Closer China-Asean Ties
By Alex How in Nanning

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam lauded the impressive record of China-Asean partnership and pledged full support for the proposed establishment ofAsean-China centre.

China and Asean have pledged to advance their strategic partnership, which would be a catalyst for dialogue relations between Asean and its dialogue partners, that was announced during the joint statement ceremony after the meeting.

The other Asean leaders who attended the summit were Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Lao Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh, Myanmar Prime Minister General See Win, Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (who co-chaired the summit), Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Vietnamese Prime MinisterNguyen Tan Dung and Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont.

Also attending the summit was His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Pehin Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, Minister II of Foreign Affairs and Trade, was also present.

His Majesty and the other leaders reviewed the achievements and cooperation of Asean-China dialogue relations and discussed ways to further strengthen and deepen the strategic partnership.

China and Asean believe that the achievements made in the past 15 years in their dialogue relations have been the result of adherence to the principles enshrined in important international treaties.

This includes the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, the Ten Principles of the Bandung Asian-African Conference, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

While agreeing to further enhance mutual trust and understanding, China and Asean will continue to be `fully guided by these principles' and match the depth and breadth of cooperation with the objective of the strategic partnership.

The two sides have further reaffirmed their commitment to effectively implement relevant documents, and pledge to deepen collaboration in 10 priority areas.

China supported and welcomed the efforts of Asean to establish a Southeast Asia NuclearWeapon Free Zone.

"Asean appreciates China's intention to accede to the Protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon Free Zone and will continue to consult China on this matter," the statement said.

China and Asean are committed to maintain high-level visits, strengthen cooperation and information sharing in non-traditional security issues, according to the statement.

Meanwhile, Asean welcomed China's contribution of US$1 million to the Asean Development Fund and China's funding assistance of $1 million for projects of the Initiative forAsean Integration. Asean leaders highly appreciated China's continued commitment to supportAsean's community building efforts.

Earlier, Chinese Premier Wen proposed to consolidate and enhance friendship and cooperation among the two sides in his welcoming address before the closed door summit.

The Chinese premier called for strategic coordination and urged for closer cooperation on major regional and international issues.

"We should maintain regular high-level exchange of visits and expand links between governments, parliaments and political parties to increase mutual trust," he said, urging the two sides to seize the opportunity to strengthen and enrich cooperation and explore new ways to usher their bilateral relations to a new stage.

The premier said Asean should remain at the core of East Asia cooperation and that 10+3 (ten Asean nations plus China, Japan and the Republic of Korea) serve as the main vehicle in East Asia cooperation.

"The two sides should enrich bilateral cooperation", said the premier urging the two sides to consider signing a follow-up agreement on expanding economic and trade ties as well as the relevant institutional arrangement, on the basis of the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between China and Asean.

At the same time, he said, the Agreement on Trade in Goods should be fully implemented and negotiation on trade in service and investment should be accelerated to speed up the process of establishing the China-Asean Free Trade Area.

"We should press ahead with the construction of the Kunming-Singapore Railway and the Asia highway network, launch energy cooperation and advance result-oriented cooperation in the 10 priority areas," he said.

Wen further added that the two sides should ensure common security by expanding the military dialogue and exchanges, conduct and institutionalise defence cooperation, continue to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and promote joint development of the South China Sea.

"China supports the establishment of a nuclearvveapon-free zone in Southeast Asia and is ready to sign the Protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone at an early date," said Wen.

"We should also step up cooperation on crossborder issues concerning counter-terrorism, transnational crimes, maritime security, rescue operation and disaster relief," he said.

The premier concluded by saying the two sides should foster closer people-to-people exchanges.

A tree planting ceremony was held after the signing ceremony at the Lakeside Court of Liyuan Hotel. His Majesty planted a pine tree to commemorate the summit.

In the evening, His Majesty joined otherAsean leaders in attending a Welcome Banquet at the Grand Hall of the People's Congress of Nanning, hosted by Premier Wen. Later the leaders were entertained to an art performance.

Accompanying His Majesty at these events was HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah. HRH Princess Hjh Masna also attended the Welcome Banquet and arts performance.

His Majesty and other leaders will attend the opening ceremony of the 3'd China-Asean FXPO, which will begin today at the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Centre. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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