China and ASEAN leaders signed a joint statement yesterday at the China-ASEAN Commemorative Summit in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The summit marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN dialogue.

 

Attending the summit were Premier Wen Jiabao, and leaders from the 10 ASEAN member nations – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, The Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

 

The summit represents a historical moment in China-ASEAN relations because it was the first to be held between China and all 10 ASEAN leaders.

 

In his opening speech, Wen said that the opening of dialogue relations between China and ASEAN 15 years ago marked a new beginning in relationships. China-ASEAN relations have undergone a process of removing misgivings and commencing dialogue, to what it is today, that is, with enhanced mutual trust, and a strategic partnership.

 

Remarkable achievements have been made through cooperation in various fields. The construction of a free trade region is developing steadily, first steps having already been taken with the signing of the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Between China and ASEAN.

 

Wen added that China and ASEAN are moving towards greater integration in economics. In the space of just 15 years, trade volumes grew by 15 times, from less than US$8 billion in 1991 to over US$130 billion in 2005.

 

Plans are underway to boost bilateral cooperation during the 2005-2010 period. In this respect, 10 priority areas have been identified: agriculture, information industry, human resources development, mutual investment, Mekong River Basin development, transport, energy, culture, tourism and public health.

 

In addition, all 10 ASEAN countries are approved destinations for Chinese tourists.

 

Wen pointed out that cooperation in public security should be further expanded, citing previous examples of mutual support including the Asian financial crisis, SARS and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

 

Moreover, China and ASEAN are committed to a peaceful and stable East Asia. The two sides have worked together to advance the 10+1, 10+3 and East Asia cooperation and coordinated their positions in the Asia-Europe cooperation process. China also supports ASEAN’s leading role in regional affairs and cooperation.

 

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, president of the Philippines that currently holds the rotating ASEAN presidency, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. She said that this summit was more important than ever because open dialogue and trust between peoples and nations have never been more important in today’s world. This commemorative summit is a milestone in the history of China-ASEAN dialogue relations, she remarked. She also highlighted that what happens next is the most important issue: what state the China-ASEAN relationship will be in 50 years, whether the economy will be improved, and the world a safer place.

 

In a show of solidarity and commitment, a joint statement was signed during the summit, which aims to enhance the China-ASEAN strategic partnership. In addition to summarizing the achievements made over the past 15 years, the statement maps out the future development of China-ASEAN relations, and stresses the strengthening of the strategic partnership, and cooperation in various aspects including politics and security, economics, socio-cultural, and regional and international cooperation.

 

China-ASEAN dialogue relations were launched in 1991 with China becoming ASEAN's full dialogue partner in 1996. The two sides established a strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in 2003.

 

(China.org.cn by staff reporter Xu Lin, October 31, 2006)