Through multilateral forum and regional mechanisms, ASEAN and China should promote greater interaction among the political, defense and security establishments in the region, former Asian statesmen said in a latest report.

 

The ASEAN-China Eminent Persons Group (EPG) composed of 11 former statesmen from China and ASEAN members, said in a report released in the eve of the Commemorative Summit Marking the 15th anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations that the strong ties between ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners, including China have formed an important component of regional cooperation.

 

The report is an outcome of a year's work by the EPG. It comprises a review of the ASEAN-China dialogue relations in the last 15 years and a set of recommendations to strengthen the relations in the next 15 years and beyond.

 

The report said ASEAN and China should strengthen cooperation on transnational issues such as maritime security, illegal trafficking, terrorism, transnational crimes and disaster relief and management. It includes measures to strengthen the region's capacity to deal with these challenges.

 

In addition, the report said the two sides should cooperate with one another and support international efforts in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

 

On the political front, the report said the establishment of a strategic partnership for peace and prosperity has laid a solid foundation for the long-term ASEAN-China dialogue partnership.

 

In the security area, the report said China and ASEAN countries are carrying out cooperation in eight important areas including in the fight against drug trafficking, trafficking of people, illegal immigration, piracies, terrorism, arms smuggling, money laundering and international economic crimes.

 

The political and security relationship between ASEAN and China is relatively new and developing. The report said ASEAN and China should focus on confidence-building measures to create a climate conductive to engagement and cooperation.

 

The ASEAN-China EPG was established at the 8th ASEAN-China summit in November 2004. Its members include well-known Asian names like China's Qian Qichen, Malaysia's Tan Sri Musa Hitam, Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng from Brunei, Aun Porn Moniroth from Cambodia, Jusuf Wanandi from Indonesia, Khamphan Simmalavong from Laos, U Aung Thaung from Myanmar, Rodolfo C. Severino from the Philippines, Tommy Koh from Singapore, Kasem S. Kasemsri from Thailand and Nguyen Manh Cam from Vietnam.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 30, 2006)