Premier Zhu Rongji is scheduled to attend this China-ASEAN summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in November.

The two sides are expected to sign a framework agreement on comprehensive economic co-operation during the summit, Vice-Foreign Minister Wang Yi told China Daily in an interview.

"The agreement will not only outline areas for China-ASEAN economic co-operation but also officially initiate processes for the establishment of a China-ASEAN free trade area by prescribing guiding principles, a framework and a timetable," Wang said.

The free trade area will help create a free market encompassing 1.7 billion people, the largest market of its kind in the world.

The trade volume between China and ASEAN reached US$41.6 billion last year, making China the sixth largest trading partner of ASEAN and ASEAN the fifth largest of China. Two-way trade volume hit US$23.6 billion in the first half of this year, an 18.7 per cent increase over trade in the same period last year.

It is estimated that the establishment of a free trade area will bring a surge of nearly 50 per cent in exports from both sides.

He said China-ASEAN co-operation has entered a more comprehensive and mature new stage and has become the most vibrant area of regional co-operation.

The Chinese Premier is expected to introduce a comprehensive plan for China's participation in the development of the Mekong River Basin when he attends the first Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) Summit, to be held before the China-ASEAN summit.

China will grant preferential tariff treatment to three of the least developed countries of ASEAN - Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar - and support ASEAN's efforts to narrow the development gap among its members.

China will offer financial assistance in building one-third of the Laos section of the Kunming-Bangkok highway. China also remains supportive of the construction of the Pan-Asia railway (Kunming-Singapore railway).

Wang said China will offer the three non-WTO members of ASEAN - Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia - the most favoured nation status enjoyed by WTO members, within the framework of China-ASEAN free trade area.

The vice-foreign minister said China also hopes to explore and expand fresh co-operation channels with ASEAN and gradually open up dialogue and co-operation in non-traditional security areas including counter-terrorism.

"China supports ASEAN's counter-terrorism efforts and is ready to work with ASEAN in fighting terrorism in this region," Wang said.

(China Daily September 27, 2002)