Hu's upcoming southeast Asian tour is of great significance: Vice FM

Chinese President Hu Jintao's upcoming state visits to Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines is an important diplomatic mission aiming at boosting China's friendly cooperation with the three countries and deepening China- ASEAN strategic partnership, said Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei Monday.

Invited by Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyo and Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Hu will pay state visits to the three countries from April 20-28. He will also attend the 2005 Asia-Africa summit and activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Bandung Conference at the invitation of Susilo and South African President Thabo Mbeki.

At a press briefing on Hu's visit, Wu said Hu is going to talk with the three countries' state leaders and meet with personnel from various circles. They will confer on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern, which aims to promote the ties between China and the three countries up to a new level.

The three countries attach great importance to Hu's forthcoming visits, Wu said.

During stay in Indonesia, Hu and Susilo will sign a joint declaration to announce the formal establishment of China- Indonesia strategic partnership, Wu said. The two sides will also discuss expanding their cooperation in the fields of trade, technology and telecommunication.

In Hu's visit to the Philippines, the two sides will exchange opinions on promoting China-the Philippines strategic cooperative ties in an all-round way, and confer on their cooperation in trade, transportation, infrastructure and resource exploration.

As to the 2005 Asia-Africa summit, Wu said China was the major participant of the Bandung Conference 50 years ago, and made great contribution to its success.

Hu's attending the summit and the activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Bandung Conference is of great importance to deepen China's friendly cooperation with Asian and African countries, Wu said.

China is willing to make joint efforts with other Asian and African countries and make positive contribution to Asia-Africa cooperation, he said.

Initiated by South Africa and Indonesia, Asia-Africa Summit is to be held in Jakarta on April 22 and 23. Up to now some 56 heads of state and government have confirmed to attend, and around 25 member countries of the Non-aligned Movement, mostly from Latin America, along with 20 sub-regional organizations and several donor countries as observers will participate in the summit. The logo of the summit is "Reinvigorate the Bandung Spirit, Working Toward Asia-Africa Strategic Partnership."