Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Monday delivered a speech entitled "Join Hands to Create a Better Future for China-ASEAN Relations" at the summit marking the 15th anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN dialogue. The full text of the speech is as follows:

 

Join Hands to Create a Better Future for China-ASEAN Relations

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

Today, we, the leaders of China and ASEAN countries are meeting here in the beautiful city of Nanning to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the China-ASEAN dialogue relations. First of all, I would like to extend, on behalf of the Chinese Government, a very warm welcome to you.

 

Fifteen years ago, the opening of dialogue process between China and ASEAN turned a new page in relations between the two sides. Looking back at the past 15 years, we are glad to see that China-ASEAN relations have come a long way from removal of misgivings to commencement of dialogue to enhancement of mutual trust and to the final establishment of strategic partnership. Thanks to our joint efforts, our bilateral relations have made progress unseen in history. Relations between China and ASEAN have never been as good as they are today.

 

In the political field, mutual trust is growing. China was the first ASEAN dialogue partner to join the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and to establish strategic partnership for peace and prosperity with ASEAN. The two sides jointly issued the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

 

Economically, we are moving towards greater integration. In just 15 years, our trade grew by 15 times, from less than US$8 billion in 1991 to over US$130 billion in 2005. By the end of last year, ASEAN countries had set up close to 30,000 investment projects in China, with a total investment of about US$40 billion. China's investment in ASEAN countries has also grown. We were the first to start the process of establishing a free trade area and have signed the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between China and ASEAN.

 

We enjoy extensive cooperation in priority areas. We have decided to advance bilateral cooperation in all areas in a comprehensive way for the period of 2005 to 2010 and have identified ten priority areas, i.e. agriculture, information industry, human resources development, mutual investment, Mekong River Basin development, transport, energy, culture, tourism and public health. Effective mechanisms have been set up to carry out such cooperation. All the ten ASEAN countries are now approved destinations for Chinese tourists. In 2005 alone, there were over 6.5 million visits between the two sides.

 

We extend mutual support in addressing issues of public security. When the Asian financial crisis and major emergencies or natural disasters occurred, such as SARS, the avian influenza and the Indian Ocean tsunami, we stood side by side, helped each other and overcame the difficulties. We maintain close coordination in upholding stability and promoting cooperation in our region. China and ASEAN are both committed to a peaceful and stable East Asia. The two sides have worked together to advance the 10 + 1, 10 + 3 and East Asia cooperation and coordinated positions in the Asia-Europe cooperation process. China consistently supports ASEAN's leading role in regional affairs and regional cooperation.

 

China-ASEAN friendship and cooperation have contributed to economic and social progress in our respective countries and made life better for our peoples. Moreover, our cooperation has facilitated regional integration, raised the competitiveness and international profile of our region and promoted peace and prosperity in Asia. China-ASEAN relations are a fine example of friendly exchanges between countries in this region. They have brought real benefits to the peoples of China and ASEAN countries and made important contribution to peace, stability and prosperity in Asia and the world at large.

 

From the impressive growth of China-ASEAN relations in the past 15 years, we can draw the following conclusions:

 

First, peaceful development is the prerequisite for the growth of China-ASEAN relations. We both firmly pursue a policy of good neighborliness and friendship, see each other as cooperative partners and take other's development as an opportunity, not a threat. We are both committed to peace and stability and we both work for prosperity and well-being of our peoples. That is why our relations have become a model of harmony and common development among countries.

 

Second, equality and mutual trust are the foundation of China-ASEAN relations. We respect and treat each other as equals and endeavor to develop consensus by seeking common grounds while putting aside differences. With the overall interests and the strategic importance of our relations in mind, we have addressed each other's concerns with sensitivity and handled issues in bilateral relations appropriately. This has enabled our relations to stand the test of volatile changes in the international environment and move towards maturity.

 

Third, win-win cooperation is the goal for China-ASEAN relations. Basing ourselves on our respective national conditions and long-term development needs, we have enjoyed mutual understanding, support and help in our joint effort to meet the challenges posed by economic globalization as well as traditional and non-traditional security threats. We have expanded exchanges and coordination and broadened our common interests. Indeed, we have embarked upon a new path of promoting mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.

