Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi says Premier Wen Jiabao's attendance at the ASEAN summits shows the Chinese government's sincerity, responsibility and confidence in facilitating East Asian cooperation.
He said it was regrettable that delegates participating in the summits could not enter the venue after thousands of anti-government protesters besieged the venue and blocked roads in Pattaya. However the foreign minister emphasized that China is ready to stand together with East Asian countries in the face of difficulties and help each other to confront challenges.
Yang Jiechi revealed that Premier Wen Jiabao had planned to announce a series of supportive measures for ASEAN nations. (www.hXen.com)
According to the foreign minister, China plans to establish a China-ASEAN investment cooperation fund totalling 10 billion U.S. dollars to promote infrastructure construction.
Moreover, Yang Jiechi said China has decided to offer credit of 15 billion U.S. dollars to ASEAN countries over the next three to five years.
In addition, China will offer nearly 40 million US dollars in special aid to Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar to help them overcome difficulties.
The foreign minister further revealed that China will sign with ASEAN an investment agreement after the summits according to previous plans.
The signing of the agreement will mark the end of the negotiations on the free trade zone between China and ASEAN.
Yang Jiechi pointed out that the free trade zone, if established in 2010 as planned, will exert a significant and far-reaching impact on promoting cooperation among East Asian nations.
In conclusion, the foreign minister quoted Premier Wen Jiobao as saying that China's policies and measures on furthering cooperation with ASEAN in various fields will not be affected by the postponement of the summits.
