China to announce new East Asian co-op in leaders' meetings

BEIJING - Premier Li Keqiang will announce new measures and proposals for East Asia cooperation during a series of East Asian leaders' meetings, Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told a press briefing on Thursday.

Li will attend the 17th Summit between China and ASEAN; the 17th ASEAN Plus Three Summit, which includes China, the Republic of Korea and Japan; and the 9th East Asia Summit in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar from Nov 12 to 14. He will pay an official visit to Myanmar after the meetings.

"This is an important move in China's neighboring diplomacy, which is important for regional cooperation in East Asia as well as peace and stability," Liu said.

He reaffirmed ASEAN as a priority of China's neighboring diplomacy, and ASEAN Plus China (10+1) as the foundation for China to join East Asia cooperation.

At the China-ASEAN summit, Li will reiterate China's support of the integration of ASEAN, and its commitment to closer relations with ASEAN, Liu said, adding that China hoped to strengthen cooperation and exchange in areas such as finance, maritime, security, culture and inter-communication.

In the ASEAN Plus Three summit, China will call on all parties to strengthen coordination on macro-economic and financial policies; deepen financial and economic cooperation; promote construction of an Asian free trade system; as well as investment and financing systems, Liu said.

He noted that China will put forward some new cooperation proposals in areas including East Asia inter-communication, trade, investment, poverty relief and development.

With regards to the East Asia summit, Liu said China would present its stance on the development direction of the summit, which is a strategic forum initiated and attended by state leaders. The established principles such as insisting ASEAN's leading role, reaching consensus through negotiation and considering all sides' comfort should be maintained.

Next year is the 10th anniversary of the summit. All sides should review the past and map out a scientific development direction for the summit, Liu said.

He said China would call on all sides to strengthen cooperation in areas including counterterrorism, infectious diseases, climate change and disaster control.

The premier will also hold meetings with leaders of other countries, said Liu without disclosing the exact schedule.