China to enhance strategic co-op with ASEAN

NANNING - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday vowed to further beef up strategic cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Li made the remarks when meeting with some leaders of ASEAN countries in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

The leaders of some ASEAN countries were invited to attend the opening ceremony of the tenth China-ASEAN Expo and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, which will be held from Tuesday to Friday.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN strategic partnership, said Li, adding that the partnership has become a model of good neighborliness and friendly cooperation.

It is the unswerving policy of the new Chinese administration to enhance strategic cooperation with the ASEAN, he said, noting that China will work with ASEAN countries to beef up solidarity and coordination and seek common development along the right track of East Asia cooperation.

He called on the two sides to upgrade the level of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area(CAFTA) ,establish an investment and financing platform, conduct maritime cooperation and properly resolve differences, so as to push for greater development of China-ASEAN ties in the next decade.

On Monday afternoon, Li met with Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for National Security and Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean in Nanning.

Li said China is willing to enhance cooperation with Singapore in the areas of scientific and technological innovation, ecological and environmental protection, finance and social management.

Teo said Singapore attaches great importance to the relations with China, noting that the country will deepen comprehensive cooperation with China and push for more achievements in bilateral cooperation and the cooperation between the ASEAN and China.

The leaders invited to the China-ASEAN Expo include Laotian Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, Myanmar President U Thein Sein, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.