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 in
Phnom Penh 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.
(Xinhua News Agency June 18, 2003)