Li says China, ASEAN should build consensus

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attends the 16th China-ASEAN leaders' meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, Oct. 9, 2013. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Wednesday that China and the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should have a long-term vision and build consensus so as to elevate their strategic partnership to a new level.

China and ASEAN should strive for extensive, deep and high-level cooperation in the upcoming decade, Li said in a speech at the 16th China-ASEAN leaders' meeting in Brunei's capital of Bandar Seri Begawan.

The two sides should have the consensus that the fundamental issue of improving China-ASEAN cooperation lies in enhanced strategic mutual trust and good-neighborly friendship, and the key to such a partnership is to focus on economic development and seek mutual benefit and win-win results, he said.

Li urged China and the ASEAN countries to boost their cooperation in seven areas.

China and the ASEAN countries should actively discuss the signing of a treaty on good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation, Li said.

The two sides should start the process of establishing an "upgraded version" of the China-ASEAN free trade area, he said.

They should also accelerate the infrastructure construction for interconnectivity, he said.

The Chinese premier called on China and ASEAN to strengthen financial cooperation and risk prevention in the region.

He also urged the two sides to steadily push forward maritime cooperation and enhance exchanges and cooperation in the field of security.

China and ASEAN need to beef up cooperation in culture, science and people-to-people exchange, Li added.

The envisaged framework of cooperation, Li said, will not only benefit the people of the two sides, but also contribute to regional and world peace, stability and prosperity at large.