China looks to boost economic integration of East Asia at ASEAN summits（打印版）

BEIJING, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Despite sluggish recovery of the world economy, China is looking to contribute to the regional cooperation and integration of East Asia during upcoming meetings for the region's leaders.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will attend the summits to be held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from Nov. 18 to 20, Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying said Saturday at a press briefing.

The meetings include the 15th summit between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as the 15th summit between the ASEAN, China, Japan and the ROK and the 7th East Asia Summit.

Wen's attendance at the events has important implications for the development of China-ASEAN ties and East Asia cooperation, which is much needed for the region to grapple with the global economic downturn, the vice minister said.

China will propose some new initiatives on various aspects at the China-ASEAN summit, including the establishment of a China-ASEAN partnership on marine affairs, hi-tech industrial parks, public health action plan and common tourism market, according to Fu.

During the summit between the ASEAN, China, Japan and the ROK, China will announce its participation in negotiations concerning the to-be-launched Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), she said.

She said the RCEP agreement, if reached, will give a strong impetus to the economic integrity of East Asia, as the initiative is expected to incorporate huge economic power of 16 nations including ten ASEAN states, China, Japan, the ROK, India, Australia and New Zealand.

The planned talks on a free trade area between China, Japan and the ROK are also scheduled to start within the year, Fu said.

"As the international financial crisis continues and trade and investment protectionism start to grow, regional economic integration has become the common choice of many countries," Fu said.

She added that China adopts an open attitude toward any cooperation initiative that is conducive to economic integration and the common prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region.

China will focus on the theme of development at the 7th East Asia Summit so as to boost cooperation in six areas -- finance, energy, education, public health systems, disaster management and regional connectivity -- among all countries at the meeting.

As a series of relevant declarations and agreements are to be signed as a result of these summits, China believes that the events will yield positive results with the common efforts of all participating nations, according to Fu.

China hopes the upcoming meetings can promote mutual trust and build consensus, deepen pragmatic exchange and cooperation among nations and boost the further development of current mechanisms within the region, Fu said.

Moreover, China calls for all relevant nations to improve their ability to address crisis, Fu added.

In addition to the meetings, Premier Wen will pay official visits to Cambodia and Thailand at the invitations of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, respectively.

During his stay in Cambodia, Wen will pay tribute to recently deceased former King Norodom Sihanouk.

Wen will also hold talks with Hun Sen to discuss consolidating traditional friendship, deepening the China-Cambodia comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation and strengthening the two countries' coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs.

The two countries will also ink cooperation deals regarding the economy, technology, education and training.

Fu added that Cambodia, which holds the rotating chairmanship of the ASEAN this year, plays an important and positive role in East Asia cooperation and China-ASEAN relations.

As for Wen's official visit to Thailand, Fu said the Chinese premier will meet with major members of the royal family and will hold talks with Yingluck Shinawatra during his stay from Nov. 20 to 21.

The two prime ministers will exchange views on further deepening the China-Thai comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation, promoting their trade, investment and cultural cooperation, and strengthening cooperation in international and regional affairs, she said.

Wen will also attend the inauguration ceremony for a Chinese cultural center in Bangkok, which will be the first of its kind to be established in Southeast Asia.

Relevant departments of the two countries will sign cooperation agreements on diplomacy, education and water conservancy.

"Thailand, which has taken over the position of coordinator for China-ASEAN relations, will play a unique and important role in promoting the development of China-ASEAN relations and East Asia cooperation in its three-year tenure," Fu said.

China looks to boost economic integration of East Asia at ASEAN summits（在线收听）