Interview: Chinese Ambassador to Singapore: China, ASEAN need to enhance co-op to tackle economic downturn

Special Report:Global Financial Crisis

by Gao Chuan and Zhang Yongxing

SINGAPORE, March 4 (Chinese media) -- It is important and urgent for China and the

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to enhance mutually beneficial

cooperation and work together to tide over the current economic crisis, which

has impacted greatly on the world economy, a senior Chinese diplomat has said

recently.

In an exclusive interview with Chinese media, Chinese Ambassador to Singapore

Zhang Xiaokang said that the current economic downturn has posed severe

challenges to the economic growth and social stability of many developing

countries, thus making it more urgent than ever for China and ASEAN to fully

implement their cooperation plans, such as the establishment of the Free Trade

Area (FTA), the connection of infrastructures and the promotion of sub-regional

cooperation.

Zhang stressed the importance of strengthening China-ASEAN ties, saying

that the growth of China-ASEAN dialogue relationship shows that China and the

10-member group are inter-dependent and the respective development is mutually

reinforcing.

"China can benefit from ASEAN for its stability and prosperity, while ASEAN

can also benefit from China for its development," she said.

Voicing her opposition against protectionism, the ambassador said that

China and ASEAN should make joint efforts to fight against protectionism, and

both sides should keep their doors open and maintain trade and investment to

each other.

Zhang also noted the importance for both sides to actively engage in the

Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation to promote regional financial

cooperation and stabilize regional financial market.

Speaking of China-ASEAN relation, Zhang said China became a full dialogue

partner of ASEAN in 1996, and the two sides have since then rapidly developed

cooperation in all fields.

China and ASEAN have built up political mutual trust and respect and

carried out fruitful economic cooperation, the friendship between both people

has also increased. In 2008, China-ASEAN trade reached 231.1 billion U.S.

dollars despite of the financial crisis, up by 13.9 percent over the previous

year.

As both China and ASEAN are now entering a new stage in respective

development, the ambassador advised that both sides should further cooperate in

the following aspects:

First, both sides should continue to make joint efforts on all fronts to

ensure the fully implementation of the ASEAN-China FTA.

Zhang said both sides are hoping to conclude the Investment Chapter before

this year's ASEAN-China Summit, and the ASEAN-China FTA is expected to be

established in due time.

She added that the Chinese government will continue to support Chinese

companies to invest and develop in ASEAN countries.

Second, both sides should enhance cooperation in infrastructure building,

especially in increasing road, railway, airlines and information

telecommunications links to facilitate business ties and mutual visits.

Third, both sides should deepen and expand sub-regional cooperation, such

as ASEAN Mekong Basin Development Cooperation and East ASEAN Growth Area.

"China will continue to carry out feasibility study for Pan-Beibu Gulf

economic cooperation," Zhang said, adding that "ASEAN countries are also

welcomed to take part in the modernization of other places in China, such as the

western, central, coastal and bordering areas."

Zhang added that China will make continued efforts to ensure the success of

the China-ASEAN Expo and the China ASEAN Business and Investment Summit to turn

them into important platforms for China and ASEAN to expand exchanges and

cooperation for mutual benefit and common development.

Fourth, both sides should expand cooperation in agriculture, energy,

environmental protection and climate change.

Fifth, both sides should actively implement the Declaration on the Conduct

of Parties in the South China Sea and make progress in taking follow-up actions,

advance practical cooperation and joint development in South China Sea and

maintain stability in the area.

Zhang said China is willing to expand cooperation with ASEAN through 10+1

(ASEAN plus China) and 10+3 (ASEAN plus China, Japan and South Korea), as well

as other regional and international frameworks or organizations such as the East

Asia Summit, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and G20 to promote

peace, stability and development in both Asia and the world.

The ambassador described China-ASEAN cooperation as a win-win outcome,

believing that such cooperation will no doubt have a brighter future.

ASEAN, which was formed in 1967, now groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia,

Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.