Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said in Beijing Tuesday that media cooperation between China and ASEAN members would enhance mutual understanding and friendship in the region.

While meeting with some participants to the second China-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Media Cooperation Seminar,which was held from Aug. 26 to 27 in Nanning, capital of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Li said that China and ASEAN nations are good neighbors and share similar cultures.

With principles of treating neighbors well and taking neighbors partners as well as good-neighborly foreign policy, he said, China attaches great importance to cultivate friendly cooperation with ASEAN nations, Li said.

China is willing to shape a strategic partnership toward peace and common prosperity with ASEAN nations on the basis of the Five Principles of Peace and Co-existence and the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, Li said.

He said media play an important role in realizing mutual understanding and promoting friendly cooperation. And he hopes media become bridges and links between China and ASEAN nations for their strategic partnership, which might contribute to world peace and prosperity.

Pratap Parameswaran, culture program coordinator of the ASEAN Secretariat, praised China's efforts to enhance media cooperation with ASEAN nations. He said the ASEAN is willing to push forward the strategic partnership with China through friendly and sufficient cooperation.

(Xinhua News Agency September 1, 2004)