The Chinese government on Tuesday congratulated the Association
of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) on its 40th anniversary.
"ASEAN has achieved remarkable accomplishments in economic
growth and pushing forward regional integration," said Foreign
Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao.
"ASEAN has made important contributions to peace, development
and prosperity in the region," Liu said.
Premier Wen Jiabao would send a congratulatory message to ASEAN
Secretary General Ong Keng Yong, and Chinese Foreign Minister Yang
Jiechi would attend a celebration banquet held by embassies of
ASEAN nations to China.
A series of celebration activities would also be held in
Beijing.
Calling ASEAN China's "friend and partner", Liu said China and
ASEAN had witnessed increasingly deeper cooperation in politics,
economy, society and culture, and always supported each other and
worked closely together in international affairs.
"China will continue supporting the regional integration process
of ASEAN and its leadership in regional cooperation as it has
always done, and continuously push forward the China-ASEAN
strategic partnership," Liu said.
Founded on Aug. 8, 1967, ASEAN groups Brunei,Cambodia, Laos,
Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand
and Vietnam.
ASEAN members are also organizing different events and
activities to commemorate the anniversary with the official theme
"One ASEAN at the Heart of Dynamic Asia."
(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2007)
