The Chinese government's proposals for strengthening cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) show that China remains fully confident about the prospects of China-ASEAN cooperation.

During a meeting in Beijing with envoys of the 10 ASEAN countries, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi briefed them about the Chinese government's proposals for enhancing China-ASEAN cooperation in an all-round way. Yang has just returned home from Thailand late Saturday where scheduled ASEAN meetings were postponed due to domestic unrest in that country.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi (C) meets with envoys of 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in Beijing, capital of China, on April 12, 2009.[Yao Dawei/Xinhua]

China's proposals for strengthening its cooperation with ASEAN include the signing of an investment agreement. The agreement, which was scheduled to be signed during the scheduled meetings, would be conducive to the establishment of the China-ASEAN free trade area.

This demonstrates that that the series of relevant measures China has already decided to adopt will remain unchanged and that China has full confidence in the future of China-ASEAN friendly cooperation, despite the postponement of ASEAN meetings.

Strengthening and deepening cooperation is the common wish of the two sides, and is also an important avenue for fighting protectionism and enhancing their ability to resist risks in the current economic circumstances.

As close neighbors, China and ASEAN countries have enjoyed increased cooperation in various areas. In the face of the global financial crisis, it has become the consensus of both sides that they should work together to ride out the present difficulties.

Expanded cooperation between China and ASEAN will help augment their ability to tackle the crisis.

Making joint efforts to push for the signing of an investment agreement displays the determination of both sides to promote trade and investment liberalization, fight protectionism and achieve a win-win result.

Furthermore, the China-ASEAN free trade area, to be completed in 2010, will play an important and profound role in further strengthening China-ASEAN relations and boosting cooperation in the whole of East Asia.

China and ASEAN countries are close and friendly neighbors. The key to continued development of bilateral relations lies in mutual trust, confidence and unremitting efforts.

Only with that can the two sides enjoy solid cooperation and join hands in achieving sustainable development.

(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2009)