Stronger good-neighborly
relations and closer regional cooperation are priorities in China' s external
work, and stability and cooperation of East Asia is all the more important, said
Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.
Addressing the ASEAN+3 Foreign Ministers' Meeting (10+3) held here on
Tuesday, Li said China has affirmed the guideline toward its neighbors as
"building good-neighborly relationships and partnerships with neighboring
countries."
The current Chinese government "will get involved in regional cooperation
with even greater enthusiasm and initiative and work with the surrounding
countries for common development," he added.
Li explained China's policy on East Asian regional cooperation in the new
period. He said that China will continue to take 10+3 cooperation as the main
channel for regional cooperation and that China supports the phasing-in of an
improved trade and investment framework in the region, eventually leading to the
free flow of materials, personnel, technology and information.
China also supports the simultaneous development of Asia's multi-tier
cooperation mechanism, encourages and promotes East Asian regional cooperation,
the minister said.
Li said facts prove that the 10+3 mechanism has blazed a solid and steady
trail of cooperation and created a new model for common progress among
neighboring countries.
He said the 10+3 countries should actively explore the measures and ways for
expanding trade and investment facilities and tap the potential for trade so as
to raise economic growth levels of the East Asian countries.
"Moreover, the 10+3 countries should press ahead with regional financial
cooperation, playing an important role in exploring and pushing the
establishment of a unified Asian bond market," he said.
He also said it is necessary to implement without delay the Final Report of
East Asia Study Group adopted at last year's 10+3 summit.
"Our common interests are increasingly broadening and we will definitely move
forward in solidarity to create a brighter future for East Asia," said Li
Zhaoxing
