Chinese premier outlines experiences in China-ASEAN relations

Chinese premier Wen Jiabao has drawn on Monday in Nanning several conclusions from the growth of China- ASEAN relations in the past 15 years, praising them as a fine example of friendly exchanges between countries in this region.

"First, peaceful development is the prerequisite for the growth of China-ASEAN relations," said Wen when addressing the Commenmorative Summit Marking the 15th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations.

The premier said the two sides 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," he said."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, he said.

"We respect and treat each other as equals and endeavor to develop consensus by seeking common grounds while putting aside differences," he said.

He said with the overall interests and the strategic importance of their relations in mind, the two sides 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, " he said.

The third conclusion is, Wen said, that 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," said Wen.

"Indeed, we have embarked upon a new path of promoting mutual benefit and win-win cooperation," he said.

The fourth conclusion is that people's support is the driving force behind China-ASEAN relations, according to Wen.

He said the cooperation between the two sides 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," he said.

Source: Xinhua