Surin Pitsuwan, the Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) reiterated in Hua Hin on Sunday the respect for "One China" Policy and welcomed the improving relationship across the Taiwan Straits amid ASEAN integration.

Surin Pitsuwan made the remarks at a press conference after the conclusion of the 14th ASEAN Summit here on Sunday.

To answer a question on Taiwan's future involvement in ASEAN integration with the improving relationship across the Taiwan Strait, Surin said all ASEAN countries and economies have close economic cooperation and relations with the two parts across the Taiwan Strait.

"We all respect the One China policy, and all of us note with satisfaction the positive improvement across the Taiwan strait," the Secret-General stressed, adding that keen interest is shown by China to improve the relation as well as the mutual desire from the leadership of Taiwan.

He said he would like to see closer cooperation by Asian economies in economic issues, including "investment, trade, tourism and all of those things that have been going on in the last three decades."

"I think all of us will certainly enhance our cooperation and relationships and that would be to the benefits of all of us here in Asia," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2009)