East Asian integration makes headway as regional leaders hold in-depth discussions

　　By PEI YUANYING

　　At the last days of November, Laotian capital of Vientiane was thrust into the spotlight as top East Asian leaders, from 10 ASEAN countries and China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK), met to discuss the future of regional cooperation.

　　DRIVING FORCE: Premier Wen Jiabao has called ASEAN to become the driving force in East Asia’s cooperation initiatives

　　Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao participated in the ASEAN annual meetings and held trilateral talks with Japanese and ROK leaders over November 28-30, making big strides in strengthening diplomatic relations with neighboring countries and promoting cooperation in East Asia.

　　Developing friendly relations with neighboring countries is the priority of China’s diplomatic strategy. In recent years, China has strengthened regional cooperation with its neighbors and actively sought ways to settle problems regarding territory and marine interests. At the ASEAN summit in November 2003, China acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and signed a joint declaration on strategic partnership for peace and prosperity with ASEAN countries, which marks the beginning of a new stage in relations between the two sides. Now, the establishment of China-ASEAN Free Trade Area has started, and the friendly cooperation between China and ASEAN countries, featuring diversified manners, wide scope and multi-level participation, has been remarkably elevated. Meanwhile, trilateral discussions among China, Japan and ROK are also on track.

　　By now, the eye-catching 10+1 (ASEAN and China) and 10+3 (ASEAN and China, Japan and the ROK) cooperative mechanisms have been initially set up, and they are evolving into an all-encompassing framework in East Asia. China today maintains its momentum to create a safe, peaceful, prosperous and cooperative neighborhood.

　　TRILATERAL MEETING: Leaders from China, Japan and South Korea hammer out their action strategy in Vientiane

　　The development of Sino-ASEAN relations is of great signification to both China and ASEAN countries. On the economic front, the strengthening of 10+1 mechanism will not only promote regional cooperation to a new height, which is expected to optimize industrial, trade and the capital structures of both sides, but also enlarge their cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, science and technology, culture, and security.

　　The cooperation, as it has served to solve regional and international issues, is expected to entice more participants from East Asia and eventually Asia. Politically, China-ASEAN cooperative ties can help to keep a peaceful and stable neighborhood, so as to protect the mutual and individual interests of concerning countries. It will push forward the establishment of a new political and economic order, so as to benefit the economic development and stable political environment of the Asia-Pacific area.

　　During the recent meeting in Vientiane, China and ASEAN countries signed a series of agreements, including the Plan of Action to Implement the Joint Declaration of the Heads of State/Government of ASEAN and China on Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity, the Memorandum of Understanding on Transport Cooperation, the Agreement on Trade in Goods of the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and the Agreement on Dispute Settlement Mechanism.

　　ASEAN leaders stressed that China is a responsible and reliable country, as China’s high-speed development also bring profits and opportunities to ASEAN countries.

　　Besides, China, Japan and the ROK also committed themselves to further cooperation. In this way, the three countries can realize a common development, thus contributing to the development and stabilization of Northeast Asia.

　　Due to economic competition, historical problems and external influences, it is inevitable that cooperation between China and other East Asian countries may face challenges. If all East Asian countries remain committed to their agreements, the regional cooperation promises a bright future.