East Asia cooperation
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Premier Wen Jiabao's attendance at a series of leaders' meetings in Hanoi, Vietnam, which begins on Thursday, will further consolidate China's good-neighbor relations and expand reciprocal and pragmatic cooperation in East Asia.
Wen is scheduled to attend the 13th summit between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (10+1); the 13th summit between ASEAN, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) (10+3); and the fifth East Asia Summit (EAS).
China highly values the important role these mechanisms have played in promoting regional cooperation and integration. As economies in Asia continue to perform well against the backdrop of the slow global economic recovery, closer and pragmatic cooperation in this region will be a blessing to the economic development of the region and the rest of the world.
The momentum for cooperation in East Asia has remained robust. With the establishment of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) at the beginning of this year, much headway has been made in pragmatic cooperation.
The creation of the CAFTA bears testament to China and ASEAN countries' confidence and determination to fight the financial crisis together, by promoting trade and investment liberalization. It has also pushed the China-ASEAN strategic partnership to a higher level.
Wen is expected to assure ASEAN partners that China will continue to work with them to deepen cooperation under the framework of CAFTA, especially in such fields as infrastructure construction, finance, agriculture, environmental protection and people-to-people exchanges.
For the 10+3 meeting, cooperation among China, Japan and ROK is of great significance to peace and prosperity in East Asia and the continent at large. The three nations should approach and steer their relations from strategic and long-term perspectives. Therefore, they should appropriately resolve disputes and differences.
At the EAS, Wen is expected to elaborate on China's stance on the future development of the EAS, including its direction and principles, and to stress the need for enhancing cooperation in such areas as finance, education, bird-flu control and disaster alleviation.
Launched in 2005, the EAS, comprising China, Japan, ROK, Australia, India and New Zealand along with 10 ASEAN member countries, has become an important platform for discussing major issues impacting the region and the world at large.
The upcoming EAS summit is expected to formally accept the United States and Russia as new partners. The expansion will make this a forum to exert more influence in international arenas. China recognizes the EAS as an important regional organization driving the wheel of development and integration in East Asia. It hopes ASEAN will continue to play a leading role in this momentum.
Wen's series of diplomatic activities are intended to contribute to good neighborly relationships and will hopefully be a fitting addition to the country's diplomatic achievements this year.
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