A senior Chinese leader said in Beijing Friday that the formation of a free trade area between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) offers an important channel for both sides to enhance cooperation, promote development and create a win-win situation.

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), an advisory body, said the plan to set up the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area is a major decision made by the Chinese and ASEAN governmentsfrom a long-term and strategic viewpoint.

Addressing representatives who attended the ongoing third forum of the Chinese people around the world, Jia said that the setup of the Free Trade Area (FTA) will provide great opportunities for overseas Chinese in ASEAN nations and elsewhere in the world.

Jia described the 20 million overseas Chinese lived in ASEAN nations as an important bridge between China and those countries for economic cooperation and friendly exchanges.

He called on the overseas Chinese to push forward the cooperative relations, complement and help China and their countries of residence, and play a positive role in enhancing the good neighborly friendship and political trust between China and member states of ASEAN.

China and ASEAN began talks on a free trade accord in early 2002 and signed a framework agreement in November that year aimed at phasing out tariffs. The two sides have agreed to work faster toward a free trade agreement in 2010, thus creating the world's most populous marketplace with over 1.7 billion consumers and a combined gross domestic product of 2 trillion US dollars.

Also present at the meeting was Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan.

The forum, hosted by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council and the China Overseas Exchanges Association, isfocused on China-ASEAN FTA as well as challenges and opportunitiesfaced by Chinese business people.

Source:Xinhua