China Takes ASEAN as reliable, brother and neighbors: Tang Jiaxuan

SINGAPORE (Xinhua) - China always takes ASEAN and its member countries as reliable brothers, partners and neighbors, and China hails greater unity, stability and development of ASEAN and supports its more active role in regional and international affairs, former Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said here Friday.

Delivering an opening keynote speech at the inaugural Singapore Global dialogue organized by the S Rajaratnam School for International Studies, Tang said, "the comprehensive establishment of China-ASEAN Free Trade Area earlier this year is a milestone in our relations, fully demonstrating the vigor and vitality of our strategic partnership."

China and ASEAN have taken concrete steps to advance their cooperation on inter-connectivity, agriculture, education, poverty reduction, environment and other fields, he said.

"Our cooperation in the defence and non-traditional security fields enjoy good momentum of development, creating new highlights in our strategic partnership," Tang said.

"Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of the dialogue partnership between China and ASEAN, and this will be another great opportunity to strengthen our relations," he said.

Tang said that as the largest country in Asia, China has many neighbors, close in terms of both geography and interests, stressing that stability and development in the region are vital to China's own stability and development.

"China wishes its neighbors tranquility and opposes any act that undermines regional stability, good-neighborliness and mutual trust," Tang said.

He said China will work together with other Asian countries to promote dialogue and exchanges, strengthen bonds of interests, consolidate popular and public support for our friendship and create a regional environment where peace, stability, equality, mutual trust and win-win cooperation prevail.