Chinese FM stresses East Asian cooperation

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing reiterated in Vientiane on July 27 China's views and proposals on strengthening regional cooperation in East Asia under the new circumstance during a meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers plus that from China, South Korea and Japan.

Li affirmed the notable achievement made toward the intensification of East Asian regional cooperation over the past years. He said fruitful results had been achieved in deepening the relation between ASEAN and Plus Three countries, which further promoted the common development of East Asian nations.

Li pointed out that arduous efforts need to be made in realizing the long term target to build East Asian Community and proposed ASEAN Plus Three should be served as the main channel in reinforcing East Asian regional cooperation since it is the most dynamic and potential cooperation mechanism in the Asian region.

The ASEAN, as the initiator of East Asian cooperation, should play a major role in boosting cooperation among East Asian nations, which needs to be expanded in various fields under a "win-win" principle with economic cooperation as the core, said Li.

ASEAN Plus Three cooperation should be co-existed with other cooperation mechanism in the Asian region to boost the common development of the entire region.

The direction, key fields and specific development program of the ASEAN Plus Three need to be mapped out pragmatically with improvement on the mechanism, he suggested.

Li pledged that China would continue to support and participate in the East Asian cooperation and exert unremitting efforts in opening up a more bright cooperation prospect.

On Wednesday, Li also met Myanmar's Foreign Minister U Nyan Win and South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon. Li and Nyan agreed to carry out the shared views of the two countries and deepen their comprehensive and multi-tier cooperation.

Consensus was also reached by Li and Ban Ki-Moon in pushing forward the fourth round of six-parties talks toward the denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.

Li arrived here Tuesday evening to attend ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting and pay an official visit to Laos.

Source: Xinhua