China supports upgrade of FTA

BEIJING, Oct. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- China supports the leadership role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in East Asia cooperation and regional economic integration, Premier Li Keqiang said on Friday.

Li also promised to upgrade the Sino-ASEAN free trade agreement by enhancing trust and cooperation with ASEAN members, further benefiting the region. Li made a remarks after meeting with the delegation of ASEAN economic ministers.

The delegation, which included more than 120 officials from the member countries and the secretariat, is visiting China this week and organized road shows in Chengdu, Shanghai and Beijing.

The officials are promoting trade and investment opportunities to Chinese provincial executives and local businesses.

"China and the ASEAN have great potential in trade, investment and cultural cooperation, and the delegation's road show in China and promotion of trade and investment opportunities of the ASEAN will help actualize the 2+7 proposal," Li said.

Li, attending the 16th China-ASEAN Summit, proposed the 2+7 (two political consensuses and seven areas of cooperation) framework, which represents the new Chinese leadership's new vision on expanding the China-ASEAN relationship.

Li appreciated the delegation's trip to Beijing from South China with the country's high-profile high-speed train. President Xi Jinping and the premier have been actively promoting China's high-speed train during recent visits to Southeast Asia.

At a conference in the capital on diplomatic work on Friday, Xi said that China will strive for a sound neighborly environment for its own development and seek common development with neighboring countries.

Xi stressed the necessity of good diplomacy with neighboring countries to realize the "centenary goals" set by the 18th Communist Party of China National Congress in November: a moderately prosperous society by 2021; and a prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and modern socialist country by 2049.