China pursues a policy of friendship and partnership with
neighbors. Basing its Asia policy on peace, security, and
prosperity, China works hard to promote long-term stable
good-neighborly relations and mutual trust, and makes continuous
progress in bilateral, multilateral and regional cooperation. The
year 2005 witnessed a breakthrough in the joint development of the
South China Sea by China, the Philippines and Vietnam; further
strengthening of China's relations with South Asian countries;
China being accepted as the observer in the South Asian Association
for Regional Cooperation (SAARC); and signing of the agreement on
the guiding political principles for settling boundary disputes and
establishment of strategic cooperative partnership aimed at peace
and prosperity between China and India. China has actively
participated regional cooperation with neighboring countries. The
building of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area has entered the
essential phase and the process of tariff cutting has been
initiated in an all-round way.
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In 2005, Chinese government leaders visited most neighboring
countries. In April, Chinese President Hu Jintao paid a state visit
to Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines, and participated in the
Asia-Africa Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia and in the Bandung
Conference 50th anniversary activities; Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
visited Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India. Between October
and November, President Hu Jintao visited Democratic People's
Republic of Korea (DPRK), Vietnam and Republic of Korea (ROK). In
December, Premier Wen Jiabao paid an official visit to Malaysia and
attended the ASEAN-China (10+1) Summit, the ASEAN-China, Japan and
ROK (10+3) Summit, and the first East Asia Summit. At the meetings,
Premier Wen expounded China's peaceful development approach and
noted that China's development would never be an obstacle or threat
to any other countries.
China also makes active efforts in moving forward the Six Party
Talks on the DPRK nuclear issue. In September 2005, a joint
statement issued during the fourth round of talks brought
significant progress in solving the DPRK nuclear issue.