Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao played a major role in ensuring the success of the meetings related to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by putting forward proposals to tackle the financial crisis and enhance regional cooperation, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Sunday.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao attends the 4th East Asia Summit (EAS) in the southern Thai resort town of Hua Hin, Oct. 25, 2009. The 4th East Asia Summit (EAS) opened here on Sunday, where ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) leaders and their counterparts from China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, and New Zealand met to discuss regional cooperation topics.[Liu Weibing/Xinhua]

Wen returned to Beijing Sunday evening after attending the meetings, including the 12th summit between the ASEAN and China (10+1), the 12th summit between the ASEAN and China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (10+3), the fourth East Asia Summit, in Hua Hin of Thailand from Oct. 23 to Oct. 25. 

Yang noted that Premier Wen put forward a number of proposals and measures, which both tackle the immediate urgent tasks and issues of common concern and take into account long-term strategic planning. These proposals fully indicated China's goodwill, sincerity, and its confidence and willingness for cooperation.

Promoting China-ASEAN cooperation

China, a firm advocate for regional cooperation, has launched a series of initiatives to strengthen cooperation with the ASEAN, especially following the global financial crisis, said Yang.

Wen announced in April that the Chinese government would set up a 10-billion-US dollar "China-ASEAN Fund on Investment Cooperation" to support infrastructure development in the region.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (6th L) poses for a group photo with leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states in Hua Hin, Thailand, on Oct. 24, 2009. The 12th ASEAN-China Summit was held here on Saturday. [Liu Weibing/Xinhua]

China also plans to offer a credit of 15 billion dollars to ASEAN countries and 270 million yuan (39.5 million dollars) in special aid to less-developed ASEAN countries.

During the meetings in Thailand, Wen said the China-ASEAN fund will be available by the end of this year as the fundraising of 1 billion dollars for the first phase is almost completed, said Yang.