China and Laos agreed on Sunday to work together on infrastructure and economic projects.

Premier Wen Jiabao and his Laos counterpart Bounyang Vorachit held talks and witnessed the signing of five agreements as part of an official visit.

They are to attend Monday's summit of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as the group's meetings with China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand and India.

The China-Laos agreements inked on Sunday include deals on economic and technological cooperation as well as four exchanges of letters on helping Laos build roads, survey mineral resources, draft plans for comprehensive development in the north and build power projects.

Wen submitted a four-point proposal for advancing bilateral ties, including an increase in high-level contacts between the two countries.

Describing Laos as a "good neighbor, good friend, good partner and good comrade," Wen suggested that Laos combine China's economic and technical assistance with its own abilities for development.

"This should become the new form and means of bilateral cooperation," said Wen.

Bounyang said that Laos hopes the two countries strengthen cooperation in agriculture, science and technology, mineral resources and investment, as well as infrastructure such as hydropower and telecommunications.

Premier Wen also met Sunday with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Wen said that China and Indonesia, which have reached consensus to build a strategic partnership, should strive to expand trade to US$20 billion.

When meeting with Lee Hsien Loong, Wen said that Singapore's adherence to the one-China policy and its opposition to "Taiwan independence" has laid a stronger foundation for the advancement of bilateral relations.

Lee said that China and ASEAN are moving in the right direction to build a free trade area.

In Wen's talks with Badawi, the two leaders touched on the topic of the South China Sea. Wen said that China is willing to put aside disputes and seek joint development of the region.

(China Daily November 29, 2004)