CHINA / Official Publication
Wen's speech at China-ASEAN summit
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-10-30 16:54
NANNING - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Monday delivered a speech
entitled "Join Hands to Create A Better Future for China-ASEAN Relations"
at the summit marking the 15th anniversary of the establishment of
China-ASEAN dialogue. The full text of the speech is as follows:
Join Hands to Create A Better Future for China-ASEAN Relations
Dear Colleagues,
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao attends the opening ceremony of the
Commemorative Summit marking the 15th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue
Relations in Nanning, capital of southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang
Autonomous Region, on October 30, 2006. [Xinhua]
Today, we, the leaders of China and ASEAN countries are meeting here in
the beautiful city of Nanning to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the
China-ASEAN dialogue relations. First of all, I would like to extend, on
behalf of the Chinese Government, a very warm welcome to you.
Fifteen years ago, the opening of dialogue process between China and
ASEAN turned a new page in relations between the two sides. Looking back
at the past 15 years, we are glad to see that China-ASEAN relations have
come a long way from removal of misgivings to commencement of dialogue to
enhancement of mutual trust and to the final establishment of strategic
partnership. Thanks to our joint efforts, our bilateral relations have
made progress unseen in history. Relations between China and ASEAN have
never been as good as they are today.
In the political field, mutual trust is growing. China was the first
ASEAN dialogue partner to join the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in
Southeast Asia and to establish strategic partnership for peace and
prosperity with ASEAN. The two sides jointly issued the Declaration on
the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
Economically, we are moving towards greater integration. In just 15
years, our trade grew by 15 times, from less than eight billion U.S.
dollars in 1991 to over 130 billion U.S. dollars in 2005. By the end of
last year, ASEAN countries had set up close to30,000 investment projects
in China, with a total investment of about 40 billion U.S. dollars.
China's investment in ASEAN countries has also grown. We were the first
to start the process of establishing a free trade area and have signed
the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between
China and ASEAN.
We enjoy extensive cooperation in priority areas. We have decided to
advance bilateral cooperation in all areas in a comprehensive way for the
period of 2005 to 2010 and have identified ten priority areas, i.e.
agriculture, information industry, human resources development, mutual
investment, Mekong River Basin development, transport, energy, culture,
tourism and public health. Effective mechanisms have been set up to carry
out such cooperation. All the ten ASEAN countries are now approved
destinations for Chinese tourists. In 2005 alone, there were over 6.5
million visits between the two sides.
We extend mutual support in addressing issues of public security. When
the Asian financial crisis and major emergencies or natural disasters
occurred, such as SARS, the avian influenza and the Indian Ocean tsunami,
we stood side by side, helped each other and overcame the difficulties.
We maintain close coordination in upholding stability and promoting
cooperation in our region. China and ASEAN are both committed to a
peaceful and stable East Asia. The two sides have worked together to
advance the 10 + 1, 10 + 3 and East Asia cooperation and coordinated
positions in the Asia-Europe cooperation process. China consistently
supports ASEAN's leading role in regional affairs and regional
cooperation.
China-ASEAN friendship and cooperation have contributed to economic and
social progress in our respective countries and made life better for our
peoples. Moreover, our cooperation has facilitated regional integration,
raised the competitiveness and international profile of our region and
promoted peace and prosperity in Asia. China-ASEAN relations are a fine
example of friendly exchanges between countries in this region. They have
brought real benefits to the peoples of China and ASEAN countries and
made important contribution to peace, stability and prosperity in Asia
and the world at large.
From the impressive growth of China-ASEAN relations in the past15 years,
we can draw the following conclusions:
First, peaceful development is the prerequisite for the growth of
China-ASEAN relations. We both firmly pursue a policy of good
neighborliness and friendship, see each other as cooperative partners and
take other's development as an opportunity, not a threat. We are both
committed to peace and stability and we both work for prosperity and well
being of our peoples. That is why our relations have become a model of
harmony and common development among countries.
Second, equality and mutual trust are the foundation of China-ASEAN
relations. We respect and treat each other as equals and endeavor to
develop consensus by seeking common grounds while putting aside
differences. With the overall interests and the strategic importance of
our relations in mind, we have addressed each other's concerns with
sensitivity and handled issues in bilateral relations appropriately. This
has enabled our relations to stand the test of volatile changes in the
international environment and move towards maturity.
Third, win-win cooperation is the goal for China-ASEAN relations. Basing
ourselves on our respective national conditions and long-term development
needs, we have enjoyed mutual understanding, support and help in our
joint effort to meet the challenges posed by economic globalization as
well as traditional and non-traditional security threats. We have
expanded exchanges and coordination and broadened our common interests.
Indeed, we have embarked upon a new path of promoting mutual benefit and
win-win cooperation.
Fourth, people's support is the driving force behind China-ASEAN
relations. Our cooperation helps reduce poverty, narrow development gap,
speed up growth and deliver a better life for our peoples. We have
endeavored to deepen mutual understanding and friendship among our
peoples, thus creating enormous popular support for China-ASEAN
friendship, and this is the inexhaustible source of strength for growing
our bilateral ties.
1 2
Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours
Today's Top News
� ASEAN-China summit to chart FTA blueprint
� Nigerian plane crash kills 99
� 'China needs to play bigger WTO role'
� US army monitors soldiers' blogs
� ASEAN, Chinese leaders fete relations
Top China News
� China ready to reform forex reserve system
� ASEAN, Chinese leaders gather in Nanning for summit
� 'China needs to play bigger WTO role'
� Town chief diverts 90 million yuan for gambling
� Huge forex reserves arouse debate
Alibaba is the largest B2B marketplace in the world. Source model ship,
wooden puzzle, one-piece toilet, RC hovercraft, photo album, prom dress,
pocket bike, Vaginal Speculum, Samurai Sword, String Panty and PVC Pipe.
Learn Chinese, Chinese Online Class
No comments:
Post a Comment