wen said, quoting an emperor from the Tang Dynasty, China's golden era of trade, wealth and openness.

Besides firmness, sincerity also flowed from poems quoted by Wen, who was known to tear up during televised meetings for concerns with the common people.

While trying to illustrate the results of policies the current government implemented to improve the well-being of the people, Wen quoted a poem by his favorite modern poet Ai Qing.

"If you want to know what happiness means, you can ask the land, which is full of flowers in full blossom, and you can also ask the river that is unfrozen. （去问开化的大地，去问解冻的河流。）"

He said the aim of the policies is to make the people happy.