China looks to boost economic integration of East Asia at ASEAN summits

BEIJING - Despite sluggish recovery of the world economy, China is looking to contribute to the regional cooperation and integration of East Asia during upcoming meetings for the region's leaders.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will attend the summits to be held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from Nov 18 to 20, Vice-Foreign Minister Fu Ying said Saturday at a press briefing.

The meetings include the 15th summit between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as the 15th summit between the ASEAN, China, Japan and the ROK and the 7th East Asia Summit.

Wen's attendance at the events has important implications for the development of China-ASEAN ties and East Asia cooperation, which is much needed for the region to grapple with the global economic downturn, the vice-minister said.

China will propose some new initiatives on various aspects at the China-ASEAN summit, including the establishment of a China-ASEAN partnership on marine affairs, hi-tech industrial parks, public health action plan and common tourism market, according to Fu.

During the summit between the ASEAN, China, Japan and the ROK, China will announce its participation in negotiations concerning the to-be-launched Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), she said.

She said the RCEP agreement, if reached, will give a strong impetus to the economic integrity of East Asia, as the initiative is expected to incorporate huge economic power of 16 nations including ten ASEAN states, China, Japan, the ROK, India, Australia and New Zealand.

The planned talks on a free trade area between China, Japan and the ROK are also scheduled to start within the year, Fu said.

"As the international financial crisis continues and trade and investment protectionism start to grow, regional economic integration has become the common choice of many countries," Fu said.

She added that China adopts an open attitude toward any cooperation initiative that is conducive to economic integration and the common prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region.

China will focus on the theme of development at the 7th East Asia Summit so as to boost cooperation in six areas - finance, energy, education, public health systems, disaster management and regional connectivity - among all countries at the meeting.