Li to build closer ties at Malaysia gathering

Premier Li Keqiang is heading for Malaysia on Friday to attend a series of ASEAN-related meetings, and insiders believe his efforts will help explore new ways for improving China-ASEAN relations.

Workers add final touches to the ASEAN logo at the 27th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)?meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015. [Photo/IC]

From Friday to Monday, Li will be in Malaysia to attend the 18th Leaders' Meeting between ASEAN and China (10+1), the 18th Leaders' Meeting between ASEAN and China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (10+3), and the 10th East Asia Summit, according to the Foreign Ministry.

He will also make an official visit to Malaysia, it said.

During the meetings, the premier will push for building a closer China-ASEAN community of common destiny and for the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, said Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin.

Li also will emphasize bilateral cooperation on production capacity and interconnectivity, Liu said.

Additionally, China will work to speed up negotiations on the ASEAN-backed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, said Liu.

These proposals and promotions are a result of China's efforts in deepening its relations with ASEAN, said Xu Liping, a senior fellow at the National Institute of International Strategy under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

"By speaking in the meetings, the premier will help leaders of ASEAN countries understand more clearly China's intention and its ideas to carry out bilateral cooperation," he said.

"It's undeniable that there are some impediments in the bilateral relations, mainly because of weakened political mutual trust due to disputes over islands and interference by outsiders," Xu added.

"The premier's words will send a message of China's confidence and resolution in deepening bilateral cooperation."

wangqingyun@chinadaily.com.cn