Premier Wen Jiabao's summit meetings with Asian leaders have brought China-ASEAN relations to a higher level and given an impetus to China's cooperation with Japan and South Korea, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said in Bali, Indonesia Wednesday.

Talking to reporters after the premier concluded his series of summits here, Li said Wen's 44-hour Bali trip scored the following major achievements:

First, a strategic partnership was established between China and ASEAN. By signing the document on strategic partnership for peace and prosperity between the two sides, China has become the first strategic partner of ASEAN, Li said, adding ASEAN is also the first regional grouping with which China has forged such a partnership.

Second, China has formally acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia. China's participation in the treaty is a positive development in maintaining good relations with its neighbors and is also conducive to the regional peace and stability, the foreign minister said.

Third, China has given an impetus to the reaching of the Joint Declaration on the Promotion of Tripartite Cooperation among China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK). Initiated by China and signed by Premier Wen Jiabao along with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and President Roh Moo-hyun, the document is the first on tripartite cooperation among China, Japan and ROK, and will give a major impetus to their cooperation, Li said.

Fourth, The Chinese premier outlined the guidelines for cooperation between ASEAN and China, Japan and ROK (10+3). The principles of equality and consultations, mutual benefit and win-win for all, gradual process and openness and inclusiveness, which he set forth, is of profound significance for the 10+3 cooperation and the cooperation in East Asia as a whole.

Fifth, China made a series of concrete proposals on cooperation and signed some documents to flesh up the cooperation in five major fields which showed the sincere wish of the Chinese side to enhance the regional cooperation.

All these initiatives and proposals received favorable response from leaders of the region and increased the understanding of and trust in China from its neighbors, Li Zhaoxing concluded.
 
(Xinhua News Agency October 9, 2003)