The Chinese government on Tuesday congratulated the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) on its 40th anniversary.

"ASEAN has achieved remarkable accomplishments in economic growth and pushing forward regional integration," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao.

"ASEAN has made important contributions to peace, development and prosperity in the region," Liu said.

Premier Wen Jiabao would send a congratulatory message to ASEAN Secretary General Ong Keng Yong, and Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi would attend a celebration banquet held by embassies of ASEAN nations to China.

A series of celebration activities would also be held in Beijing.

Calling ASEAN China's "friend and partner", Liu said China and ASEAN had witnessed increasingly deeper cooperation in politics, economy, society and culture, and always supported each other and worked closely together in international affairs.

"China will continue supporting the regional integration process of ASEAN and its leadership in regional cooperation as it has always done, and continuously push forward the China-ASEAN strategic partnership," Liu said.

Founded on Aug. 8, 1967, ASEAN groups Brunei,Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

ASEAN members are also organizing different events and activities to commemorate the anniversary with the official theme "One ASEAN at the Heart of Dynamic Asia."

(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2007)