In his speech at the National University of Singapore, Chinese President Xi Jinping noted that by the end of this December the ASEAN Economic Community will be in place.
And this would mark the first ever sub-regional economic community in Asia.
"China will firmly develop friendly cooperation with ASEAN, firmly support the growth of ASEAN, firmly support the construction of the ASEAN Community, and firmly support ASEAN in playing a leading role in East Asia."
Hailing Singapore as a close and friendly neighbour, Xi stressed that China would always adhere to peaceful development.
"The concept of pe
