Beijing's role crucial for stability, multilateral chief says

China's role will continue to have great importance in regional economic cooperation and integration, the head of a multilateral group said on Tuesday in Manila.

Lee Jong-heon, secretary-general of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat, said he is impressed by China's initiatives to advance the construction of an East Asia economic community.

Lee attended meetings of the 20th ASEAN Plus Three Summit earlier in the day. His organization was established in 2011 to promote peace and common prosperity among China, Japan and the Republic of Korea.