Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao put forward proposals for closer economic cooperation, better managing public health emergencies and other issues on Monday in Kuala Lumpur at the 9th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Plus China, Japan and South Korea (10+3).

Wen, who arrived in the Malaysian capital on Sunday after visiting France, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Portugal, said China supports the issuance of the second Joint Statement on East Asia Cooperation at the 10+3 Summit in 2007 to sum up the experience and plan for the future.

In his speech entitled "Work Together For a Better Future Through Stronger Cooperation," Wen said free trade between ASEAN and China, Japan and South Korea should be accelerated and feasibility studies on East Asia Free Trade Area expedited.

"We should also speed up the amultilateralization process of the Chiang Mai Initiative and explore the feasibility of putting in place a framework for regional financial cooperation," said Wen, who also called for increased cooperation in the energy sector.

On management of public health emergencies and major natural disasters, Wen said strengthening cooperation in prevention and control of the highly pathogenic avian flu and stopping its transmission to human is an "urgent task facing us." He also called for strengthening cooperation in exchanging information and technical expertise on early warning, epidemic monitoring and vaccine research and development.

"China will set up the Asian Regional Research Center on Catastrophe and Work with other East Asian countries to strengthen capacity building and improve efficiency and effectiveness in managing major natural disasters," he said.

The premier also proposed intensifying development cooperation and narrow the gap in development, saying that China wishes to promote agricultural cooperation in East Asia and work with other countries to promote rural development.

The Chinese premier called on East Asian countries to step up cooperation in areas of non-traditional security by combating terrorism, smuggling, drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.

"China has proposed conducting military sports exchange activities among the 10+3 countries to enhance understanding and trust of the armed forces of these countries," Wen said.

Wen also stressed the need for deepening cultural, educational and youth cooperation.

"The 10+3 cooperation needs the support of the general public and particularly the younger generation, and cultural and educational cooperation is an important bond linking the East Asian countries," he said.

Source: Xinhua