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Premier Zhu: China Values Relations with ASEAN
Premier Zhu Meets Singapore Counterpart Goh Chok Tong
Premier Zhu Rongji said that China attaches great importance to developing relations of cooperation, partnership, good neighborliness and mutual trust with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Zhu said that China is willing to join efforts with ASEAN countries in promoting cooperation across East Asia.
He made the remarks in his meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong in Istana (the presidential palace) on Thursday, November 23.
In face of the trend of globalization and the fast development of high technology, seeking development through cooperation is in conformity with the common interests of all the countries in the region, the Chinese premier said.
Premier Arrives in Singapore for ASEAN Summit
Zhu told Goh that China supports ASEAN's active role in enhancing the cooperation among East Asian countries and that China is willing to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN in the framework of East Asia.
On the bilateral ties between China and Singapore, Premier Zhu spoke highly of the remarkable success achieved in the development of Sino-Singaporean relations in the 10 years since establishment.
Currently, Zhu said, both countries are facing the same task of achieving a comprehensive, deep-going and sustained development of the mutual beneficial and friendly relations of cooperation between the two countries in the new century.
The Chinese premier said China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) offers new and greater opportunities to China's cooperation with both Singapore and ASEAN. He said China welcomes more ASEAN and Singaporean companies to seek business opportunities and expand their operations in China.
Premier Zhu Leaves for Informal Leadership Meetings in Singapore
Goh said in the meeting that after the Asian financial crisis, ASEAN countries have to various extents seen a recovery in their economies. Under the new circumstances, it is of vital importance to strengthen the integration of ASEAN, he said.
Meanwhile, Goh said, it is necessary for ASEAN countries to help each other on the principle of voluntary participation. He also expressed the hope that China and Japan may provide more assistance to ASEAN countries.
The Singaporean Prime Minister predicted that, after its entry into the WTO, China will enjoy even faster development, which he said will mean more opportunities for ASEAN.
Goh said that ASEAN is willing to enhance its cooperation with China in promoting peace and development for the region.
Premier Arrives
Zhu arrived in Singapore on the afternoon of November 23 and was met at the Changi International Airport by Singapore Minister for Home Affairs Wong Kan Seng, Singapore Ambassador to China Chin Siat Yoon and other senior government officials.
Informal Leadership Meetings
The Premier left Beijing on the morning of November 23 to attend the informal leadership meeting between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ASEAN plus Three Summit), and the informal leadership meeting between ASEAN and China (ASEAN plus One Summit) in Singapore from November 24 to 25.
He will also hold informal trilateral meetings with leaders of Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) to exchange views on cooperation among the three nations as well as with ASEAN, official sources said.
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