Convened at a time when the world is being confronted with increasingly strained international and regional situations, the meetings drew particular attention, and more hope was pinned on them from the beginning.

At the regional forum, representatives from the 10-member association and the 13 dialogue partners -- including China, the European Union, Russia and the United States -- emphasized in the discussions a series of issues of common concern, such as counter-terrorism cooperation, the nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula, and the prevention of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The declaration issued after the forum stressed the urgency of setting up an effective regional security mechanism and necessary measures to ensure long-lasting peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

At the meeting, participants also exchanged views on enhancing mutual trust and strengthening cooperation in the economic, financial and trade fields.

While stressing the importance of this regional dialogue and cooperation mechanism on peace and development in this region and the world as a whole, the representatives also reached the consensus that such a regional forum should go on to play an even bigger role.

Since it was established in 1994, the ASEAN Regional Forum has gradually developed into the largest official multilateral security consultative and cooperative channel in the Asia-Pacific region.

The history of its continuous development and expansion over the past 10 years proves that the forum has played an irreplaceable role in maintaining regional peace, security and stability, and promoting regional development.

As a multilateral consultative mechanism involving a wide range of countries with different social systems and levels of development, the forum has provided an important platform for those countries to exchange viewpoints and coordinate on a series of issues.

The principle of cooperation and non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, as set by the forum members, has also set a good example for other regions.

(China Daily June 23, 2003)