Foreign and Military Affairs

China, ASEAN vow to promote cooperation

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-04-30 18:56

JAKARTA - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan here Saturday, with both sides vowing to enhance bilateral cooperation and ties.

Wen said that over the past 20 years since China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) established dialogue relationship, pragmatic cooperation in various fields has been continuously deepened, which has also promoted their respective economic and social development, advanced the process of East Asia cooperation and made significant contribution to regional peace and stability.

Wen said the current top priority of East Asia cooperation is to consolidate and deepen the existing cooperation, push forward the establishment of the East Asia Free Trade Area and promote people-to-people exchanges among East Asian countries.

He also said that East Asia summits should remain open and inclusive, play the role of a strategic forum of leaders, and provide guidance for regional development and cooperation from macro perspectives.

Surin said that China has always attached great importance to ASEAN's role in regional affairs and extends a helping hand whenever ASEAN countries are in need.

Facts have proved that China is a reliable neighbor of ASEAN, he said.

He said ASEAN is ready to take the opportunity of the 20th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue relationship to boost the strategic partnership to a new level.

Surin also spoke highly of China's significant and positive efforts in promoting East Asia cooperation, and promised that ASEAN is willing to work together with East Asian nations to push for the development of East Asia cooperation in the right direction.

Later on Saturday, Premier Wen left Jakarta for home after concluding a two-day official visit to Indonesia.