A China-ASEAN Information Communication Technology (ICT) Ministerial Forum passed the Beijing Declaration Thursday, calling for the establishment of ICT cooperative partnership for common development.  

According to the declaration, China will expand cooperation with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member countries in information infrastructure construction, human resources, and technology research for the long-term development in ICT.

China and ASEAN member countries will strengthen cooperation on fixed, mobile and satellite networks as well as the Internet, said the declaration.

"Discussions shall be made around the feasibility of building an ASEAN-China information superhighway."

The declaration called for the universal ICT service for both urban and rural areas in the region. China and ASEAN member countries should strengthen exchanges in promoting applicable technology suitable for rural and remote areas, said the declaration.

China and ASEAN member countries should facilitate the implementation of the initiative proposed by the Chinese government of training 500 middle and high-level telecom managers and technicians for ASEAN countries within five years, said the declaration.

The network and information security in the region is faced with a severe challenge, noted the declaration.

"We should seek to establish an ASEAN-China Coordination Framework for Network and Information Security Emergency Responses."

China and ASEAN member countries will endeavor to promote trade and investment facilitation, according to the declaration.

"We should strengthen cooperation among countries in e-commerce, e-governance and promote mutual recognition arrangements for ICT expertise certification and telecom equipment certification. China and ASEAN member countries should foster exchanges of ICT development strategy and policy, and explore effective market regulation models," the declaration said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 13, 2005)