China, Asean Enhance Strategic Partnership
By Asri Razak

Nanning, China - China has asked Southeast Asian countries to consider signing follow-up agreements to expand trade and economic ties at the China-Asean Commemorative Summit.

Leaders attending the summit expect that strengthened relations between China and the Asean regional bloc will open more trade and investment opportunities for Southeast Asian nations, including Brunei Darussalam which aims to attract more Chinese business partners.

. His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzadin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam attended the summit yesterday afternoon.

China's Premier Wen Jiabao greeted the monarch upon his arrival at the International Conference Centre in the, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous egion.

His Majesty yesterday joined leaders of Asean and China during a press conference to announce a joint statement titled "Towards An Enhanced ChinaAsean Strategic Partnership".

During the closed session of the summit, His Majesty in his titah stated he was pleased with the overall progress of AseanChina relations, and acknowledged the meaningful history Asean and China shared over the last 15 years.

The Chinese premier noted that follow-up deals will be based on the existing FrameworkAgreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between China and Asean.

Leaders of China and Asean countries are meeting in Nanning to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the China-Asean dialogue relations.

This accomplishment is a result of joint efforts and bilateral relations that have progressed over history, said Wen, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China. In just 15 years, China's trade has grown, from US$8 billion in 1991 to US$130 billion last year.

There are up to 30,000 investment projects in China, with investments from Asean totalling about US$40 billion. Since the signing of the framework agreement, China's investments in Asean countries have also grown significantly, Wen said.

China has also developed political partnerships with the regional bloc through the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

The China-Asean Commemorative Summit is an opportunity for dialogue partners to discuss both economic and security issues.

The joint statement read by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said that with China's concerns over the balance of power on the Korean peninsula, Asean would assist in resolving matters diplomatically.

She noted as well that regional peace is an important matter for the dialogue partners.

In the statement, the Asean leaders expressed satisfaction with the comprehensive cooperation with China in areas of mutual interest. It noted that China and Asean have boosted their own development, bringing tangible benefits for their citizens.

The leaders noted that the Asean cooperation has significantly contributed to peace, stability and- prosperity in the region. Political and security cooperation has been strengthened as well following the signing of the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in 2003 in Bali.

The statement noted the expansion of five to 10 priority areas in China-Asean cooperation. These include agriculture, information and communication technology, human resource development, two-way investment, Mekong River Basin development, transportation, energy, culture, tourism, and public health. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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