UPDATE 1-China's Wen confident of balancing growth, inflation

* China confident of growing fast, controlling inflation

* Premier silent on yuan, hopes for warm trade ties with U.S.

* Wen warns property speculators, vows to curb home prices

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By Langi Chiang and Alan Wheatley

BEIJING, Feb 27 (Reuters) - China will stick to a pro-growth monetary policy but will make sure inflation does not derail the world's third-largest economy, Premier Wen Jiabao said on Saturday.

In an online chat, Wen took an emollient line towards Washington, saying China wanted 2010 to be a peaceful year for two-way trade and economic relations.

The two-hour question-and-answer session did not broach the yuan's exchange rate.