 

Fourth, people's support is the driving force behind China-ASEAN relations. Our cooperation helps reduce poverty, narrow development gap, speed up growth and deliver a better life for our peoples. We have endeavored to deepen mutual understanding and friendship among our peoples, thus creating enormous popular support for China-ASEAN friendship, and this is the inexhaustible source of strength for growing our bilateral ties.

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

In the four decades since its establishment, ASEAN has made remarkable progress in strengthening itself through unity and grown into an important regional and global force for peace and development. The "ASEAN Way" that advocates consensus building and non-interference in other's internal affairs has both consolidated unity in the organization and enhanced state-to-state relations in the region. Guided by the principle of flexibility, pragmatism and gradualism, ASEAN has made solid progress in community building and become a successful example of cooperation among developing countries. By being open and inclusive and taking new initiatives, ASEAN has initiated and advanced regional cooperation, becoming a major driving force for cooperation in Asia.

 

We in China have great admiration for the achievements of ASEAN and sincerely wish you greater success in development.

 

China supports ASEAN in accelerating integration and community building and its leading role in regional cooperation. We are convinced that a strong, proud, independent, united, stable and prosperous ASEAN will make greater contribution to world peace and development. To support ASEAN's development, the Chinese Government will donate US$1 million to the ASEAN Development Fund and provide funding assistance of US$1 million for the relevant projects under the Initiative for ASEAN Integration. China also offers to train 8,000 ASEAN professionals in different fields in the next five years and invites 1,000 young people from ASEAN countries to visit China.

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

To consolidate and enhance China-ASEAN friendship and cooperation is our shared objective. We should seize the opportunity to strengthen and enrich our cooperation and explore new ways to usher our bilateral relations in a new stage. To this end, I propose that we take the following steps:

 

First, enhance strategic coordination. We should maintain regular high-level exchange of visits and expand links between governments, parliaments and political parties to increase mutual trust. We should keep close coordination and cooperation on major regional and international issues and ensure that ASEAN remain at the core of East Asia cooperation and that 10 + 3 serve as the main vehicle in East Asia cooperation. We should uphold the authority and role of the United Nations and work together to make the international political and economic order a more just and equitable one.

 

Second, enrich bilateral cooperation. We should consider signing a follow-up agreement on expanding economic and trade ties as well as the relevant institutional arrangement, on the basis of the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between China and ASEAN. The Agreement on Trade in Goods should be fully implemented and negotiation on trade in service and investment should be accelerated to speed up the process of establishing the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area. We should press ahead with the construction of the Kunming-Singapore Railway and the Asia highway network, launch energy cooperation and advance result-oriented cooperation in the ten priority areas.

 

Third, ensure common security. We should expand military dialogue and exchanges, conduct and institutionalize defense cooperation, continue to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and promote joint development of the South China Sea. China supports the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Southeast Asia and is ready to sign the Protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone at an early date. We should also step up cooperation on cross-border issues concerning counter-terrorism, transnational crimes, maritime security, rescue operation and disaster relief.

 

Fourth, foster closer people-to-people exchanges. We should enhance cooperation in science and technology, culture and education and sports, strengthen links between social groups, media, and educational and research institutes, conduct regular cultural, art and sports events and increase exchanges between local communities. Young people are our hope and future. They should be encouraged to work in each other's countries as volunteers to deepen mutual understanding and friendship and this will enable our friendship to pass on from generation to generation.

 

China is committed to good neighborly relations, friendship and cooperation with ASEAN countries and China-ASEAN strategic partnership. We will adhere to the policies of "pursuing good neighborly relations and partnership with neighbors" and "fostering a harmonious, secure and prosperous neighborly environment". China will remain a good neighbor, good partner and good friend of ASEAN.

 

Today, we are opening a new page in China-ASEAN relations, and we have full confidence about our future. Let us redouble effort to lift China-ASEAN strategic partnership to a higher level, enhance development of East Asia and promote peace, security and prosperity both in Asia and the whole world.

 

Thank you.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 30, 2006)