Common dream of a better Asian future

In central Asia the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has played an essential role in securing stability and development, thanks to the concerted efforts of the member states. In West Asia the establishment of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum in 2004 has served as a pioneering example of international partnership with Arab countries, and China-Arab relations reached a new historic starting point in 2010 when a strategic cooperative relationship, featuring comprehensive cooperation and common development, was established.

Moreover, China has expedited opening-up along its border areas and sped up infrastructure development in these areas to boost cross-border trade and exchanges. China has underlined interconnection and intercommunication with its neighbors as the key part of cooperation, and a cooperation fund has been set up to improve the transport infrastructure with a combined network of roads, railways and waterways.

The realization of the Chinese Dream will further unite Asian countries in a common destiny. Withstanding the pressure during the Asian financial crisis that began in 1997, China promised not to devalue the yuan and actively participated in the aid projects organized by the International Monetary Fund, which considerably eased the pressure on the Asian economy and led it to its recovery.

With the global financial crisis rumbling on, China has boosted regional trade and financial cooperation, which is helping to overcome the hardships and maintaining financial and economic stability in Asia and the world at large. In the long run, China will continue to deepen its exchanges and cooperation with other Asian countries so that Asia will carry more global weight.

Asia is facing issues left over from history as well as new challenges, but China has always prioritized regional stability and progress and been settling them through dialogue and consultation. It is in the overall interests of Asia that member states seek common ground, enhance their mutual understanding and maintain the development momentum of Asia.

We have more than enough reasons to believe that the Chinese and Asian dreams can exist in perfect harmony, and both the Chinese people and their Asian counterparts can get along with each other on the path to realizing their dreams.

The author is a Beijing-based scholar of international relations.