China Stresses Seven Points For Relations With Asean

Nusa Dua, Bali, Oct. 8 (ANTARA) - China stresses on seven areas with which both Beijing and ASEAN can further nurture their mutually beneficial ties in the future following their relations in the past decade, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said. Answering written questions from Antara, Tuesday, PM Li provides ideas and evaluates relations both sides have had in the previous decade, putting them together in a seven-point initiatives. The interview is related to the 10th anniversary of China-ASEAN relations. Reviewing past development and looking into the future, he says, everyone can see that China-ASEAN relationship `now stands at a new historical starting point`. China and ASEAN need to build on past achievements, explore new strategic breakthroughs, and jointly build a closer China-ASEAN community of common destiny. Building on the past `golden decade`, we need to make further efforts to create a new `diamond decade` for the future of China-ASEAN relations so as to bring more benefits to people in this region. To achieve the goals of the strategic cooperation in the `diamond decade`, PM Lie believes both sides need to focus efforts in seven areas, first, commitment on building good-neighborly relations. Here, China is ready to actively discuss with ASEAN countries the signing of a treaty on good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation to consolidate the political foundation for our strategic mutual trust. Second, both need to strengthen exchange and cooperation in the security field and improve the mechanism of ASEAN-China defense ministers` meeting and deepen cooperation in disaster prevention and relief, cyber security, combating transnational crimes, joint law enforcement and other non-traditional security fields. Third, both need to build an `upgraded version` of the China-ASEAN FTA and take concrete steps in trade in goods, trade in services, investment cooperation and other areas to promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation and achieve the goal of one trillion US dollars of two-way trade by 2020. Fourth, both need to push forward connectivity and step up the linkage between `software` and `hardware`. China proposes to establish an Asian infrastructure investment bank and meet, on a priority basis, some ASEAN countries` need for financial support in infrastructure building. Fifth, both need to strengthen financial cooperation to jointly guard against new risks and increase the size and scope of bilateral currency swap, expand the pilot program of settling cross-border trade with local currencies and enhance cooperation on the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization. Sixth, China-ASEAN need to build a maritime cooperation partnership, intensify practical cooperation on marine economy, especially fishery, and in other areas such as maritime connectivity, marine environment protection and scientific research, and maritime search and rescue, and work together to build the Maritime Silk Road of the 21st century. Seventh, both also need to boost cultural exchanges. The two sides should jointly formulate the China-ASEAN Cultural Cooperation Action Plan to facilitate exchanges in culture and education, and between youth, think tanks and the media. "In a few days, I will attend the East Asia Leaders` meetings in Brunei. It will be my first visit to ASEAN countries as the Chinese Premier," says PM Li, adding that he looks forward to exchanging views with leaders of other participating countries in Brunei this week end. PM Li points out that in particular, he looks forward to hearing their views on the above-mentioned seven proposals. Together, we will build new consensus on elevating the China-ASEAN strategic partnership.