The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China had stepped into an era of full trust and cooperation, and the association's member countries had benefited a lot from China's rapid economic growth, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said.

 

In an exclusive interview with Chinese journalists at his official residence, Hun Sen said since 1991, when ASEAN and China established regular dialogue, both sides had benefited from the rapid development of their ties, adding that the result today was a sound relationship of trust and cooperation.

 

Their current relations are expected to become stronger in the future as both sides now understood each other better, said the prime minister.

 

Meanwhile, he stressed, China's economic growth has offered opportunities for Cambodia and other ASEAN member countries which therefore benefit many in the fields of trade, economy and investment.

 

ASEAN exports to China stood at US$4.5 billion in 1993, US$9.2 billion in 1998, and US$38.7 billion in 2004, said Hun Sen, adding that these figures reflected the fast growth of the benefits that ASEAN derives from China.

 

"This is a positive sign for the cooperation between China and the ASEAN countries," he said.

 

In addition, Hun Sen said, China had granted the generalized system of preference (GSP) status to the least developed countries of ASEAN in order to increase their trade with China, thus promoting their individual economic development and the improved integration of the member countries, new or old, poor or rich, big or small, he said.

 

On the issue of the South China Sea, the leaders of ASEAN and China welcomed the progress made by both sides toward the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which was to transform the South China Sea into a sea of peace, cooperation and friendship, he said.

 

He agreed that both sides still had disagreements and differences on some issues, which required them to engage in positive bilateral acts of trust and compromise in order to develop lasting win-win solutions.

 

On the ASEAN-China Commemorative Summit which was initiated by Cambodia and will be hosted by China, Hun Sen said the kingdom played the role of coordinator between China and ASEAN, and it was with both leaders' support that the summit initiative turned into a reality.

 

It would be an important summit, as both sides represented 2 billion people in all, which meant a huge market and endless potential, he said.

 

Through the summit, both sides should, in a concerted manner, act to boost bilateral ties and trade volume, a process which would benefit China, ASEAN, and the whole Asia-Pacific region, he added.

 

Hun Sen is to leave for Nanning, capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Sunday to attend the summit with other ASEAN leaders.

(Xinhua News Agency October 27, 2006)