Premier Wen to attend China-ASEAN commemorative summit

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will attend a commemorative summit between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that will be held on October 30 in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang made the announcement at a regular press conference here on Tuesday.

The summit meeting is to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN dialogue relationship. Leaders from ASEAN countries will also attend the summit.

It is the first time for China to hold a meeting between Chinese and ASEAN leaders. "This is a historic event in China-ASEAN relations," the spokesman said.

Leaders from both sides will review the growth of China-ASEAN friendly ties, and layout the future development of this relationship ties, according to Qin.

The third China-ASEAN Expo, as well as the third China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, will also be held on the sideline of the summit, he said.

The ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Source: Xinhua