Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Friday delivered a statement at the China-ASEAN summit on Indonesia’s Bali island. Following some interesting text excerpts.
Read the full text of the Statement by H.E. Wen Jiabao, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, here.
Statement by H.E. Wen Jiabao, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China
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The world is undergoing profound and complex changes. The international financial crisis has entered its fourth year, and the current global economic and financial scene still gives no reason for optimism. Economic recovery in some developed countries lacks momentum, and those countries are plagued by serious financial and debt crises. Emerging and developing countries are ascending on the world stage, but taken as a whole, they are still not strong enough. Social turbulence has erupted in west Asia and north Africa. Global food, energy and environment challenges pose a growing threat to the sustainable development of mankind. The global economy may experience uncertainty and instability for a long time to come.
With sustained and rapid economic growth and social stability, East Asia is the most dynamic region in the world with the greatest potential for development, and ASEAN and China have won wide international recognition and attracted much attention for their important contribution. On the other hand, we should be keenly aware that in the era of deepening globalization, no region or country can prosper on its own and be immune to external shocks, and the severe external environment is bound to exert a negative impact on East Asia. ……………
To promote the future growth of China-ASEAN relations, it is important that we observe the following principles:
- First, we should enhance strategic consultation and mutual trust. China will never seek hegemony and is opposed to all hegemonic acts. We are committed to a policy of building good-neighborly relations and partnership with our neighboring countries, and we abide by the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. The disputes over the South China Sea between the relevant countries in the region have existed for many years. They should be settled through friendly consultation and negotiation between the sovereign states directly concerned. Outside forces should not get involved under any excuse. In 2002, China and ASEAN countries signed the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and agreed to advance practical cooperation and work for the final conclusion of a code of conduct. This is the common desire of ASEAN countries and China. We stand ready to work actively with ASEAN countries to fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, enhance practical cooperation and begin discussions on a code of conduct in the South China Sea.
- Second, we should pursue economic development and social progress as a top priority. Both China and ASEAN countries are in a crucial stage of development. We should better coordinate development strategies, draw on mutual strengths and promote cooperation in more fields and at a higher level. We should enhance self-generating dynamism to speed up economic development, make life better for our peoples and advance the modernization drive to achieve full prosperity in East Asia.
- Third, we should adhere to ASEAN centrality in promoting East Asian cooperation. China supports ASEAN integration and community building and welcomes a stronger and more influential ASEAN. We are confident that ASEAN is fully capable of leading East Asian cooperation. China will open a permanent mission to ASEAN next year. We will continue to support ASEAN and work with it, and we will continue to take 10+1 as the foundation,
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- Fourth, we should uphold our common interests in the multilateral field. As developing countries in the same region, we hold similar positions and views, face the same situations and challenges, and pursue the same goals on many key issues. China and ASEAN are both strategic forces for peace and development. We need to closely coordinate our positions and work to build a fair and equitable new international political and economic order.
Sacrava Cartoon
I propose that we take the following steps:
- First, expand cooperation in trade and investment. We should fully implement all the agreements on the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) and improve the FTA to create more benefits to the peoples and businesses of the two sides. China will continue to send trade and investment promotion missions to ASEAN countries and open an exhibition center for ASEAN products in Nanning, Guangxi to promote sustained and balanced growth of our trade. China will increase investment in ASEAN countries, step up efforts to transfer advanced and applicable technologies to them and work with ASEAN countries to enhance our economic competitiveness.
- Second, give high priority to connectivity and other infrastructural development. To promote smooth and efficient cooperation in this priority area, China proposes the establishment of a China-ASEAN committee on connectivity cooperation, with the goal of realizing land transport connectivity between China and the ASEAN countries concerned at an early date. China attaches great importance to building a network of maritime connectivity with ASEAN countries. We are ready to take active steps to open shipping routes of freezer vessels, ro/ro and container liners with ASEAN countries and facilitate passenger and cargo transport by sea. The US$15 billion credit committed by the Chinese government in 2009 has supported over 50 infrastructure projects covering almost all ASEAN countries. Here, I wish to announce that China will provide an additional US$10 billion credit, including US$4 billion preferential loans.
- Third, deepen financial cooperation. China is ready to take the following steps to intensify cooperation with ASEAN countries: increase cooperation between our central banks and exchanges among financial experts; increase access to each other’s financial markets through mutual opening of branches of financial institutions; step up dialogue and cooperation between regulatory authorities; increase local currency swap and encourage the quoting of RMB and ASEAN currencies in each other’s inter-bank foreign exchange markets; phase in a cooperation mechanism on inter-bank local currency clearing and promote bilateral local currency settlement; enhance the role of the China-ASEAN Inter-Bank Association to provide diversified financial services to Chinese and ASEAN businesses; …………………
- Fourth, expand practical maritime cooperation. China will establish a three billion yuan China-ASEAN maritime cooperation fund. Our cooperation in this area may start with marine research and environmental protection, connectivity, navigation safety, search and rescue, and combating transnational crimes, ……..
- Fifth, advance cooperation in science, technology and sustainable development. China proposes that 2012 be designated the year of China-ASEAN science and technology cooperation……….
- Sixth, work harder to promote cooperation in social areas and areas important to people’s livelihood. China is ready to set up ten vocational education and training centers to help ASEAN countries develop human resources needed in economic and social development. China proposes that the two sides establish a contact mechanism for disaster management and humanitarian assistance, share information and technology, and explore the possibility of setting up a China-ASEAN reserve center for disaster relief supplies. We also propose the opening of a China-ASEAN research center on traditional medicine. ……….
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