With its dynamic model of cooperation, Asia has become a positive force on the rise in the world economy, a senior Chinese official said Friday in Davos, Switzerland.

The development in Asia, which has drawn worldwide attention amid growing globalization and regional integration, has three features, said Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Shen Guofang, who is accompanying Chinese Vice Premier Huang Ju to attend the 2005 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

First, Asia's overall development has been led by economic cooperation and trade, Shen said while addressing a WEF-hosted dinner titled "Asia's New Balancing Act."

Though regional economic cooperation began quite late in Asia, it has become very flexible, diverse and fast growing and has promoted trade within the region, he added.

The second feature, Shen said, is that political dialogue and security cooperation have led to more political mutual trust among countries in the region.

"Given their diversity, Asian countries have to seek harmony without uniformity in regional cooperation," he said.

The third feature, according to the senior Chinese diplomat, Asian countries have taken joint actions to meet challenges collectively.

The Asian financial crisis, the avian flu, the SARS epidemic and the Indian Ocean tsunami have all heightened the region's awareness of danger, strengthened cohesion and highlighted the pressing need for cooperation, Shen said.

He said that the cooperation among Asian countries, based on the recognition of and respect for their diversity, has expanded common interests and generated tangible benefits to all countries.

"Asia's experience has shown that it is not only necessary but also possible to promote development and achieve win-win results through cooperation," Shen said, noting that this will remain the general direction of future cooperation in Asia.