Premier Li to attend East Asia leaders' meetings

BEIJING -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will attend the annual East Asia leaders' meetings in Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia and make an official visit to Malaysia from Nov 20 to 23.

"China's attendance to the meeting is important for deepening its relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and promoting the East Asian cooperation," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told Friday's daily press briefing.

Li will attend the 18th leaders' meeting between China and ASEAN; the 18th ASEAN-China, Japan and Republic of Korea leaders' meeting; and the 10th East Asia Summit, according to Hong.

Li will also pay an official visit to Malaysia at the invitation of his Malaysian counterpart Najib Tun Razak.

"China hopes the series of meetings could focus on regional development and cooperation, and promote regional economic growth and financial stability," Hong said.

He also called on related countries to reach more consensus on regional economic, financial and production capacity cooperation, free trade area (FTA) construction, connectivity and non-traditional security cooperation.

Next year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN dialogue relations. Hong said China also hoped the upcoming meetings could map out a future plan for bilateral relations, push forward construction of the maritime silk road and strengthen their comprehensive cooperation under the 2+7 cooperation framework.

The 2+7 cooperation framework was proposed by Li during his attendance to the ASEAN Summit in Brunei Darussalam in 2013. The framework, which includes two consensus and seven cooperation points, serves as a momentum for the cooperation between China and ASEAN.

With regard to Li's official to Malaysia, the first one since he took office, Hong said the premier will hold talks with Najib, discussing the bilateral relations and issues of common concern, and will contact all circles to promote the bilateral friendship.

Hong noted the visit would further enhance the strategic mutual trust between China and Malaysia and push forward their comprehensive strategic partnership to a new high.

Hong also urged the United States, which will attend the East Asia Summit and hold a meeting with ASEAN, to be "cautious with its words and deeds" on the South China Sea issue.

"The East Asia Summit and other meetings are not the appropriate occasion to discuss the South China Sea, but the regional cooperation and development," Hong said while commenting on the remarks by US National Security Advisor Susan Rice on Thursday that the South China Sea will be a central issue of discussion both at the East-Asia Summit and at the ASEAN-US Summit.

Hong said it should respect the efforts made by China and ASEAN countries to maintain the peace and stability in the South China Sea, keep to its commitment of taking no position on territorial disputes, and be cautious with its words and deeds.

The spokesman also urged the United States not to hype the South China Sea issue or take actions that may complicate the situation and intensify the tension.

It should avoid giving out the wrong signal to stir other countries to take more provocative actions that may harm the regional peace and stability, Hong noted.